Lake Eden Retreat Reviews

Thank you Marianne! I am so glad you were able to have your ceremony here at Lake Eden on your desired date even if the celebration was limited to just a few. Your flexibility and understanding during these difficult times was so greatly appreciated. We look forward to the future when we can host ALL of your friends and family for the reception of your dreams.

Thank you for the wonderful comments. We have changed over our housekeeping staff to provide better guest experience in the lodging as we take comments from our guests very seriously.

As the reviewer stated, this current situation is not one any of us could have predicted. One of the unfortunate realities to running a seasonal business is that during the winter months our operations are all but shut down. As we head into each Spring excited and energized to host that season's events, we also look forward to conducting meaningful business again. During early Spring each year, the deposits from the prior year very much support our ability to prepare the facilities and grounds for the upcoming events.
When it became clear in mid March that our Spring season was not going to be able to move forward, much of that preparation had already taken place. All of our non event lodging reservations were forced to cancel as well, putting our business and many others like us in a significant hole. However we were also put into the painful position of working with all our clients to come up with the best possible plan going forward. With over 30 events scheduled for 2020, it did take us some time to communicate with each one. However out of all of those events, only one group notified me they were "unwilling to consider another date or option". This event was scheduled for mid April and therefor was actually within the range of time when the balance would normally be coming in. Lake Eden's initial deposit is considered very low in our industry and we do not require additional payments until 2-4 weeks prior to actual event. An offer of credit towards future stays or activities was also rejected. I, (Leigh the owner mentioned above) took money from my personal retirement savings to at least refund their lodgings guests what I was able. I also told each of them that the amount I was unable to refund could be used on a future stay in our cabins if desired. Unfortunately, with the volume of cancellations we were looking at for lodgings, this was the best I was able to offer at the time. I have no record or memory of any threat of legal action and I reviewed all of our correspondence of which we keep a record.
Lake Eden has now opened for limited lodging just a few short weeks ago. And we are working on providing the best service we can under the circumstances. We are not sure at this time if we will be able to host any events at all for 2020. The idea of "profiting" from anything this year seems foreign to me and I am sorry that this group perceived it that way. Another unfortunate circumstance for us was as a seasonal business hiring primarily contract workers we were ineligible for most of the aid presented.
We here at Lake Eden will continue to work diligently to provide the best possible experience for our guests and are appreciative of how many return to stay with us after their events are over.
We like so many in our event industry are committed to carrying through and looking forward to wonderful seasons ahead. Be safe and take care.