BIG MEADOWS LODGE - Prices & Reviews (Shenandoah National Park, VA)

Big Meadows Lodge

Mama and baby bears we saw when driving Skyline Drive
Traveler (804)
Room & Suite (267)
Wine and cheese/fruit place delivered to our room by food service.
Dining (22)

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About

4.0
#1 of 1 lodge in Shenandoah National Park
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.0
Service
4.1
Value
3.6
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Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Languages Spoken
English
Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Bar / lounge
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Gift shop
Parking
Wifi
Restaurant
Non-smoking hotel
Picnic area
Shops
Show more
Room features
Private balcony
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,426 reviews
Reviews Summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Nestled amidst scenic trails, Big Meadows Lodge is often described as having a quaint, old-world ambiance that is both cozy and inviting. While the lodge boasts of splendid views and a proximity to nature that outdoor enthusiasts cherish, some guests have criticized the outdated bathrooms and spotty WiFi. The staff's friendliness stands out, although the reliability of services occasionally falls short of expectations. Room experiences vary, with comfort and cleanliness praised, but dampness and maintenance issues sometimes detracting from the stay. Despite the charm, the value proposition is questioned by guests who find the pricing steep relative to the amenities and room quality.
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Basic
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
bleighdill wrote a review Jun 2021
Stuart, Virginia86 contributions71 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
This location is spectacularly beautiful. The staff is friendly, the food is delicious and reasonably priced for an out-of-the-way location or inside a national park, however, do not be in a hurry to be served meals. My experience is that each meal takes about an hour. I believe there is a staffing issue since there are few servers both in the lodge dining area and the Tap Room. Service is slow, but food quality is an equalizer for the wait.

The accommodations are sparse (preferred room) with the television and coffee maker being the most modern amenities. Rooms are very, very clean. Impressively so. Adequate charging stations and electrical outlets are available. The preferred room offers 2 queen beds, a sink in the sleeping area, a toilet and shower in the bathroom.

There is a drink machine located beside the ice machine. The drink machine is "out of order," however the ice machine does work.

The biggest disappointment with this $200+/night room is the quality of the mattresses. In a word: HORRIBLE! The mattresses are broken down pieces of something and have no box springs. The mattresses are simply laying on a half inch piece of plywood. Would not recommend to anyone with back issues, and if back is fine, it won't be after a few nights on these makeshift beds.

I'm certain the thinking is that guests will spend little time in the room, but rather most time out in the nature surroundings. However, after being out all day, I would prefer to return to my room, shower, and fall into blissful sleep on a good quality mattress with some support. In all honesty, I've slept in a tent inside a sleeping bag on the ground that was more comfortable than this mattress. Really! They should be able to do better than this.

WiFi is available only in the lodge area, but drops in and out. Cell phone service is very sketchy throughout the park. This, too would be an easy fix for guests at this location. Cell phone boosters throughout Big Meadows would increase signal reliability for all guests in this area. I realize that being "unconnected" is part of the beauty of the national parks, however, it would certainly be a beneficial safety measure for travelers.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: Ample parking. A short walk to lodge and restaurants. They've done a good job for handicapped,...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
778worldtraveler wrote a review Sep 2020
Waterford, Wisconsin92 contributions103 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The view from the lodge is spectacular, overlooking mountains and rural farms. The valley below is breathtaking at night with all the lights just like you were flying over in an airplane. The main lobby and restaurant were in decent shape and very inviting with rustic furniture and several rockers facing the large windows overlooking the scenery. The whole staff was very friendly and courteous throughout the hotel. The dining room had taken out so much of the furniture that it looked abandoned. The atmosphere would have been much warmer had they left the tables in place and just left a "Closed due to social distancing" card on a portion of them. The food was very good but the paper plates took the charm out of having dinner in a fairly expensive venue. Don't they have a dishwasher like Denny's or Applebee's? Our room, #2 in the main lodge, was cruise ship size. I think the pictures on the website were taken with a wide-angle lens. We had to clean everything as it apparently not touched lately. Two lights were burned out or missing upon arrival. The door latch was what you would find on a fifty year old garage and almost fell off while we were there. The flooring was brand-new oak hardwood, but they never bothered to touch up the baseboards, muchless anything else in the room. The door from our patio leading to the lobby was damaged with parts hanging down and rubbing on the floor. The management seems to have trained the staff well but has put no emphasis on maintaining the building. We chose this lodge because we live in a log home and like the rustic look, but if you're looking for a modern Marriott type hotel, you won't be happy. You come up here to convene with Nature.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2020
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Chiara wrote a review Jul 2020
Lille, France97 contributions21 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Located in the middle of parc, so well situated for all hikes. Clean rooms with common deck. The lobby is really big and offers a wonderful view on the valley with sofas inside and chaires outside. We saw a couple of deers just next to our room. And the lodge takes great measures against covid19 with available hand sanitizer, staff wearing mask and often sanitation of the dors’ handle.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy W wrote a review Jul 2020
Annapolis, Maryland7 contributions5 helpful votes
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Once upon a time Big Meadows Lodge was a nice place for a little family get away. Rooms were basic, but well appointed, service was excellent, food was surprisingly tasty. NO MORE.

We were the first guests of the season this June post lock down. They have had plenty of time to prepare. Our room was filthy, dusty, and falling apart. The shades were covered in dust and most of them also cracked and broken, the couch had holes and was filthy, and drapes gave off dust clouds... not a fun experience when you're allergic to dust. And there were spiders/ webs everywhere. Now I get that we are in the mountains/ forest and spiders happen, but this was as if the spiders had been renting the rooms for years undisturbed. The photos of their rooms here and on their web site do NOT look like the suite we were put in.

They offered carry out at the restaurant. It was a circus. The hostesses did not take names with the orders, so when an order came up they just called out "salad and burgers?!" hoping the right person would step forward, and of course like 3 or 4 people came to claim the food. It was an unreasonably long wait for food, the menu was far less than years past, and the quality of the food was bland and heavy and left all of us with stomach aches.

There were signs all over requiring masks and saying spaces were sanitized, however we did not see more than about 20% of the people INSIDE the common spaces of the lodge wearing masks, and the lodge employees did not say a word as they watched people go in and out without the required face coverings.

The only good thing about the weekend were the drinks. 5 stars to the bartender down in the pub. He kept things moving, made great drinks, and was delightful to chat with.

If you are going to charge hotel prices of $140 and up, you have some MAJOR work to do. If you don't want to change things there, then your pricing should reflect the room and the service, about $60-90 a night. Until then sadly after years of making Big Meadows Lodge a family tradition twice a year, we will be going elsewhere.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2020
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
1.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oneareye57 wrote a review Jul 2020
long island, ny13 contributions11 helpful votes
+1
1.0 of 5 bubbles
My husband and I stayed here July 5-8 in room #94. It was the worst national park property we’ve ever been to. Let’s start with check in: there were 2 employees at the desk who didn’t seem to be familiar with the process. Check in took 45 minutes. When we got to our room, we were overwhelmed by the stale, musty odor. I sprayed Lysol but the odor never went away. The bathroom was filthy. The tiles and walls were cracked. There were constantly bugs on the floor. I wouldn’t get out of bed in the middle of the night for fear of stepping on bugs. The room itself was filthy. There were cobwebs in every corner. There was no maid service due to Covid restrictions but we did see cleaning staff turning over rooms. They only had a shopping bag with a few rags to clean the rooms. No cleaning cart, no mop! The place is woefully understaffed and the staff that is there is undertrained and never helpful. There are stickers on the doors of all public places that say “sanitized often”. Totally untrue! We sat in the lobby for a few hours two days in a row and we NEVER saw anyone wiping anything.
When we spend our hard earned money on a vacation, we expect a decent clean room! Delaware North: YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danny_kent1 wrote a review Jun 2021
Charlottesville, Virginia140 contributions276 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
This was our first stay at the lodge and we had a basic terrace room. One of the things I like about NPS properties is that they try to preserve the historic feel of accommodations in the parks. The bathroom had been updated but nothing else, including the antique radiators, so if you are looking for a motel experience, this isn't the place for you. For me, the room had character, it was very clean, and everything worked. The terrace has stunning views over the Valley and each room has some chairs outside with a coffee table to sit and enjoy the sunset. The dining room seemed overwhelmed at dinner, even though it was a Sunday night. Even though there were vacant tables inside the dining room, we were told it would be a thirty minute wait for a table (and there are no reservations taken). So we got food to go, which was excellent. The breakfast was also delicious and we had no problem getting an outside terrace table. The staff are friendly here and although the room walls were thin, we heard no noise during the night.
One thing that I found odd was that when I bought something in the gift shop I was asked if I would round the price up to the next dollar for something called The Shenandoah Trust Fund, which I'd never heard of. Well, fine, but then having given the cashier in the dining room $60 in cash for a $56 takeout meal I was asked if I wanted to round it up to $60. I don't know if this is some kind of scam or a way for the staff to get tips on takeout. If so, they should be clear what is going on. Not consistent with the great NPS ethos.
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Date of stay: June 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Terrace rooms have great views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret P wrote a review Jun 2022
1 contribution4 helpful votes
2.0 of 5 bubbles
I recently spent two nights at Big Meadow Lodge with a companion. I expected rustic, but what I found and experienced was run-down and neglected. We rented two rooms connected by a bathroom in the main lodge. Upon arrival, we opened the windows (as it was sweltering hot in our room), only to realize one of the windows was screwed shut. We also quickly realized that the bathroom door from one room had no latch & did not close. When maintenance showed up, the window was opened (it had been screwed shut prior to last storm because the latch on shutter is broken; when we left, it was still broken)., but the bathroom door could not be fixed because they "did not have the right screwdriver"! When I got into the shower first night, I could not get the water temp regulated because the cold water tap spun around without accomplishing anything. I had to dry off without rinsing the bodywash off. The front desk attendant came up & temporarily fixed so that my companion could shower. But he told us that, once the cold water was turned off, it would not turn back on. He would put in a request to have it properly fixed the next day. As we left the lodge next morning, I stopped by the desk and reminded them that the shower needed to be attended to and that the bathroom door needed to be fixed. I was assured it would be taken care of. The shower was fixed so that we could both shower that night (even though the nasty looking spigot handle was not replaced) but the door was not tended to. Throughout our stay, when one of us needed to use the toilet, the other had to leave the room...Not what I expect when I pay for a hotel room. All of the front desk people and waiters we encountered were very pleasant and accommodating. The food in the restaurant was okay, but way over-priced. And to top it all off, when I got home, I found an unexplained charge on my credit card . When I made the reservation, I paid the (first night) deposit. When we checked out, my companion paid the balance (second night) due. This extra charge was for over 80% of the entire bill! I spent two days calling the two different numbers I could find for Big Meadows. Every time, I got a "mailbox is full" message. Third morning I was finally able to leave a message with "Billing", but a week later, no one has bothered to return my call. I have been left with my only option of disputing the charge through my credit union. The lodge setting is beautiful. Too bad it is not getting the upkeep attention that it needs to make a stay there a great experience. We did attend a Star Party in Big Meadow conducted by a Ranger that was an asbolutely wonderful experience!
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Date of stay: June 2022
2.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cocoanutty wrote a review Sep 2021
Scottsdale, Arizona182 contributions190 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
This was an interesting experience, to be sure. I had stayed here with my father about 45 years ago when I was a little girl and had very fond memories. The interior Grand Room looked the same as in my mind, but gone was the Game Room which had a full size air hockey game back then! (No surprise, really.) But, it was fun to be back in the same Lodge after so many years.
We had a bit of difficulty with our original booked room, but the Manager on Duty cheerfully changed our room and ensured all was well with us. Kudos to her as we really appreciated her one on one attention.
The dinner meal at the Lodge’s restaurant (and the breakfast) was a real treat. Excellent, excellent food and service. Scattered times worked well for those waiting to be seated. Really, we just had a few minutes to wait before we were seated. The tables are spaced well apart so we felt very comfortable. We enjoyed everything we ordered and the view is magnificent. You can eat outside on the balcony if you want to have a bird’s eye view!
After dinner, we attended the fabulous Night Star Gazing activity. This was absolutely fabulous! Worth the price of the room alone! Everyone met just outside the Lodge area and sat on the ground or chairs. Once everyone was settled, all the flashlights were turned out so the Astronomer could just use her super-powerful torch. I wish I knew her name, but she was phenomenal! She knew every constellation in the sky and told, with vivid animation, the Greek Mythology tale as to what happened to create this particular set of stars. It was not only fascinating, but mesmerizing. I loved that she could actually point her torch into the sky and draw lines to show where each constellation connects to something else so I didn’t have to wonder, “Was it this star or that one?” Everyone was completely silent as we all listened to her voice, drawing us into a different century with her tales. I recommend this 1000%!
If you are traveling as a family with children and you love to camp, hike, scramble around, spot deer, enjoy waterfalls, or walking through the woods, this is absolutely the place for you. There are many day activities for children and families to participate in. Extremely family oriented. At the Visitors Station and the Gift Shops, there are numerous trail guides, waiting to answer all your questions and give their own personal advice as to which hiking trail, path, waterfall, etc. will work best for your family. Many families camped in their own tents on the property, buying small food items from the General Store, others were in the cabins and eating at the restaurant. Perfect for couples, wanting to get away and wander among nature. We even saw a baby fox, running across the road!
You will be glad you came here! Admission to the Park is free for all military personnel with i.d. cards. Thank you to the Park for supporting the military and their families!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2021
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Try to book a cabin!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sladana wrote a review Jan 2020
Washington DC, District of Columbia168 contributions109 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
We had a very cute room on the ground floor terrace overlooking the mountains. The passersby who walked in front of our room made a fair bit of noise and detracted from the privacy. We had to have our windows open due to the heat. Despite a small portable fan in the room, the temperature was horribly oppressive in the evening at the end of September. The WIFI was very unreliable as we seemed to be shut out due to excess capacity - the demand of other users. There was no tv but a huge closet and decorative stone fireplace. The restaurant food was good but our server at breakfast went AWOL. The service at dinner was fine, however.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2019
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
2.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: ask for an upper level floor with a balcony to have the view but avoid the noise of foot traffic
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF wrote a review Nov 2021
Fort Atkinson1,199 contribution472 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Big Meadows offers a wide variety of rooms so please take into consideration that our room had two queen beds, a fireplace and a back porch overlooking woods. And note that Shenandoah is not one of the national parks with a great lodge. Our stay was in one of the rooms in the 70's, the farthest (but just a block or two) from the main resort building. The room was a bit dirty, which I found out when I dropped something under the couch. The couch itself, and a light to read by, were a nice change from a standard setup. Floors were linoleum, so cold to walk on. The fireplace was a nice touch, with one bundle of wood provided with the room, but it did add a bit of mess carrying in twigs and moving the grate. The back porch was another nicety, providing a place to eat or read in the sunlight and maybe meet your neighbors on their porch. Also a good spot to dry clothes and put your hiking shoes and equipment. The property needs a scraping and painting, not that it is decrepit but you would notice if it were your own property. Parking ample and traffic or road noise minimal. We did have a neighbor with a dog that insisted on barking for hours, but we left for dinner when it became too much. No help from the management. Pillows provided were either lumpy or wimpy, so you either managed lumps or piled up wimpy. The dining area and main building where ranger programs and a gift shop are located, are within easy walking distance. The Wayside area is a hike or short drive. Big Meadows is a good location for seeing the center portion of Shenandoah.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginge59_12 asked a question Sep 2023
London, United Kingdom644 contributions97 helpful votes
Where is the nearest 'good sport' for sunset and sunrise- preferably without a car. Thanks in advance.
Answer from Kathy B
Texas36 contributions12 helpful votes
I personally can't answer that, but Google "Sunset spots in Shenandoah" and you will find several suggestions.
Bev asked a question Aug 2023
6 contributions1 helpful vote
Hi, do you have an email address please as I don't want to ring from the UK?
Answer from leslie
Apollo Beach, Florida5 contributions1 helpful vote
goshenandoah
travelwiz13 asked a question Jul 2023
United States2,200 contributions147 helpful votes
Is the building that burned down being rebuilt? Replaced?
Answer from cycler2015
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan123 contributions15 helpful votes
I don't know, sorry
StilltravellingSC asked a question Jan 2023
21 contributions7 helpful votes
Is there A/C in Big Meadow Lodge rooms (that don't have fireplaces)?
Answer from damrph
Rutherfordton, North Carolina28 contributions3 helpful votes
It was cold when we were there and they had heat but I don't recall seeing any ac
Kathy D asked a question Sep 2021
contact number
Answer from travelwiz13
United States2,200 contributions147 helpful votes
(877) 847-1919
Kay M wrote a tip Oct 2023
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"Tha national park reservation system terrible- I just would say beware, especially for the amount of money you re paying."
Read full review
Steve K wrote a tip Oct 2023
Danville, Pennsylvania20 contributions24 helpful votes
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"If you like cold food, snotty staff, and dirty, non-functional accommodations, this place is for YOU!"
Read full review
Amy V wrote a tip Oct 2023
1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"The cabins are very basic, but adequate for sleep and showering."
Read full review
Don S wrote a tip Oct 2023
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Great place, good food, good value"
Read full review
Compass549667 wrote a tip Sep 2023
1 contribution1 helpful vote
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"Stay on 2nd floor because you can hear creaky floors on 1st"
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Shenandoah National Park area.
PRICE RANGE
$154 - $263 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
big meadows hotel shenandoah national park, big meadows virginia, big meadow lodge, big meadows lodge virginia, big meadows shenandoah
LOCATION
United StatesVirginiaShenandoah National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
97
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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BIG MEADOWS LODGE - Prices & Reviews (Shenandoah National Park, VA)

Frequently Asked Questions about Big Meadows Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Big Meadows Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Hawksbill Mountain (3.1 miles), Limberlost Trail (3.2 miles), and Jones Run Falls Trailhead (3.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Big Meadows Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Big Meadows Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Big Meadows Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Big Meadows Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Hawksbill Diner, Big Meadows Lodge Dining, and Spottswood Dining Room.
Are pets allowed at Big Meadows Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Big Meadows Lodge offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to meeting rooms and a banquet room during their stay.
Does Big Meadows Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.
Is Big Meadows Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
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