What our guests are saying...
Paul,
I responded to your email survey a moment ago, but I want to provide some additional details about our outstanding stay at the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort, with some specific names of your staff who I want to call out for their exceptional service. Below are just a few examples of how your staff exceeded my expectations, but as embarrassing as it may be, I suppose I need to start at the beginning and explain how my own mistake started my interaction with your staff that led to them exceeding my expectations.
Exceeding Expectations #1 - While traveling on business I tried, but could not submit, the reservation through a hotel's Internet connection, so I sent a comment from your web site expecting someone would call me back the next business day. Within 15 minutes of sending the comment about the issue, I received a call from Melonie who made the reservation over the phone. When she asked if this visit was for a special occasion, I (incorrectly!) responded "xxth year wedding anniversary".
Exceeding Expectations #2 - The next day, as I was about to buy an anniversary card I (thankfully) realized this was NOT our anniversary, it was my wife's birthday! I called your resort and spoke with Audrey who instantly made me feel better and who had both of us laughing at my mistake. She assured me all record of my "anniversary" error had been replaced with "birthday" - which was greatly appreciated.
Exceeding Expectations #3&4 - I arrived at the resort Saturday with some flowers and a BIRTHDAY card hoping that I could arrange to have the items placed in the room before my wife arrived later that day. Melonie was at the front desk and informed me that because I had had trouble with the web reservation system, she had upgraded us to a suite and allowed me to place the items in the room myself.
Exceeding Expectations #5&6 - On the way to the room, the guest services crew (I'm sorry, but I can't recall her name) greeted me with a smile and "Welcome!" and offered to help me with the bags and flowers. She then brought back to the room with a vase for the flowers! The room/suite was incredible and exceeded my expectations as well!
Exceeding Expectations #7-9 - My wife purchased a t-shirt in the gift store and the young lady at the front desk (and again, I'm sorry but I can't recall her name) offered to have the t-shirt taken to the room while we had a drink in the lodge. (Nice touch!) My wife and I met Julia and Danielle in the lodge and I was surprised and pleased to discover that Julia can make the best Marker's Mark Old Fashion since I moved to Texas from Kentucky (where they KNOW how to make a bourbon Old Fashion!) We had an enjoyable visit with Danielle who informed us about the fun children's activities our grandchildren would enjoy as well as the sitting services offered which allowed the children and adults to both thoroughly enjoy themselves.
Exceeding Expectations #10&11 - After enjoying a wonderful spa treatment later that afternoon (which included an incredible rain storm with thunder - I'm STILL not sure how your staff arranged THAT, but it did exceed my expectations since we hadn't had seen/heard rain/thunder in Austin in many months)! Jennifer, Amber, and Tammy again made us feel special...not to mention relaxed! When we arrived for dinner later that evening, the staff greeted us by name and wished my wife a happy birthday. A special appetizer was delivered and my wife's dessert plate had a happy birthday message drawn on it in chocolate.
Exceeding Expectations #12 - (and this one I think you might want to talk to your staff about, because, while incredible, has set the bar extremely high for a repeat performance each time we return to Rough Creek Lodge and Resort and, while nice, could be viewed by others as a bit over the top). Somehow, and I have no idea how your staff arranged this, the most incredible double rainbow appeared during dinner. While it brought almost the entire lodge to a standstill in awe, and was a very nice touch for the couple at the next table who were celebrating both a birthday AND an anniversary, it could have come across to others as your staff showing off a bit too much! (Tongue-in-cheek humor intended here!)
Exceeding Expectations #13&14 - Jeff at the horseback riding topped off our short but extremely enjoyable weekend at your resort. He knew the history of the ranch and obviously enjoys the guests as well as the horses. Last, but certainly not least, to demonstrate your staff thinks of everything from arrival to departure, we found a card on our car from Isaac who had cleaned our windshield prior to us leaving.
Exceeding Expectation #15 - I suppose it is justice that since my dealing with your staff began with Melonie and with my embarrassing "anniversary" mistake, it should end with Melonie and another embarrassing mistake on my part! On my quickly scribbled notes from talking with Melonie for the reservations and Jennifer for the spa, I mixed up the names and ended up calling Melonie "Jennifer" the entire time I was there. (Please overlook the fact that she introduced herself and had her name embroidered on her shirt...which, by the way, was another touch that did not go unnoticed...except, obviously, Melonie's shirt by me!) Unfortunately, it wasn't until I was checking out that I realized this second and most embarrassing mistake on my part. Melonie just smiled and said she didn't have the heart to correct me! Melonie, I am very sorry!
Paul, as the many examples demonstrate and as I'm sure you already know, you have an incredible team. If there is one "take-away" I want to express from this long letter, it is this - every person on your staff contributed in making our stay exceed expectations...some in small ways, some in big ways, and many others behind the scenes whom I didn't meet but who contributed just as much in support of those on the "front line".
Proof expectations were exceeded is this - My wife and I will be back...in fact, probably next month for our 5th year anniversary...and this time I do have it correct!
Every aspect of our stay this weekend for my wife's birthday EXCEEDED my expectation! Every staff person I passed in the halls greeted my with a genuin smile and friendly greeting.
My rating? Is 10 as high as I can go???!!!
Would I recommend? Absolutely!! I have already posted remarks on facebook and will share brochures with others.
Single reason? Do I have to pick only one?! Friendly/responsive staff. (But facilities, activites, attention to detail, family and non-family areas.)
Improvement? I can't think of a single thing to suggest. (Although, that double rainbow you put on Saturday night for the dinner guests is going to be quite a difficult item to repeat, but I have faith in you and your staff!)
MN, Austin, TX 9/11
We LOVE Rough Creek. My husband and I first visited 3 or 4 years ago, and since then, it is a great place that we always think of when we want a nice, fun, relaxing getaway from Dallas. It's close enough, but feels like a whole other world. So, to answer your questions...
1) A 10, no doubt. Cozy & fun lodge. I think Rough Creek has every outdoor activity you could think of doing, and then once you've tuckered yourself out, you have a very nice and cozy room to go back to. The beds are unbelievably comfortable, and all of the people at Rough Creek are so genuinely nice and friendly. We love the small touches, too -- like cookies in the afternoon, treats in your room, and always being addressed by your name. It's a top notch experience, from start to finish. The food is great, the scenery and atmosphere is relaxing and casual. Love it! LB 9/11
send even more in the future thanks to my first hand knowledge of the resort
Thank you for following up on our visit. Assuming that 10 is the best rating we would need to rate your facility an 11+. Your staff is exceptional and made us feel like we were one of your family.
We enjoyed exploring your property on the Kawasaki Mule and horseback, took many rides on your zip line, spent relaxing afternoons poolside and first class dinners in your dining room overlooking the lake. Our 10 year old twins enjoyed starting their days fishing from the dock and ending their days doing the same. We took several pictures of the bass they landed and have many stories of the ones that snapped the line and got away.
After seeing our pictures and hearing our stories our relatives are talking about wanting to join us for a return trip next year.
We spent three night at your lodge. Because of the relatively small size of your resort, by the second day our kids had made several friends that they enjoyed swimming, zip lining, playing on the bungee trampoline and fishing with. While this made it more difficult for them to leave it created memories that will last a lifetime.
If we had to make one recommendation for something to improve on it would have to be….fill your fishing reels with a little stronger line, we had some nice ones that got away.
Thanks again to your staff for a memorable vacation.KZ Kingwood, TX 7/11
1. Scale 1 to 10 for my recommendation definitely a 10! The single reason for my answer would be the attitudes of all your staff, including yourself. All your people were genuine and concerned with my guests and myself feeling welcome and comfortable.
2. Let me think on the improvements - nothing comes to mind.
I look forward to returning to Rough Creek as soon as possible.
Paul, Thanks for a awesome stay. I know it must be difficult to keep all your people motivated and smiling but you all are really doing a great job!
JJ, 7/11
Hello Mr. Boccafogli,
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Rough Creek Lodge. I would rate your lodge a 10 and recommend it to family and friends. What stood out the most to me was the service we received. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. I felt that your staff genuinely wanted us to have the best possible time from the way they remembered us and called us by name to the general conversations they had with us. It was even a treat for me that I didn't have to open my children's ice cream and throw the wrappers away! It was all taken care of for me! We truly felt at home and will definitely return in the future. Thank you for a wonderful time.
Sincerely, J.E. 7/11
We loved our stay at Rough Creek and will definetly come back and recommend to our friends. The service was impeccable and the entire lodge and suites are beautiful and kept very clean. The staff is excellent and we loved the personal touch from each person we came in contact with. We also liked that it was small and not over crowded with guests. Keep it small! The food was exceptional and a big drawing card! . You have a great place. We live in XXXX and it took only 2 hours to get there. That is a bonus! Thank you! D.Y. 7/11
Thank you for reaching out, we had a magnificent experience. Your staff is absolutely tremendous. I rate the whole weekend a 10. We will be back soon. T.M. 7/11
I would rate my stay as a '10'. The primary reason: your Staff. They were fantastic. I have had the opportunity to stay at many upscale facilities over the years, and my experience has been that ultimately it is the quality/service orientation/customer-centric nature of the staff that makes the visit or breaks it. T.D. Vermont 7/11
Hello and thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback!
I would rate Rough Creek Lodge a 10+ due to the attentiveness of your staff and the amount of child-friendly amenities provided to our family. I have already highly recommended your resort to friends and I will continue to do so. I cannot express adequately how grateful my husband and I were to be able to drop the kids off at your Kids Club and have a (somewhat) quiet dinner!
The only area I would request improvement is for a separate dinning area for those dinning without children. We were so happy to go to dinner without the kids only to hear constant chatter, screaming and crying of other people's children. Besides that, our stay was perfect!
I also want to take the time to thank your staff, specifically Liz and Ivory, for re-uniting us with our IPad after I mistakenly left it at the Lodge. They were both professional, efficient and very helpful!
Thanks, again, for a wonderful weekend and we'll se you again in the future!
A.K. 7/11
Thanks for the survey
Easily a ten and no question we would recommend Rough Creek to friends, family and business
I had a small customer outing last November and plan to do same this year
Service was just outstanding and just the pampering my wife and I needed for a quick getaway. Thanks for making us feel like VIPs for a couple of days
Congrats to you for pulling together a fabulous team
Kudos to Betty who served us drinks at the pool and the next day greeted my wife and I by name as we arrived for breakfast
Hope to visit again soon. D.W. 6/11
I just spent a couple of days at Rough Creek Lodge celebrating my in-laws 60th wedding anniversary. I wanted to let you know that we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Rough Creek. I cannot express enough how accommodating we found EVERY employee to be. It started at the moment we arrived when we met Larry to the nice young lady that checked us out. One of the guests in our party is gluten intolerant and found the restaurant staff to be extremely accommodating to ensure her food was gluten free.
Thank you for being part of our celebration and helping us enjoy our time with you. We hope to make it back soon. I have attached a picture of a bass I caught off the dock. That was a lot of fun! DM, 5/11
we thouroughly enjoyed our stay at rough Creek Lodge and Resort. I would definately recommend it to our friends....in fact I already have. I think the single I enjoyed most was the food. It was wonderful. Everything was so relaxed and enjoyable. We took the nature trail on a bicycle, ziplined,and explored everything. The weekend ended when we got in our car and realized they had even washed our windows. What a nice thing. I was a little disappointed when the concession was not open at the pool. But, I guess it was just too early in the year. We had a wonderful time and will definately come again in the future. Thank you, JY, Ft. Worth, TX
Dear Paul,
Definitely a 10!!
We had a wonderful, relaxing visit at Rough Creek Lodge! The view from our window was amazing. We are from Louisiana where there are lots of tall trees so we don't get that view of wide-open spaces. Our room was very clean and quiet. Our second morning we were without coffee and creamer (the containers were not refilled), but the front desk was quick to bring some up for us. Our bathroom was clean and furnished with fresh towels each day. We really loved the room, how it was arranged and decorated - perfect for the lodge/ranch feel. The restaurant was great! Food was delicious and service was wonderful. We loved the fresh cookies in the afternoon and the welcome bag at arrival. Our horseback ride with Trevor was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the horses and he was very friendly during the ride. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming from the day we arrived to our departure. There is only one thing I would like to suggest. We were not really able to enjoy sitting out on our balcony or leave our door open to the balcony due to bugs flying around. I don't know if there's a way to help with that - maybe bug spray - but that might not be too healthy; maybe screen in the balconies. But that is the only thing. Everything else was a wonderful quiet relaxing getaway for us!! We will definitely be back. We hope to bring our son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren next time. Thanks again! BB
We absolutely love Rough Creek. We would certainly rate it a 10 and have recommended it to many of our friends. This was our second trip there as a family (this time we had 22) and eveyone agrees it is probably our favorite place. We love all the activities,the wonderful warm hospitality from all your staff, the delicious food, the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of the surroundings and the luxury of your rooms. My special thanks to Ivory for her graciousness in working with us through cancellation and rebooking and to Jose for his handling of our large family group, and all the wait staff. We will plan to come back Thank you for the opportunity for feedback. NJ Texas 4/11
1) I would certainly recommend your fine resort. I rate it 10 because it is perfect for family and business meetings. It is a wonderful place to get away. The ambiance, the food, the service, the accommondating employees, the spectacular view of the range--my wife and I love the place!
2) Perhaps another sign on highway 67 to alert guests that they are approaching the turn off to Rough Creek Lodge & Resort. (We passed up the one sign and went about six or seven miles too far.)
Congratulatioins on operating such an outstanding lodge and resort. Best wishes. Sincerely. LS, Dallas, 4/11
Well recommending Rough Creek to friends is difficult as a criteria since we live a good plane ride away and not all of our friends can afford the price. But setting that aside, I’d say a clear and convincing 10. We had another marvelous time.
The single most important reason – SERVICE. You’re people are amazing. The facilities are great too. On Saturday night there was a wedding. We were sitting on our deck (suite 430) thinking, boy that wedding sure ended early. We went down to the bar to have a nightcap and the music from the wedding was still blaring (although not very loud inside) but on our deck, we couldn’t hear a thing. That’s amazing!
Anyway – we love it all but if I had to pick one thing, it’s the service.
And yes, I can think of something to improve things. A Hat and coat rack in the suites. Although I know most people don’t wear long coats so they can fit in the short closets, my husband had a rain coat because we had been in NJ before we stopped at Rough Creek and it was too long for the closet. Had he worn in out in the rain it would have gotten everything else wet. And there was lots of room to lay a hat but a hat hook or rack would have been better.
Other than that – we adore Rough Creek and spread the word whenever we can. NY, CAL, 4/11
I cannot tell you what an amazing trip we had! On the first day my son asked my husband how long we had been there. My husband answered "7 hours" and my son said "well this has been the best 7 hours of my life!"
I told my husband on multiple occasions that I had never experienced such excellent customer service from every single employee that we dealt with.
Thanks so much for helping us to have suh an awesome family vacation. We plan on coming back for years to come! KT, Dallas, 4/11
Good morning! Thanks for writing!
It was a wonderful stay! My kids thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. I had been years prior when it was mostly adults. However, now Rough Creek is the ultimate family destination! Food, delicious! Activities, beyond what I could ask for! Cleanliness, impeccable! Overall we loved it so much that we are returning May 21st!! And our kids can't wait!
I love how most everything is geared towards time with family and experiences outside. But my one gripe has to do with "inside"... and that is the channel options on the television. For such a kid-friendly resort you don't offer Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. These are "must have's" for families with small children (for watching during rest time or in the early morning before breakfast). The Cartoon Network (which you do offer) is trashy and too grown up for little ones. So that's it. Nothing major at all.
Again, we are so looking forward to our return in May!
I've attached a few photos of our time with you!
Enjoy your day! MN, DALLAS, 4/11
I cannot sufficiently tell you how accommodating your team is… your group of folks went above and beyond the call of duty for our group. I know we are a difficult group, happy but difficult. Stephanie did everything asked with a smile on her face… Monica and Donna – wow and Julie…. she saved me with one of our customers transportations. I have never been to a resort/hotel that would do the things your employees did for us… they would have just said no and I never heard that word come out of any of your folks! From housekeeping, to the driver – I think it was Kevin – who drove our crazy group around after house – to the kitchen staff/chef – the front of the house – to the front office and night staff/security – FABULOUSOOOOOO!
Thank you, thank you, thank you…. Your team made me look great! SM, FLA, 4/11
I just wanted to let you know that we were very pleased with our trip to your facility. I would highly recommend your facility as a choice for future events. Activities were a blast, your staff was friendly and attentive (Stephanie was very accommodating and a pleasure to work with), service was excellent, food was fantastic and your facility and the accommodations exceeded our expectations. I look forward to future visits to Rough Creek as there will definitely be some. TD, 4/11, AZ
Apologies for the delay, I've been travelling considerably.
Regarding your first question, I'm admittedly tormented. On the scale from 1 - 10 regarding the experience, I would give RCL, staff and activities a 15. We thoroughly enjoyed all aspects and the service and amenities was truly stellar. I'm tormented because it's hard to share a place so special as RCL....... one is tempted to keep the secret to yourself.
The dining experience was magical and we relished each and every evening. Jose was a hit with my family in particular each morning. We made a special effort to find him the morning we left, just to say goodbye. All service was exemplary, but Jose simply radiated each morning and got our day started right - whether he was our wait staff or not.
The only suggestion I could make would be for a toddler-oriented play set at the lodge. The bounce houses were nice, but just a place for toddlers / youth to swing or slide would have been appreciated. We finally found the play set at the cabins, but the convenience simply wasn't there.
There is no question as to whether we will return. We will, and hopefully soon - despite the 12 hour drive.
I am a third generation owner-manager of a firm that does considerable business globally. I've stayed in the most abysmal accommodations to the most opulent. Rough Creek Lodge has become my new hallmark for customer experience, service and attention to detail. I've spent many an evening pondering how to apply your principles to my own firm.
My highest compliments. LB 4/11 Kansas
On a scale of 1 - 10?? I would recommend RCL at 20!!!! The single most answer is CUSTOMER SERVICE!! As a retailer for 36 years, I know customer service and most of it is good at best. RCL is AWESOME!! In fact, we booked next year's Spring Break before we left your facility!! It was truly wonderful. You are fortunate to have such a wonderful staff helping you create such a positive experience for those of us who need to get away once in awhile!!
Your wrangler was fantastic, your spa staff is tremendous, your Adam and Christi and Donna are UNBELIEVEABLE!!!
See you next year if not sooner! 4/11 DM, Flower Mound, TX
Paul – we would definitely recommend RCL to our family and friends. In fact, I have already told at least 10 people what a great time we had and how amazing your staff is. I have never experienced such warm and attentive service. One of your front desk staff even carried my 40 pound 2 year old to my room after dinner one night so I didn’t have to carry him while wearing three inch heels!
My daughter is still talking about how nice it was of “Dr. Paul” to take care of the scratches from the puppy.
We had an amazing time, my kids loved it and we loved it. You guys have family fun figured out!
Looking forward to our next trip, JC, Grapevine, TX 3/11
First and foremost I would like to say we had a GREAT time. My children would rather go back to Rough Creek then go to Great Wolf in grapevine. That says a lot to me. Even my 3 year old daughter loved it and they were all sad to leave.
I would scale it on a 10. The staff were excellent and very accommodating. The weather temperature wise was nice but it was very windy and the staff did their best.
I'm definetely recommending Rough Creek to anybody and everybody that is looking for something different then the franchise type vacation.
Only recommendation would be the beds. I like a soft bed and my children, but my husband does not. His back got thrown out wack.
Keep up the great work. Staff two thumbs up. Food outstanding.
Thank you. CDP, Killeen, TX 3/11
Paul,
We had an absolute blast. You have a top notch facility. We did not meet one staff member that was not courteous, helpful, and smiling. Thank you for a wonderful weekend. We will be visiting again. BC, Texarkana, TX 3/11
Dear Paul,
This is our second time at Rough Creek and it truly could not have been any easier and relaxing thanks to your wonderful staff. My kids are 5,4 and 2 and we actually relaxed (which never happens). We will for sure be back soon! Thank you!! A perfect 10 for the us!! AB, Ft. Worth, TX 3/11
Greetings Paul,
Thank you so much for the follow up.
Here is some feedback on our stay:
1. We would recommend Rough Creed Lodge and Resort to our friends, family and business associates. (10 scale).
2. Here are some positives:
a. Recreation facilites that catered to families with kids.
b. Friendly staff. All of your staff were amazing. The most friendly staff we have ever encountered.
c. Deserts.
d. Breakfast.
e. Fishing barge.
f. Plus many, many more pros.
3. Here are some improvements:
a. Wireless Internet connection. The wireless Internet connection did not work in our cabin (arrow head). Note: I did not alert your staff ... I simply used my own hotspot from my cell phone.
b. Steaks. My wife and I ate your ribeye, filet, and petite tender cut. The steaks were tender and cooked perfectly. However, we both did not like the (mesquite) flavor.
Overall, we are very satisfied customers. You have an awesome staff ... incredible recreational (kid friendly) facilities ... and many more wonderful things.
I have a feeling that one day we will be back.
Thanks again for everything! KS, Texas 3/11
Hi Paul,
The answer to number 1 is a 10!
My wife and I have referred over a dozen people to Rough Creek and our company has held 2 management meetings there as well.
We have probably come out 9-10 times and we really enjoy it.
The guys and gals at the Berretta room were excellent! Teka, Dawn. Spencer and Jeremy were great!
Thanks again. MM Plano, TX 3/11
Paul,
We truly enjoyed every minute of our stay at RCL. We plan on visiting again and have highly recommended RCL to friends.
The personal service was incredible. I am sure you hear this one all the time – the food was amazing.
Thanks LH, Plano, TX 3/11
We had a wonderful time at the Lodge
with a rating of 10. Everything was first class! The warm welcome from the staff, the welcome bag that included the personalized boot cookie, our beautiful suite, outstanding food and service and the beautiful surroudings.
Thank you for a great weekend! JH, Frisco, TX 3/11
Paul,
It was great neeting you! Thank you for coming over to say hello!
Staying at Rough Creek is always relaxing. Eating in RC's beautiful dining room is what I look forward to the most. I love Gerards cooking - it's not bogged down with cream & butter which allows the fresh flavors of everything to shine - especially the vegetables and sauces. Gerard is one of the top ten chefs in the US in my opinion and he should be nominated for a James Beard award. I recently ate at Cyrus in Healdsburg, which was decadent on so many levels - Gerards food is as good or better! Additionally, dining amongst the wide open country views & watching the sun set makes me feel like I'm worlds away from the hustle bustle of Dallas. I cant say enough about the food, the kind service and the beautiful setting!
And the quick drive from Dallas makes it so convenient. I do tell my friends each time I go to RC! I highly recommmend your resort! JC, Dallas, TX 2/11
Paul thanks for the email. Teka is an invaluable asset to RCL. She is a 10! Always makes our stay special. Jeff and Adam are particularly good guides. Teka, Jeff and Adam keep us returning. We will be there again in two weeks. By the way, the food, accommodations and comfortable bed are also a plus. Thanks again for doing such a great job as GM. Best,NS, Lubbock, TX 2/11
YES! Definitely a 10 in our books. Exceptional quality and service.
Absolutely not ... although we had one very minor incident with housekeeping, which Ivory paid immediate attention to, nothing could deter us from returning and referring RCL to our friends and business associates. In fact, we came away thinking about just that! When can we return! KH TX 2/11
Mr. Boccafogli,
1) Yes, I would recommend Rough Creek to anyone I would ever come in contact with. My single reason for my answer would be all the things that the resort offered.
2) I really didn’t find any improvements that I thought were needed. I wish I could afford to come stay with you once a month. LA, OKC, OK 2/11
1) You guys rate a 10. There are many reasons however the one that comes to mind first is you staff. It doesn’t matter where you come in contact with an employee there is a pleasant greeting, and most call you by name which is nice.
2) This one is hard, I guess maybe the beer could be a little colder in the bar, and I really had to try hard to come up with that one.
Thanks and see you soon, CH, Aledo, TX 2/11
No kidding. Nothing but positive comments from our entire firm (half have been to rough creek before and knew of its stellar reputation). My husband and I plan to come back in the coming months. JC, Ft. Worth, TX 2/11
Dear Mr. Boccafogli,
Thanks for asking. I would rate Rough Creek Lodge a 10! Single reason, beautiful seclusion with many activities for entertainment! I purchased a Groupon in order to visit your Lodge. I was planning on celebrating my 20 year anniversary, but that didn't work out so well, my husband was scheduled to go out of town. I came anyway with my friend whose husband was also out of town, and we really enjoyed our stay. We both want to return with our families when the weather warms up, so we will be watching for deals and packages! We both visited the spa and the staff was so friendly. We had massage and she the pedicure and I the manicure. We had a wonderful visit and hope to come again this spring or summer. LB Benbrook, TX 1/11
Yes I would tell people to go there for a great get away. Reasons….. that’s an easy one
1. Every Single Employee treated you like a king
a. Guys running the zipline
b. Front desk people
c. Restaurant people
d. Waiters
e. Ben with the horses.
f. Hay ride
2. The Food.
a. Perfect
b. Great selection
c. Prepared beautiful
d. Delicious
e. Impressive
3. The Room
a. We had 2 one was the George Bush Suite
Unbelievable
b. Had adjoining room was very convenient
c. Had flower delivered for a birthday, was in the room ontime.
d. Houskeeping exceptional
Oh put me down for a 10.
2) Is there any aspect of your stay, no matter how trivial, that you would recommend that we improve upon?
Nothing I can think of. I even enjoyed shopping in the gift shop. Even the people in the parking lot were
So pleasant.
Ya’ll should be proud, It was better than hospitality at Disney.
Thank You we will be back. MC Alexandria, LA 1/11
We had a fabulous time at Rough Creek – it was our third visit in 5 years and we will definitely be back. We hadn’t been there since all of the improvements (i.e., kids ranch, trampolines, zip line, etc.) and were really impressed. Our young boys (6 and 8) had a fabulous time. We will definitely be back! I would rank it a 10. I love the combination of “casual” and “ranch” with a fabulous restaurant and great service. Also, the kids activities are great.
Thanks again for a memorable stay! LK, Southlake, TX 1/11
Hello. Our stay was wonderful.
To answer your first question I would have to say I give it an 8 or 9. I have been recommending it to all of my friends who like to relax and get away from the city. The food was excellent. We were impressed with the rooms and all of the activities you provided. The only reason I don't give it a 10 is that some of my friends like the crazy night life in the city. My wife and I loved being able to see the stars and cook smores in the quiet:) DH TX 1/11
1) 10. We regularly recommend RCL to friends and family.
The amount of activities and the intimate nature make it an incredible place.
2) We love it there. We love how intimate it is compared to larger resorts, and there is more to do. HW, Ft. Worth, TX 1/11
As always our experience at Rough Creek was fantastic! We have always enjoyed RCL during the warm months and decided to bring my parents up for a 2 night stay after Christmas. As always RCL did not disappoint! We are constantly telling friends and coworkers about how wonderful RCL is. The service and care is beyond any place we go. Julia and Jennifer are so wonderful and seeing them at breakfast makes us feel right at home. Teka and Jesse really made the Varmint hunt for the boys an experience they will never forget. I know I am forgetting a handful of other staff that make us feel so welcome!! On a scale of 1 - 10 we would rate it a 10 and the only other improvement would be to keep the weather nice ha ha!! You guys are great! Thanks and we look forward to coming again! RD, Plano, TX 12/10
Absolutely a 10 --- every employee we came in contact with, front desk, food service, wait staff, guide, spa personnel, etc. all were so customer oriented and extremely pleasant. We heard that your staff turnover is very low---whatever you are doing, continue doing it! Your employees are seasoned vets and seem happy in whatever they are doing.
The hunts were fantastic. My husband hunts a lot, but this was my 11 year old’s first time at this type of hunt. The guides used were Jeremy, chris and steven, all great guys, very knowledgeable and terrific with our son. Could not have asked for more.
One last aspect of our stay that I want to comment on. Our room was not ready when we arrive at 2, it wasn’t ready until about 4. Your staff apologized profusedly, we came on the 26th, evidently you had a great Christmas occupancy. When we did get in the room, there was a tray of yummy appetizers and crackers with a note again apologizing for the wait. That is definitely the way to smooth over any hiccup that is bound to occur in a business operation at certain points in time – a sincere apology plus that tray of goodies. It should do the trick every time.
Thanks again for a wonderful stay, TM, Houston, TX 12/10
A "10" alllll the way!!!! I have never had such impeccable service anywhere....we were so impressed and so grateful to everyone from the men who helped us at check in, to the young man Miguel who took us on our trail ride, to the awesome young waiter at last nite's dinner to Juan this am at breakfast and a precious young lady who made a waffle for us.
The rooms were beautiful. We were downright blown away by our experience and sad to leave, honestly. It is amazing there, and we are soooo looking forward to a return!
Merry Christmas! RH McKinney, TX 12/10
On a scale of 1 to 10, I always give Rough Creek a 10...when I think of Rough Creek, I am thinking of bird shooting.
The single reason is the hunting lodge atmosphere ( I know people come to Rough Creek for many non hunting activities, however,
I'm sure most people come to Rough Creek to do these activities in a hunting lodge atmosphere. It's what Rough Creek is.)
Everything was perfect from my perspective, the new rooms are great. 1/10, JD
We recently visited RCL for our 3rd year at New Years and it was outstanding! You guys really know how to make guests feel special and I just wanted to say thank you. It was a whirlwind trip as it was planned on New Year's Eve Eve and Donna in reservations was beyond accomodating when she helped me plan our weekend.
The ladies at the front desk and in the restaurant made us feel at home. Of course the food was absolutely incredible and none of us wanted to leave. Your saying that "it's easy to arrive and hard to leave" is certainly true!
I was in the hospitality industry for several years and worked as a Corporate Sales Manager for XXXX in Dallas. I am aware of how valuable guests input can be. I wrote last year a little disappointed with about a loss of "hominess" and you were so gracious to send us a gift certificate for one night. We did not use that coupon however, I appreciate your good will. We surely felt the love this year and are so grateful to have begun 2010 at RCL!
Again, thank you for the fabulous hospitality and Happy New Year. 1/10 JT Dallas
Just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for the wonderful time that our family shared at the lodge. Everyone had a great time and are already asking when we can return. It was a great Christmas retreat for all of us!
The service was impeccable! We have stayed at many fine hotels and have not experienced such perfection in personal attendance. Even the children commented on how good the service was. My 10yo daughter Alexandra that everyone tried hard to bring us everything that we wanted. My 5 year old Katherine said “ Mom, are they trying to spoil us”? I especially like that every little mistake was immediately overcompensated for with a reward.
The petting corral and especially the equestrian center were what really made the place special for us. We choose the lodge because of the equestrian center. We wanted to be able to have fun with the horses while the guys hunted. Allie is a very experienced rider and thoroughly enjoyed ridding the horses with Dawn and even got to go on a cattle run. She had a fabulous time!
Nicholas and Nick had fun hunting and comment on how every detail was accommodated for. The equipment was first class, even down to the packing of the game, it was all very professionally handled.
The food was outrageous! Although I probably gained 5 pounds, we all enjoyed the meals . Katherine’s tummy is still smiling and Nicholas and I are craving the homemade granola. You’ll have to send me that recipe!
A special thanks goes out to all of you for a job well done. We have made family memories that will last a lifetime. 12/09 MD, Louisiana
My husband and I had an amazing time at RCL and can't wait to find a time to come back. We are telling all of our friends and family that they have to go. My only problem is that I did not want to go home. All of the staff was perfect, the food was 5star, the spa was relaxing and the grounds were breathtaking.
Thank you for making our New Years and my husband's birthday special. 1/10 SV, Frisco, TX
Dear Paul,
We truly enjoyed our stay at Rough Creek lodge. This is the second time that we have been here. On a scale to 1-10. It gets 10 in everything that includes hospitality by the front desk, our complete dining experience with service and food of the highest caliber, attention to detail and care in every service and sport that we decided to experience, meticulous house keeping.....well I can go on and on... in short, in every aspect of our visit it was much more than our expectations!
We love coming over here and spending time with our children. My son got to learn how to ride a bike and my daughter enjoyed playing with several of the animals at the petting zoo. The Beretta Shop personnel were excellent as they made sure the gun my husband was using for clay shooting was safe. Aaron and Steven were very professional and caring. Thank you for making our vacation a memorable one. Since our visit,we have been telling all our friends about our wonderful experience visit at Rough Creek lodge. We cannot compare this place to any other place that we have ever stayed that includes 5 star hotels all around the world as it offers much much more....We look forward to coming back soon. Your staff is excellent and goes that extra mile to make all the difference. We truly appreciate it! Thank you! Best Regards, 12/09, AS, Dallas.
Our stay was amazing! I am a Dxxxx Cxxxxxx Cxxxxx and I knew about the lodge because we have visited once before. It was amazing just like I remembered. We did the five stand shooting, duck hunting, and the ATV's. Thanks for everything. 12/09, BS, Dallas
Dear Paul,
1) If 10 is definitely yes, then I would give Rough Creek a 10+. The reason for this answer is that every aspect of our visit was perfect.
2) We both discussed this question and the answer is – there is nothing that could be improved upon. Every staff member was friendly and concerned with us having a pleasant stay. They were helpful and genuinely interested in our well-being. We had a perfect 24 hours at your facility.
We intend to renew our membership for next year so we can do this again. Thank you to the dining room hostess who sent us our picture. Everyone was so thoughtful. The blond lady running the breakfast was particularly helpful; we want to give her a shout out. Rey was our waiter for dinner; did an excellent job. The wine he recommended with our entrees was spot on. The whole experience was wonderful.
We are thinking of doing something for xxxxx birthday in February. We will let you know. 12/09, CC, Granbury
We would recommend Rough Creek to friends, family and business associates - 10! The single reason is the people. Everyone was so nice and made our stay exceptional. Can't think of any improvements. Everything was fantastic. Merry Christmas! MG Dallas 12/09
#1 – Scale of 1 – 10 – it would be a 10 ( being the highest mark). CUSTOMER SERVICE ! The royal treatment displayed by every employee and all of the activities offered at the resort
#2 – I can’t think of a single improvement that I would recommend
I would like to say Thanks Again TO -Ivory Mize, she was outstanding , as she really worked hard to accommodate our schedule, and see to it that we were able to schedule our stay ( in our timeframe) and to check on us to make sure we were having a good time. Our bird guide, Jeff Graham was OUTSTANDING – really enjoyed the experience as this was my wife’s first bird hunt. We will recommend Rough Creek to Friends and Family. We are trying to see when we can schedule to come back ! 12/09 GD, Dallas
We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend RC to our friends, and business associates. You have thought of everything it would appear to us, and the staff could not be more accommodating. The owners Retreat was perfect for our company outing. I know it must be a challenge to provide all of the amenities and that level of service in a somewhat remote location, but you guys do it very well.
Regards 12/09 DM, Dallas
I assume 10 is the high in the scale. We would give this question a 10. The friendly service of the staff is the number one reason. This was our 8th annual visit to Rough Creek. The food is always excellent. Jack and his friend Mark enjoy hunting with Adam. The quietness of the resort. We always leave very relaxed. We are already talking about next year. 11/09 KP, Dallas
10. My daughter and I greatly enjoyed the visit. The biggest single reason is that we enjoyed the activities. in addition, your staff was great, the food was excellent, the room was fantastic, and we really enjoyed the scenery. Definitely a very memorable trip. 11/09 JL, Dallas
I only have one complaint, I gained about 13 pounds in two days! the food was incredible.
I would recommend the place to friends, and already have done so.
everyone was tremendous. Teka took really good care of our family.
if I think of a way to improve, I will holler back at you!
thanks for a great time. 11/09 SP, Dallas
Rough Creek gets a "10" in our book. Have and will continue to recommend the lodge to everyone. You have succeeded in creating the perfect atmosphere for a getaway, whether it's a romantic date, a family vacation or a corporate retreat. It's the attention to details that make all the difference and really enhance the already excellent accomodations and food. We can tell you are working hard because every time we return, there are subtle changes that just make the experience even better than before. We can't think of any improvements to suggest, but we can't wait to come back and see what you've done! 11/09 PB, Dallas
Definitely a 10! ....the facilities were beautiful, and the weather was perfect, but the number one reason I will highly recommend the Resort is for the PEOPLE. Your staff is one of a kind. With over 20 years experience in the Luxury Hotel industry, I can honestly say, that you hold the standard for customer service. Everyone we encountered, from the housekeeping staff, the restaurant receptionist, the valet staff, to Ed Koch and Chef Gerard, were extremely accommodating and had a truly genuine attitude to make my family feel at home. We could not have asked for anything more. I commend you and your staff for the courteous service provided in all outlets. 11/09 ED, Dallas
Thank you for a great stay at Rough Creek. My wife and I, along with our two young boys thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We were guests at the property about four years ago as a couple, so this was our first time with kids and we were very impressed at how kid friendly the resort was. The service from the moment of arrival up until departure was spectacular. Here are the answers to your questions. I would also like to commend a few of the rough creek staff specifically.
1) I would recommend Rough Creek a 10. The top reason is the consistent and genuine service of your staff. The service and attention we received from your staff (at numerous points throughout the weekend) was one of genuine care for our experience at the property, as opposed to someone "just doing their job" or following a checklist. My wife and I both commented that the staff seemed to really enjoy making our experience great and memorable - both in responding to our requests, but also offering up things for us beyond what we had asked for.
2) I have two minor recommendations. First, I would suggest that you include a plastic bag or two in one of the closets in the guest rooms. You have so many great outdoor activities, many that will result in dirty clothes / shoes. It would be convenient if we had something to put these dirty/muddy items into when packing to go home to keep the other stuff in the suitcase clean. Could e as simple as a plastic laundry bag. Secondly, there was some standing water in the bottom of the kids bounce house. We didn't notice until our son had gotten into it. I recognize you've had a lot of rain lately, but you might check this bounce house after rain and mop up any standing water.
While everyone was great on our trip, three staff members that stood out to us:
Dawn in the horse stable - On the way back from a family hike, we wandered up to the horse stables. A couple had just finished a ride with Dawn, so the horses were saddled and tied up to the fence. Dawn kindly offered us water, and then let our older son sit up on a horse and go for a short walk in front of the barn. She could have easily tended to her business of working with the horses, but she took 20 minutes of her time to make sure our son had a memorable day at the stables.
The lady working the Sunday breakfast buffet (blonde, shorter hair, sorry I can't remember her name) - She brought our son pancakes, helped in buffet line when our hands were full, and knew everything about all of the food in the buffet (e.g.,which sausage was too spicy for our kids). I saw her all over the room working multiple tables, along with the buffet line throughout breakfast.
Chef - I bumped into chef in the restaurant after a superb dinner on Saturday night. He was kind enough to prepare a care package of cookies and bread for our drive home on Sunday. What a wonderful, personalized touch from a great chef. To reiterate, our meals were fantastic!
Thanks again, I look forward to seeing you on our next trip to Rough Creek. 10/09 AA, Dallas
Our stay was phenomenal. A definite 10 on a 10-scale.
The room, the staff, the food, the array of activities, the relaxing atmosphere with the outside seating areas--all were fantastic.
I especially enjoyed:
1. The foie gras appetizer at dinner.
2. My perfectly cooked (medium to medium rare) New York strip steak.
3. Sipping Scotch after dinner on one of the rocking chairs by the fireplace outside the lodge.
4. The house-baked bagels and smoked salmon at breakfast.
My wife especially enjoyed:
1. The antelope she had for dinner.
2. The waffle she had for breakfast. She's still talking about that waffle
We both loved:
1. The staff and the high level of personal attention we received (without even asking for it). Everyone on the staff was always greeting us and asking if we were having a good time.
2. The wildlife tour at 8:30 AM Sunday morning with Kenny.
3. Trap shooting.
4. The cheese tray we had while sitting outside the back of the lodge reading our books and newspapers on Saturday afternoon. That thing was loaded with blue cheese, brie, goat cheese, and lots of other good stuff.
5. The rocking chairs on our room's balcony.
There were lots of other things we liked about our stay, but I don't have time to list them. We'll be coming back soon. 10/09 RF, Dallas
Normally I don't respond to questionaires. I just don't want to take the time. However, our recent stay at RCL was amazing. Every aspect was perfect. We appreciated the friendly accommodating staff and exceptionally good food. We've stayed several times before and this time stood out. I'm not sure what has changed specifically, but our stay was definately superior to other stays. We look forward to coming for a visit again.Thanks, 10/09 MMP, Dallas
