Mountain Valley Lodge

We have a group of about 15 men who annually go to Benzonia, MI for salmon fishing. We aren't looking for a place with frills, but want a clean, no nonsense, friendly place to stay for the week. When our old go-to in Elberta was sold, we thought we'd try MVM. We have regretted our choice since. At first, we thought with the common room (a converted pool house with a now non-functioning indoor pool) and past years fairly reasonable rates, we thought it would work out. To call the rooms "tired" would be a compliment. There is a chair or recliner in the room that clearly was picked up from the curb, or should be put back on one. Carpentry "fixes" in the rooms and around the property appear to have been done by Daryl, Daryl, and Daryl. The ceiling lighting wiring in the common room is done with orange outdoor extension cord. In room 6, there is no stopper in the narrow sink, a sign above the toilet that says "hold the handle down when flushing." The toilet seat is "the horseshoe" type seat found is all the good truck stops. The old 19" TVs in the rooms have cable, but the remote does not turn the TV on or off, nor does it operate the volume. For the sports fans, there is no ESPN on the televisions in the rooms. The towels are thread-bare. The faucet is a hard "pull" to turn on and when it does, the water comes out with such force in the narrow sink, that it will splash out onto your pants and give the look of wetting one's self. The showers are narrow and the pressure wanting. When in the shower, pray no one in the entire facility flushes or turns on their sink at the same time, as the temps will go from Lake Michigan cold, to Hot Springs hot. The water is well water and unsoftened. Coupled with a great sulphur taste. Definitely use bottled water to brush. The owners behind the desk are surly on their best days. For all these "amenities" and "comfort" one will pay $81/nt. In the past, when the rate was much lower, these "rustic" turn could be overlooked by a bunch of fishermen looking for a decent place to stay for a week of river fishing. But to be honest, even at $60/nt, this place is a dump. Having stayed at the Crystal Lake Resort the weekend before our week long trip (because MVM screwed up the reservation of my friend) for essentially the identical price, we were SHOCKED by the difference. Thick carpet, queen beds (not full like MVM), flat screen LCD TVs in each room that all functions work on the remote (and ESPN), treated, tasteless water, towels that dried, (and smelled of bleach) a sink you could fill, and a beautiful view of Crystal lake. I expressed my dissatisfaction to the owner and they could care less. In short, they are now out 15 men who would stay a week to another business. If you feel that paying $81/nt for a dirty, hillbilly econolodge is a bargin, then this place is for you. Complete with a Dale Earnhart, Jr. wall clock in the common room. Enjoy you stay, because we didn't and won't again. By the way, the representative photo on this page is not from rooms 4, 6, 11, 17, 5, or 10. I doubt it is from the hotel at all.