Carl’s Rip Van Winkle Motor Lodge

We come every year! The Carl family does a fantastic job: the grounds are manicured and clean, the pool is great, the playground is perfect for our son. The rooms are always so clean and comfortable. They are always so accommodating when we come here too! Love making Rip Van Winkle an annual summer trip.

Carls Rip van Winkle is a clean, rustic accommodating motel on a nice, large piece of property. We have been coming here for over 20 years. Great place to relax and clear your mind!

I stopped into Carl’s last summer, Aug. 2013 to ask them about reservations for my wedding (Aug. 2014). I had spoken to them about needing at least 10 – 12 cabins for the weekend it falls on. They said it would not be a problem, I would just have to make reservations April 1, 2014, as it was too early to make them at the «present time” — last August. They said they did have some regulars that came for the whole week in the summer, but it should not be a problem to accommodate my family. We picked Carl’s because the wedding venue is across the street and it would be convenient.
I sent out invitations in March 2014 with a flyer that had all the information about Carl’s. Flyers said to make reservations for April 1^st, as it is summer and in the high season cabins may go quick. I happened to call Carl’s March 30, 2014 to book 10 cabins right off the bat to make it easier for my family. I stated who I was and how we had spoken last summer. I think my big mistake was in saying «my girlfriend and I are getting married and I need to book cabins for our families». The attitude changed and so did the story. I was told (even though they told me last year) that they could not part with that many cabins, even though as of that date NONE of their «regulars» had booked anything. She would not/​could not even tell me how many I could have if I booked right then and there. I was told that she would «call me back» the next day to let me know. I told her I needed to know ASAP as I had sent out invites with Carl’s information because of what they had assured me of the summer before.
The next day came and went– NO PHONE CALL. My girlfriend and I decided to rent an estate for most family members so we could in fact all stay together. A couple of cousins of mine did not want to stay at estate since they had children so one of them called Carl’s to see if they could get just a couple of cabins. When she called to make reservations for the August weekend, the first thing the woman asked was «Is this for the wedding?» when told yes, the woman’s answer was «I can not let that many cabins go». My cousin told her she would only need a few and asked how many she could in fact «let go” — the answer was 4 cabins (they were even planning staying more than the 2 night minimum). My cousin had said that she would call Carl’s right back as she had to check with other family members who also had children and were planning on staying there. 10 minutes later she called back only to be told they only had 3 cabins left. Those 3 had double and single beds, and would not be able to fit more than 3 people per room. Needless to say she gave my cousin a hard time and a run around.
To make a long review short (too late, I know) I can not express how disappointed I am! I can only think that the attitude changed when they now knew that it was a same sex marriage, since it was all well and good until I had said «girlfriend». I would have never put the time and money into making fancy flyers to send with all the invites had Carl’s NOT assured me the summer before my wedding that they would be «more than happy to have my family» since they are in fact a «family» resort. I guess their definition of «family» is different than ours. We’ll all spend our money elsewhere– their loss.

They hate dogs! Not content with banning pets from the property, the Carl family – especially owner Richard Carl – actively persecute any dogs and their owners who might even accidentally stray onto their precious property. Nasty, humorless people, the Carl family will be reported to the ASPCA for their bizarre behavior.