The Downward Spiral

It was our second anniversary and we wanted to do something romantic, unique, and local so we googled around and found the Elms.  We got the couples massage and dinner package for about $350.

We arrived after visiting a local winery (Fence Stiles.. highly recommended to check out what’s around!).  The outside and the lobby make good first impressions.  The history and the elegance really came out in both of them.

Then we went up the (tiny!) elevator to take our bags up to our room.  We thought it was pretty charming and didn’t have any problems.

We stayed in room 422.  The room was shaped in a big U with a sitting room just inside the door, a double sink in the bottom of the U, and then the bed room and bathroom on the other side of the U.  The layout was pretty unique, we’d never seen it before.  It was also a little weird to have the sink so far away from the bathroom, but we got used to it.

Overall, the room was dated.  And actually, this theme carried throughout, except for the lobby, which was very nice.  It’s like nothing had been kept up in forever, like the management might have been waiting for everything to fall apart before they did any work.  It didn’t add a sense of history so much as old and dirty.  As others have said .. small 20 inch TVs, hard beds, flat pillows, barely working shower, worn and dirty carpets, and ruined ceilings tiles.. everywhere.  Mold.. the mold was rampant.

Another oddity… we had wine in the room.  No wine opener though.  We had been to a winery, so we had plenty, so no big deal, but I don’t think that people carry around wine openers otherwise.  Also there was a sign that said there would be a $5 charge for removing glass from the room… there were no glasses, just plastic cups.

Despite all that, we decided to put all of that out of our minds and checked out the spa area.  Same worn problems there.  Everything seemed run down and it was hard to ignore.  What they are famous for, their water, was really nice.  They definitely have their chlorine down to an exact science.  And the whole experience felt therapeutic.  We enjoyed the steam and “Arizona” rooms (even though they were in need of repair) and the indoor pool and hot tub.  We spent a lot of our time in these areas and really enjoyed ourselves, but, again it was hard to ignore that everything needed updating and mold was growing in the lights and ceiling tiles.  This area also had the workout room, which also hasn’t seen an update in what seemed like 30 or so years.  Still, it was fine for us.  But we expected it would be awesome, not just fine.

Then came dinner.  As others have said it was either the menu or the steak and seafood buffet.  We did the buffet and they really seemed liked they wanted you to do just that.  The menu, when it was offered, was downplayed.  The buffet was good and we ate a lot.  Not fantastic, but very nice.  The service was outstanding.  You’d be hard pressed to find a grumpy Elms employee.  Besides their natural water resource, their service was another one of their strengths.

We went back to the pool, hot tub and steam rooms again in the morning about 8am.  We found all of that equipment off.  There were no employees around, so we just turned it all on ourselves.  There were no instructions on what to do.  I just hoped we wouldn’t get in trouble messing with switches we didn’t know what they did, but the hours of operation said 6am to 12 midnight, so I guess that’s what we were supposed to do.

Then the massages.  In short, mine was average.  I’ve had better, for about half the price.  My girlfriend’s was better she said.  Maybe my masseuse was new or something.  The massages were $180 (not including tip) of our $350 though, so after realizing that I felt a bit put off.

Then we packed up and left.  Mixed feelings, but we’re pretty sure we’ll try it again.  Maybe shoot for an upgraded room.

Overall .. Elms staff: just clean it up.  You guys are sitting on gold mine if you can leave lasting great impressions on everyone.  Right now, it’s just average.  You have a great service staff.  You also have a great natural resource and location.  You could be so much better if you took a “white glove” through the place.  Check out Kansas City’s Plaza hotels… they are your competition in my mind (and my wallet).  You can out do them and could make a killing if everything was just cleaned up.