Emalee M.
Google
My boyfriend and I booked Anaway Place to celebrate his birthday after falling in love with the beautiful photos online.
We arrived in the evening and check-in was easy and the cabin was simple to locate. Navigating the plowed gravel path proved to be a bit nerve-wracking; we were driving a 2-wheel-drive sedan on hardened snow uphill. The path was narrow, just big enough for our vehicle, and completely unlit (we arrived around 5:30 but it was already dark).
When we parked, we were stunned to see that the walkway to the cabin—about 15-20 feet —had not been shoveled at all. This wasn’t compacted snow. It was untouched, ankle-deep snow with nothing but the remnants of previous peoples’ footprints. We had to haul all of our belongings through this, trudging the entire way. For a property with a strict two-night minimum, it is entirely reasonable to expect safe, accessible walkways for individuals who will most definitely be bringing multiple bags.
The deck was marginally better. However snow and ice were left everywhere, including on the steps leading up to the hot tub. While walking up to check out the tub, I slipped and fell on the steps. Luckily, I'm a young adult and sustained no injury– but I shudder to imagine if it had been an older guest or a child. A simple clearing and salting of the deck could have prevented this.
Inside, things didn’t improve. The front entrance opens directly into the bedroom, meaning we were forced to track melting snow, slush, and salt straight into the sleeping space. There wasn’t even a floor mat to wipe our shoes. My boyfriend eventually found a shovel and salt outside and shoveled a walkway himself, while I spent time wiping up puddles from the floor with a roll of paper towel. This is not what anyone expects (nor should have to do) upon arrival at a premium cabin property.
We tried to stay optimistic, but between the layout and multiple safety concerns, the experience fell far below expectations. We immediately began looking for somewhere else to stay for our second night and ultimately booked a four-star hotel with better amenities for less money than Anaway’s nightly price (for its cheapest cabin mind you).
Our departure was the final straw. After loading up all of our belongings, things took a turn for the worse. The plowed gravel driveway is a one way path so there is no room for turning around. However, provided there was a small plowed section that met the plowed path at an angle. We understood that we were meant to back into the small plowed section and complete a Y-turn, in order to drive out. The small plowed section was uphill in reference to the larger plowed path. To add on, the hardened snow underneath was slippery. This meant that when my boyfriend went to back up into the small plowed portion, my 2wd car only was backing uphill on a slippery surface and could not get all the way up in order to turn. We got stuck, as we were unable to pull more forward due to the area being completely covered in snow. My boyfriend and I retrieved the shovel and salt off of the deck. We took turns shoveling out in front of the car to create more turning room. It was the worst way to start my boyfriend’s birthday. After almost a half hour of effort in total; we were able to turn around and get out. As lifelong Wisconsinites, we fully understand winter conditions. But for businesses operating here year-round, snow removal is the bare minimum. Continuously accepting winter bookings without properly clearing paths, walkways, steps, and turning areas is unacceptable and dangerous.
What made the experience the most frustrating is how curated—almost misleading—the website feels. There is no recommendation of 4WD vehicles (commonplace for lodging operators in rural areas with lackluster roadways) and no transparency about the Nest’s front door opening directly into the bedroom. Had we known any of this, we never would have booked this cabin. I hope this review helps future guests make an informed decision—and I hope Anaway Place takes guest safety and transparency more seriously moving forward.
