Isa P.
Yelp
I want to provide a clear and comprehensive review, not only of the hotel but of the entire experience staying in Leavenworth. Some may feel it is not fair to evaluate the hotel within the broader context of the town, but given the circumstances, this is the most accurate way to help future visitors understand what they may encounter. Anyone planning to stay in Leavenworth for several days should be aware of these details.
My family and I arrived in Leavenworth on December 9, 2025. The hotel made a very strong first impression. The property was clean, cozy, and visually appealing with impressive Christmas lights throughout the exterior. The room itself was not large, but it was reasonable for a family of four and initially appeared comfortable. The first problem we encountered was the toilet. It would not stop filling with water, and the only way to stop it was to remove the tank lid and manually press the internal mechanism. This was inconvenient and unsanitary, and it is something guests should never have to handle.
Another issue was noise. The walls were extremely thin and it was very easy to hear voices and movement from neighboring rooms. This did not completely ruin the stay since we were only there for two days, but it is something that future guests should be aware of.
The most serious problem occurred on our second day at approximately 3:30 in the afternoon when the power went out. Naturally, we expected the hotel to have an emergency generator. They did not. When we asked for an update, we were told power would return by 7 in the evening. At 7 we were told the new estimate was 10. At 10 the power was still out. It soon became clear that the entire town was without power and that no part of Leavenworth had any form of emergency backup system. There were no lights outside, no emergency lighting in the streets, nothing at all. It felt as if the entire town had shut down instantly.
For a location that markets itself as a major tourist destination, this level of unpreparedness is unacceptable. Emergencies happen, but what matters is the response. The hotel staff appeared inexperienced and more focused on their building than on the guests who were suddenly without heat, lighting, or access to food. After nearly two hours, the hotel eventually provided a few snacks, mainly soda and chips. While appreciated, it was nowhere near enough, and staff made no visible effort to check on guests or reassure anyone in the lobby. One staff member mentioned that this was the first time something like this had happened in a decade. That may be true, but it does not excuse the complete lack of preparation for an emergency situation.
The public utility department responsible for restoring power also did not seem to make significant progress. I understand that Leavenworth is a remote area and repairs can be challenging. However, if the town wants to maintain its reputation as a premier tourist attraction, there needs to be a higher standard of readiness. In other tourist regions, power outages rarely last beyond a couple of hours because the infrastructure is designed to protect both visitors and residents. In this case, the outage lasted more than twelve hours, and all food establishments were closed. There were no options for families who needed meals or warmth.
This was an unfortunate experience for us, and I am certain many other visitors felt the same. Despite this situation, our overall trip to Washington was still worth it because Seattle offered a much more enjoyable and well prepared environment for a family vacation.
