The Outing Lodge

Lovely grounds and buildings. We loved the atmosphere. We stayed for a family wedding which was also held at the Lodge. Staff is helpful but relaxed. Breakfast tasty. Would have liked more protein selection. |Room was lovely with comfy bed. If possible, the room could have used an extra sitting chair

We were transported to another time and place as we entered the property. We loved our stay in the Robert Frost room. The Outing Lodge is unique and charming, and features art work by the owner, Carlota. The breakfast was great - the spinach quiche was a hit with our group. This was our third visit. On a previous visit, we brought our bikes and rode the nearby Gateway Trail and Browns Creek Trail into Stillwater.

What a lovely place! As we were packing to check out, we were already talking about coming back. Carlota and the other staff were so friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The grounds and lodge are beautiful. Our room was sooo clean, and the breakfast was amazing! Can’t wait for a return trip!

We had a wonderful stay at The Outing Lodge. The drive up to the property is beautiful. Our room was charming and cozy. Each morning we had a delicious breakfast, and there is always coffee/tea/hot cocoa available. The building/property is fun to explore. It's conveniently close to Stillwater and Pine Point Regional Park. Carlota was very kind and helpful. We hope to be back this fall/winter to enjoy the cozy fireplaces and see the property again.

We left early each morning to go to a gathering / training and it was not clear that breakfast would only be served after nine am but our gentle and lovely hostesses Carlota and Jean provided wonderful homemade options in the fridge which we were able to heat up in the microwave, along with fruit and yogurt and even almond milk for our coffee, juices and croissants. They went out of their way to make us comfortable. The mansion is rich in history and charm and any spirits that roam the halls are good ones. The gardens are lovely - herbs, flowers, ferns and luscious woods all around, hawks settling in the tall trees and horses' hoofmarks on the trails, an occasional cyclist - but the silence was divine when no other guests were using air-conditioning, we fell asleep listening to the pitter patter of a wet warm summer Minnesota evening. Magical place that seemed in some ways to be like time travel. Absolutely wonderful.||The beautiful bathroom with a large jet-bath was so alluring but unfortunately we didn't plan enough time to enjoy it. The hot water in the shower took a while to heat up but my friend complained more than I thought necessary, since 90 seconds or so later, it came out warm. One day the knob would not close but the amazing artist and hostess Carlota had it fixed in no time. I hope the owner is able to fix and paint the gutters, since that was the only thing that looked like it needed maintenance - the roof is excellent and every nook and cranny kept clean and sparkly. I didn't like that there were simply too many delicious choices for breakfast and I could not eat them all. I did not like that we only stayed for a few days and could have stayed and enjoyed our time for much longer.

Honestly, we really wanted to love The Outing Lodge. First the pros: Beautiful location in the middle of basically a forest with tons of trails. Very quiet! Beautiful historic building, though showing its age. Good service; they attended immediately to every request and accommodated a food preference for our autistic daughter for breakfast. The room was very clean and spacious; no dusty windowsills or cobwebs to be found. The bathroom was spotless with plenty of towels. Good location for exploring from, an easy drive to nearby towns. Breakfast, while lacking in variety from day to day, was made on site and fresh, though a few too many sweet options for my liking. On learning my daughter's preferences, they had something for her every morning. Large jetted tub though we didn't try it out during our stay. Carlotta is an excellent artist and has some of her works for sale. Cons: It is an old building, so we expected some creaks, sticky doors, etc., but our room, the Eva Peron Suite, smelled strongly of must and mildew. I'm sensitive to scents, but even my family noticed it. It was almost unbearable to me, but I survived by putting mentholatum under my nose when in the room. I booked the suite because of if its size. The sun porch was touted as a perk and extra space of the suite, but the door was very difficult to open and once we did, we regretted it, because the smell was very concentrated there, with plastic over the windows, which seemed like they might be painted shut anyway. (I mentioned this at checkout and was told the sun porch is mostly unusable during the summer, something that is not mentioned when booking). The toilet in the bathroom was not firmly affixed to the floor, so rocked when sat upon. There were no towel rods by the sink or shower. Our bed creaked and wobbled anytime we moved, and wasn't particularly comfortable. Only one luggage rack was provided. The chairs, though quaint looking, are badly in need of new cushions and were very uncomfortable. The stairs might be challenging for some. Wifi was spotty; fortunately, my husband is in I.T. so we were able to work around it. Did I mention the smell? Our room was the least enjoyable part of our experience. The location and service were excellent. It was clear they were making some repairs throughout the property, but I imagine it's a chore to keep up with maintenance on such an old property. We spoke a bit to other guests and nobody else mentioned the problem with smell so perhaps it's an unfortunate feature of the suite we occupied.

Lovely lush glorious location in old mansion rich in history and atmosphere, well maintained by an artist of impeccable manners who went out of her way to attend to our every wish while leaving us privacy and space to feel at home. Herb gardens to pick from, flowers to admire, woods to wander in and excellent breakfast - beware there is no early am service so make your needs explicit. If you don’t like old buildings that creak and original furnishings it may not be for you. Clean, caring and home atmosphere.

Beautiful and peaceful place surrounded by wildlife and a park filled with trails. Each morning was wonderful with breakfast and listening to the birds. Staff was amazing as well! So welcoming. Will definitely keep this place in mind should we get back to Stillwater.

Very disappointing experience. My husband and I and two friends stayed there for one night. The place is dirty, one room was cold since the heating didn't work. Our friends had to sleep with their winter jackets on. Beds are one of the most uncomfortable ones I have ever slept in. Three of us are vegetarian and basically the option for us was to get rice and the meat had been taken out from the dish. Not something you want to pay so much for. For our vegan friend there were no options at all. The place is dated, dirty and what you can feel everywhere is the astonishing and completely ungrounded sense of entitlement and pride that the owners project in the descriptions and policy signs they placed all over the establishment. It all happened a few years ago yet our friends and us can't stop going back in disbelief to that awful experience.

The room and lodge were clean. Otherwise, this was disappointing. The lodge is beautiful but the grounds aren't maintained well. The room is very basic and although "themed", it wasn't. It's definitely over priced and we can't recommend it.

I had a Groupon which I used for my wife's birthday early this month. So, I jumped on opportunity to give this place a try. We had already came here in March for their March Chocolate B&B Tour. So, we were impressed with the wonderful landscaping as well as actor-themed rooms. I was lucky to book early enough for us to stay at the Eva Peron room (largest in the house) over this weekend. Check-in was recommended at 3PM with the other Groupon guests to have the house tour followed by wine and cheese. Our host helped us up to our room. We were surprised at the layout with 3 rooms inside. There was the bedroom in the main room. To the immediate right, there was a separate large bathroom (jetted hot tub and shower). The 2nd room to the right was another smaller bedroom/study room with 2 desks. One of the desks had an old typewriter and loved the antique style picked out by the owner's wife, Carlota. We used this room to do some work if we didn't want to bother each other in the wee hours in the night. The 3rd room was straight in the back along the window which was a sun room. It had a recliner chair with a small fold-able cot along with fridge and microwave. With temperatures in the 90's, we avoided this room until the sunset or early in the morning. Once it reached 3:30PM, all the guests arrived and we walked down to the lobby for tour of the library as well as the grounds. It ended in the basement floor where there is a bar setup with tables. We got to taste both red and white wines along with some cheese and crackers with the other couples. Afterwards, we were torn to use the coupons our host gave us to some downtown Stillwater restaurants. We decided to try out Lolo's which I remembered was mentioned to me when I booked the room. After returning back, we took a stroll in the Pine Point Park which is behind the Outing Lodge. We got a little lost but found our way back using the Gateway bike trail. We had a Redbox DVD so was able to enjoy that in our room since there was a DVD player with the TV. The next morning, we were awoken to a large rainstorm and later came down for breakfast at 9AM. Wow, the layout was truly unique with European style breakfast with croissants, puffy pastries, some fresh baguette slices with cold cuts and cheeses, cheese omelet, melon berry with yogurt as well as granola and fresh fruit cocktail. There are more but my photos will be better to show you what a thorough and thoughtful job for the true B&B experience. We later came back to our room and packed up to check out. Wow, my wife was very impressed so hope to come back again. Be sure to wear bug spray as well as long pants when you go exploring the trails in the backyard. We had rainy weather so the bugs were biting. Plus, the state park signs warned of ticks too. There is WiFi which is a huge plus since the last B&B that we stayed at didn't have it. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g43386-d123473-r381965640-Outing_Lodge_at_Pine_Point-Oak_Park_Heights_Minnesota.html#

Welcome to Grey Gardens! (ahem) I mean the The Outing Lodge... Oh boy, where to begin? While it is extremely tempting to write a lengthy novella of a review about the Outing Lodge (est. 1858) as an homage to it's past as a Victorian Dickenseque poor house I will have to tell this unsettling tale using the modern conventions of lists and bullet points. This is a review of the B & B experience only. If you want the short version here it is... * Outrageous cost ($215) for a run down room that felt like price gouging * As an event center, the grounds offer a unique faded beauty and charming gardens and are lovely -- as a B & B it is a tragedy * The owner REALLY needs to do some market research and stay in a few similarly priced places to understand their competition, and why that price point is completely off base for what is offered * As a competitive example... the last B & B I stayed in at this price point was the amazing Savannah Bed and Breakfast Inn in Savannah, GA and it was fantastic. And now the long version... Let's begin with the tale of two sisters -- myself J., and my younger sister A., who decided to enjoy a one-night stay at the lodge on a Friday in August, 2019. Two sisters, who by the end of a 24 hour stay, felt just like the infamous "Little Edie" and "Big Edie" of Gray Gardens. Why you ask? Here are the reasons in order of most problematic: Unhealthy and Potentially Unsafe Elements * Overpowering musty, moldy and mildew odor was pervasive, especially near the bar area and rooms 1 and 1A. There was a sickly sweet chemical smell of some type of Pine-sol cleaner or air freshener that was attempting to mask or address the mustiness, but with no luck. Those with allergies should NOT stay here, and I would imagine the air quality in those areas is not good for anyone. * Bathroom in our room - Amelia Earhart had a sunken 1970s/1980s style bathtub in the floor which took up nearly half the room. No safety handles or steps - a huge tripping/falling hazard for anyone getting up in the night to use the bathroom * Minimal or no lighting in common areas at night made it feel pretty spooky hard to navigate without a cellphone light at night Bad Value for a Bedroom * Although the rooms were quiet, the beds were either 1) squeaky or 2) super low to the ground like a college futon * Bed linen was sub par -- thin sheets, cheap blankets, extremely thick and heavy pillow, mattresses were so-so. If you are charging $155 - $215 a night, it needs to be plush (100% cotton), super clean. * Bathroom toiletries were something you'd find at a discount or dollar store - large value sized basic shampoo and soaps instead of the typical smaller sizes of a unique kind which are meant as a complimentary gift to visitor * Rooms had areas showing damage to the walls like unpainted plaster patches Breakfast was Basic * Breakfast was just o.k. - meat, yogurt, and eggs, a good bread pudding and average coffee. Again as a comparison - in another B & B at same price point I had an order form to select a custom breakfast from a cook * Common Area need TLC...Lobby area had ice in what looked like an Igloo cooler and liters of soda - c'mon - get a classy glass dispenser to match the era and furniture. * Clutter in the foyer and lobby area detract from the "wow" factor of it's natural features - the desk and computer need to be behind a counter of some kind * Some outdoor areas had quite a bit of "junk" around as TripAdvisor reviews have mentioned Excessive Policy Signage = Unwelcoming vibe * Almost immediately upon entering we noticed a great deal of signage and policies posted in multiple places that undermined the welcoming, homey, friendly feeling great b & bs cultivate so well. A few examples: * Video surveillance - many signs in various areas telling you are being watched * Alcohol policy - no outside alcohol and a fine if you bring any in - this despite the fact that the "bar" didn't really appear to be open * Toilet signage - oddly overly detailed - "Do no throw in the toilet trash that is not guaranteed to flush. Kleenex are bad, same as tampons, condoms, cigarettes, cardboards [sic], wood or plastics. Thank you!" What an image! "Do not move the rocks!!" - the ultimate in bizarre. In an surprise hack move two large square rocks were wedged in between the faucet area to keep them steady. So do not move...or else what...? It will open the portal to the underworld located beneath the jacuzzi? We'll be able to change the weather like a Pylon-loving Slestak in "Land of the Lost" ? * Staff was friendly but fairly lax. Coco, the doggie resident was cute. Do not stay here unless you want to feel like two oddballs gals from the 1970s living in a mangy mansion room. Signed, "Little Edie and Big Edie"

This place is very outdated and not kept up well. Walking in the front door we were struck by an 'old, dank smell'. Our bedding even felt damp. I asked for two beds, we got one. Rooms were unfinished with old, dirty decor on the walls. We made a point to be in the room just for sleeping and got out first thing in the morning. Who markets that there are dead people buried on the property? The place has potential, but needs serious work!

My husband and I recently stayed at the Outing Lodge. The house had a charming exterior. I imagine the grounds are even more beautiful in the summer and fall. The interior decor was interesting- some unique design elements. The multiple fireplaces and the upstairs library intrigued us the most. We stayed in the Bob Dylan room - decor included some Bobby Z memorabilia. The room was compact; the bed seemed a bit hard; the TV was small; and the bathroom tub was somewhat strange with bricks used as faucet knob stoppers. However, we did not expect a Radisson - we expected a historic home with a personality -the Outing had that. We were provided champagne and chocolate truffles. I was not fond of the champagne. We were disappointed and frustrated to be advised we were not to bring our own wine and then find the bar in the lodge was not open so we could not purchase a bottle either. Breakfast was pleasant and had a variety of options - yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, breads, eggs, meat and cheese, and juice, milk and coffee/tea. We enjoyed it. The fresh flowers on each table were a nice touch. This B & B may not appeal to everyone. It is a bit rustic; it doesn't have top of the line amenities; the interior design and decor are both unusual and "messy". But, for us, the intent was to get away from the chaos and hecticness of our everyday routines. The Outing Lodge gave us the time and place to do just that. Although we most likely will not visit again (so many other B&Bs to try) we had a relaxing and restful stay.

Would like to start by saying how wonderful, kind, welcoming, and hospitable the staff is here. Choco, the happy chocolate lab, greeted us at our car when we arrived. Our room was standard. Everything was clean. Had a hard time getting hot water (had to leave the sink running). Enjoyed the variety of movies to choose from. The breakfast was good. A variety of options, just wish there was a better way to keep things warm. My boyfriend is a big eater, and I upgraded his breakfast to include an "omelette for 2." Was disappointed with the portion size for $16. We would never have been able to split the omelette. Too expensive for what we got. Overall, we enjoyed our stay. Had fun walking Choco and were tickled with the kindness of everyone working there. Just wish there were updated amenities and would have hoped for a larger upgrade for the price.

Went for a one night stay. We came for a quick micro vacation over the weekend. We had delicious chicken pot pies, lovely -25F snow shoeing by moonlight walk and relaxing fire side book reading. The history, staff, and unique factor make this quirky charming B&B a must. It did the trick to help us recharge our batteries over a snowy MN weekend.

I really wish I could give a higher rating. However if I could give a 2.5 star rating I would. There are things really great about the place, such as the friendly host, the complementary wine and cheese sampling and tour upon arrival, Choco the friendly and lovable chocolate lab who loves to go for walks on the gorgeous state park trails, the cozy first floor fire place, and the tasty breakfast served each morning. We read bad reviews about the dog, however he was the sweetest dog we had met. He's really a perk of staying here. However the downsides were finding dog hair all over our bed sheets and ants in our bathroom and bedroom area in the winter months. Unsure why there would be ants in the bathroom? But they were crawling all over the floor by the sink. The host was so nice I didn't have the heart to tell him about the ants. We had a good time however probably would not return. If you like history, this place has some great history behind it (was a poor house, then a nursing home and now a b&b). You can tell a lot of work has gone into remodeling it however some areas could use some more help, such as updating the bathroom a bit in the Picasso room #3. My boyfriend and I are up for adventures, this was def an adventure! :) we had a restful and relaxing stay. Although my boyfriend had a difficult time sleeping the second night cause the bed was sinking in.

If you are looking for a rustic feel, this is the place to go! My husband and I got married here on August 27th 2016 and it was so amazing!! The staff was very friendly and everything worked out perfectly. Plus we stayed the night and it was great. We have no complaints and will definitely be coming back!

My husband and I just stayed there and were so very disappointed. Positives: breakfast was good, if informal - usually places we've stayed have waited on you with different courses, but this was set up as a buffet/serve yourself (not very fancy but still not bad); the exterior of the building is beautiful. Negatives: our room (Bob Dylan Suite) was pretty dumpy; ceiling looked gross, old carpet, permanent marker on the jacuzzi telling you what knobs are what and big rocks on the jacuzzi to regulate hot water; a couple crappy pictures on the wall and books about a legendary singer should not be grounds to name a room after him; the bed was really, really uncomfortable - my husband woke up in the middle of the night and had trouble falling back asleep due to discomfort (and I was pregnant, so I was pretty sore afterward); very smelly/musty hallways; we got the romance package including champagne and chocolates ... the champagne was good (says my husband) but I expected more than 2 tiny wrapped chocolates; bathroom door wouldn't even close. We go to a bed & breakfast every year for our anniversary, and we will NOT be returning to The Outing Lodge, nor recommending it to anyone we know. It is also very apparent on other rating websites that the owner has gone in and created fake positive ratings to outweigh the many bad ones. Drives me crazy.

This is a great Bed and Breakfast in the rural area of Stillwater. The breakfast was delicious! Nice variety of pastries, eggs, French toast, meats, cheeses and beverages. The location is very close to Gateway Trail and Pine Point Park. The rooms are very spacious and clean with good air conditioning on a hot humid summer night. It was very quiet overnight! We enjoyed one of theme dinners to get a feel for the place before our wedding. Our wedding was perfect! We could not have been happier with how the entire experience turned out! We look forward to coming back every year for one of their theme dinners to enjoy atmosphere and food again.

This place is awesome. Instead of typing out paragraphs, I thought I'd highlight just a few items that make this place great! 1. They have a super friendly chocolate lab that hangs out by the door. His name is Choco. He's great with kids and strangers alike! 2. The BREAKFAST. Ohhhhhh my word. This trip would have been worth it just for the breakfast. 3. The rooms were spacious. We paid the same amount for a room with a separate area that had a futon in it as well as a back porch with two twin beds in there! 4. Everyone is super friendly. We ate breakfast next to the owners who told us all the history of the lodge. Super interesting! 5. I'm running out of time for my review, so I'll just end with the fact that the place was beautiful and secluded. Great way to feel refreshed! P.S. The wine and cheese tasting was great too! The only negative thing I'd like to add was the room was pretty chilly and the fact that their original fireplaces aren't usable. We were bummed! Stayed November 2016, traveled with friends

I took my wife to the Outing as an anniversary gift quite a few years back and was horrified to experience the absolute worst B-n-B of our lives. Dirty rooms, greasy car parts in the stairwells, an aggressive dog patrolling the grounds kept us from finishing a walk (growling with raised fur on its back). Broken faucets, closets made of exposed 2x4's.... I could go on for several paragraphs. We didn't finish the evening and drove the 1 1/2 hours home rather than stay in this pit. I recently stopped by to see if somebody had taken the time to polish what could be a diamond in the rough. Nope....same pit when comparing for like value elsewhere. While the decor and some areas bore a better finish, the craftsmanship was obviously lacking and detail woefully unattended. For the price per night on par with the best in the state this is simply unacceptable. I've stayed in similar with no complaint....but was paying a market rate near half of the Outings advertised rates. The food may well be excellent. I've never brought myself to trust the kitchen after witnessing the care of the property assuming similar poor care would be taken there as well....I like my health. Just so folks know, my family owns and runs a B-n-B built in 1854 in the Carolina mountains that is on the National Historic Register and rated in the top 10 B-n-B's in Carolina. I know old homes and properties and the headaches that come with them. With the Outing no care has been taken to respect or add dignity to what could be a beautiful property. The best thing that could happen to this property is that the current owners sell and somebody who truly knows what they are doing snaps it up to bring it up to the quality such a historic property deserves. Do the Outing property a favor and avoid altogether. Only that way may it one day change hands and receive the love, craftsmanship, and attention it deserves.

We had a Groupon and used it for a 1-night stay. The place looks like it might have been kind of cool back in the day - but now it is in disrepair and needs a major remodel. Won't be back.

I was recently at Outing Lodge for a private party. It was a bitterly cold evening and the massive fireplace was roaring in anticipation of the guests. It was a lovely setting to mingle with a cocktail. Dinner was delicious and pure. The food was delicious but not over-thought- honest and good. The lodge is aged and well loved. I would not of been surprised if Hemingway ambled in to order a scotch.

My husband and I spent an evening here and it is lovely! Very hospitable and cozy. We painted, ate cheese and drank wine. We read by the huge fireplace, took a few hikes in the adjacent trails and cuddled with Choco the sweet dog. Breakfast was delicious and filling. Our room was comfortable - we could not have asked for a better night! Thank you!

We went for one of their theme dinners, the Beef Bourgigneon. The huge fireplace in the lobby was going and was quite an entrance greeting. The ambience and lighting was perfect and were warmly greeted and taken to the bar for complementary wine and/or champagne. Then the Hors de Oeuvres came out. Delicious! For about an hour we visited by the fire and enjoyed the wine and canapés. Then the dinner arrived in many courses, all accompanied by more wine/champagne. Each was carefully and tastefully prepared and served. The whole experience from arrival to dessert and coffee and cognac was very pleasant and nourishing to body and soul. Will definitely do this evening scene again. Check out their theme dinners. You won't be disappointed!

The Outing Lodge was an immediate dissapointment. The road to the Lodge was in disrepair, and the grounds were a MESS. Yes, there were projects going on here and there, but the general condition of the property was in total dissaray. They need a groundskeeper badly!!! I couldn't imagine having a wedding there! No way! The rooms were tired, but had some charm. We stayed in the Pablo Picasso room. Very spacious - and I think there were 5 beds and 3 rooms. We did enjoy the chocolates and champagne! No jacuzzi, just a very utilitarian shower. TV was for movies only, which was a surprise. Fireplace was sort of scary - no glass front over the gas flames. We would never recommend to anyone, unless they like tired rooms and messy yards. The breakfast was really good, tho.

My daughter was married last weekend at the Outing Lodge. It was perfect! Carlotta was a fabulous host and her staff were wonderful. Our guests gave us many compliments on this beautiful venue - from the gorgeous grounds and gardens to the warmth and ambiance of the mansion. Dinner in the exterior tent was delicious. This was a very unique setting just outside the beautiful town of Stillwater. The wedding and reception at the same place made it easier for the logistics of out of town guests. The guests enjoyed the photo booth, the outdoor lawn games we provided, the large dance floor, and great conversation. The Outing Lodge was the perfect place for a wedding!