Snowy Owl Inn - Waterville Valley

Surly staff offer an unappetizing dining experience. We were with a group of 16 people trying to have dinner after a hockey game. When we walked in, 14 people were already seated, and the very rude server told us that we were not welcome to join the rest of our group. The people who walked in less than 1 minute before us were seated, but she was refusing us a place. And she was extremely rude in doing so. Only when the group threatened to have everyone leave did the manager relent and let us sit. Not once did he offer an apology for her behavior. Instead, he made excuses, stating that other groups earlier had given her a hard time. But that's not something for which we were responsible and certainly not an excuse for outright rude behavior. I am terribly disappointed in the restaurant, and we will be sharing our experience with all our fellow hockey parents via facebook and via word of mouth. Our recommendation will be that anyone who stays at the Snowy Owl Inn eat elsewhere to avoid the unpleasant staff at the restaurant. And after all that drama, the food was pedestrian at best. My son got chicken fingers, and I can honestly say you're far better off at KFC. Better quality, 1/3 the cost.

Our first time here.... Staff is very unpleasant. Their main clientele are families, skiing or hockey tournaments. VERY intolerant of children. One of my children (who has special needs) literally got screamed at by the older staff woman for accidentally walking into the wrong room when he was just looking for a bathroom!!! And the sad part about that for my family was that we want him to be more independent so we let him try to get to it himself and this is what happened so now it was a big setback for our family. My other child got told if he threw his paper airplane again she would take it away!!! how ridiculous is that?!?! Would they rather him running around the hall screaming? Maybe they're just burnt out and tired of kids running around screaming but maybe instead of trying to be an authoritarian state they should embrace the child atmosphere and find positive ways of dealing with this!!!

If I could give this a lower rating, I would...people type this a lot, but here, I really mean it. This place failed on all accounts from being absolutely filthy (see pictures) to the staff being downright rude. I 'll explain the 2nd part first. We were there for a hockey tournament in late July 2021 and from the minute we arrived, the staff continuous harassed our group of 13 year old children for running and talking in the hallways. The staff claimed that since the building is old, every footstep is heard everywhere. The problems with this claim is (1) it was only 7:30 PM (quiet time starts at 10:00 PM) and (2) myself and 4 other parents were sitting in the lobby right next to the staff member who yelled at them. After we instructed the staff to NOT speak directly to our children (especially not to yell at them) and instead to come to us in the event they were being disruptive, the staff agreed, but then continued to ignore the request. We spoke to the assistant manager who was on scene and while he agreed our children were actually well behaved, his staff (namely a women named Kat) ignored his instructions to come to us. Now onto the filthyness of the hotel...the bath tub, shower and bathrooms in general were nasty. We had a long hair in our tub upon arrival and the shower head was grimey. The floors were dirty with trash under the beds and there were cobwebs everywhere. Also, several dead bugs in the light cap in the elevator...way more than a summer 's worth. While our kids loved the Waterville tournament, this hotel detracted from a good time. There are many better places I am told on the scene and so I will never have my family stay here again.

The new ownership is taking this once premier destination in the White Mountains back to its heritage. Old school ski lodge type of setting with great service and now, again, breakfast and dinner dinning. Highly recommended...more upgrades we understand are coming to make it a group destination.

The definition of a Rustic Inn, I loved everything from the fireplaces to the room keys. I spoke to the owner who purchased the Snowy Owl in 2020 at the height of the pandemic and they are making updates and upgrades throughout the hotel every day and it shows. The executive suite has the best views and is so spacious. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. It truly feels like a family place.Added plus Bartender Kyle made delicious cocktails, the Snowy Owltini is a must try!