The Resort at Paws up

Just when we thought things could not get any better... the Team at Paws Up Ranch out-did themselves. After our first visit last year (which was unforgettable) we only hoped to match the memories that were made. We were uncertain (due to health issues) about a return visit when we booked the trip. But my mother rallied to the occasion and so did the Paws Up Crew! Upon arrival we had a custom ramp to our log home and without asking they thoughtfully put in a shower chair (live saver!). Mr. Slack was on his way to greet us before we even stepped off our roomy private shuttle, and somehow sprinted across the property to ensure we had a step stool for my mother at the next stop. Bravo! The team wanted to do something special for my mother to get her outside and view the spectacular winter landscape. How do you keep an 80+ year-old in a wheelchair warm????? You get 3 portable heaters, heated chairs, a pile of blankets and some hot toddies! That’s how you do it. We enjoyed warm beverages perched high above the legendary Blackfoot river while watching the snow gently fall. This was all made possible by Greg & Brian, and we cannot thank them enough for the experience and the memories. This is an epitome of “unreasonable hospitality.” They even brought out a guitar and had the foresight to print up the lyrics from our favorite Christmas carol, which I had forgotten to bring the prior year. What impeccable attention to detail. As if this excursion was not enough, knowing that I am a guitar player, they had arranged to have 2 beautiful FENDER guitars delivered to the home in our absence. I was able to play music for my mother before the fire each night. Unforgettable. Now let me mention the cuisine. Executive Chef Sunny Jin and Chef Bret and their crew left nothing to be desired! Whether it was a bonus platter of scallops or wagyu steaks cooked to perfection, we were excited to experience the new menu every night. Back to our outdoor excursion, Chef Sunny even arranged to have a beautifully framed photo of the event placed on my mother’s nightstand. Quite amazing. The little ones enjoyed the experience no less than the adults. Whether it was snow tubing and warming up by the fire or eating our way through the decadent s’mores kit…. Our youngest took more than 20 photos of the gingerbread display, which was the most impressive I have ever seen. In summary, just when we thought our last visit could not be outdone, the outstanding team at Paws Up Ranch, and their unparalleled dedication to customer service, provided our family with the best vacation ever! You truly must experience this level of customer care. We only hope that we get to experience this again. Special thanks to Greg, Brian, Sunny, Bret, Madyson, Aiden, Gabby, Corby, Joe, Ivan, Katie and all the others who took such great care of our family. BRAVO!!!!

I used almost the same title as the review posted last week since our experience was very similar. The lack of staff training causes frustration and stress numerous times each day. Which, of course, is not what anyone wants on their vacation... especially one this ridiculously expensive. In general it just seemed like no one was in charge and there was very little thought put into anything. Even if our stay had cost far less than $5000 per night (plus $6000 for activities) we would've expected a competent, basic level of service. Although it's tempting to list all the big and little things that caused so much frustration each day, I know that long reviews can be off-putting. I'd recommend taking at face value the numerous reviews that mention poor training and service, since it seems this has been a problem for some time. One instance of the poor approach to service happened with our room. We booked a "Meadow Home," which the website describes as "an ideal refuge for smaller families and couples on a quest for privacy." As it turns out this description was very misleading, as these are duplex homes with shared walls, very close to the public road which cuts straight through the property, and well within hearing range of the highway, the noise of which is nearly constant. I stopped by the front desk to ask if one of the Big Timber homes or the Wilderness Estates was available so we could move, and I was told by the manager he "wasn't sure." He said he'd look into it and get back to me later that day. But.. he never did. Just no response at all and didn't even mention it the next time I saw him. Very nice guy but just didn't know the basics of customer service. To echo the review from earlier this month, just about every staff person we met was super nice, and seemed to want to please, but was set up for failure by the evident lack of training and the apparent lack of thought behind how to run the resort. One example of the lack of thought and training was apparent during the barbecue dinner. It was a buffet, and at most buffets you get your own food but order drinks from your server. Here there are no servers at the dinner buffets (although no one tells you that when you arrive or sit down). So, after the four of us got our food I went to the bar to order cocktails for my wife and myself... and by the time I got back to the table with the drinks twenty minutes later everyone had already finished eating. Part of the reason the drinks took so long is the bartender - and this is no exaggeration - had to look down at the drink recipe every time he added an ingredient. So, a perfect example of how a lack of thought on the part of management (have servers!) and a lack of training for the staff (teach bartenders how to make basic drinks!) combined to make what should have been an enjoyable experience frustrating. I could go on but I would simply caution anyone booking a trip here to temper their expectations, and be prepa

Paws Up is magical during the holidays, we came from LA and loved the holiday charm and attentive staff. We really enjoyed the amazing food quality and quantity, be ready to EAT, and the included drinks and cocktails were high quality. The activities are fun and not the usual "safe" type, these were safe but fun!