The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens

“Gardens? More Like Big Park”

We enjoy traveling around the country and always like to check out botanical gardens. This is a lovely, huge park with several lakes, but not much in the way of a garden. We did see the two areas with azaleas and a few tulips, but everywhere else is just a huge park. The butterfly house is amazing … more

We enjoy traveling around the country and always like to check out botanical gardens. This is a lovely, huge park with several lakes, but not much in the way of a garden. We did see the two areas with azaleas and a few tulips, but everywhere else is just a huge park. The butterfly house is amazing and I would highly recommend seeing that. As for the service, checking in at first wasn't good. We were there 10 minutes before official check-in and told that the room wasn't ready and they would call us. They never called. We were hanging around in the lobby waiting for the call (way after 4) and stopped at the concierge to ask a question. Marjorie was wonderful. She asked if we were checked in and immediately took care of it herself. She also patiently answered all our questions as it was our first time here. We came to see the azaleas plus it was Food & Wine Weekend. You get a lanyard (with 5 or 10 possible samples - we had 5) and go to various stops around the grounds where there were different foods and wines. It was not clear how this would work, but we figured it out (partly with Marjorie's help). There was a tram, but we opted to drive our car around to the spots. I would recommend using your own car so you can control your time at each location. The food was nothing special. At one spot, we literally received a slice of supermarket ham and a slice of canned pineapple that was warmed up on the grill for about 30 seconds. I could make something more interesting at home. If they want to make this a regular feature, they need to be clearer on what it is about and improve the food. Speaking of food, we ate at Cason's Pub for dinner each night. The first night we asked to sit by the fire pit, but the hostess said they weren't lighting it. No more than 10 minutes after we were seated inside, people were seated at the fire pit and it was lit. I was pretty steamed about that. I think she just didn't want to be bothered as they were seated by a different hostess. I noticed the younger staff seemed to not have been trained very well (they seemed bored). Overall, this was okay for a visit, but probably won't go back again.

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“Mixed review; cautions about cruiser, peak bloom”

Stayed in late March for three nights in a cottage on a multi generation family trip. Top line reviews: Reservations tells you that renting a cruiser will get you closer parking. It does not. We counted on that recommendation for someone in our party with walking/mobility issues and were very frus… more

Stayed in late March for three nights in a cottage on a multi generation family trip. Top line reviews: Reservations tells you that renting a cruiser will get you closer parking. It does not. We counted on that recommendation for someone in our party with walking/mobility issues and were very frustrated to find it untrue. Cruisers only go where cars go. Not on paths or trails of any kind, even the paved ones. Don't spend the money. To back this up, I will share that the attendant in the pro shop shared her frustration with me that reservations tells people the carts can go on the paths when I told her why we returned the golf cart earlier since it was no help to us. On the mobility issue, some of the top attractions like the chapel or azaela bowl require a significant walk. To be clear, they are ADA accessible I'm sure but hard for someone not in a wheelchair but with limited walking ability or stamina. Watch the reports carefully about peak bloom. We got emails the same week saying it was peak bloom but the bowl was not and casons garden had a single bed of red tulips. I understand no one can control the weather or nature but they can control their comms about what is (or isn't) in bloom. There are surprisingly few actual gardens (no conservatory, no areas between attractions, etc.) Warnings out of the way, the cottage was as pictured with a nice opportunity to eat on our own time which we did with a grocery delivery from.walmart in Lagrange. We enjoyed lunches at the Piedmont restaurant and champions at the golf course. The food was good quality and staff were friendly. The spa was top notch and well appointed. Pool was nicely heated Enjoyed the butterfly experience and the birds of prey show as well as sunday's organ concert. Overall, this was a very mixed trip for us.

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“Long weekend Golf trip”

A group of us traveled from Michigan for a long golf weekend. While parts of the resort were enjoyable, the golf experience—the main reason for our trip—was disappointing. What Stood Out in a Good Way Cottages: Quiet, comfortable, and ideal for four people. The screened‑in porch was a great spot f… more

A group of us traveled from Michigan for a long golf weekend. While parts of the resort were enjoyable, the golf experience—the main reason for our trip—was disappointing. What Stood Out in a Good Way Cottages: Quiet, comfortable, and ideal for four people. The screened‑in porch was a great spot for morning coffee. Cason’s Breakfast: Friendly, attentive staff. Mountain Course Layout: Scenic and well designed. Where the Resort Fell Short Golf Course Conditions: Both the Lake and Mountain courses were in poor shape for a resort, especially the greens. Service at the Lake Course Clubhouse: Waited 15 minutes before being acknowledged, and our food wasn’t ready until just before our tee time. 1hr and 15 min total. Food & Beverage Access: No beverage cart or halfway house on an 85‑degree day, and on Sunday, long waits again for basic items at the turn. Bar/Outdoor Restaurant: Service didn’t match the rest of the resort. Overall Impression Employees mentioned that management has invested heavily in infrastructure but not in the golf facilities, and it shows. The layouts are excellent and could make this a top golf destination again, but the current conditions and slow service take away from the experience. With better course maintenance and improved service, the resort could attract far more golfers.

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