Chalet Suzanne

We booked this for a romantic getaway but found it nothing of the sort, not even relaxing...to the contrary. as another reviewer said it best ""looking for old world charm, found thrift-qality disservice and looks"". the place is literally dilapidated, w/our ""french"" room located in a narrow maze up a shaky stairwell, with holes on the floor, a bad accent of minimal pseudo-french decor (read: plastic stained windows and a copy of a copy of a poster), shoddy plumbing, and not much privacy (not much insulation, creaky and stained bed-ware, and staff intrusiveness, twice entering w/out forewarning or permission to provide 'surprise' welcome candy). None of the accommodations actually overlooked Lake Wales; and the 'pool' was smack open next to the front office, also next to the dining lounge! Biting the bullet and the expectations, despite the price (more expensive rooms than at The Standard in N Miami or The Hard Rock), we had nonetheless booked reservations, going for the full experience, at the 'renowned' restaurant. Talk about a joke...we had an 'option' of 6 main all-meat courses (even Olive Garden has a vegetarian menu, never mind gluten free), w/only one salad as purely meat free. Did we mention the spider webs? The server's response was that the emphasis was on the 30-people party in another area of the restaurant; so, when we reluctantly asked for ANYTHING vegetarian, the chef suggested stuffed eggplant to our surprise. We both agreed on this delightfully described alternative only to find that the chef could actually accommodate just one portion, b/c of said larger party. Again, we gave in, agreeing to one stuffed eggplant and that one salad, finding our again to our dismay that the eggplant must have gone bad (or perhaps just really needed for the larger party). Did we mention that the main course prices ranged from $42 to $67? And we were willing to pay for that, and a five course meal even, but not when we weren't even offered an apology...nor a grilled cheese sandwich. We naturally left (at 8pm, when in Lake Wales almost everything else closes between 7pm and 9pm; this out and about in the middle of nowhere, on our anniversary), much disappointed that despite the website assurances of the perfect getaway (was our anniversary, and the administration was aware). The owner, whom we asked to speak with, over the phone (b/c apparently was joining a conference at 8pm on Saturday?!), very non-chalantly, allayed our concerns to nothing more of our own overbearing expectations (yeah, right, city slickers), sticking up for the chef and front desk that not only had they done nothing wrong, that they didn't think anything was appropriate for them to offer, even had we asked...not sure where or when this is service (forget 'good' service). more

Stay Away!! I completely agree to the review listed prior regarding the lack of care! If you only knew the rest of the story, starting at the World Famous Wine Dungeon. Give me a break, it's a hole underneath the building that used to be underwater in it's hey days. All you see now, if you really look is the light from the outside and if you think about it, how disgusting is the knowing what could be have been lured into this area with Publix cheese samples. If they also knew anything regarding wine, they would know that wine must be handled and kept at the right temperatures, not underneath a building with no air conditioning. I came because I heard that they had a REAL Chef there, who I met in Tampa years ago, but I learned from servers that unfortunately he had to leave due to the unwillingness to change from the owners. I looked at the menu and was shocked to read what I did! His menu is there and his flare for combination's and fusions are there, but he is not and it really shows. Go back to your garbage menu, because you are not capable of pulling this menu off. What a Shame that they lost this chef and after meeting the owner Eric, I can see why. WHAT AN EGO this guy has. Living off your families past history is a understatement. Don't believe this, than I challenge you to go to the web-site and research their claims of Four Stars/Four Diamonds on your own. You can be rated number one Bed & Breakfast in Lake Wales when your the only one there! Pros: The History that was there. Cons: To many to list. more

You must be kidding to suggest to your readers Chalet Suzanne. It is living on reviews from 25 years ago. Our plumbing did not work in our room. Our king bed had two sinking wholes on each side, unbearable to sleep in, not to mention the linens smelled. Our ""old/junkyard"" furniture, not antique or anything of quality (even in past days) was painted purple, white, and wood laminate. Our lights were burnt out. We went to the desk three times and not even a lightbulb was fixed. At check out, we dropped off our bath towels with holes in them. We also left three ph #'s to be reached at....thinking (obviously mistaken) that someone there cared. The only thing we received was a pretenious, sorry card and a $400+ bill on our credit card. Couldn't believe it. We travel all over the world. Not even a phone call, come and try us again..........zilch, 0 ! Beware!! Pros: Under different management this could probably be brought back to at least two stars. Cons: They could care less. Only want your money! Hospitality is a foreign word. more