I am still struggling to comprehend how the property can justify charging what it does for such a totally underwhelming experience, and how different an experience that is compared to a nearby Lodge which is run by the same company. John Muir Lodge clearly has potential, and possibly was great once, but there is a distinct air of "we've got a captive audience and as such are completely apathetic to the guest experience". The rooms are tired and in need of renovation (our slat blind was broken for example, and the shower water was either low pressure and scaling or adequate pressure and cold - as such the 5 min "shower challenge" is easily achieved despite the timer being missing) and the facilities provided are poor - the three sorry looking grocery store-style refrigerators were very poorly stocked. The dining experience provided by the offsite restaurant is little better than a well known fast food restaurant (large touchscreens to order off a very limited and poor quality menu) but again charging "captive audience" prices. The walk from the Lodge to the restaurant also highlights general dilapidation of other buildings on site which only reinforces the "past its best" ambience. The most galling thing is that the other Lodge, a 45 min drive away, is SO much better and yet cheaper! I'd strongly advise passing on the John Muir and driving the extra distance.
