Summertime in Montana

Guest: Jordan (Irvine, California USA)
Date of Stay: 06/28/11 Review Submitted: 09/09/11

For those of you taking the time to read these reviews, you may have quickly noticed a trend (5 out of 5 stars). I searched through dozens of properties before choosing to stay at the Braidwater, primarily because of the many wonderful reviews left by their past guests. Let me start by saying that each and every one of their stars is well deserved! We stayed at the Braidwater for three weeks this June / July, and it was our first opportunity to experience the summer months in the Flathead Valley. For starters, the Braidwater is a beautifully groomed, maintained, and managed property. Everything from booking our stay, our arrival, each day of our three weeks in Montana, and our eventual departure, went as smoothly as if we had visited a second home of our own. Accommodations aside, the Braidwater's owners (Gina, Greg, Echo, and Vale) made our summer vacation special and unique for "each and every" member of my family (and we brought them all - moms, dads, grandparents, kids / cousins). I personally miss my daily encounters with each of them, including Jackson the dog. On behalf of my entire family, thank you again for an unforgettable summer experience. The Braidwater was an amazing find; do not overlook this property when researching places to stay in the Flathead Valley. My family members are counting the days until we return next summer.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Awsome Vacation

Guest: KevAnn (Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 09/03/11

Awesome is how we would describe our weeklong stay at Braidwater. There was so much to do right at Braidwater that we came back early from our daily excursions to enjoy the beautiful property (fishing, horses, garden and Jackson (the dog) and the geese). Greg, Gina, Echo and Vale are some of the nicest and most generous people we have ever met. "The Barn" was more than we expected. Pictures on the website don't really do it justice. Greg built the barn with beautiful craftsmanship. The kitchen had everything we needed to make our own meals. We have two daughters, ages 15 and 13 and they loved Braidwater as well. None of us were ready to leave at the end of the week..

Owner response:We are so glad you had a great time ! Thanks for staying with us !

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

Katie

Guest: Kate (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 10/18/10 Review Submitted: 12/22/10

Absolutely lovely, like a hidden gem. I was taken aback at how gorgeous this property is, and how welcoming and generous the family is! The building is set back off the road, amidst expansive and well-kept grounds. The "barn" that you stay in is unlike any barn you've probably ever seen! It's the highest quality and craftsmanship, and decorated so very well. They didn't miss a beat, even the doorknobs in each room are unique and seem handmade. The family is extremely inviting and welcomes you to enjoy the property and surrounding area, and have mini adventures in the outdoors. It's extremely safe. Echo so graciously took me on a horseback ride on the property one evening at dusk for an hour! She had to get up very early the next day to go into the woods for the first outfitting trip of the season, had 1,000 things to do, and still found the time to take me and spend with me. I assume it's a combo of her being brought up as a "giver" and she just loves the horses:) Gina would bring me a stock pile of sticks to build a fire, or leave a book she thought I might like, or a workout DVD to try. She invited me over for dinner and would bring fresh veggies from there lustrous garden. She loves to share and learn from people, in the end, she's truly the teacher! With her busy schedule as an OB-GYN she still found time to make me feel so at home. Will be ever-grateful to the whole family! My best to you all, and I would recommend this place to anyone:)

Owner response:Thank you Katie ! The pleasure was ours. We must keep in touch !

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

Wonderful setting and family

Guest: Jeremy (Lutherville, MD)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 08/20/10

Braidwater Guest Cottage was an absolute delight. It served as a good location for visiting the western parts of Glacier National Park with great facilities for cooking, laundry, etc. The site itself and the generous and friendly Nelson family were definitely the highlights of the trip. Upon our arrival, Gina greeted us with a partial tour of the grounds that included their extensive garden, with many apricots, peas, different varieties of carrots, etc. and urged us to help ourselves. She encouraged us to contact her or to stop by the house if we wanted information or help. Her husband Greg was a great help with advice about kayak rental and was a fountain of knowledge about the outdoors in general. He also let us know that if we were interested in rafting down the Flathead or riding horses, their kids are enthusiastic helpers. Their son Forest treated us to a wonderful float down to the Flathead and their daughter Echo provided horseback riding and lessons for my wife and two of our kids. The outdoor hot tub was well used almost every night, providing a nice relaxing break after a day of hiking and a wonderful venue for watching the stars come out in the Montana sky. We stayed at Braidwater for the second half of our visit to Glacier National Park. This was one of the best vacations of our lives (in our opinion and those of all three of our kids (ages 14, 19, and 24). Our stay at Braidwater was right at the top of the list of the reasons.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Clodes from Sarasota,FL

Guest: Dawn (Sarasota, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

"This is one of our best family vacation destinations ever!" our girls all agree in unison. Glacier National Park was spectacular, but what made the whole trip so personable was the Nelson family and their "Grand Barn" we called home for a week. Kalispell is ideal in location to GNP and Whitefish. The property is very clean and well maintained with all the amenities you would expect from a top notch resort. Gina was there to greet us with fresh baked muffins when we arrived at Midnight! Greg was very helpful in helping us plan our daily hikes and even arranged a rafting/fishing trip with his family. Echo, the girls can't thank you enough for letting them have some riding time in with your beautiful horses. Forest and Vale, our gymnasts/trampoline extraordinaire! Thanks again Forest for being our personal rafting/fishing guide and all the best at Standford and let us know how your Solar Car project turns out. Thanks Vale for the hand made jewelery for our daughter. By the way, thanks for the red raspberries, they were so delicious right off your garden! Since returning home to Sarasosta, we can't stop telling others about GNP and Braidwater. We will be directing them to your website. Thanks Greg, Gina, Echo, Forest & Vale for being a great host family!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

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Guest: - (Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

Once upon a time, there as a family of 5 that decided to go to Montana. Almost all the family couldn't wait to step foot on the open air state. The eldest daughter thought that this trip would end her up in a Podunk little house with no flush toilets,cell phone reception, or mall. Boy was she surprised as our car pulled up to the largest and most tricked out barn she had ever seen. As the family stepped into the medieval blast from the past, their faces were slapped by the fluffy smell of fresh baked muffins. The owner of the house (Gina) came walking in [holding a pan of muffins] with a smile on her face to welcome us. This same smile would be seen again on the rafting trip that her family (the Nelsons) would take the city dwelling family on. Not only did the Nelsons take the metropolitan family rafting, but also horseback riding. The 'Echo' of the horses galloping bounced from mountain to mountain while trotting on Braidwater Farm. The youngest daughter wished that that night would never end and the 'Echo' would never leave. As beautiful as the outside of the cottage was, the inside garage even got the city-family to snap a few photos. With a trampoline inside the garage, the city-kids vowed to never leave this newly found home. The trampoline even included it's own personal 'Forest' that taught the kids how to defy gravity. As the 'Forest' got higher and higher, the more the family had to watch with awe. With the temperature a perfect 60 and no humidity, everyone in the house slept like a baby on the squishy clouds the Nelsons call "beds". Getting up was not that difficult when the smell of pancakes taps you on the shoulder. The complete kitchen in the house gave the family energy to go hiking at Glacier National Park which was only 25 minutes away. The day before the family left, they un-'Vale'-ed a new restaurant in the shopping district very close to the house. The family had a great time there. When a week was up and it was time to part, I promise you that the eldest daughter said, "she never wanted to leave." I remember hearing those exact words come from my lips as we drove away.

Owner response:It's true we like fancy houses, horses, adventures and food, but most of all we like fun enthusiastic people. Thanks for being our guests and helping to make this summer one of our best ever. Thanks from Greg, Gina, Echo, Forest and Vale.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/22/09 Review Submitted: 11/22/09

Very luxurious accommodations in a beautiful spot on the river. We were enchanted from the moment we arrived, with lit candles and the aroma of warm bread to welcome us. Everything was charming. The owners made us feel welcome and were full of helpful advice on things to see and places to go.

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Guest: Nate & Beth (Indiana )
Date of Stay: 11/04/09 Review Submitted: 11/04/09

Perfect location for a couple's getaway. We had a wonderful time at the cabin and it is close to Glacier National Park and Whitefish. The accommodations were great, and there is nothing better than soaking in the hot tub on a clear Montana night. This was by far the coolest cabin that we have stayed at.

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Guest: Sherrie Myers (-)
Date of Stay: 07/29/09 Review Submitted: 07/29/09

I loved staying here! Very quiet and restful. Caught fish right from the river. Was a good loaction - between Glacier and Flat Head Lake.

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Guest: Tracie8 (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Date of Stay: 07/29/09 Review Submitted: 07/29/09

My sisters and I stayed at Braidwater for an “all girl’s” vacation in early June and we had a wonderful time. The ambiance of the place had an almost magical quality to it. We were very comfortable there and cooked most of our meals in the very well equipped kitchen. Although we had no children with us, I could tell that this would be an ideal place for children as there were lots of books and games to keep them occupied if they weren’t outside exploring. The location was perfect, close enough to Kalispell, Glacier, and Bigfork so we did not feel that we were spending too much time driving back and forth. The grounds are beautiful with wonderful fields, lots of friendly horses to visit and the river a very short walk away. Although we were not there at the time of year to enjoy the harvest of the organic garden we were able to see all the vegetables and fruit trees coming in and it was amazing. I highly recommend this place to any group or family who wants a special memory of the Kalispell area.

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