Early in 2004, a select piece of property (now the home to the first Phase of Soaring Eagle Lodge), was optioned and ultimately purchased by a small group of investors led by Steve Farmer of the Charleston law firm Farmer Cline & Campbell (www.farmerclinecampbell.com ), Drew Payne (manager of a number of business organizations also headquartered in Charleston), Scott Long of the Charleston law firm Hendrickson & Long (www.handl.com ), Carlton McKinney and Denver Allen from Morgantown, and other leaders from around the State envisioned a project that would provide a superior quality of living to compliment one of the greatest vacation spots in the mid-atlantic states, Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
To help bring their vision to realty, they collaborated with Playground Destination Properties, a marketing and sales firm that had superior knowledge of the wants and desires of the homeowners at Snowshoe and, through common ownership, provided a great pathway to collaboration with the resort management team. The investment group next engaged the services of David Pray, the founder of a noteworthy regional design-build firm (i.e. Pray Construction Company), who had recently sold his company and had a long history of providing superior design and construction services. (www.prayworks.com).
Pray then elected to collaborate with a significant regional design firm, GBBN (www.gbbn.com ) who had relevant condo experience throughout the world. The initial team was rounded out with the inclusion of Roanoke based Branch Construction who had two experienced superintendents available to lead the project. Construction began in June of 2005. As construction progressed, the development team recruited Brian Ball, the driving force behind the Red Fox Inn and the Foxfire Grille onto the team, and Dave Pray recruited Intradesign (a restaurant specialty interiors firm to design Ember and Pray Construction to put this remarkable facility in place prior to Grand Opening).
In early December, 2006, Soaring Eagle Lodge, Ember and Marketplace opened its doors and welcomed guests just in time to enjoy early skiing and the entire holiday season. The quality of all of these facilities is noteworthy from the moment you step into the Hearth room. Listen to a recent guest:
We have stayed at three places at Snowshoe--Camp 4, Alleghany Springs and Soaring Eagle. We have found our favorite at Soaring Eagle Lodge. It's a skiers paradise! Located right at the top of a high-speed quad, with its own rental shop, mini-market with nicely prepared things, and gourmet restaurant, this is the place if you like a little luxury and good customer service which can be spotty at Snowshoe. And to top Alleghany Springs, the ski lockers are reachable via elevator (unlike Alleghany Springs which requires you to negotiate a long flight of stairs in your ski boots). And, you can unload your gear right from the underground parking garage into the ski locker room. The units are very spacious and quiet. Good construction here, unlike other Snowshoe properties. There is a lovely terrace area with 3 large in-ground hot tubs and seating around gas fire rings. The Hearth Room in the lobby is fantastic as well. The restaurant, Ember, is very good. And, we didn't really miss being in the Village. There's not that much going on there anyway.
My experience with this property took place in:
March, 2007
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend? absolutely!
This TripAdvisor Member:
Liked: quality furnishings; good customer service