Icicle Village Resort

Icicle Village Resort Overview

The first time I pulled into Icicle Village Resort, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect — the name sounds almost too quaint, you know? But honestly, this place surprised me in the best way. It sits right on Highway 2 just outside Leavenworth, which means you’re close enough to walk into town but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the weekend crowds stumbling around in lederhosen.

What struck me immediately was how this three-star property doesn’t try to be something it’s not. The buildings have this rustic mountain lodge feel that actually works with the Cascade foothills backdrop, and I mean, when you’re staying somewhere that gets real snow in winter, you want it to look the part. The grounds are more spacious than I expected — there’s room to breathe here, which is refreshing after staying at some of those cramped chain places.

My room was in one of the lodge-style buildings, and while it wasn’t fancy, it had everything I needed without feeling generic. The beds are comfortable (I’m particular about this), and the mountain views from most rooms are genuinely nice, especially if you catch them during sunrise. The heating works well too, which matters when you’re visiting during ski season and it’s actually freezing outside.

Here’s what I really appreciated — the parking situation is stress-free. You know how some mountain resorts make you hike half a mile with your luggage? Not here. There’s plenty of space, and in winter they actually keep it plowed, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many places don’t manage this well.

The pool area became my favorite spot, honestly. It’s not huge, but the indoor pool stays warm year-round, and there’s a decent hot tub that hits the spot after a day of hiking or skiing. I spent more time here than I planned, just because it’s one of those places where you can actually relax without feeling like you need to rush off to the next thing.

For food, the hotel restaurant serves solid American fare — nothing groundbreaking, but the portions are generous and they know how to cook a decent burger. The breakfast buffet covers all the basics, and the coffee is actually good, which I can’t say about every place I’ve stayed. If you want more variety, downtown Leavenworth is maybe a ten-minute walk, and there are some surprisingly good German restaurants there.

The spa services are limited but functional — they offer basic massages and treatments, which is honestly all I needed after spending the day outdoors. I wouldn’t come here specifically for spa treatments, but if you need to work out some hiking soreness, they’ll take care of you.

What makes this place work is its location in the Icicle Creek valley. You’re positioned perfectly for accessing some of the area’s best hiking trails — the Icicle Gorge Trail starts practically from the resort’s backyard, and it’s an easy walk that most people can handle. In winter, you’re about twenty minutes from Mission Ridge if you ski, or you can just enjoy the snow-covered scenery without leaving the property.

The staff here actually knows the area, which makes a difference. When I asked about hiking recommendations, the front desk person gave me specific trail conditions and even mentioned which parking areas tend to fill up first on weekends. That kind of local knowledge is worth something, especially if you’re not familiar with the Cascades.

I stayed here during both summer and winter visits, and the resort handles the seasonal changes well. Summer brings families and hikers, winter attracts skiers and people who just want to experience a proper mountain winter. The place never felt overcrowded during either season, though I’d definitely book ahead if you’re planning a weekend stay during Oktoberfest — Leavenworth gets busy then.

Look, this isn’t going to be the fanciest place you’ll ever stay, but that’s not really the point. Icicle Village Resort delivers exactly what it promises — a comfortable mountain retreat that puts you in the heart of some beautiful country without charging resort prices. The 8.7 rating makes sense once you spend time here; it’s the kind of place that gets the fundamentals right and doesn’t overcomplicate things. If you want to explore this part of Washington and need a reliable base camp that feels more personal than a chain hotel, this place will work perfectly.