The Lodges on Seeley Lake's employees in front of the new lodge. "We are a small but mighty force," said owner Kerry Bertsch. "Everyone has their strengths but everyone wears a lot of hats." Pictured (L-R): Blaise Devins, Valentina Hoppe, Katrina Gennis, Laura Devins with son Hale, Kerry Bertsch, Carol Evans, Brian Bertsch, Vicki Voegelin and Kip "the Grounds Marshal." Members of the team not pictured: Angela Bennett and the Bertsch's children Cullen and Terra.
The new lodge customizes meals for groups staying at The Lodges. They offer intimate, family-style atmosphere for business retreats up to 20 and social events like weddings up to 80 guests.
The lodge has four rooms on the second floor for groups using the main lodge. The beds are made to look like wedding cakes with that very smooth perfect fondant icing. Any thick slabs of wood used in the new lodge were milled on the property from larch and fir harvested in the area. All the trim and cabinet doors were made out of raw stock giving it a unique look.
The McLeod Room is the perfect place for a night cap before guests return to their cabin or room upstairs. The lounge is named after the first owners and displays historical photos and information about the resort. The rest of the lodge is decorated with many of Angela Bennett's original paintings.
SEELEY LAKE – Owner of The Lodges on Seeley Lake Kerry and Brian Bertsch always dreamed of having a main lodge. Now after owning the resort for 22 years, their dream is a reality. They have assembled their perfect team of employees and look forward to using the new lodge to enhance the experience for their guests lodging at the resort.
The colorful history of The Lodges on Seeley Lake is closing in on a century of time. The McLeod family of Missoula built the majority of its cabins in the early 1920s. Their creation of the Missoula Mercantile gathered people from hundreds of miles in all directions to purchase anything from flour to automobiles. The Lodges served as a family retreat and a place to entertain their wide circle of friends.
Shortly after the end of World War II, the Forest Service permitted the cabins to be enjoyed as a commercial resort. Charles Lindbergh was a frequent visitor, claiming the view of the mountains from the cabins was one of his favorite views in the world. It was named Leisure Lodge up until the early 1990s.
When the Bertsches purchased The Lodges in 1996 there was a main lodge located in the middle of the resort. To remodel required to bring the building up to code was too extensive, so they moved the building and made a cabin out of it.
Brian said they didn't want to build a new lodge in the center of the resort because it blocked people's view. They finally decided to remove a cabin on the north end of the property to build the new lodge.
"We lost the lodging that that cabin provided so [the lodge] was redesigned with units above," said Brian. "The design process of this took way more than five years, probably another 10 years before that. The process evolved just like the use of this building will evolve."
The Bertsches have essentially worked on a cabin a year. In the last five years they built the new lodge with four lodging units.
Kerry said when she first met Brian, he aspired to running 25 rental houses.
"Now if you count it up, it is 25 units," said Kerry smiling at the irony.
The main lodge includes a large space for meals serviced by a full industrial kitchen and bar on the main floor. The second floor includes a conference room and four couples' rooms complete with a king-sized bed, abbreviated kitchen, television, fireplace and bathroom. Two rooms look out over the forest while the others have a view of Seeley Lake and the Swan Mountains.
Groups staying at the lodge have the option for on-sight catering customized to meet their needs.
Kerry said they hope to cater to business retreats. The optimal group size is 20 people or less. This gives everyone their own private space for sleeping and offers a large group space for business meetings and meals.
The lodge also accommodates weddings and other social gatherings for up to 80 guests with preference given to those that stay at the resort. This allows for an intimate, family-style setting indoors.
Kerry said the past five years has allowed them time to put together the perfect team of five employees who keep the 15 cabins and main lodge running smoothly.
"We are a really tight team and everyone brings a different skill," said Kerry. She highlighted Laura Devins' background in custom-made baked goods. She said Vicki Voegelin has unbelievable organization and people skills. Carol Evans knows the place inside and out. Katrina [Gennis] is a great addition with her attention to detail. And Blaise Devins "is our rock doing anything else that we need."
While not officially employees, the Bertsches' children Cullen and Terra always help where they can and Kerry's mother Angela Bennett has been instrumental in so many aspects including providing much of the artwork that decorates the new lodge.
"We have a dream team," said Kerry.
Brian hopes the addition of the new lodge will increase the demand for lodging during the slow months. While the use of the lodge currently caters to those lodging on site, they look forward to adapting the services they offer depending on the demand.
Kerry said, "We are just at the beginning stages of what this team can do but I'm really excited about the future."
Reader Comments(2)
Linda writes:
Brian and Kerry are such wonderful people! Our family cabin is across the street from their beautiful place and they have been caring and kind neighbors for almost 20 years. We're so excited for their new addition to the Lodges!
07/02/2018, 5:31 pm
Kimc writes:
We had the wonderful opportunity to have our corporate office meeting at this wonderful resort. The service, location and accommodations were perfect. The fall color of the larch trees were amazing! Looking forward to our annual meeting this fall! Thank you again!
07/02/2018, 11:20 am