Is Stonewall Resort worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Stonewall Resort is worth it for travelers who want lakeside recreation, on-site dining, golf and meeting/wedding facilities in a family-friendly setting. It’s strongest for outdoor activities (boating, fishing, trails) and multi-day stays where the spa, pool and Palmer Course matter; confirm fees, pet rules and check-in-age details before booking.
In this guide
At-a-glance: what Stonewall Resort is
Stonewall Resort sits on Stonewall Jackson Lake in Roanoke, West Virginia, and combines a lakeside lodge with cottages, lake houses and extensive event space. The property operates within Stonewall Resort State Park and markets itself as family-friendly.
On-site highlights include a 374-slip marina, an Arnold Palmer Signature 18-hole golf course (Palmer Course), a heated indoor/outdoor pool, Mountain Laurel Spa, and multiple restaurants and bars.
- Address: 940 Resort Drive, Roanoke, WV 26447
- Family-friendly with a supervised kids program (Resort Rascals)
- Not all-inclusive: dining and spa services are charged separately
- Photo: 0
Rooms, suites and cottages — who they suit
Lodge guestrooms and cottages range from standard rooms to the Presidential Suite and lake-view cottages. Room types listed by the resort include Room, Bathtub (Tub); Room; Room, with Sofa bed, Lake View; Room, Lake View; Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Lake View Room; Junior Suite; Room, Multiple Beds; and Presidential Suite.
Cottages and lakeside accommodations are a good fit for families or anyone wanting a more private, home-like stay. Lodge rooms are convenient if you want direct access to restaurants, meeting spaces and the recreation center.
- Family options: Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Lake View Room (1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds)
- Larger/sofa-bed options: Room, with Sofa bed, Lake View; Junior Suite; Presidential Suite
- All accommodations include high-speed Wi‑Fi and access to resort amenities as part of the Park Enhancement Fee
| Room type | Beds (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Room, Bathtub (Tub) | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Junior Suite | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Presidential Suite | 1 King Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds |
Dining and bars: realistic expectations
Stonewall Resort has three main on-site restaurants: Stillwaters (breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch), TJ Muskies Bar & Grill (casual bar and grill), and Lightburn's Restaurant (seasonal/closed-for-regular-service currently and used for special events). Buffet breakfast at Stillwaters is available for a fee and is not automatically included with room rates.
In-room dining is offered using Stillwaters and TJ Muskies menus during stated hours. Reservations are recommended for Stillwaters and questions or bookings for restaurants can be made at the resort's dining phone number.
- Stillwaters: Appalachian/American menu; breakfast 7am–11am, lunch 11am–3pm, dinner 5pm–9pm (per property directory); reservations recommended (304-269-8880).
- TJ Muskies Bar & Grill: casual bar fare and craft cocktails; hours vary (Sun–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri–Sat to midnight).
- Lightburn's: currently closed for regular seasonal service and used for special events.
Activities, recreation and who will love it
The resort is activity-focused: boating and fishing from the marina, 125-passenger cruise boat tours, an Arnold Palmer golf course, hiking and biking trails (including the Lakeside Nature Trail and Overlook Trail), tennis, mini golf and a recreation center with fitness equipment, steam room and sauna.
The heated indoor/outdoor pool operates daily (pool hours are listed as 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the property FAQ) and there are whirlpools nearby—making the resort suitable for both active and relaxation-focused stays.
- Marina rentals: pontoons, CraigCats, kayaks, canoes, SUPs and more
- Fishing: lake species include muskellunge, crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish
- Trails: Lakeside Nature Trail (3.2-mile loop) and Overlook Trail (1.1 miles)
- Kids: Resort Rascals program for ages 5–12 (fee-based, book in advance)
Meetings, weddings and event space
Stonewall Resort has extensive event facilities: a large ballroom, Grand Hall, multiple meeting rooms and outdoor lawns capable of hosting weddings, conferences and banquets. The property lists over 18,000 sq. ft. of conference space and additional outdoor venues.
Options range from small boardrooms to large ballrooms; a shuttle is available within the resort grounds to help move guests between the lodge and off-site ceremony locations like Carrion Bay Lawn.
- Stonewall Ballroom / Grand Hall: indoor capacities measured in the hundreds (ballroom often cited around 275 guests depending on configuration).
- Roanoke Event Center and multiple breakout rooms for meetings or receptions.
- Lightburn's and Carrion Bay Lawn are offered for private events and weddings.
| Venue | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Stonewall Ballroom | Large weddings, meetings (ballroom capacity often cited ~275–300) |
| Carrion Bay Lawn | Secluded lakeside ceremonies (over 250 guests) |
| Maple Patio | Smaller outdoor receptions (~75 guests) |
Practicalities: fees, policies and timing
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is before 11:00 AM. The resort applies a Park Enhancement Fee (the property lists $2.00 + tax per night) that covers state park admission, parking, Wi‑Fi, fitness center use, trail access and pool access; third-party sites sometimes quote higher bundled 'resort' fees, so confirm current charges with the resort before you book.
Pet and check-in-age rules vary in third-party listings: the resort’s policy allows pets in Cottages and Lodge rooms for a non-refundable $45 fee per pet (pets not allowed in Lake Houses); some OTAs list different pet fees or a refundable deposit. Similarly, minimum check-in age is listed as 18 on some channels and 21 on others — verify when reserving.
- Park Enhancement Fee: resort site lists $2.00 + tax/night — confirm current amount at booking.
- Pets: allowed in Cottages and Lodge rooms for a non-refundable $45 fee per pet per the resort; pets restricted from pools, restaurants, library, conference center and golf course.
- Check-in age: property and OTAs differ (18 vs 21); bring photo ID and card used to guarantee reservation.
- Late check-out: a fee is sometimes applied — confirm availability and cost.
Honest pros and cons
Pros: strong outdoor and family recreation (marina, trails, kids program), on-site spa and pool, real lake access and golf, and sizeable event space for weddings or meetings. The variety of room types including cottages and the Presidential Suite make it flexible for families and groups.
Cons: seasonal restaurant closures (Lightburn's and Splash may be closed at times), variable fee disclosures between the resort and third-party sites (resort fee, pet fees, check-in age), and no natural sandy lake beach for swimming — lake activities are primarily boating and fishing.
- Pros:
- - Direct lake access and marina services
- - Heated indoor/outdoor pool and full-service spa
- - Multiple on-site dining options and family programs
- Cons:
- - Some dining outlets closed seasonally and menu/hours vary
- - Discrepancies in fees and policies between resort and OTAs (verify before booking)
- - No sandy beach — swimming is at the pool rather than in the lake
