Review: 1 Posted: 01/05/09
From: Peter Verhofstadt in Brussels, Belgium

I have been coming to The Hideout for several years now and every time they try make it the best ever visit and experience. Over the years The Hideout kept its unique positioning of combining a real working cattle ranch experience with upscale food, lodging and a boutique ranch experience. Since the European side of the family took of the management of the hospitality and recreational side of the ranch they not only have kept that tradition in place but added a bunch of other experiences for the guests to savour. Several of the staff are schooled in natural horsemanship and Stockmanship (natural "cowmanships" and can give the guest clinics and seminars or just instruct while they are riding out. They added a unique Lodge to Lodge Trailriding program riding this immense country and sleeping every 2 nights in an other place. There is the Trapper Creek Lodge and Supper Club with great dining a la carte in addition to the great food at the Hideout. Several options for lodging have been added and there is a great educational program for older children and their parents to enjoy. Stockponds where added and of course the staff has been authentic and personal since start up. With this comes also the ability to serve guests in different languages. Since last year they are open year around and offer combinations of winter / snow riding - photography - snowmobiling, etc. The hideout actually does so well that they impacted the real estate prices in Shell to become quite high for the area. The owners and family have bought some historical buildings in Shell who are under restoration. All adding to the charm of not only the Hideout but the entire town of Shell (population 50). Marijn, one of the managers and family members rides with the guests at least 3 times a week.

Review: 2 Posted: 10/14/02
From: Steven O. in Thompson, CT

In a word, the time I spent at the Hideout was priceless. The living/entertaining facilities are top notch, the food delicious, the selection of saddles and horses as varied as you could hope for. Located at the foot of the BigHorn Mountains, the terrain varies from open foothills to thick woodlands and awe-inspiring mountains. The backdrop is postcard perfect. You can walk, hike, shoot, fish, or simply sit back and enjoy the scenery. However, being a functional ranch, you simply cannot miss working with the cattle. The wranglers have a knack of gauging how much (or little) involvement you wish to take and earnestly attempt to make sure everyone on the ride is enjoying themselves. For all there is to do, it is still the people that make the experience so special. From the gracious owners David and Paula, to the hosts Julie and Elliott, to all the wranglers and staff, at the Hideout you are one of the family. They really work magic.

Review: 3 Posted: 09/30/02
From: Chuck & Carol Jones in Leawood, Kansas

We havn't had that much fun since we were in high school 40+ years ago. We thought the employees as well as the owners are top notch people.We intend to return this next spring for branding.

Review: 4 Posted: 09/26/02
From: Janet F. Weinberger in Augusta, GA

Have you longed for that place where everyone loved what they were doing? The Hideout is that place. The proprietors, David and Paula eat dinner and share stories with their guests each night, Elliot makes sure every guest's needs are filled and the Wranglers (Keith, Stewart, Sylvia and the rest) teach you everything you need to know about cattle but were afraid to ask! Imagine being in the most "awe"some countryside (I didn't realize our country was this beautiful), doing what you love (riding horses all day long) and then sitting down to a gourmet dinner(rivaling any 5 star restaurant). My intention on revitalizing my soul on this trip was surpassed on so many levels, that my memories will sustain me in the reality of everyday life for a long time. If I had one wish it would be for everyone to experience this pleasure once in their lifetime!

Review: 5 Posted: 09/25/02
From: Shaunette Nastar in Massachusetts

Victor and I joined the folks at The Hideout in June celebrating our honeymoon. Their website and write up's could not have prepared us for this wonderful week ahead. The food was equal to eating at any fine dining restaurant in our area! The accomodations were very nice although we did not spend much time in them. We cannot forget all of the folks. Each and every one of them with a talent for horses, people and entertaining. And of course,the horses. I was concerned that we would have horses in poor condition. Quite the opposite! Caroline matched us up with our mount for the week and did a great job. With so many different rides to choose from it was hard to decide what to do each day. I cried the last day I rode because I did not want to leave. A week did not seem long enough, but I said that this was the best trip I had ever been on. I vowed to come back next year and I plan to stick to that! Thanks to The Hideout!

Review: 6 Posted: 08/16/02
From: Alex Boggs in Pasadena, California

There was pressure to pick the right dude ranch for our family (my father, siblings and their spouses) vacation. Could I find one that was exclusive, had excellent horseback riding, great accommodations, but not extravagant in cost? Yes, at the Flitner Ranch! Interested in herding cattle, learning team penning? It’s here! Horses to accommodate all levels of riding with incredible wranglers. So many choices: retire to their outdoor Jacuzzi with a glass of wine at the end of your day, do a bit of trap shooting, how about a ranch tour in a jet helicopter? During each evening’s Happy Hour there is a picture show (digital slides of the days ride) on a large plasma screen, accompanied by country music. They send each guest home with a CD Rom of all the pictures taken during the week! Meals are family style – giving an opportunity to become better acquainted with the other guests. The food is to die for. Entertainment? Well, they have a real singing cowboy! We loved it.

Review: 7 Posted: 08/06/02
From: Kristi Pratt in Tarpon Springs, Fl

The Hideout is definitely the place to go. I returned for my second time in April, 2002 and had the time of my life. The horseback riding and cow work were wonderful (Scenic rides, cattle round-ups, as well as the optional branding experience), but one of the best things about the ranch is the friendships I have made. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly, and at dinner each night, you learn more and more about everyone there, guests as well as staff. Oh, the food is excellent, and that is an understatement! After one week at The Hideout, you will dread returning to the monotony of the real world!

Review: 8 Posted: 08/04/02
From: Seth in New York

Ultimately the best vacation I've had. One of the things I liked was the questionnaire filled out prior to arrival, asking a little about you, and what you wanted to achieve on vacation. Elliot the Asst. manager gave us the orientation tour. Stating this is your home for the week, everything is here for you, if you want a can of Coke, beer, some wine just take it, right down to the laundry detergent for the machines - and believe me they came in handy. The riding was great. Mike, the head wrangler, really cares about the horses and your riding success, and helped me find the perfect saddle. The rest of the wranglers, who were all excellent and eager to help, followed Mike's style. As for the food, I believe some king, queen or head of state is missing their personal chef, Rob’s in the kitchen @ The Flitner Ranch. Every one of my needs & expectations were met. A special thanks to Julie the manger for making it all possible. P.S. A visit isn't complete without hearing cowboy Stewart sing

Review: 9 Posted: 07/03/02
From: John & Nancy Klimovich in Long Island, New York

We had such a great time at The Hideout!!The grounds are beautiful,the views just breathtaking,and the accomodations excellant.The staff took great care to make us feel comfortable and welcome.Attention to detail in every way.The meals were outstanding. We are both previous horse owners and were not sure how much we would enjoy the riding but were pleasantly surprised by the caliber of horses we rode and the obvious maticulous care they receive. That was an important factor in our book.The horses were well trained to tackle any task we came upon and are not the typical "hack barn" horses you generally encounter.The staff at The Hideout could not do enough for us.Everyone is friendly and knowledgable. We are planning a return trip as soon as possible.There are so many good things to say about our experiance there and not enough room here to write it all!!We had the best vacation ever while making life long friends with all at the Hideout. Sincerely, John & Nancy Klimovich

Review: 10 Posted: 07/01/02
From: Diane Ayres in Dahlonega, Georgia

Everything about The Hideout is first class. Every member of the staff does their absolute best to make sure each guest has a wonderful time. Gourmet meals, perfectly prepared. Great accomodations with daily maid service. Breathtaking scenery. A truly working cattle ranch that is always willing to accomodate those guests that would rather trail ride or participate in some other activity. Owners and staff treat guests like family. My husband and I will never go to any guest ranch except The Hideout. Happy Trails!

Review: 11 Posted: 05/29/01
From: Kelley & Randolph in Virginia

Spent a week at The Hideout and didn't want to leave. Already booked a reservation to return. Head wranglers, Mike & Caroline, are fantastic as is the entire staff who work together very well. Very personable and attentive. Excellent rides and the cattle work is something everyone must try. Small groups and riding for all levels. It's the pinnacle of all ranches. Incredible food and the cabins are very comfortable. The owners are very humble and gracious. Absolutely lovely experience.

Review: 12 Posted: 12/08/00
From: Dave Steinfeld in Nashville, Tennessee

My experience far exceeded my expectations. Wow! To be back there again. I still think back to the incredible meals that Ann made, the wonderful hospitality, and those super clear crisp nights looking at the stars. I miss my horse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review: 13 Posted: 11/27/99
From: Billy Bacon in East Tennessee

The 3 Amigos from East Tennessee say howdy and would like to say thanks to the gang at the HideOut for some of the best times of our lives. The staff, accommodations, food, adventures and the location made for a relaxing and stress free week. The treatment of the guest compares to the best Southern hospitality ever found. We have and will continue to recommend the HideOut as a vacation of a lifetime.

Review: 14 Posted: 11/03/99
From: Don & Alice Cornell in Las Vegas, NV

There are so many things to do in this world that we don't know if we'll ever go to a guest ranch again. If that turns out to be the case, we're glad that the one time we went, we saw the best. The whole week we spent at the Hideout was beyond first class. The Flitners are charming people who have surrounded themselves with an excellent staff who'll not only cater to your every whim, but seem to truly enjoy the work that they do. Everything we did was enjoyable, informative, and educational; from the rodeo to cowpunching, from the beautiful ride down from the Upper Hideout to the day the Flitners provided us with one of their Expeditions and a personal guide to spend the whole day at Yellowstone. From start to finish, it was an exceptional experience. Whatever your rating scale, this belongs at the top. From the Cornells in Las Vegas, Nevada....two enthusiastic thumbs up! Don't miss it.

Review: 15 Posted: 10/31/99
From: DONALD ROBERTS in HARDWICK, MA - USA

THE HIDEOUT HAS FULFILLED MY COWBOY VACATION DREAMS. THIS IS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BE A REAL COWBOY, A GENTLEMEN COWBOY, OR JUST ENJOY THE SCENIC BEAUTY & ATTRACTIONS WY HAS TO OFFER YOU & YOUR FAMILY. LODGING IS FIRST CLASS, MEALS ARE DELICIOUS, & UPPER HIDEOUT IS SPECTACULAR. PAULA & DAVID FLITNER HAVE SURROUNDED THEMSELVES WITH CAPABLE, CARING PEOPLE TO WORK WITH THEIR GUESTS. YOU WILL FEEL LIKE A FAMILY MEMBER. I'VE SPENT 2 VACATIONS THERE, & HOPE TO RETURN AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

Review: 16 Posted: 10/31/99
From: Steven Spears in Seattle Washington

This year was my second visit to the Hideout at the Flitner Ranch. For the last 2 years, I have gone there for a 2 week stay. Each time it has been all I had been looking for and more. The hospitality is wonderful, the accomadations first class and everything at the ranch is first rate. For me it has become a home away from home where I relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery on horseback. Moving cattle at the Ranch is always an adventure and fun. I will return again this year and that I believe is the highest praise for any Ranch.

Review: 17 Posted: 10/28/99
From: Brian & Pam Airey in Weston-super-Mare, England

Five star luxury accommodation and 5 star friendliness, just about sums up our visit. We felt part of the family as soon as we walked through the door. When we met the other guests it felt as if we were long lost brothers/sisters everyone was so friendly. Attention to detail was excellent and the horses were matched to our riding skills. The wranglers welcomed us to their life style. We did want WE wanted at the pace WE wanted. The food was fabulous and they even pandered to us Brits by providing cups of Tea!! We can't wait to go back.

Review: 18 Posted: 10/26/99
From: John Townes in Greenville, South Carolina

The Hideout offered our family exactly what we were looking for; a flexible, guest-oriented western vacation, combined with superb accomodations and food. The staff was most accomodating, and allowed us to set our own schedule each day. Every request we made was cheerfully honored, and we were truly made to feel like we were the only guests at the entire ranch. The cabins were comfortable, and their layout was perfect for our family. Meals were a special treat, as each meal was served

Review: 19 Posted: 10/22/99
From: Granny in New Hampshire

I took my family of twelve to the Hideout in 1998. Our ages ranged from 9 to 70. It was my 70th birthday present to myself! I was the only one who had ever really done any riding and that was back in the dark ages. We had a perfect week and my reward came when my two reasonbly sophisticated grandsons hugged me and said it was the best time they had ever had. We went back for '99 and are aiming for '00. For each of us it is much more than just a vacation, it is an awakening!!