Rip Van Winkle Gardens

My husband and I visited the Rip Van Winkle Gardens in New Iberia for a quick getaway for my birthday. It was early spring and there was a recent freeze, so many of the plants were cut back. It is a beautiful property. I highly recommend the house tour. It was really interesting. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the cafe. It was a great experience overall and I would recommend it to all of my friends and family.

This place is great for a romantic getaway, Cook’s cottage is wonderful. it is charming, feels rustic but still has the modern conveniences of Central AC and a jacuzzi tub,nit’s super clean, the fridge is stocked with a complimentary bottlenof wine and breakfast foods. Locally roasted coffee, and full access to the gardens when you stay overnight. There’s peafowl roaming everywhere and it’s just the most romantic setting for a wedding, just a couple steps outside the cottage and you’re right there by Lake Peigneur, the restaurant food is delicious, in my opinion one of the best restaurants in the area, hands down. If i could give this place ten stars, I would!

Customer service is terrible. Or at least the woman is who I spoke to. Like another review has mentioned, they make it apparent that they do not need your business. I scheduled a photo shoot for engagement pictures at $50/hour which had to be canceled due to quarantining. I called back to schedule a bridal shoot & was told that I’d be charged $100/hr. Confused, I asked if there were any offers or extra amenities included in doing bridals vs engagements & was responded to with a flat “no.” Taking my business elsewhere. Receptionist laughed as she hung up. The blatant rudeness truly stunned me...even in 2020.

Nice area. Interesting history.

Worst service I have ever had! Sat in the restaurant, ordered drinks, and never saw the waitress again for 50 minutes. She actually disappeared completely for about 20 of those minutes, which I assume was a smoke break in the middle of a lunch rush, came back and was weeded down with a 6 top she also neglected. I was a regular, but will not return. Beautiful place, but skip the restaurant!