Are you a fan of the iconic movie, Dirty Dancing? If so, you may be wondering if the resort where Baby and Johnny fell in love is a real place.
The answer is both yes and no. Allow me to explain.
What is Dirty Dancing?
Before we dive into the topic at hand, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and revisit what Dirty Dancing is all about. This romantic drama film was released in 1987 and stars Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman, a young woman who visits a resort with her family for the summer.
There, she falls in love with Johnny Castle (played by Patrick Swayze), a dance instructor at the resort. The movie became an instant classic and has since become beloved by many.
The Filming Location
The majority of Dirty Dancing was filmed at two locations: Mountain Lake Lodge in Virginia and Lake Lure Inn in North Carolina. Mountain Lake Lodge served as the exterior shots for Kellerman’s Resort, while Lake Lure Inn was used for some of the interior scenes.
Mountain Lake Lodge
Mountain Lake Lodge is still around today and offers guests the chance to stay in the same cabins that were featured in Dirty Dancing. They even offer a Dirty Dancing-themed weekend complete with dance lessons and movie screenings.
Lake Lure Inn
While Lake Lure Inn was also used for filming, it has since undergone significant renovations that have changed its appearance from what it looked like during filming. However, it remains open to guests who wish to stay there.
The “Real” Kellerman’s Resort
So, if neither Mountain Lake Lodge nor Lake Lure Inn were used as Kellerman’s Resort in the movie, does that mean it doesn’t exist? Well, not exactly.
The location that inspired Kellerman’s Resort is a real place called Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel. This resort was located in upstate New York and was a popular vacation spot for many families during the mid-twentieth century.
Unfortunately, Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel has been abandoned since 1986 and is now in a state of disrepair. While it may not be the pristine resort shown in Dirty Dancing, it still holds a special place in the hearts of fans of the movie.
In Conclusion
While Kellerman’s Resort from Dirty Dancing may not be a real place that you can visit today, the locations that were used to film the movie are still around and offer visitors a chance to experience some of the magic from the film. And even though Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel is no longer operational, it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who love Dirty Dancing.