Just as I told @sreypov , I believe your "lie" is not only perfectly justified, but in a way necessary market research. After all, you seriously do intend renting out tourist accommodation, right? So you need to be aware with what else is available in your area. In fact, had you told the manager this, it should have been in the interest of his business to get to know you as the competition. (Though the huge difference in the target population would make it hard to call it real competition. In any case, there's still time for that later.)
Most people that I know (who tend to be a lot like the people I assume you know) would probably run from that huge resort, catered for Chinese gamblers, even if it had the most reasonable prices. Instead, your tourist cabin looks a lot more favorable, since it is a family business, and since you share their passion for nature, hiking, swimming, kayaking, etc. so you will be able to provide much better information on the area than the resort manager. Ultimately it's not all about the price.
I am glad not one Hiver has shamed me, I feel much better. I didn't intend it as market research, but once we were inside I quickly realized I should make the adventure much more than a free half hour of fun. Prefab shippable homes are the trend here, so it was nice to see build quality in person. It definitely isn't my style, 250 acres of clearcut pristine forest turned into paved roads and monoculture grassfields.
If were were any closer to the border casino, we'd have no choice but to cater to similar guests, but I give thanks for being high on the mountain where hardcore gamblers rarely stop for anything more than a urination stop.