Covid times May 2021 review. Individual cottage (no shared walls), well-kept, sparkly clean, wifi…read moreincluded, modern home with ample parking about ~50 min away from Yosemite Valley. Pics shown are exactly what it looks like in person (maybe even better)! Spacious enough for 6 people. There is a main level with one full/queen bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, comfortable living room & game room with lots of games + a pool table! Upstairs are two rooms (one full/queen & another with two twin beds) with a shared bathroom. Both bathrooms had towels, toilet paper & soap. The kitchen includes small pots/pans & no baking sheets (bring your own if you are preparing bigger dishes), & there was enough plates/cutlery/cups for 6 people, & minimal seasonings like salt/pepper/cinnamon (bring your own as well). Just in case, bring your own dish soap & sponge. The dinners we cooked each night on the stove & oven turned out great! There is an outside patio area with a grill we didn't use, but my goodness, the sky was remarkable at night: peaceful with millions of twinkling stars & a glimpse of the milky way. This is a great alternative to camping or glamping in Yosemite. We traveled back to back days to/from Yosemite with no problems. I would 10/10 recommend.

Convenient access to Yosemite Park with plenty of stuff to do nearby : Rafting in Spring and Snow…read moreParks in Winter! The house itself has all the amenities needed: the big kitchen, outdoor grill and the game room (with a ping pong table and boardgames) were a huge plus. This is our go-to place when we visit Yosemite

What a fantastic find for a family Christmas gathering at Yosemite National Park! We found Yosemite…read moreCountry Cottage on VRBO. It is located in Midpines, CA, 10 miles east of Mariposa, CA, on 140. You'll find many rentals in Mariposa, CA, but Midpines is actually closer to the 140 entrance. it has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen, washer/dryer, gas fireplace, and outdoor jacuzzi. The cottage sits on a hill, so the view is magnificent from the yard, as you can see from my photo. It has been a rental for less than a year (according to the guest book). Everything is absolutely meticulous. Being the clean freak that I am, I appreciated the gleaming laminate floors in the common areas, tiles in the bathrooms, and the plush the berber carpeting in the bedrooms. Our bare feet and socks never picked up any dirt, unless we dragged it in ourselves. The cottage is equipped with everything you need, such as hair dryer, iron+board, laundry baskets, cleaning supplies, napkins, paper towels, spices, plastic containers+ bags, coffee grinder+maker, satellite tv/dvd player, too many to list. If you need it, you'll probably find it there. Charles, the owner, lives 500 yards on the property, out of view. He's really on the ball with every detail of the rental, so you'll never be confused about directions, access, and even activities in the park. Also, he works as a Yosemite National Park guide...another bonus for first time visitors. Just one warning, though. He has lots of information to offer, so be prepared for lengthy descriptions of sites and activities. Ah, another warning, this one about 140. There is a stretch of 140 close to the park that is only one lane traffic due to the landslide of 2006. I realize our access in and out of park was easy in the off season, but I anticipate the traffic flow and wait times during the high season to be quite different. Our family of four adults spent our Christmas at the cottage...probably one of the best family gatherings ever. The park, of course, is magical, but our lodging really topped our stay.

This perfectly provisioned cottage is truly a castle in the woods. It is close to the entrance for…read moreYosemite as well as Mariposa which can furnish all of your food needs. We saw deer outside our window the first morning and Charles, the owner, gave expert recommendations on when and where to go for the best vacation. This was far better than staying at a hotel!

I am not sure where to start. My daughter got engaged in Yosemite and her husband (that sounds so…read morefunny) and his family have spent summers up there camping for years. So they were both set on a Yosemite site for their wedding. And when they found The End Of The Road Retreat, it also became part of her vision. My daughter knows what she wants right down to the last detail and so it is no wonder that her mismatched China Business is such a success! ( Fern and Bone (based in Los Angeles.) She had a vision in her head about getting married in the Forest, tucked inside the woods, and mismatched China was part of it. And so she began learning about vintage and Bone China and flatware and names of things while antiquing and thrifting and scouring places for the perfect pieces. After realizing she had quite a collection, she thought, why not share it with others and that is the way Fern & Bone was birthed. All focused around a vision for the perfect place. When I first saw End Of The Road Retreat, I wasn't so sure. Yosemite was so far away. But my daughter scouted the area and she knew that this place was it. This past weekend was her wedding and I have never been so proud. Everyone was awed by everything about it. Every detail, every plate and glass, every flower, and the dress! My niece, her cousin made it! Poor thing, she had to rip and re-sew a dozen times because my daughter had a vision... but in the end, the drive, the time invested and a little sweat and tears.... created something far more magical than I ever dreamed of and End Of the Road Retreat was transformed into a magical backdrop of what was in my baby's head! The place it's self is set on twenty acres with a pond that is fish-able year round! It had 3 bedrooms upstairs and 2 and 1/2 bathrooms (one and 1/2 downstairs) It sleeps 8 in the bedrooms but we were saying that it could sleep 3 adults and a kid downstairs in the great room with 3 comfy sofa's and one large love seat. A huge kitchen with a large fridge and freezer which we were ever so grateful for and a large stove/oven and plenty of counterspace to create all the bouquets and food! There is plenty of parking and the back patio made the perfect dance floor with lights laced through the trees to add the ambiance of magic as we danced under the starry night. I dragged a lot up there in way of pots and pans and dishes but this place comes totally equipped! I probably left some pretty nice things there. But the way they treated us ... I don't mind contributing to their supplies! The owner Russ is an amazing man. He is kind and generous and was so good & gracious to my kids as they planned their wedding and after! This place has got to be one of the best kept secrets I can't imagine that it won't be booked solid after a few Event Coordinators discover it! (Just sixteen miles from the sweetest little town (*MARIPOSA) you could imagine!) So between mismatched China and this beautiful backdrop. My baby's wedding was perfect. Down to the last detail. I have to admit that she knew what she wanted and she got it all at End Of The Road Retreat! Thank you so much. I see that this is on Trip Advisor but can't believe that no one has yelped it yet. It was the perfect review for my 300th!

I really wish I could recommend the Pool House…read more This is awkward because I seldom write an uncomplimentary review. For over $200 per night, including non-refundable cleaning fees, we expected so much more than was the reality. Our group of four plus one dog, looked forward to our 3 night getaway, anticipating relaxing time spent in the pool and spa. It did not work out that way. On day one during our long drive to the property the owners emailed to say the spa needed a new heater and the part had to be ordered so we would not have access to it at all during our stay. Huge disappointment to say the least. We wondered why the owners don't keep parts in stock for these situations? The email went on to say that the pool was "cloudy" but "safe" to use. We were dismayed to arrive and find the pool was not only cloudy but there was debris on the bottom and the sides looked a bit scummy. Totally unappealing and only one of our group was willing to take a brief plunge that first day. We were offered assurance that the pool would "continue to clear up". The following morning it was still cloudy so we headed out to visit Yosemite. When we returned hot and tired and looking forward to the pool, we found it to now be completely brown water and we couldn't even see the bottom of the pool! Had to contact the owner again only to be told he needed to purchase rust conditioner at the hardware store so he wouldn't be able to come by to add that until the following morning! So now day 2 with no use of the pool. Again, why on earth don't they keep this stuff on hand? So day 3, our final day, the owner does show up with the rust conditioner in the morning, added it to the pool, telling us it should gradually clear up. After lunch it was considerably improved, although not what I would call clean looking. As it was our final afternoon, two of us braved it and took the plunge. The other two just weren't that tempted due to the general appearance of uncleanliness. This pool was in definite need of a good vacuum and scrubbing. Now, to the house itself. It is a manufactured home with very outdated furnishings and decor, which is ok. It was comfortable and well stocked. I can deal with pretty much anything if it is clean (I was one that chose to not use the pool). The only cleanliness issue I had was with the shower in the master bathroom. It was scummy along the base of the shower door and the shower itself is ancient and peeling. It seriously needs to be replaced. The patio is beautiful with a really nice gas grill, but we were unable to eat outside because we were immediately surrounded by bees. My hubby braved the bees while grilling but I did get stung while sitting out there so we ate inside. Not a place to be if you have bee sting allergy. Also may be important to some to know that the water is from a well and the faucets and showers had discolored slightly rusty looking water. Other notes: the view from the property was phenomenal and we saw deer, rabbit, wild turkeys, and several different types of birds. It is convenient to shops and restaurants in Mariposa and took a little over an hour to the gates of Yosemite. In partial defense of the owners, we were offered a refund of $25 per night for non use of the spa and in a followup email after all the pool problems, we were told they would up the refund to $50 per night ($25 additional due to the condition of the pool) saying it was "probably a done thing". In reality they only refunded a total of $100 for the three nights. This was very misleading on their part and a disappointment. We didn't go there wanting to feel that we were entitled to a refund! We fully expected to be able to use the facilities as advertised, in fact the pool and spa were the only reasons we chose that rental. Totally disappointing stay. I would recommend the owners consider stocking parts and be more proactive in the maintenance and cleaning of the pool and spa.

Edit : Careful not to hurt the owner's ego. Just look at his response to my honest review of the…read morerestaurant on his property--I didn't even know it was also owned by him, by the way. He clearly DOESN'T accept facts or genuine feedback. If I wasn't being honest and fair about the restaurant, I wouldn't have given your lodge 5 stars initially, especially considering all the issues I experienced there. I'm glad I only stayed one night. Sending lots of love, because you clearly need it. Original review I'm giving 5 stars for the price and location. I also understand that this is a rustic hotel, but I do think the property needs a little more attention and love. The guest kitchen was not well kept. Everything looked rusted and it wasn't very clean. I'm glad I didn't need to use it because otherwise I would have felt uncomfortable. There were also some guests who didn't clean up after themselves and left the oven on for idk how long - which obviously isn't the property's fault. The dorm was a decent size, but there were no outlets by the beds. The carpet was dirty and stained, and the bedsheets were ripped. On the positive side, the shower was very good and had great water pressure. The body wash, however, seemed more like a cleaning product diluted with water. The front desk staff was very attentive and explained everything to me clearly. When I called because I was worried about the fire and road closures, Shawn was especially nice and helpful, which I really appreciated. Overall, I think this place has a lot of potential. The price and location are great, but a little more attention to cleanliness, maintenance, and basic amenities would make a big difference. Regardless, I appreciate having an affordable option so close to Yosemite!

WARNING: TOURIST TRAP WITH FRAUDULENT PRACTICES, APPALLING HYGIENIC CONDITIONS, AND DISMAL…read moreMANAGEMENT! AVOID AT ALL COSTS. ​Rating: 0/5 ​I am forced to write this review not because of the trip itself, which was wonderful, but due to the nightmare experience we endured at the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort. If you are looking for a pleasant stay, run away from this place. Here are the cold, hard facts, backed by proof, leaving absolutely zero room for their "excuses." ​1. UNILATERAL AND FRAUDULENT CHARGE FOR LACK OF MAINTENANCE The absolute lowest point of my stay was a whopping $200 charge on my credit card, processed unilaterally and completely outside of the official Booking.com channel. Their "justification"? Alleged damage to a screen door. The truth is quite different: the screen door in question was dilapidated, flimsy, and worn out--clear proof that these accommodations are far from luxury and that maintenance is nonexistent. It broke loose simply because my TWO-YEAR-OLD son leaned gently against it. Instead of taking care of the mandatory and long-overdue maintenance of such outdated structures, this resort prefers to extortionately overcharge its guests. I have received no receipt, invoice, or any proof regarding the withheld amount. This is a fraudulent and predatory practice, aimed at extracting money without any paper trail. ​2. UNLIVABLE CONDITIONS AND APPALLING FILTH The accommodation turned out to be an absolute living hell. Although air conditioning was explicitly listed among the amenities at the time of booking, the facility completely lacked it. It was literally suffocatingly hot. As a substitute, we were provided with a fan that was not only completely useless at cooling the room, but also incredibly loud and caked in dirt. To make matters worse, the hygienic conditions were embarrassing: we found dead bugs inside the tent, and the floors were so filthy that after walking barefoot for just a few minutes, our socks were completely stained pitch black. A total lack of respect for the most basic hygiene standards. ​3. SHAMEFUL MANAGEMENT AND UTTER DISRESPECT FOR FAMILIES Despite booking a full 6 months in advance, we were assigned a unit located in an impossible position for a family. To reach the nearest restroom, we had to climb a staggering 70 steps. How can a property assign such an accommodation to a family with two children, including a two-year-old, along with a stroller and heavy luggage? It shows an absolute lack of common sense and basic respect for guests, especially those who book half a year ahead precisely to avoid such hardships. When I pointed out the issue at check-in, the receptionist rudely brushed me off, stating "we are fully booked"--which I highly doubt given my advance reservation. ​CONCLUSION: AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort does not deserve even a single star. Their financial practices are sketchy and potentially fraudulent, cleanliness is nonexistent, the amenity descriptions are misleading, and their room assignment logic is absurd. Do not let the location fool you: this is a terrible place that you must avoid if you want to protect the peace of your vacation. ​N.B. to the owner: I have read your aggressive and defensive replies to other negative reviews. Do not even bother responding to this one. The facts stated here are fully documented (including photos, dirty socks, and official communications). Your words will not change the unacceptable experience we had, nor the money you wrongfully took from us. Save your energy and use it to scrub your floors and repair your decaying property instead of attacking the customers whose vacation you ruined.

This was such a lovely place to stay at!!! My husband and I stayed here for 3 nights while visiting…read moreYosemite National Park and had such a great experience! The property itself is very clean with nice decor (little robins scattered around the house). I loved the blue walls with contrasting brown linens. I will say that the rental is a lot larger than what I had pictured based on what I saw online. Major plus! When you arrive (plenty of parking), you go right around the house, following the signs for Robin's Nest. Shortly after we arrived we were greeted by one of the owners, Trace. He had A LOT of knowledge to offer us given that he was a former park ranger for Yosemite. I'm telling you, he knows everything about the park- best times to go, what hikes to do, where to get the best views, etc. Tell him what your goals are for your trip and he'll help you create the perfect itinerary! We did a hike, Clouds Rest, which we hadn't quite planned for, but turned out to be the best hike we did. Anyhow, you enter the building and there's a closet with beach towels for you to use for either the pool or the Merced River (ask where to go). You'll encounter the bedroom and around the corner is the living room, equipped with TV and tons of space. You'll also see the bathroom (with towels, soap bar, shampoo/conditioner). The kitchenette includes microwave, toaster, sink, coffee pot and dishes for you to use. There's a table outside to eat if you want some fresh air, otherwise, there's 2 bar stools you can eat in the kitchen. There's also an outdoor grill that you are welcome to use if you choose to make something. The rental comes equipped with A/C and heater depending on temps. As for the bed... I thought it was comfortable. After hiking the entire trip we were sure glad to hit the sack. We were out... Cold. They also have Wi-Fi you can use which was super helpful since we had NO reception with T-Mobile in the area. There are local eateries only minutes away, but be mindful many close early and if you make it a long day at the park, you'll have to hit the grocery store instead. If you're planning a trip to Yosemite, this is the place to go. Probably more suited for couples than a trip with kids. Most days it took us about 2 hours to get into the park because of the 2 lane, slow, windy roads. It was worth the drive though, because after a few hours in Yosemite, you will be glad to get away from the crowds. Robn and Trace are the perfect hosts for your stay!! You won't regret it, I promise!!!!!

From the owner: Robin's Nest is a private mountain retreat overlooking the historic town of Mariposa, CA in the…read moreSierra Foothills. Charming and elegantly furnished, it makes the perfect location for a romantic getaway.

This lady called joy (owner)is very rude and disrespectful, she watching everybody with the regular…read morecamera and Ip camera witch she can listen you word by word ,did not display sign for it witch is elligal and she can easy watch you when you use the jakozi (elligal )she always find the way to charge you extra ,,do not throw you money away and the rental office is defend on her ,,, She put the property for sale and she does not care even you give her low rate ,,don t go there at all ,you do not enjoy ,,she want to charge you for everything,,

COMPLETE NIGHTMARE!! Highly recommend not staying here ever Joy and Alex Acosta are complete…read morecrooks! They changed the check out times and kicked my party out while we were cleaning and told us the cleaning lady would take care of everything then charged me $200 dollars for a cleaning fee and $244 for a late check out fee. My party checked out at 1420 when our check out time was 1600. Don't waste your money on this cabin, and is out dated decor and get something closer to Yosemite valley. It's almost 2 hours away from anything worth doing/seeing in yoesmite. Complete waste of money and terrible rental terms. Also the owners live downstairs so unless you plan on sleeping quietly or not being there don't waste your time with this cabin.

Our stay here was amazing! There was so much to do for our kids who ranged from about 1-6 years…read more They loved exploring the creek, "mining" for gold, and exploring the caves. We took many small walks around the grounds and it was nice and easy. We were told that there were other hiking trails, but my family was content in just staying fairly close by to the lodge! There was no need to go further! The owner was super knowledgeable about his grounds and it was so interesting learning about the history of the land. Our stay here was filled with so much fun, learning, and great memories! The lodge itself was so nicely stocked with supplies. We even brought up s'more supplies and were able to use the nice campfire pit right outside the lodge! The beds were also so comfy! Our girls were super excited to see that there were sooo many bunk beds and they could both choose to be on the top or bottom. The mattresses were low enough that we weren't nervous that they'd roll over the rim! The owners were so good at making sure all our essential needs were met! We were initially worried about having enough power. However, there was no worry about that! We charged our phones during the day and used normal power throughout the night and we were totally fine! Needless to say, our stay here was beyond our expectations and we hope to return one day!

Our large family consisting of grandparents, 3 adult children with their spouses, and grandchildren…read morestayed at the lodge in April and there was plenty of room for all of us. The lodge was clean, spacious, and stocked with all of the comforts of home, so it didn't even feel like we were off the grid. The lodge had plenty of solar energy for our needs, and heaters for the cool nights, and even internet service was better than what we expected. Although we had talked about traveling to Yosemite Valley for a visit, there was so much to do around the local area, that we never got back in our cars during the trip. Some of our favorite activities were hiking, exploring, swimming in the swim hole and in the creek, creek walking, playing ping pong, and enjoying the fire pit for making smores. Spending time together in this beautiful location was perfect for making family memories. The most important thing to do in preparing for a stay at the lodge is to bring all of your food, snacks, and drinks for your entire stay. There are no stores nearby so you want to make sure you bring everything you need during your stay. The owners of the lodge are very accommodating and readily available to answer any of your questions, including historical information about the area. They do their best to make sure your stay is comfortable and fun. Their communication during the whole process was excellent. We would definitely stay there again without any hesitation.