I grew up swimming here. Not too much has changed. I loved the nostalgia. The staff is wonderful…read moreand so helpful. But my one big huge complaint is the big pool has so much algae. Probably cleaner than a lake or river but growing up they would drain it daily and the water was beautiful. My husband slipped on the steps with my baby in his arms. If he wasn't a fit dude this would have ended badly. Please to the owners. Get control of the algae. If this pool was filtered and clean this review would be 5 stars. The Olympic pool is cold at first but hey it's Idaho not Florida. Awesome old school slide. Friendly staff and lots of tables to hang and eat with the family.

My husband and I went for a Friday night. We had rescheduled our reservation a few times due to a…read morevery sick pet. They were great about rescheduling and we lost no money. We really appreciated their flexibility. We did this through facebook messaging with them. We called the day of the resi to make sure they had it. They didn't have it, but we asked if they had a room available. They did and made it for us. This was a confusing reservation, so I can understand it getting lost, also in hindsight, maybe facebook messaging wasn't the best way to communicate with them. No worries there. That wasn't such a big deal. Chloe at the front desk was very helpful in doing a resi for us. She did a great job. The rooms were clean and beautifully appointed. This resort has some challenges, but also I think it has great potential if the owners take feedback seriously. We have been to many hot springs over the years and here is our input: Rooms: -The floors are ice cold, please put some rugs down. -Please put a small trashcan in the bedroom area. -During the winter, please put extra blankets in the closet -In the info book, please put a map of the pools with approx temps Pools: For the volume of people who come there, there are not nearly enough options. -Make more hot pools, there is one tiny hot pool that only fits 10 people maybe, and the large pool is too cold for most people. -Please open the pools at 8 or 9am. At least we could have gotten a morning soak with not as many people to make up for the evening one that had no room for us. Lots of people like to do an early morning soak. My husband and I soaked from 3pm to 6pm and planned to eat dinner and come back. By the time we wanted to go back to the pools, there were many rowdy teenagers everywhere, which is fine, but there was NO room in the hot pool for us. The only option was the cold pool and that was too cold for us, especially when the outdoor temps were in single digits. Not a good plan, we called it a night. We really didn't get enough soak time in, and it was disappointing. To the owners: There are many reviews like this and you have a great staff, great rooms and so much potential. Please take this seriously and make some changes, there are so many better options out there. I will not come back until it improves drastically. Please take the time to travel to other hot springs resorts and compare their business models with yours. You guys are totally missing the mark. I truly hope this is taken seriously. I gave you three stars for your great staff and clean beautiful rooms, for the hot springs I would give you zero stars if that were an option. I've been to wild hot springs that were 100x better and FREE. Take that for what it's worth. Thank you

This place seems to be a secret, and those who don't know about it are missing out. The Inn is…read moresmall and homey, very well decorated with some themed suites. We stayed in both the Safari suite (don't recommend due to it's proximity to the main area, unless it's going to be a quiet night at the Inn) and the Nautical family suite. Both were very comfortable, modern and decorated nicely for the theme. Each had a fireplace and large screen TV with DVD player. There is also a game room, and a decent selection of free DVD's and books to borrow; as well as a couple of common areas with sofas, fireplace and big screen TV. The chef, Brittany was a big surprise for such a small city . Can't say enough about the food in Kersama Restaurant, so I'll just say everything we had over the course of the two night stay was excellent. Her husband Jesse worked well with her and served as the bartender and waiter, provided great service. Carol, one of the owners, was the perfect hostess. We had one slight glitch, and it was rectified immediately with no question. She was like a personal tour guide, suggesting where to go and what to do. Bear Lake is beautiful, and this is a wonderful place to stay if you are in the area.

We have now been to bear lake multiple times and this is the best food here. We had a great time…read moreand enjoyed the food and atmosphere. There are far better places to eat if you are in a city but for a small town we were impressed.

If you love antiques and vintage you have to stay here !!! Dazzling .. Comfy beds and great…read morebreakfast too .. You will feel right at home in this gorgeous colonial old bed and breakfast.

Our car broke and we were towed to this town. The local hotel was disgusting! We were so blessed…read moreto find this beautiful B&B. The owner, Joyce, was an amazing woman that was so kind to us and our situation. Joyce made us feel like family and was nice enough to let us invade her space the following day while we waited for our car. The house is full of great history and the rooms are quaint and clean. She makes a wonderful breakfast. Couldn't have stayed in a better place.

We LOVE this hotel. We have stayed here two years in a row This year we got the guest house which…read morehas 3 beds and two separate bedrooms. A living room with a big couch and a full kitchen. Everything is extremely clean. The hotel is pretty much right next door to the hot springs.

So friendly very clean great quiet hotel great downtown location natural spring water in our room…read morewas amazing my skin was so soft and my hair!!!!! Great deck views of the river ! Great morning coffee!!! That old school vibe !

Great location off the interstate and close to town with a loves truck stop with a Subway and Carl…read moreJuniors across the street. The hotel is remodeled with nice rooms and great staff. One of the nicest breakfasts and breakfast areas of any Holiday Inn. Very quiet area

The hotel is new and looks amazing. Everything was super clean. In a very safe area. We left stuff…read morein the truck bed and no problems. The staff were beyond nice, they were exceptional! The room was very clean. Breakfast was great with many choices and they even have togo bags. There is a carls jr across the street and a loves has station. right next door is a self service rv center with ice and stuff and a dog run. This is the safer city to stay in compared to the two south of there.

So I think 3 stars is fair, and I don't think 3 stars is bad. Now this is a small hot springs…read moreresort in the middle of nowhere Idaho, so adjust your expectations accordingly. We went the day after Christmas and there weren't a lot of people there, but the pools were clean and warm. The snacks were fairly priced, and they had some last minute needs in case you forgot anything, very fairly priced as well. Not a bad place to come to just soak and relax.

You guys really need to redo your rv spaces.... I had to walk sideways to get out of our rv bc we…read morewere so close to the site next to us. There is PLENTY of room.... When you cram ppl in it feels like you are being greedy... also you need to include the water park visit in your prices... it's LITERALLY THE ONLY reason people visit!

I grew up in Bear Lake, Montpelier where I was born, and the building held all the hot springs!!!…read moreThey were never outside. What happened to the building with the Hot Springs? Did they not keep up so that it would stay nice all year like it used to? It did have a pool and then they had the hot Springs Divided by how hot they were and yes, it had a sulfur smell because they're hot spring real hot springs! I remember some being so hot they were too hot as a kiddo. Why is that unavailable in the winner now? I learned how to swim in that pool well partially and my Bear Lake. This was before it became the tourist trap. It's changed. I mean from when I was a girl to to now what a different world. I can't believe they're allowing some of it! Bear Lake was known for its beautiful blue pristine crystal clear water's the Caribbean of the Rocky Mountains, now it's green! When I was young, you couldn't drive down onto the beach, you couldn't because the water was too deep. Hence why the old pavilions are up so high. I could see from my neck down to my feet. It was so clear and clean. It does dip to an angle and that dip goes yearly, towards the east side. It is always deeper on the east shore. 2023 there were some bugs that I was annoyed by and had never seen before! They didn't clear when I got the sea-doo further out on the water. I thought they would, but too many flying black tiny flies and algae blooms! Never seen before! They said it would clear up. The Airbnb folk with their septic systems are supposed to legally have them done, but some of them were dumping them in the lake. Gross! Illegal as well! Growths is good but destroying it is not ok! I remember everything being so pristine and so clean and so beautiful! Including this hot Springs building that I haven't been into for a long time. The lake has a natural ecosystem that works great before people started messing with it. The hot springs were awesome. We went there in the winter, not the summer for the Hot Springs. Who wants to go in Hot Springs when it's hot? I know Bear Lake back then in the summer wasn't as hot as it is now because of climate change, but still they're nicer in the winter. The one that they're showing outside makes no sense doesn't even look hot. I remember the smell of sulfur, true Hot Springs smell like sulfur when they're enclosed or sometimes when they're even open. The building has no hours and is only showing summer stuff. How many snowmobilers go up there how many people go there in the winter quite a few I do it every year in the winter. I prefer the winter over the summer now.

I like turtles! There are tons of frogs and turtles near the hot springs. Very close to bear lake…read morelike on the beach.

This hotel has very helpful staff. I requested special accommodations and they were eager to help…read moreme with them. Highly recommend.

A nice place, and our second stay here. They respect 'do not disturb' signs. Housekeeping knocks…read morequietly and did not start knocking (on other doors) until around 10am. The front desk was very friendly and welcoming. The pool and jacuzzi are indoors, with towels provided at the pool area. Coffee and hot water are always available in the lobby.

I was recommended The Harkness Hotel by a friend after telling him I wanted to take my husband to…read moreLava Hot Springs for a little getaway. We usually stay right in Lava, but after looking up The Harkness, I knew immediately that we had to stay there instead, and I am so glad we did. This is hands down the swankiest hotel I've ever found in a small town. The décor is incredibly classy, the rooms are spotless, and the beds are the most comfortable I've ever slept in, and I've stayed in some pretty high-end hotels. The bedding and pillows were perfect. I usually bring my own pillow because hotel pillows are usually terrible, but I didn't need it here. Everything felt extremely clean and well cared for, and the rooms smell amazing (I don't know what they use, but it works). The bathroom was my absolute favorite--if I were to design my dream bathroom, this would be it. The tub easily fits two people, and the shower has dual rain shower heads. Pure luxury. They also provide complimentary toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion, and not the tiny bottles you get one use out of. They even include bath salts, which was such a nice touch. As others have mentioned, there's a pretty sweet coffee machine in the lobby. Don't skip it if you're a coffee drinker, you won't be disappointed. If you're planning a trip to Lava Hot Springs, stay here. Lava is only about 15 minutes down the highway, and it is 100% worth it. You will not regret it.

What a great end to our vacation to Yellowstone and the Garden Tetons. Just 10 minutes from Lava…read moreHot Springs where we went to enjoy some hot pools. We all agreed this was our favorite place to stay. Very roomy even for a family of 6 like ours. Bunk beds for the kids and separate room for the parents. We plan on coming back in the future and will definitely stay here again!

What a gem! This place and the people who run it are so kind, comfortable, and welcoming. The…read morerooms, halls, lobby, and coffee shop are well decorated and made me want to just hang out- after I'd already wandered the halls and enjoyed everything on display. Everything was comfortable and well detailed. Having just been reopened for under a year, it was impressive how much thought and care has been put into the hotel and museum. I think more good things are coming and I look forward to visiting again next summer. The only downside I experienced was completely out of control of the hotel management. To echo another reviewer, the train can be loud during the night, but I think once you expect it, it won't be a problem. Plus, it's a total charmer during the day!

History meets comfort! I came here with a small group of work folks prior to a conference…read more Fortunately one of our friends knew of this gem from years past. It currently isn't on any travel website! The new operator Terah is gracious, kind and totally accommodating. If you're into hitting the best historic hotels this country has to offer don't miss this one! Often, when staying at historic hotels you sacrifice comfort. Not here! The beds were wonderful and sheets luxury! There are several options for just sitting and relaxing in various books and crannies. Roam the halls and peak into the many rooms which serve as the local museum. Breakfast is served fresh made by Terah. You do need to be aware that this is directly next to the train track and the train does run in the night. It will wake you up but it was worth it to all of us. Also be aware there are two flights of stairs to negotiate to get to your room with your luggage. Rumor has it there is a ghost or two!