I recently got married in Tamarack at our family cabin across the highway from the Lodge. My…read morefriends and I rented out multiple cabins from Carl, including the smaller cabin next to the lodge as well as all 3 bungalows in the back. It was an amazing experience. They were clean, well stocked and it was perfect for my event. Carl has worked really hard to restore and revive both Tamarack lodge as well as the bungalows! Attached are pictures of the smaller cabin we rented next to Tamarack lodge. Super cute!!

We found the lodge to be quite expensive ($200) for what we got. We had Chalet 11 which featured a…read morekitchenette with a faded sofa and a bedroom with a queen and a bunk with a full and a twin. The bathroom was like my first apartment's bathroom from college. The bed was very very soft, which I found uncomfortable. The pillows were okay but for the price, could have been down. The linens and towels were clean. The towels were sort of dingy. The carpet had paint spots. Other than that, the place was clean. There were a couple of large ants in the sink, but luckily, that doesn't bother me too much. The entry into the three-unit chalet was not very charming - lots of cleaning supplies and such - so the entry was not very welcoming. It would have been nice to have instructions for the heater or a more intuitive thermostat. This spot would be nice if you were headed to Bear Valley for a few days, I suppose. Perhaps we caught it off-season. It was a bit of a mess. Perhaps all the debris in the parking area would have been covered by the snow. I think had the room been less expensive, this would have been a four star review with the above caveats. I'd like to give it four stars because it must be hard to run a mountain lodge. Maybe I'll upgrade it later.

The Lodge is a cabin style stay. It shows tattered worn out signs of accommodations and old simple…read morecharm it once served. Although in need of a face lift it served its purpose. Don't pay more than 150 a night then you will feel that you were greatly taking advantage of. The hotel provide the shuttle service to the mountain. There's absolutely nothing in the area as far as convenience stores or shops. The Lodge 'convenience store sold some small, very expensive package goods and T-shirts but it smelt like Grandma's armpits. Bring cases of water and your favorite beverages and a cooler!!! Maybe you could bring your own little small barbecue for outside your car if you wanted ! We also brought a coffee maker of our own, which was recommended to us. Best thing we did. Don't forget to bring your favorite treats and snacks up and instant soups and oatmeal. We decided to have wine last night by the fire pit, and it was gas lit very loud and no warmth We went to the grizzly lounge. We had a few cocktails and appetizers that were Mid. You come here to ski, but when you rest your head, you want some convenience and comfort Have a great season ! Pray for snow!

Just got back spending 2 days in Bear Valley. The Bear Valley lodge is a wonderful place but oh…read morethese guys are stuck in the 60s! The overall lodge and the rooms are dated and could definitely use a refresh. They have janky & clunky keys to open doors, old heaters to heat rooms & the world's oldest elevator. Not only that they don't provide coffee machines or an iron in the rooms, forget a microwave or a fridge. For the hefty price they charge, they don't even refresh your rooms or offer turndown service if you stay more than a night. I saw several active leaks in the common areas on the 4th floor and at the check-in desk. The staff literally had a paper cup to catch the leaking water. Plus the restaurant options they have are terrible. If I had another option in BV, I'd definitely avoid this place. But they will continue to have customers as there isn't too many other options for people.

When meeting friends for a day on the lake, the lodge overlooking the water is an obvious location…read moreto gather together. They have a huge, beautiful shaded deck full of interesting hand-hewn tables. There are toilets inside if you have need for them. The desk for ordering food is inside the first set of doors. There's a beverages bar inside by the second set of doors . At the end of the day, we stopped here again for refreshing beverages and snacks: salsa and house made chips and sweet potato fries. The fries were served piping hot and delicious. The fried house tortilla chips were a mixed basket, however. It seems they mixed freshly -made chips with ones made earlier in the day. The fresh ones were crispy while the older ones were stale and chewy, like eating paper. We should have sent them back, I know, but we were tired and hungry.

We have a cabin in Arnold and come to Lake Alpine often but we usually pack lunch…read more We came from Reno thru Ebbett's Pass to Lake Alpine. We ordered at the bar.at 12 ordering was at thr restaurant. We had a Deschuttes Fresh Squeezed. Perfect for a hot day on their deck. They have maybe 10 different beers. I ordered the salad bar which was a one-time serving. If you have had a Round Table Salad, their bar is very similar as is their Blue Cheese Dressing. I loved this! I will definitely come back' for a beer after the lake.

I'm sitting here, reflecting back on my daughters. Wonderful wedding at the Dorrington Hotel. The…read morestaff has no peer, they are just amazing. The hotel is so quaint, and we had nine families able to stay the weekend there while others found plenty of nearby accommodations. The food, the amenities, the atmosphere, and the flexibility of what they offer Made for a dream wedding at a price that is affordable to every day Americans. We will be going there for my daughters one year anniversary party for sure. It sure doesn't hurt that. They have an attached bar and grill for more casual, fun, for instance, our wedding party dinner the night before, it is so grating to see and meet people who really go out of their way to take care of you. An 1880's hotel venue? Historic wedding!

We had the pleasure of holding our wedding at The Dorrington Hotel (September 10th, 2022). We…read morecannot say enough great things about this venue! The food, rooms, overall look/feel, etc.; however, most importantly, the amazing team that gets you through your special day. We thank everyone, but most of all, Lori - you were the rock to making our day so special! Definitely reccommend this for a wedding, birthday, friends-getaway and the list goes on.

Our stay at the Black Bear Inn last week was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we…read morearrived, the owners made us feel genuinely welcome; warm, friendly, and truly passionate about what they do. The inn has that rare, cozy "home away from home" atmosphere which we absolutely loved. The rooms were spotless and super cozy, with beds that made it hard to get up in the morning and PERFECT water pressure (I'm a water pressure snob). One of the highlights was discovering that the owner is also a chef, so every meal was absolutely delicious, beautifully plated and crafted with care. The location is ideal! It's a super short walk to nearby businesses, yet also somehow perfectly tucked back among the beautiful big trees of Arnold, giving it that "peaceful, mountain-retreat" feel. We also loved that they offer a pet-friendly room so we were able to stay with our furry companion! We couldn't have asked for a better stay. Highly recommended--five stars all the way!

The place is beautiful, quiet and comfortable. Bruce and his staff and very attentive. We spent a…read morewonderful day and night here and will be back.

I've been a guest at the Meadowmont Lodge in Arnold CA several times over the last several years…read more I've neglected to review this little jewel. This inn has that reminiscent motor court vibe. And has been there for years. The current owners have lovingly updated the facility to provide comfortable and stylish accommodations. This is not a "fancy" place. But it is a very comfortable warm little piece of Arnold history. The folks that run the lodge are awesome. Almost like family and your just visiting... There's just a comfort there. And there is Bear.. the black lab who greets anyone who will let him... adorable. The facility is spotless. Much cleaner than many "fancy" places I have stayed by far. The location is perfect if you want an amazing get away to nature in the Sierra 2 hours from the Bay Area. Big Trees state park is 5 minutes away and is mind blowing.. largest Sequoias in the world. Alpine lake and big bear 1/2 hour. The Sawgrass campground and river access on the Stanislaus River is 10 minutes. The quaint town of Murphys is 15 minutes. Mercer caverns, the largest cave adventure on the west coast is 15 minutes. There is a grocery store within walking distance, and several outstanding eateries within 10 minutes. Be sure to check out the "Lube Room Bar & Grill" in Dorington, just up the road. Best burgers in Calaveras County and a wonderful outdoor area with a stage - music on the weekends.. This little Inn is a hidden gem.. and the vibe is wonderful. You will be very comfortable and it won't break the bank!!! Highly reccomend!!! Charlie

The woman running the lodge is delightful. She made sure we had the options for fire pits, and…read moreextra towels. The Lodge is clean, well-run and warm!

Tomorrow it will be two weeks since we left Shangri-La. That is what I call the Cottages at La…read moreHonda Park. We stayed at in the Welcome House South. A very comfortable and quiet little cottage. Although, the bathroom was huge with a walk-in shower. There are no tvs in the cottages and the WiFi is a little dodgy. Cell phone reception isn't the best either. I think what I am getting at is that you can really disconnect when you say at La Honda Park. You are forced to communicate with your loved ones. The cottages are only equipped with a microwave. If you want to cook something more robust, there is a communal kitchen in the pool house. Believe me, it has everything you need. Also, there are bbqs in just about every common area. Aside from the beautiful grounds and comfortable accommodations, there is the barn. The barn is probably the best part about this place. It has a foosball table, a pool table, poker table, dart board, and a tv. The back doors slide open to a small seating area overlooking Angel Creek. I can't describe it. You just need to experience. The owner are Jenn and Barr. They were so nice. Once we checked in, they left us alone. In fact, they left the property. Besides my family, there was another family staying in the Main House. They were very nice and welcoming. I can't wait to go back and sit next to the creek and drink my morning coffee.

At first, I didn't want to write a review, because this is the kind of place you want to keep…read moresecret. A gaggle of girlfriends rented three cottages here, as three of us were celebrating our 40th/41st birthdays. The perfect "home base" for staging an attack upon Murphys downtown shopping, dining and wine tasting establishments, or as a leap-off point for local hikes and the gorgeous Moaning and Mercer Caverns. Each cottage is appointed with a gas-fueled faux wood-stove fireplace (easy operation via thermostat), fridge, micro, coffee maker, basic silverware/plates/cups, wonderful showers (great for power-washing off the mud and sweat after a day of rappelling and spelunking!) and extremely comfortable queen beds. Each cottage has its own character, giving the feel of the kind of decor a favorite aunt might select for your family's personal mountain cabin. Extremely clean and comfortable! Hang out by the fire, or chill out on your own front porch overlooking the lawn and creek. Or... ...head over to The Barn, a communal recreation room appointed with an air-hockey table, pool table, kitchen area (including a wine fridge!) and big-screen satellite TV/sat radio. The Barn was recently remodeled, using reclaimed barnwood, corrugated metal (for the ceiling sub-roof) and a pretty brilliant wallcovering that looks like warm old plaster, but is actually recycled craft paper and some sort of natural varnish. Cool! Also, a few relics from the region's mining days. There are board games, darts, books and other stuff to keep the individual, family or small group entertained. There's a large swimming pool (unheated in winter) and a small wading pool adjacent to another community kitchen and outdoor picnic area, and the only thing this area lacks is a hot tub. (Hint, hint!) Finally, there's Cosmo, the biggest, sweetest cat you'll ever want to kidnap. He's not allowed in the cabins, but he'll happily keep you company as you read a book on the porch, or wander up to the beautiful waterfalls behind the barn. He'll also keep score if you want to use the bocce court or horseshoe pits! Parking is limited, so don't expect to haul in ATV trailers or your RVs, but that's about the only con to this wonderful little family-run resort!

Have you ever wanted to rent an entire hotel? Complete with a very private outdoor venue, a real…read morebar (saloon?) and a fully equipped commercial kitchen... We were looking for a safe and fun place for a family reunion. Somewhere I could actually bring all of our extended family.. (even those country ones you can't be seen in public with, lol) Found this amazing hotel online and can't say enough great things about it. Karl, our host disappeared after showing us all the amenities. He lives nearby and showed up swiftly when I had trouble lighting a fire in the living room. We had 6 kids that had their own suite area away from the adults. Thankfully there was wifi internet for them when they tired of playing outside. We had such a stellar time there at the historical wild west Avery hotel with no one looking over our shoulders ;) The big trees nearby were awesome too. My skiing fam hit the mountains not far away. Plus an Italian restaurant, a live entertainment bar, and cute lil coffee shop all in walking distance. The town of Murphy's was super cool also. I'm guessing they book up fast with the weddings and stuff. Don't hesitate!

I am currently writing my review while spending our last day here on our wedding weekend. We were…read morelucky to have found this place by just pure searching for unique wedding venues and when we saw this place... we knew it was special. This venue has beautiful charm and good bones. It just feels like you stepped back in time and we really enjoyed that. Carl and all the staff connected with Avery Hotel have been nothing but accommodating to us. They were always willing to listen to any questions we had and were always checking in along the way. The freedom of the venue really pulls you in because it offered that blank canvas of possibilities and that is what we wanted because I love a challenge and had a very clear image of how I wanted my wedding to look like. They have extra decorations for you to use, endless linens, all shapes/sizes of plates, cups and bowls. You do need to clean up after yourself but that's the easy part. Now Carl, deserving of his own paragraph... he really takes care of you and checks up on you especially when it is week of. He was kind enough to let us come in earlier on check in day and greeted us as we pulled up ready to help in any way we needed. He gave us a quick tour and stepped away to let us have our special private weekend! We did have to text him a few times and was always quick to respond. Again, thank you Carl and staff for a beautiful and memorable venue.

Location nestled around nature's Big Trees and soothing sounds of babbling brooks on the property…read more If you are looking for a peaceful, restful location to get away from any Big City you might live or work in, this is the place for you. Unit is simply kept, but has all that you would need. If there is something additional needed, the staff is very accessible and ready to aid. Don't expect the newest of technology presay, but there is enough to keep the modern day mindset still entertained. There was much to see within short and long distances that would satisfy most visitors. From local mini hikes in the Big Trees forest, to a plethora of vineyards/wineries, spa and shopping...to longer treks to Yosemite and stop at the Sacramento Zoo before flying back home. All in all the R&R that was called for when booking this vacation location was achieved.

WHAT a hidden gem! Went here for the weekend with my family of 4 and stayed in Unit 1, right next…read moreto the club house. The unit was clean and had everything we needed. 2 bedrooms both with King size beds, 3 bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen and lovely living space with a fire place. The club house has a very nice heated pool and hot tub, along with a sauna and gym. The place had lots of snow in mid march and you can walk to the Sequoia Woods country club restaurant. (also amazing but make reservations). The staff was kind and very helpful. Check in was a breeze and all our questions were answered. They provide games, movies, puzzles and firewood up front. Looking forward to booking another stay in the summer so we can take advantage of all the hiking around the facility.

Wife and I stopped by Murphys to check out its local history and we happened to see a charming inn…read morejust off the Main Street. We ate lunch there and the ambiance and scenery was just right. The Worth the stop!!!!

The staff was outstanding and the Inn was such a pleasure to stay. Perfect location and the bar…read moreand cafe are excellent! Order a Paper Plane from the bartender! We will be back! Robert & Marianne