After hearing the story of Lyle's Room at the Groveland Hotel, my aunt and I decided we had to go…read moresee it for ourselves. We drove over three hours and arrived so excited. We were welcomed by Roy at the front desk, who was such a pleasant and kind gentleman. We asked him about Lyle's Room, and he generously shared the history and stories behind it. To our surprise, he even offered to give us a tour. That was completely unexpected and made the experience even more special. As Roy walked us up to the room, he told us more about Lyle and the stories connected to the room. Being able to go inside was amazing. The room was beautiful, and the entire hotel has such a unique, historic charm. Every part of the property felt warm, peaceful, and well cared for. I stayed in the Orion Room, and after hearing the stories about Lyle knocking things off the dresser, I made sure to keep my things nice and clean while I was there! I will say, though, I got some of the best sleep I have had in a long time. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the hotel has so much to enjoy. They have a great wine selection, a beautiful bar area, and a wonderful restaurant. I enjoyed wine and dinner outside in the back, surrounded by trees, a waterfall, and cozy fireplaces. It was absolutely beautiful. I will definitely be coming back. This place offered a kind of peace that I would love to give my body and mind again. Thank you to Roy and the entire Groveland Hotel team for making our visit so memorable.

We had an overall positive, albeit very unusual and interesting, stay at the Groveland Hotel!…read more My husband, our pups, and I stayed for one night on our way to Yosemite. We let the hotel know in advance that we'd be arriving late, past office hours, and their contactless check-in process was very easy - they made sure to let us know via email exactly what to expect upon after hours arrival. Our envelope and room key were easy to find, and that's when we noticed we had been assigned Room 15: "Lyle's Room." It is an older inn-style hotel; the room itself was clean, charmingly decorated, and the bed was comfortable. Our dogs were totally fine and relaxed. The only thing I found a little unusual was an extra sink being inside the bedroom area near the dresser and facing the bed, but I chalked it up to the design of an older historic hotel. That night, while we were winding down and watching something on our phone since there was no TV in the room, I noticed the sink turn on and off a couple of times for about 1-2 seconds each. I figured it was just old plumbing. Other than that, nothing else out of the ordinary and we slept peacefully. The next morning is when things got interesting. We left for an early morning hike, and when we came back and put the key in the door, the entire doorknob fell off. We couldn't get into the room. When we went to the front desk, they simply said, "Oh, Lyle!" and called maintenance. Once maintenance arrived, he let us in and fixed the doorknob. While we were packing up, my husband went to take a shower. Everything was fine until he tried to turn the shower off and realized the knob just kept spinning. The shower would not shut off!! We quickly got dressed and notified the front desk right away, while the shower continued running. Then steam started wafting into the bedroom, and we realized the water was very hot with no way to cool it down or stop it! Maintenance came back, worked on it, and realized he needed a completely new part, so he had to leave and return while the water kept running. The staff and maintenance handled everything with a great attitude and great, responsive service despite the chaos. We later found out it was the maintenance guy's first day on the job, and everyone joked that Lyle was just giving him a hard time on day one. After the fact, we learned more about Lyle's Room and its haunted reputation, and honestly, we are believers after having no idea about him! It felt like Lyle was making himself known and having a little fun. We did some post-stay research, and we found out that Lyle is actually known for causing mischief in those exact ways - water issues, room access problems, and little disruptions like the ones we experienced, which made the whole experience feel even more eerie and oddly fitting! Overall, the Groveland Hotel is a nice, charming, older hotel, and we'd stay again. Clean, comfortable, and just enough amenities for a decent overall stay in a small town. That said, I don't think we'd stay in Lyle's Room again, haha. At first, I wished we had been given a heads-up that the room was famously haunted, but on second thought, I probably would have requested a different room if I had known. So maybe it was better this way - definitely a memorable stay! Thanks Groveland Hotel, and Lyle!

We arrive and right away we were greeted by Steve. He walked us to our room and gave us the run…read moredown. He was very attentive without being overbearing. My husband and I had great conversations with him during breakfast. The roo. Was exactly as we expected and the tub was great for Epsom salt baths. The location is pretty central to hiking, lakes, waterfalls, small towns, etc. Sometimes you don't know what you are going to get from a place that is not heavily populated with US, IYKYK. Steve made it clear on his views and that he wanted to make sure that ALL of his guests felt welcome. We will definitely make a trip here again. We Highly Recommend!

Thoroughly enjoyed our 2 night stay at BlackBerry Inn while attending a local wedding. The team was…read moreinviting from the start to departure - helpful and accommodating. The room was very nicely appointed and the morning coffee and breakfast were wonderful. Enjoyed sitting on the porch and reading in this idyllic setting.

AMAZING experience. We came over the weekend and were blown away from the second we got there…read more The property is STUNNING, the rooms are so clean, private, and modern. And the service was top notch. We also ate at the restaurant for dinner every night, but since we had our dog with us they sat us outside and made sure we felt comfortable. That's probably my only knock, is that if you're marketing it as dog friendly, there should be some better restaurant options for dogs. But honestly they were very accommodating. We thought we were going to be bummed to be so far out of the valley floor, but it turned out to be the perfect escape from the crowds. We will definitely be coming back.

We stayed in Cabin B8 from June 21-24 and were incredibly disappointed with how a serious issue was…read morehandled. Beginning on our first night, we repeatedly found black bugs crawling on our pillows and in our bedding. We reported the problem immediately, and over the course of our stay we continued documenting it with photos and videos as it kept happening. On both the first and second day, we asked to be moved to a different cabin. Rather than relocating us, we were repeatedly told the issue had been resolved after the bedding was changed, the room was inspected, and the cabin was treated. Unfortunately, none of those efforts solved the problem. Despite the bugs continuing to appear night after night, we were never moved. By the final night, we no longer felt comfortable sleeping in the king bed. I slept on a small leather couch, while my husband slept in the other bedroom with our nephew. This is the part that I still cannot understand. The staff kept telling us we are in the forest, so bugs are normal, acting as if we were being difficult (about bugs crawling by our faces every night!!!!) If insect activity is common enough in this environment that the resort has established pest management protocols, then staff should have known that simply changing the bedding was unlikely to resolve the issue and should have relocated us after the first recurrence. If this was an unusual event, then repeated bugs in a guest's bed should have prompted an immediate relocation anyway. Either way, leaving guests in the same cabin was the wrong decision. After returning home, I contacted the General Manager with a detailed account of our experience. His response (again) focused largely on explaining that Firefall Ranch is located in a natural mountain environment where insects can occasionally enter accommodations. While I understand that insects exist outdoors, my complaint was never about seeing bugs outside. It was about repeatedly waking up with bugs on our pillows and in our bedding while remaining in the same cabin despite reporting the issue every day. The resort also referenced a $150 credit that was placed on our folio during our stay. We never requested compensation, and given what occurred, I found that gesture to be an inadequate resolution rather than a meaningful one. Honestly, it was offensive. Had we simply been moved to another cabin after the problem continued, this review probably would not exist. I am sharing this experience so future guests can make an informed decision. Based on how our situation was handled, I cannot recommend staying here.

The update is that they are LYING. Putting a guest NEXT to a homeless person and someone with COVID…read moreis a problem. I tried for over an hour to get in touch with Stephanie, who was watching TV and ignoring calls. I also emailed and went down and screamed her name. If there is someone living there with COVID, then don't put a guest there. I still can't believe they refused to refund as I had to drive away in the dark and find another place. SIGH. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Spent our 30th Wedding Anniversary here. Room was perfect - comfy bed, great shower pressure, great…read moreview! Breakfast was delicious and our hostess Stephanie was a delight!

My husband & I are in our 30s & we had THE best stay at this B&B (our first experience in an actual…read morebed & breakfast). We were able to hike in Yosemite using the YARTS bus system ($30 round trip) & came home to a freshly made bed & homemade cookies every night after hiking all day. Liz made us a delicious breakfast at 8:30am (although she did ask if we wanted it earlier) & we caught the YART into the park at 9:15- hiking by 10am. Our hosts were fantastic, the room (top floor) was HUGE & definitely cool- even on a 95 degree day (those other reviews are ridiculous- Liz had no issues keeping us comfortable- in both AC use & shade for breakfast). On the last day of our trip the YART busses didn't show up for our trip back & Ron rescued us from the park late at night (we were literally stranded in Yosemite). I will say If you are in your 20s, looking to party this isn't the place for you. If you are a recluse not wanting to socialize, this isn't the place for you. But If you have 4 kids & plan on leaving them at home- this is totally worth it. In every aspect. My husband & I played scrabble at night with white claws & listened to the river... we slept in... someone else cooked for us...we hiked all day & came home to a cozy bed & friendly faces. Ron & Liz are definitely "chatty" as some have mentioned in other reviews, but you're staying in their home- so we felt it was all apart of the B&B adventure/experience. We will 100% stay here again and recommend it to all of our friends.

A Disappointing Stay: Misleading Claims and Little Regard for Guest Comfort…read more We paid $350 per night for three nights at this property, and unfortunately it was not worth the cost. In hindsight, we wish we had given more weight to the one star reviews before booking. We were also struck by the pattern in the owners' responses to negative reviews: rather than acknowledging the feedback, they tend to respond defensively toward the reviewer instead of addressing the underlying issues. **Dietary Accommodations** One of our party has celiac disease and cannot eat wheat. We informed the owners of this by email in advance and again upon arrival. No accommodations were made; instead, we were told about a friend of theirs who also has celiac disease. This turned out to be moot in any case, since breakfast was not served until after 8:30 a.m., too late for guests heading out early to hike. Guests leaving before then were offered only one cereal option, presented in an unlabeled plastic container with no way to confirm it was gluten free. Given that breakfast was included in the room rate, we did not feel we received what we paid for. **Room Temperature** Upon check in, we were told that California law requires thermostats to be kept at a minimum of 78 degrees. Our second floor, southwest facing room was extremely uncomfortable in 105 degree outside heat, and we were advised to leave the door open and use a fan, which did not resolve the issue. We researched this claim afterward and found no such mandate for private residences or businesses. California's Flex Alert program, which recommends 78 degrees during grid strain, is voluntary and time limited, not a legal requirement. When we asked the following day whether the temperature could be adjusted at night, the owners told us they were comfortable at that setting and suggested we take a cold shower before bed. As paying guests at a premium rate, we expected a reasonably comfortable room regardless of the property's utility costs. **Overall Impression** We have traveled extensively, including all 50 U.S. states and destinations across Europe, South and Central America, and Africa, and this was an unusual experience. Based on what we were told about the thermostat policy and our overall treatment as guests, we would encourage prospective visitors to read the critical reviews carefully and to weigh the owners' responses to them accordingly.

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!

We had a one night stay here. Overall its okay. Some things…read morecan improve. First, on the day of check in, I received an email that my credit card was not accepted and that I have to call the hotel to confirm my booking. I never had this exprience in any other hotel. I called and they asked for my card details and the booking is confirmed. Is this usual process? It caused anxiety, is this the way how the hotel comfirms the guest is coming? Hoping for a response on this. Second, security latch in our room is broken. This is a security issue, even though there is a digital lock. I had to place the chairs on our door for 'more' security. Third, soap and shampoo in the shower are almost empty. I tried to use it but nothing comes out in the push bottle. Didnt bother to ask, luckily I brought my own toiletries. Fourth, top of refrigerator is dusty. Front desk lady was accommodating. Beds and sheets are clean. We had a room on the second floor on building 3.

Was in town for a quick two night stay. I booked directly on the lodge's website (2 queen…read morestandard). Check-in was smooth and easy. There are quite a few parking spots too, but we did stay on a Wednesday-Friday. We were luckily given a room on the second floor, so we didn't hear any hard footsteps through the walls. I also didn't hear much noise from adjoining rooms either and had a good sleep. AC worked quite well - it could be a tad loud at times. The room itself was quite clean when we arrived. Mostly everything worked well (we never used the tv or housekeeping). There were some things that could be improved in the room - nothing quite major but worth noting: - The toilet paper in the bathroom was not brand new. It was almost 75% used. - There was also a tissue box under the bathroom sink which also seemed 90% used as it ran out after using 2-3 tissues. - The drain in the shower could not be propped up by itself. It would always fall back down, so I'm not sure if it is supposed to be like that or we couldn't prop it up correctly. Other than that, the room was good.

We have been a catering vendor at Lillaskog several times in the last 2-3 years. What a beautiful…read morevenue for your very special day. The setting is unique and special.

This place keeps on improving with the new owners. I can tell they are dedicated to providing and…read moreunique venue that covers the basics and I can add on the rest!!