What a charming theater and eatery in Idyllwild. I'm happy in some ways we almost stumbled upon…read morethis place by accident. I was craving a quick bite and saw that this spot had a lot of signage for appetizers, small bites and movie theater snacks. While I normally wouldn't be as inclined to grab food from a theater when there are so many restaurants around, I saw that this spot wasn't yet busy and knew I needed to grab something on the go so I gave them a chance. The theatre inside is actually adorable and old timey. Small but first the old town vibe. They had a lot of decor, some arcade looking games and general move theater decor. A gentleman was working behind the counter and was super friendly and nice. Told him I was just wanting to grab a hotdog to go and he whipped it up right away. This gave me time to make a pit bathroom stop and they were clean and easy to access from inside. Didn't have to buy a movie ticket to use, just purchase food or such. It was all an easy and nice experience for wanting something on the go and no fuss. Friendly service, cheap bites and a cute atmosphere. Mind you the simple hotdog was actually delicious and a 5/5. Wow! I'd love to come back to watch a movie and grab some small bites. Nice place, friendly staff and a cute vibe.

Don't waste your time or money here. I recently had a bad experience with the service and products…read moreat this establishment. I brought it up and was directed to the owners. The owners were intoxicated and became very aggressive told me to get over it. The husband called me a miserable c-word and chased me to my car. I am in my 70's. Beware

This was a 5 star place all the way around!!…read more This is a family owned business and you can sense the pride and love that they pour into this property. This hotel has 6 stand-alone units on a large piece of mountain property which is mostly secluded, although it is in an Idyllwild "neighborhood". It is also a brisk 15-20 min walk to the downtown area. A little history of this place - all the cabins were originally built in the early 50's and most of the units still have the original decor & fixtures such as toilets, tile, fireplaces, etc. so you might say this is straight mid-century and not mid-century "modern" . Again, this is a family business that was bought by the grandfather back in 1978 and has been run by his son & daughter-in-law with their son helping out. It is also very well maintained. They have a pool on the grounds that is heated to 80 degrees and no, there is no hot tub. This was the second time we've stayed here. The first time was a few years ago and we stayed in "The Cottage in the Woods" which was wonderful because it is "down the gravel road" away from the other units and is very secluded. My girlfriend was drawn to the hammock in the picture and was disappointed to hear that the deer keep eating the hammocks so they are no longer there. This time we stayed in room 5A (roughly $200 a night with taxes & fees) which was a larger room. The way it is set up, there are 5 separate stand alone buildings with the exact same layout - the A and B sides both have their own private deck with chairs so you can sit out and soak up the nature. The A unit is much larger and comes with a brick fireplace (firewood is available for $6 at the office on the honor system and fire starters are free at the office). There is a small kitchen complete with pots, pans, dishes, silverware, glasses, coffee maker, toaster, fridge, etc. The bed is super comfy and there was also an extra double bed just inside the door. We were here in August and it was warm, so we kept the ceiling fan going the whole time. They also had a box fan in the closet and a wall swamp cooler A/C unit which we didn't really use because the noise makes it hard for my girlfriend to sleep. We really love that basically one wall of the room was floor to ceiling windows which really make you feel like you are a part of the forest! I am also glad that they have curtains that cover said windows so you can have privacy when you want it. The B units are much smaller "mother-in-law suites" which connect to the A units with a door (which stays closed & locked if you don't rent both units). The B units don't have a kitchen (but they do have small refrigerators, microwave and coffee makers). They don't have brick fireplaces but, instead have smaller wood burning chimineas. I felt like the larger room was well-worth the extra that we paid but the smaller units were also nice for those on more of a budget. Each room comes with a nice 32" smart TV and DVD player (They loan out DVDs at the office - see my pic of their DVD library). They have good WiFi - we brought our own firestick and were able to have all our channels, playlists & shows, which was nice. We were here for 2 nights which was good but we have realized that it takes one day to rest, shake off the work week and shift into vacation mode. We wish that we had come for 3 nights to really give us a couple days of good vacation energy, instead of one day to adjust & recoup and a couple of half days of true vacation. Again, this was a 5 star lodging experience and I highly recommend Woodland Park Manor for anyone looking to have a really nice mountain vacation!

Amazing place, great location is you want a quiet relaxing time. Will defiantly come back.read more

We absolutely loved staying here and will be back soon!…read more PROS: -The family cabins are the perfect size for a family of 3-4 -The mattress was incredibly comfortable. They even have information about how to purchase that particular mattress -Each cabin comes with a spacious, private deck/patio -The staff is so helpful and welcoming -Beautiful, heated pool -Lots of recreation for the kids, like basketball, swings, mini golf -The property is beautifully landscaped -Restaurant on site CONS (these are pretty nit-picky) -The rec room could use a little TLC. The hockey table seems to be broken and there's not much in there. -The shower is pretty small Overall, we had an amazing stay and will definitely be back!!

My first weekend visiting Idlewild and we saw a sign for the second annual luau and decided we…read moreprobably should check it out. It was a very nice event and wasn't too crowded although quite a few people did show up. The event was on an area covered with fake grass, so no dust and surrounded by pine trees with mountains in the background. The luau food was pretty darn good and at $20 seem to be a bargain. Entrance fee was $10 for adults and seem to be a very good deal considering the authentic Hawaiian entertainment provided. The singing and dancing was informative and fun to watch, really added to the whole festive night atmosphere. Although not Hawaiian, I especially liked the attractive llama that was hanging out for kids to meet. We enjoyed this fun local event while visiting Idlewild and would not hesitate to visit the third annual event next year!

I was sooo excited to take my engagement photos at this beautiful resort Joe was incredibly sweet…read moreand welcoming, and the property... WOW absolutely stunning! I had been searching for those dreamy brown Spanish doors, and these were beyond perfect Such a magical spot for photos! Thank you so much, Joe, for your amazing hospitality

What an amazing place ... our engagement photos came out beautiful…read more The whole property is just beautiful the energy and Joe was very accommodating can't wait to go back

We stayed in Ursus this past weekend at Freewyld and had an absolutely wonderful time. Our friends…read morebooked the other three cabins on the property, which made it the perfect group getaway. The location in Idyllwild couldn't be better--just a short walk to town, yet tucked away enough to feel private and serene. Each cabin has its own unique character and thoughtful design, and Ursus was no exception. This three-bedroom, two-bath cabin had incredibly comfortable beds and the most charming kitchen. We especially loved the private deck off the upstairs master bedroom and the table with a view overlooking Wyldwood Park. The hot tub was a highlight after a day of exploring. The only thing to note is that Ursus runs a little on the darker side, even with all the lights on, but it didn't take away from the overall experience. We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely be back!

I've stayed twice at Freewyld and loved both visits. Black Mountain is my favorite, but all 4…read morecabins have a unique design and I can't wait to get back and stay in each one. The park below the cabins is the perfect place to zen out in nature and listen to the creek. Love every moment in Idyllwild.

We had such a fun and unique stay at Lazy C Ranch! It's tucked away right along the mountains, so…read moreyou really get that peaceful, western ranch feel, but you're still just a short drive from downtown Palm Springs and everything there is to do. We came with a big group of families and stayed in several of the different casitas throughout the property, which was honestly perfect. We basically had our own little ranch getaway! Each casita had separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and living room, so there was plenty of space for everyone to spread out and feel comfortable. The kids absolutely LOVED all the animals! There are horses, donkeys, goats, rabbits and more, and guests can interact with, pet and sometimes even ride the animals. One morning, the ranch manager took all of our kids around to visit the animals and gave each of them food and carrots to feed them. They had the best time and thought it was the coolest thing! The pool area was probably one of my favorite parts of the property. The pool was the perfect temperature and the setting is gorgeous -- there's a huge natural boulder right alongside it and the mountains are basically your backdrop. There are cabanas for lounging and a long shaded table where our whole group could sit together and eat meals. It was such a pretty, relaxing spot. And then there's the SALOON! Such a fun touch and definitely a hit with our group. It has western-style saloon doors, a bar area, an air-conditioned game room with pool tables, and picnic tables outside. We spent a lot of time hanging out there. There's also a fire pit by the main ranch house where the kids made s'mores at night, which was the perfect way to end the day. This is such a great place for families or groups traveling together who want something different from the typical Palm Springs hotel experience. You really feel like you've escaped to a little mountain/cowboy ranch, while still being close enough to downtown to go out to dinner, shop, or explore. The kids had a blast, the adults got to relax, and having so much of the ranch to ourselves made the whole weekend even more special. Such a hidden gem in Palm Springs!!

Beautiful Ranch for any event. I went these past weekend…read morefor a wedding and WOW is breathtaking to see the beautiful mountains and the rustic decorations and adorable animals... It's a perfect location for a nice party with friends and family. . Includes a Valet Parking for any private event you do there. Nadia is a sweetheart, will help and any need you have. Recommended it.

Great restaurant and services. Allyssa was great, our food was right on time. The pork belly dish…read moreand the chocolate moose were delicious !! Will definitely come back next time in Idyllwild!

We Highly recommend this restaurant! Our server, Trinity, was outstanding and so was the food! It's…read moreour favorite spot when we visit Idyllwild. We enjoy sitting outside on the lovely shaded veranda with a nice breeze. This is a great spot with great food and friendly and attentive staff. There is always more food than we can eat so we get leftovers To take home!

Had prime rib tacos they were very good…read more I ordered the molten lava chocolate cake and did not get it Then the manager brought me the right one Makes me happy

Cool setting. There for lunch. I think in tue evening with music and the decks would be a great…read moretime. Food was good

We chose Cafe Aroma for a birthday dinner and were so happy we did!…read more The bread with garlic in olive oil was a perfect light starter. My husband also enjoyed an old fashioned that was excellent. For dinner he husband ordered the ragu, and I had the penne in creamy basil (without shrimp). Both dishes came out quickly, were well prepared, and completely satisfying. Service was extremely friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We reserved the patio so we could bring our pup, and the staff immediately offered her water, pets, and even a treat. I always appreciate a restaurant that makes dogs feel welcome rather than like an inconvenience. The patio also had a lovely ambiance, with white tablecloths and the same polished table settings as indoors. My only minor note was the live music. The singer was fairly loud and close to the tables, which made conversation difficult. Instrumental music might fit the early dinner atmosphere a little better. If you prefer a quieter meal, dining indoors may be the better choice. Overall, a great birthday dinner and a wonderful experience!

I read a bunch of the 1-star reviews. I read some of the…read more4-star reviews. I have to go with 5-star tho. OVERVIEW of 5 : Seated without reservation (*make one! We got lucky*) Server was amazing Food expediter was super nice Food was delicious Elegant, fine dining experience Music was my mountain playlist (and not too loud) View of mountains for me. View of architecture for my wife. PARKING: Parking can be difficult in the small lot, but there's parking along the street too. INSIDE: It was perfect weather. 68ºF at 6pm after a warm day. They have "indoor/patio" style seating which may be difficult for some to access by multiple steps. We were seated at the top, a table away from the music, along the window side. They have heat lamps - but temps were perfect (lots of people and hot food warmed everyone up). I wanted to walk around the restaurant. The tiered architecture is interesting. FOOD: High End Vegan! Yes - I'm guilty of wanting to give them 5 stars just looking at their vegan menu. (And omnivore selection) Yes - I appreciate the care that it takes to prepare a plate. BUT This food was just delicious by itself. Even in a cardboard box, this food would've been amazing. VEGAN "cheese" appetizer (great for 2-3 people) Nut cheese was warm and tangy. This is NOT just cashews and nooch in a blender. It is spiced with something that brings a little heat. *you will want to lick the bowl. PRO TIP: The welcome bread with ... oh shit.... WELCOME BREAD / Garlic Olive Oil This crusty bread served with microplaned garlic + olive oil is fantastic. Garlic Fiend? You're gonna love this. Not a fan of garlic? What's wrong with you?! I mean... just serve from the oil side. Save some bread for your vegan cheese.... VEGAN CHEESE (cont.) Order the gluten free bread (a little more like Uti's toasted dinner roll) with your vegan cheese app. Omnivores at your table will be surprised how well this vegan cheese and wine pair with each other. TROUT I think my wife got the trout. She loved it. Light and delicate. VEGAN KIMCHI TOFU I've had kimchi. I've had tofu. We all have. This was prepared on a bed of roasty veg that was a great match to the salty kimchi. I don't know if there was a marinade preparation (sesame paste?) with the tofu, or it was made locally, or both, but this firm tofu was excellent. Sweet. Nutty. Salty. Fresh tasting and filling. The vegan menu here isn't just an "alternate version" of an omnivore dish. It is its own thing. DESSERT MISTAKE = not getting it. We thought there would be dessert in town, but we got out late. Town had closed. MUSIC Tonight's music was a pair of musicians playing CS&N, Neil Young, Bob Seger... acoustic session: Guitar, Violin, Mandolin. Quiet & sentimental performance was a perfect accompaniment to a long hike day. THERE ARE 1-STAR REVIEWS of this place. They have their reasons. I've only been here once. But I experienced NONE of the things they've mentioned. Moreover, we experienced even better than what other 5-star reviews suggested. This is an elegant spot, framed by a perfect day in Idyllwild. If I come back to the town, I will want to try other restaurants, but I'll definitely come back here. Not *just* because of their vegan options, but definitely *for* their vegan options.