Timberline Lodge - Arnold - Bear Valley

We were happy with our room and I’d definitely come back. It had a comfy bed, a large-screen TV, a small fridge, and a built-in hair dryer. Shampoo and soap were supplied, and we could request an iron and small ironing board. The Lodge is well placed for day trips, with big trees park only 3 miles away. There’s a pleasant porch with rockers and an outdoor patio where you can sit with some wine. The guest clerk was really nice, helpful, and accommodating. The main drawback was the wall AC. It was too loud to leave on overnight, which was rough for me as a light sleeper. Also, there’s no full-time desk person. The desk is staffed from 2pm to 8pm, so try to ask for what you need then. Everything else was five-star for me; the noisy AC is what kept this from a five-star stay.

The room was charming and super clean, with a toasty fire heater, and it was very quiet at night. The staff were friendly and accommodating, so it was a great little stay. Finding somewhere nearby for a beer on Wednesday was the one snag. The brew pub was closed, and the country club was much too loud, so I ended up at the cute Mexican place across the street. It worked out okay, though I would’ve preferred a bar atmosphere. Not a deal breaker.

Colleen and the staff were efficient, friendly, and so nice. We stayed several days spread over a couple of weeks while repairs were being done on our nearby summer house before its sale. The rooms were clean, with very comfortable beds and everything we needed: refrigerators, in-room coffee stations, TVs, and fast wifi. The quiet outdoor courtyard with tables and chairs was right outside our rooms. If we’re back in the area and need a hotel, we’ll stay at the Timberline.

Timberline Lodge is in a great spot for exploring the area. We stayed in March to enjoy the snow and visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and both were amazing and easy to get to from the lodge. The room was small and not especially clean, though, and for the price it felt more like roughing it than we’d expected. If you only need somewhere to crash after being outdoors and can put up with dust and tight quarters, it’ll do.