Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful Break

Guest: mtbsteve22 (La Mesa)
Date of Stay: 04/04/12 Review Submitted: 04/12/12

We arrived to a nice, clean house and were very pleased with the layout. House is within a short distance of the ski resorts which was nice. Our daughter enjoyed her room as well as watching the two planes take off while we were there (airport was not an issue). David was great to work with. We'll definitely come back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Great Single Family Home

Guest: 3boycrew (Redondo Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/12 Review Submitted: 04/11/12

The Farmhouse was a great place for my family and I to stay in. We were two adults, and 3 kids ages 5, 3, and 3 months. The pros: It was easily heated by the fireplace and warmed up quickly. It had all the amenities needed, with the bathrooms stocked like a hotel with soap, shampoo, conditioner. The kids loved their room, but the trundle wasn't a true trundle. It pulled out to be the same height as the mattress "ontop" so made a full bed with two twins. Not a big deal but just a detail for some. The cabin wasn't ready by the time we arrived about 30 minute early but David was agreeable to allowing us to come in and settle down after a car sick drive up, and he was to do the floors the next day. When he came the next day, he not only did hte floors, but did our dishes, took out the trash, wiped the counters. The house was clean, no dust or webs or bugs anywhere. Awesome walking distance to a great pizza place and to the sledding snow play area. Short drive to the slopes and village. The Farmers Market opened during our stay and that was right on the corner. The Cons: Too close to the neighbors homes. They were not rental properties, so we heard many leave for work in the morning. The lock was one dead bolt lock. I felt a bit apprehensive as this was known as a rental property and easily could be accessed while we were out. A chain on the door would have made me feel more secure at night. Too many random phone calls for either David or telemarketers. Luckily there was only one phone and it was quiet and did not wake up the kids during naps. The floors are very very squeaky! Very good for character of the house, but not for sleeping children at night! The upstairs tub was clogged. We told David about it but it was still clogged after he fixed it. We chose to not call him back to the tub as the kids could shower downstairs without issue. I'm sure he would have been fine to come back and fix the tub if we had asked. David was not as accessible as we thought. Twice, when we tried to contact him, it took numerous messages and missed calls, and when we finally made contact, he either had his cell off or not nearby. Overall: I would definitely rent this place again. I loved the decor, the feel, and the location to the snow play area. The manager was nice and accomodating. We had a great time and the cons were minor in the long run for a very fun Spring Break.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Can't wait to return!

Guest: ShW (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 03/15/12 Review Submitted: 03/19/12

This was our first trip to the Farmhouse. Upon arrival, my young son immediately ran throughout the house and declared, "this is a beautiful house!" Our family of four (two adults, two children) found the Farmhouse to be comfortable and cozy. We felt so at home that we didn't want to leave. The Farmhouse has an observation deck on the second floor where you have a view of the airstrip (we never heard the airplanes because the Farmhouse has double-paned windows and thick walls) and mountains. At night, you have a perfect view of the night sky. The backyard is enclosed and the kids enjoyed playing in the snow in the backyard for hours. We also liked that we were just one minute away from Big Bear Snow Play (which the kids love) and about 5 minutes away from Snow Summit. There is also a Vons, Stater Brothers and CVS all within 2 minutes drive. We have already recommended the Farmhouse to all of our friends and can't wait to return!

Owner response:Thank you so much for your glowing review of the farmhouse, Shirley. I was just thrilled that Big Bear received all that fresh snow for your children to enjoy. It's so wonderful to know that youngsters notice the special touches we have added to the farmhouse to make it more attractive. We look forward to your return. David

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Charming

Guest: KDang (Orange County, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/05/12 Review Submitted: 04/10/12

My boyfriend and I rented the farmhouse for 2 days/1 night back in early march with our dog and it was an amazing getaway. Everything was clean and in order. Although the airport runway is right behind the yard, we didn't notice any noise and our dog LOVED the yard. There was a grill for our use as well. Everything in the farmhouse was amazing and you can tell David, the owner, puts in a lot of time and attention to detail. The kitchen was full of supplies and cable tv was also available to watch in front of the fireplace. I loved that it wasn't dark and full of mountain/cabin decor that you'll find at other cabins. Understandably, I know that's the theme since it is the mountains. We would definitely recommend it to other couples and small families. Looking forward to returning in the future!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Great Value

Guest: Trevor (Redondo Beach)
Date of Stay: 02/24/12 Review Submitted: 03/02/12

This was our first stay at this property, but the second stay with one of the properties that David has. We came back a second time because the last property we stayed at (Bear View) was a great value and David was very helpful. David especially went above and beyond this time. A few days before arriving we emailed him asking if there was wireless internet at the property. He emailed back telling us there wasn't but it was supposed to be put in the next week, but that he rescheduled the technician to come in the morning we were arriving to put it in so we would be able to use it during our stay. The Farmhouse didn't disappoint. It is very easily accessible making it an easy drive to Vons, downtown Big Bear, and the Slopes. The cabin is right next to the airport, but its a very small airport and we could barely hear the plane (yes we only heard one) coming in. The cabin is small, but cute and would fit up to six people, but probably only 4 adults comfortably. The kitchen was probably our favorite part of the cabin. It has a large eat in kitchen with a center island with 2 bar stools, so there is plenty of room to cook and hang out. The only semi-cons that we came across were the floors were kinda squeaky and the living room only comfortably sat 4 adults. All in all this is a great property, a great value, and you aren't going to find an owner who will go through the lengths that David will to make your stay great.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Farmhouse

Guest: Dyl (Orange County)
Date of Stay: 01/21/12 Review Submitted: 01/24/12

David was extremely attentive and even allowed us to have an early check-in (schedule permitting). The Farmhouse was clean, cozy and well decorated. I strongly recommend. Nevermind the 'airport' behind the place. I heard maybe one single engine plane the whole time we were there. My pup had a great time playing in the backyard!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

GREAT WINTER WEEKEND!

Guest: Nicole E (Orange County, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/06/12 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

Went up this past weekend with dogs and had a great time!!! The farmhouse is so cute & has so much character. The floors had not been cleaned by the maid so I contacted David (who by the way is the nicest!) and he came out personally and cleaned the floors to perfection! I would recommend this cozy property to family & friends, and can't wait to go back myself!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect!!!!

Guest: Dinorah (Tijuana Mexico)
Date of Stay: 12/15/11 Review Submitted: 12/19/11

It was simply perfect!!! We had the most wonderful time, David is very nice and helpful, the cabin is great very cozy. It has everything you need to cook a nice meal, and the bedrooms are very nicely decorated. We absolutely are going back as soon as we can... This was the perfect holiday getaway... Thank you David

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Cute Cabin, great value

Guest: sweetdaddy (Palos Verdes)
Date of Stay: 10/28/11 Review Submitted: 11/07/11

Its very cute, very well decorated. I was a little concerned that it backs to the airport, but I never heard a plane and I stayed over a perfect autumn weekend.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Wonderful Way to Remember All American Heroes

Guest: Bryan (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 09/09/11 Review Submitted: 09/11/11

I had mixed emotions about going to Big Bear for this 10th Anniversary of 9/11. But the wife convinced me that it would take my mind off our son who we lost that day. She searched through the VRBO listings and found the farmhouse. She said the pictures reminded her of her parent’s home in the Midwest, and the back porch where I proposed. There was a last-minute special for the weekend that was very reasonable. So I relented. I’m glad I did. Molly also convinced our daughter in-law and the grandsons to come along. The pictures only show a fraction of the many things that make this such a special place. It was so much more than we expected at a price much less than we would have paid for a motel room. When the owner opened the front door, we were taken by the scent of fresh pine. David joked that they had just finished laying down the wide-plank pine boards and polished them to perfection. I almost believed him. The floors looked and smelled like the planks had just been milled from the forest down the road. Molly raved about the big, country kitchen. David said all the cabinets and countertops, even the farmhouse sink, were from Ikea. This time he wasn’t kidding. Now, Molly thinks I can make our kitchen look just like it. The grandsons particularly enjoyed all the military planes that flew past the upstairs back deck this morning. They both want to be pilots just like their dad. There were many patriotic touches found throughout the farmhouse, such as the little bird house decorated in stars and stripes, and the big wooden red, white and blue stars among the fruit bowl on the kitchen table. David was so helpful, providing directions to the local Episcopal church with a view of the lake and the perfect place for brunch afterwards. He also said he thought we would enjoy the dedication of a small park right across the street. It is a park built by the 50’s film star and singer Shirley Jones and her comedian husband Marty Ingels, who retired to this ideal community, and decided there should be place on the west coast to honor the heroes of 9/11. Shirley still can belt out all those patriotic anthems that were so appropriate for today. When went back to the farmhouse, the boys had to take a couple of last spins around the yard in the farm tracker. All kids will have fun here; many of them have only seen a home like this one on re-runs of “The Waltons.” You can be sure we will return again in years to come.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Truly a Quaint Farmhouse!

Guest: Cam (Las Vegas, NV)
Date of Stay: 08/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/29/11

Loved the farmhouse interior and all the special touches. Would suggest a new photo because the one above doesn't reflect how close the neighbor's house is. However, the neighborhood was very quiet and the people we saw were very friendly!! Woke up the first morning to a dead car battery!! Our neighbor didn't hesitate to help and even gave us some good fishing spots to try! We would definitely recommend the house to others and plan on visiting again. David, our grandson liked the tractor! He races Bandolero cars in Las Vegas, so he didn't have the speed he's used to, but had fun anyway! Also, for those who may be concerned about the airport and planes flying overhead - it was not an issue. In fact, it was very enjoyable to watch the small number of flights that graced the airport each day.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners.

A Warm & Cozy Get-A-way, 8/15/2011 - 8/17/2011

Guest: Emma (San Gabriel Valley)
Date of Stay: 08/15/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

It's exactly like what you see from the pictures, a warm & cozy little farm house by the far end of the lake. The runway of the private airport is just a block away from the deck, but it is not noisy at all as there were few airports using it. It's conveniently located as supermarkets, coffee shops, the Zipline, the Marine rental, etc. are just within 5-10 minutes drive. Would definitely like to come back again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

This Is A Great Vacation Value

Guest: FPF (Redondo Beach, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/22/11

Our recent Men’s Retreat in Big Bear required this cabin to accommodate four guests who required extra privacy from our main rental in Whispering Forest (which was in use for our group meetings and all meals). But this cabin could have easily served eight to ten people, with additional cots and sleeping bags. Because BCF was only five minutes from our main cabin, it was far enough for privacy concerns, yet near enough for these four guests to join planned activities without much travel time. The cabin was clean upon arrival, and loaded with amenities (flat screen TV, washer & dryer, a land line that came with unlimited calls, a working fireplace, dishwasher, cookware & dinnerware for eight, and fresh laundered linens). BCF is located in a typical mountain neighborhood, but it was also noticeably quiet, and the neighbors were friendly. Being at the east end of Big Bear Lake, it took only ten minutes to get to the Village, and the hiking trails at Discovery Center were only eight minutes away (in the opposite direction). All in all, this cabin served as a great back-up to our other rental, basic but more than adequate accommodations; it easily met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend this cabin for families, or hiking groups; it’s very much like a vacation home, and I bet it’s great in the winter time (the ski runs are very close by). But above all, the personal attention from David and Alan (and their crew) is what made this experience immeasurable; they got things done quickly when asked, and helped us get to know Big Bear with all of their local “insider” information (that was way cool and so appreciated!). Again, great location, affordable prices, well-equipped, and attentive crew….we highly recommend this cabin.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful and Charming Winter Experience!

Guest: Snowboarding Lover (Irvine, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/05/11

We went up to Big Bear this past weekend and had such a wonderful time at the farmhouse! It was close to the ski resorts and the lake, but far from all the noise and traffic. The farmhouse looked exactly like it does in the pictures, and was clean, cozy and comfortable. David, the property manager, was very kind and accommodating as well. My family and I had a wonderful time and will definitely be making the farmhouse our choice for rental in Big Bear! Thanks again David!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Old Fashion Appeal

Guest: K from Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 10/20/10

I love visiting Big Bear, it is so beautiful. I had an opportunity to rent on my last visit the Farmhouse, and it was wonderful. I love the old fashion country look and the sense of warmth it brings when you enter its doors. The house was well kept, and clean. We had no issues, and the owner was available at a moment notice if we needed anything. Big Bear offers a great deal of activities for any age and any lifestyle, from hiking to skiing to shopping. We would definitely stay at the farmhouse again when we visit.

Owner response:We are always pleased to learn that former guests loved their time in the farmhouse, Karen. You know you are always welcome when you want to get out of the heat and razzle dazzle of the city that never sleeps! The farmhouse may be old fashioned, but we are finding more and more guests like you who appreciate its simple charms. Thank you for your nice comments.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Martha Stewart would be proud

Guest: Funlover (Altadena, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/07/10 Review Submitted: 10/14/10

This is a beautifully decorated property perfect for couples and small families. The farmhouse theme is carried throughout the two floors, with a patriotic charm. The back yard is fenced in for pets. My dog enjoyed it. This is one of the nicest cabins I've stayed in at Big Bear. High attention to detail--lovely dinnerware, cups, wine glasses, appliances, floral arrangements, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. Extra blankets and quilts, central heating with a beautiful fireplace heater. You can walk to the edge of the lake and watch light planes fly in and out occasionally--there aren't a lot of flights so it's a fun treat, not a noisy bother. Also parking right by the front porch, easy access. I'd stay again anytime.

Owner response:Thank you for your wonderful comments about the farmhouse. I truly love guests who notice the care and detail taken to make this more than just a place to sleep and eat take-out food while in Big Bear. I’m glad you, your companion and pooch enjoyed your time in the farmhouse. Such appreciative guests are welcome back any time!

Recommended for:Pet owners, sightseeing.

Not What We Expected

Guest: J and J (Fontana, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 08/22/10

Upon arrival at the farmhouse cabin, there were people cutting locks off of the two storage sheds in the back yard (NOT seen in any pictures) and storing their belongings that were being unloaded off a truck. As we were settling in, we heard one man say "Watch them" as if we could not be trusted around their junk. The house looked as if it had not been cleaned in a long time. The beds were made, but the bedding was dirty and had hairs in between the sheets. The bathrooms weren't very clean either. The floors and rugs were especially filthy. We didn't want to take our shoes off. Our youngest guest was covered in a rash after the first night. One upstairs screen door was missing, and made it almost impossible to cool off the house. We packed up and left a day early because everyone was miserable and we needed to get our youngest guest some medical attention. The house is adorable and has great views, but it needs to be CLEANED! It would be wonderful with more maintenance. We expected more for our money. Having to pay a cleaning fee, when obviously cleaning never happened, was uncalled for. It took 3 weeks to get our deposit back and that was only after I called. We won't be staying here again or recommending it to any friends or family.

Owner response: I ask all guests to let me know if there are any problems at the time they check in to the farmhouse. However, I did not know of these concerns until the guests had long left Big Bear. I am only a 10-minute drive away. I make sure everyone has my cell number when I hand them the keys, and remind them to call if I can do anything to make their stay more pleasant. With these guests, I recall mentioning the upstairs sliding glass door screen when they arrived. I had hoped to have it repaired in time for these guests, but when I went to pick it up, I was told the screen door was so damaged by the large dog of a previous guest that it could not be repaired, and would have to be replaced. I told these guests I could bring over another screen door from a cabin not being rented that weekend, but they said not to bother. I could have had a professional crew over within 30 minutes of any complaint about the cleaning. I do rely on part-time assistance to clean my cabins, but follow up prior to the guests’ arrival to make sure everything is in order. With a full-size washer and dryer in the farmhouse, I ask departing guests to put all the used sheets and towels in the wash before they leave. So cleaning personnel need only transfer everything into the dryer when they arrive that afternoon to complete the rest of the cleaning. Could the previous guests forgotten to start the wash, and the cleaning person been in a rush to her next assignment and just remade the beds? Perhaps, but I would have liked to see the condition of these sheets long before I read about it in this complaint. This young woman is back in school, so I have another person helping me cover the cleaning tasks. Yet I make it a point of turning back the sheets before the arrival of every guest to make sure they look as fresh as new. I did get a call from the guests regarding the woman I had allowed store some of her furniture in the mini-barn behind the farmhouse. She had to move to reduce her rent expenses after being laid off from her position, and didn’t have room for her furniture in her smaller apartment. I regret forgetting to mention this might happen while these guests were renting the farmhouse. I try my best to offer the best accommodations at the most reasonable rate. Please scan all the reviews posted here to see that the few complaints are far outweighed by many compliments that have been written about the farmhouse.

Recommended for:

Pictures Don't Tell the Whole Story

Guest: Extremely Disappointed (Uniontown, OH)
Date of Stay: 06/22/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

When we arrived to check in the owner was not ready for us and had forgotten we were coming that day. The house was very dirty and full of animal hairs and cobwebs. It had not been cleaned well in quite a while. All the rugs were filthy and the bedspreads were dirty. The sheets & towels were stained and extremely worn. We were a party of 4 adults and the options for sleeping were not good. After a call from us the first night, the owner did send someone to clean the following morning, but they were only there a very short time and only hit the high spots. We washed all the towels we used and sheets also because we could not tell if they were clean or dirty. My daughter and her husband almost left for a hotel the first night we were there. One of our party started sneezing shortly after our arrival and continued to do so all week whenever we were in the house. When we left, he was fine. Needless to say, we spent as much time as possible away from the house. The house is very cute, however, it has way too much clutter and that just collects dust. The upstairs could not be cooled effectively because there was no screen in the sliding glass door of one of the bedrooms. There was maple syrup all over the microwave and spilled inside one of the kitchen cupboards. That drew ants and we had a constant battle with them. I am not a clean freak, but when you go somewhere and pay to stay, you expect basic cleanliness. When we were attempting to arrange to rent the house the owner backpedaled on the price he had quoted me in an e-mail, and I should have realized he was disorganized and rented elsewhere. We rented a place in Big Bear the previous summer that was almost half the price of this place and was much nicer. I felt we should have had a refund of some sort due to the fact that we did not gain possession until after 8 pm the first night. Not only was that not offered, but it took him more than a month to refund our deposit after we had cleaned his house for him! I would never stay here again and will not recommend this to other relatives who come to Big Bear to visit on a regular basis. This experience nearly ruined our vacation. If we had not had our son's home to go to and spend time in, we would have been miserable. I waited a while to write this review thinking I would calm down, but it didn't do any good. I'm mad all over again!! This guy is raking in money from people & is too tight to spend money on a cleaning service. DON'T STAY HERE!

Owner response:I regret Paula’s stay 3 months ago was disappointing. I sent a 2nd housekeeper the next morning when she said the cleaning was inadequate. The departing guests were slow in leaving & Paula arrived before my 3 pm check-in time. All windows & sliding doors were left open for breezes to pass, which brings in additional dust. I wish Paula had let me know the 2nd housekeeper did not fully address her concerns; I would have called in a 3rd cleaning person. The missing screen was out for repair after damaged by a guest’s dog. As far as “back-pedaling” on my rates, Paula sent an inquiry on April 6 when spring rates were posted. I responded that rent is higher for a summer stay ending in the middle of the July 4th weekend. Paula revised her dates to the last week of June. I took a significant discount off my summer rates, & Paula paid the deposit knowing the full rent. When the 1st installment rent payment was due, Paula again questioned my rates. I relented & gave her the 2-bedroom, 2-bath lake-view property for $100 a night. It seems Paula is still upset that I didn’t offer a refund because of the few hours beyond 3 pm it took to finish cleaning. It was completed long before the 2 couples returned from dinner, & I offered a late check-out due to the delay. Paula also complained that it took a month to get the security deposit back. She contacted me through her e-mail address, but the deposit was paid through her husband’s e-mail, making it difficult to track among the many deposits I receive. Once the original invoice was located, the full amount was refunded the same day. Paula also complained, “the options for sleeping were not good.“ The VRBO listing fully describes all options for sleeping 6 persons. I once had a professional property management firm provide full services for the farmhouse. Guests paid a booking fee, nonrefundable damage waiver & much higher rates. When I spoke to the owner about negative reviews regarding poor cleaning & slow staff response, he said I might be happier with VRBO. My rates are now half those previously posted. In making rates affordable, I am not “raking in money & too tight to hire a cleaning service.” Yet to cover all expenses, I must rely on part-time cleaning help. There are more positive reviews & fewer complaints since switching to VRBO. I hope you read these glowing impressions & weigh them against the few negative comments from those hoping for an additional refund beyond their full deposit.

Recommended for:

Guest: Kelly 9 (Temecula,CA)
Date of Stay: 02/10/10 Review Submitted: 02/10/10

We just returned from a wonderful weekend at this great "farmhouse". The cabin was just perfect for my husband, 2 small children, dog, and I. We went snow tubing both days (right around the corner). The cabin was a good size and had everything we needed. You can't beat the price, I was looking at other two bedrooms that were over $300/night! The airport behind the cabin was great entertainment for our little ones but not noisy at all, probably 5-6 planes a day. We will definetly be making this a yearly tradition and hopefully staying right here next time.

Owner response:Thanks so much for your wonderful comments about the farmhouse. I will be sure to refer prospective guests to your observation about the neighboring local airport. Many Southern Californians envision LAX or San Diego International when I mention the fact. I can assure them the small, private Big Bear Airport is nothing like that, but reading about it from a very satisfied former guest carries much more weight. Thanks again, and I look forward to your return visit next year. David

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/18/10

As a busy ministry couple with grown children who themselves have full schedules, we decided to plan a Christmas getaway that was hopefully snowy as well. The weather cooperated and we found the choice of our cabin to be cozy, warm and festive. The owners were helpful when we had need of their assistance and this trip proved to be relaxing and memorable.

Recommended for:

Guest: the martins4 (riverside, ca)
Date of Stay: 10/12/09 Review Submitted: 10/12/09

just spent a wonderful long weekend at the farmhouse. it is beautifully decorated, and the convenience of having a dishwasher and washing machine was great! it is walking distance from oktoberfest, and close to everything. owner is v. easy to work with, he let us stay late as no guests were checking in the day we left. our 3 dogs had a great time as well. big bear is gorgeous in the fall, the colors and the cool crisp mountain air are hard to beat!

Recommended for:

Great Renter!!!

Guest: JandA (Bakersfield, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/09/09 Review Submitted: 07/15/10

This review is a year late, but I still wanted to get it done. My wife and I stayed here August of 2009. This was our 5th time to Big Bear. This was our first time renting from VRBO and I must say, this renter was EXCELLENT. He was very nice and didn't have a bunch of hidden fees as most renters do. He then refunded our deposit pretty quickly without any issues. My wife and I highly recommend this renter and will definitely use him again for our next Big Bear visit.

Recommended for:Pet owners

DO NOT STAY HERE despite how cute it looks

Guest: Disappointed/Decieved (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/04/09 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

I'm sorry for those who have stayed here after me. I have meant to post this review for a while not. I stayed here one 4th of July weekend and was very disappointed. First of all I was given the wrong address when I inquired about the property. After liking the location that was given to me, I sent the deposit. It was only when I tried to drive to the property that I discovered that it was the wrong address because the cute little red cabin was no where in sight. After, calling the property owner, he realized he had given me the address to one of his other cabins. The actual location of this cabin is right along the airport runway which I would never have chosen if I knew! On top of that the sheets were full of sand and the towels did not smell fresh. By the time we discovered this it was late in the evening. We stayed up til 1am washing the sheets and towels before going to bed. I sent many emails and made phone calls to the property manager with these complaints and did not refund the cleaning deposit or give me any sort of discount due to all these mistakes. Very disappointing. Would never stay here again and would never recommend it.

Owner response:Once again, I find myself responding to a complaint posted on VRBO nearly THREE years after a guest has stayed in the farmhouse. I tried to go back into my previous e-mails to track the history of my communication with this guest. However, my computer doesn’t even save e-mails that far back! So I can only recollect how the wrong address may have been given to this individual. I own/manage five Big Bear cabins that appear on VRBO. This is a full-time job, as you can imagine. Over the years, I have continued to make improvements, not only in the amenities of each cabin, but to the systems I have in place to provide the best customer service possible. There also have been improvements to VRBO during the past three years that help owners of multiple vacation rentals keep track of all reservations and the status of each property. Naturally, holiday weekends – like the July 4th weekend of 2009 – can be a major challenge when there are arriving guests in all of the Big Bear cabins. Leading up to these holidays, I answer dozens of e-mail inquiries and phone calls about the availability, amenities and location of every cabin. For some time now, I have written first-time reply templates that I e-mail to every written VRBO inquiry I receive. It does not include the specific address due to security reasons. But I describe the neighborhood in great detail, which does include the fact that this property is located next to the Big Bear Airport. Literally hundreds of guests have stayed here. In fact, some parents have even posted reviews here calling the airport wonderful entertainment for their children. Regarding this guest’s complaint about the sheets and towels, I ask every guest to call me immediately if they find anything that does not meet their satisfaction. Had this guest done so, rather than writing and calling me weeks after their departure to demand a refund of the cleaning fee or a discount on the rent, I would have been there in minutes to remake the beds with fresh sheets and put out a second set of recently laundered towels in both bathrooms. I’ve been through several housekeepers since 2009, and now carefully inspect each cabin once it has been cleaned. We also keep extra towels, sheets and supplies in the closets at all times.

Recommended for:

Guest: Cynthia10 (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/03/08 Review Submitted: 11/03/08

I stayed at the farmhouse Oct 24-26th and had a great time. The backyard was perfect for the dogs and we were able to walk to Oktoberfest and the lake. There's a handy liquor store also within walking distance and No Name Take n' Bake pizza! We drove the dogs to Castle Rock Trail (10min) to further enjoy the great outdoors. David, the owner, was gracious to let us stay later than the normal checkout on Sunday since noone was checking in that afternoon. We leisurely watched football and enjoyed the farmhouse to its fullest. Thank you!!

Recommended for:

Guest: tina marie1 (downey,ca)
Date of Stay: 10/07/08 Review Submitted: 10/07/08

i love the big bear farmhouse!!! it was a surprise romantic getaway for my boyfriend's 30th bday!! he was so impressed and overjoyed when we pulled up to the farmhouse!! it was a short walk to oktoberfest which really came in handy=) everything about the farmhouse was adorable! it is in a great lil neighborhood and is centrally located =) the rates are unbeatable and we had a great time!! we will definitely be back to stay in this wonderfully decorated, beautifully located, quaint lil farmhouse!

Owner response:Hi, Tina Marie: Thank you for the compliments about the farmhouse. It's always rewarding to receive feedback from guests, which encourages me to find more ways to make future stays even more enjoyable. I look forward to serving as your host again when you return. David

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Guest: Tara13 (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/08/08 Review Submitted: 04/08/08

I had an INCREDIBLY wonderful stay at the farmhouse over St. Patrick's Day weekend 2008. The owners are delightful - so friendly and accomodating. The property is beautifully furnished with loving attention (and fabulous style). Easy check-in and easy parking. Spotlessly clean and conveniently located just off Big Bear Blvd. Very quick 5-10 min drive to both Bear Mtn and Snow Summit, the Village, shops and restaurants. Unequivocally recommended!

Owner response:Hi, Tara: Thank you so much for your glowing comments about the farmhouse, and pointing out the short 5-10 minute drive to the ski slopes, as well as other Big Bear attractions. I'll also pass along your compliments about the easy check-in to the folks at Big Bear Vacations, as well as the good job their cleaning crew is doing.

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Guest: Mark Alexander (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/17/07 Review Submitted: 11/17/07

I wanted to impress my new wife and her parents with a trip back to my boyhood town in rural, upstate New York, just for them to see the perfect boyhood I had there. But limited funds made that impossible. So I scouted around VRBO for a small town within driving distance of L.A. that might have a farmhouse similar to the one I grew up in. Imagine my surprise when I came upon the Bear Country Farmhouse in Big Bear. It's description sounded almost too good to be true, so it was with some trepidation that I booked the farmhouse and hoped for the best. I was not disappointed. All of us were extremely impressed with the obvious care that was taken by the owner to recreate a rural farmhouse in Big Bear. It met all my expectations and then some. I would recommend this wonderful vacation home highly to anyone who wants a similar experience. Mark Alexander Los Angeles, CA

Owner response:Hi, Mark: Thank you for recommending the farmhouse to future guests. I'm glad you feel that it recreated the farmhouse of your boyhood in upstate New York. I have to mention that I was born in the small town of Albion, New York, but the family moved west when the folks retired and decided they were getting too old to shovel all that snow. So here I am in Big Bear, where I have to shovel snow once in a while, but it was my desire to rekindle memories of those early years and simple times by designing this farmhouse for guests so it would spark warm memories of their childhoods when their responsibilities were limited to chores around the farm.

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Guest: James Alan (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/07 Review Submitted: 06/25/07

Being a veteran, my wife told me she was taking me and our family to a special place to celebrate this year's Memorial Day weekend. I can't describe what a delight it was to experience your Bear Country Farmhouse. All the patriotic mementos, in addition to its red, white and blue colors, make it a very special place. It also reminded me of my boyhood farm in Iowa. Thank you very bringing back those memories, and giving our family some new ones of our vacation in Big Bear. James, Marge, Jennifer & Robert Alan

Owner response:Thank you, James, not only for your glowing comments about the farmhouse, but also for you record of service to our country. It seems that everyone, no matter if they consider themselves a member of the blue party or the red party, they find a common ground at the farmhouse.

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Guest: Cindy and Mark Montgomery
Date of Stay: 01/03/07 Review Submitted: 01/02/07

Even through we have only been married a few years, we have started some "traditions" of our own. One of them is welcoming every New Year in a special location that reminds us of times past and provides a place where we can plan for the year ahead. Your farmhouse in Big Bear was just perfect! We found a number of old standards to play on the DVD, opened up a bottle of champagne, and toasted the final minutes of 2006 in front of the fire. It really was magic. Thank you for helping a young couple build some wonderful memories together. (Reprinted from the farmhouse guestbook with the permission of Mark Montgomery.)

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Guest: The Newman family
Date of Stay: 12/27/06 Review Submitted: 12/26/06

It was at the last minute that our family decided to drive from Las Vegas to the nearest location where we could enjoy a white Christmas. We were extremely fortunate to be directed to your farmhouse, which we understand had just completed a top-to-bottom renovation. What a delightful home to celebrate the holiday! It reminded us of family gatherings at my parent's "farmhouse" in rural Kansas, only in Big Bear, we also were able to introduce our young daughter to snow skiing. It was a Christmas we all will remember with great fondness. (Copied from the farmhouse guest book with permission given by the Newman family.)

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