Reviews for Whispering Forest Vacation Rental - VRBO 201981 - 3 BR Big Bear Cabin in CA, A Reasonably-Priced Memorial Weekend to Remember

Beautiful cabin with an amazing view

Guest Mario
Date of stay 02/15/13
Review Submitted 02/21/13

My group and I completely enjoyed our stay at this cabin. The cabin was beautiful and the scenery was beautiful as well. David was extremely helpful and made our stay great. Would definitely recommend it.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Susan and Michael

Guest Susan
Date of stay 09/19/12
Review Submitted 11/03/12

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Almost Heaven Hidaway at Big Bear Lake. The listing and pictures give an accurate description of the location. The weather was superb during our visit and it was a wonderful escape from the 110 degree temps of Arizona. David was very cordial and helpful with our questions and concerns. The cabin was fully equipped and niceley furnished with wonderful views. The quiet surroundings made our visit extraordinary and relaxing during our stay. We look forward to returning in the future.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Views to die for

Guest Kim & Don
Date of stay 08/12/12
Review Submitted 10/01/12

Wonderful location! Beautiful, clean, well-stocked with everything you need. We had a very nice stay at the cabin. Cabin looked exactly like the pictures if not better. We would definitely return and would recommend this property to everyone! The views were awesome! Loved the deck!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

We'll Be Back

Guest Robert
Date of stay 08/04/12
Review Submitted 08/19/12

We spent a week in the Whispering Forest cabin and brought our dog and elderly parents. It was the most relaxing time ever. We found the cabin clean and in great order. David was very helpful and answered our many questions. The long morning walks up and down the hilly roads was great exercise, yet the street the cabin is on is relatively level which made it perfect for our age 87+ couple to enjoy their daily walk. We highly recommend the "ride and dine" chair lift for lunch at the top of Snow Summit. It's great for all ages and the food is very good. Daily breakfasts on the cabin deck was the highlight of our trip. The view was beautiful and we watched a large variety wildlife. We only regret not bringing a telescope; the evening stars were brilliant. We recommend this cabin and we look forward to our next visit. Thank you David!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

We wish we could come every weekend

Guest Amanda
Date of stay 06/21/12
Review Submitted 06/28/12

The Whispering Forest cabin was exactly as advertised and the perfect place for our first trip to Big Bear. My husband, myself, and our dog could not have asked for a better view or a better host. Plus, they stock the cabin wJ.R. Watkins products. My absolute favorite. We are already envisioning our next visit when the area is covered in snow. Big Bear itself is full of fun things to do in the summer...kayaking, hiking, zip lining, taking a ride on the scenic chair lift to name a few. If you prefer indoor you have to hit the Bowling Barn and the Funplex. The Lumber Jack Cafe was fantastic for breakfast, and you must try Himalyan if you even remotely like Indian food. Plus, what is better than a place that is warm enjoy for a swim during the day and cool enough for fire in the fireplace at night?! Stay at Whispering forest. You will not regret it.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Great Summer Kick-Off!

Guest Shannon
Date of stay 06/03/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

We had a wonderful time at the cabin! We enjoyed the beautiful view while BBQ'ing and sunning on the deck. The house had all the comforts of home and the boys loved the bunk beds! David and Alan are a pleasure to work with and it is clear that they want their guests to have a great experience. This was a great family getaway, looking forward to next time!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Scenic, Relaxing Retreat

Guest Brandi
Date of stay 05/26/12
Review Submitted 06/04/12

After spending 3 days close to the village, this home was a wonderful escape. The mountain views from the deck are great in summer, and must be incredible in the winter. The owner was very friendly and easy to deal with, and the home was clean and well-equipped. Nice furniture, great mattress in master bedroom (with gorgeous mountain views), 2 downstairs bedrooms with a private bathroom for guests. We got to stay with our little dog, however the large fenced back yard was not really pet-friendly due to overgrown weeds and cactus. We loved sitting on the deck in the cool breeze, and star-gazing at night. Quiet neighborhood, trails nearby to explore the wilderness, beautiful birds in the trees, easy drive to the lake, airport, and all attractions. Would love to stay here again in the winter!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Needed That Weekend!

Guest Gregory Horton
Date of stay 02/16/12
Review Submitted 02/22/12

So my wife and I have been going to Big Bear for the last 7-8 yrs for a mini vacation in February as our Valentines gift to eachother. We have stayed in Many different cabins and Lodges in the "Village" Area, this was our first venture to the other side of the Lake. I must say, I had one of the Best, most comfortable weekends I've ever had in Big Bear! The Owner David was so wonderful, and accomadating. He went above and beyond for me. As it was the weekend after Valentines, I asked if I could possibly send flowers to the Cabin for my Wife, he offered to pick them up for me to make sure they would be at the cabin with no hiccup's! I was shocked, excited, and so thankful! The Cabin was better than pictured, warm and welcoming, and just made us feel at ease as we walked in! Within' seconds, we knew, it was gonna be a great weekend! We don't have Kids, we have 2 Large Newfoundland dogs! They loved romping in the fresh snow / Exploring the Fenced backyard! They Loved it as much as we did! So much so, that when we got home, they slept for 3 days it seemed! The Rooms are large for the average cabin, with lots of closet space in each! The Bed was firm, which I like! The Heater works awesome! But remember folks, OPEN THE VENTS, most are closed when not in use, and some forget to open them to let the heat out! LOL. And the Fireplace lights easily, and heats the Cabin well too! Guy's - Direct tv, large flatscreen, and comfortable couch! Enough said! The Kitchen was so well stocked on utensil's, and plates, cups, glass, pots and pans! Very easy to use everything! The Bathrooms were stocked well too! Had lots of TP! So nice to not have to worry about that! The BBQ worked Great, bring charcoal! Sitting on the Deck in the evening, was awesome, watching the sun dip into the trees and mountains! I'm torn giving this review, as I want to share my Phenomenal experience, and want everyone to have as great a weekend as we did. But then next time I go to book this cabin.....And I will book this cabin again.....I hope I can get a reservation! LOL! By far, Top 5 rental experience, I've had! EVER! Just a great job by the Owner to make sure : The cabin was prepped and ready! We needed for nothing! We had piece and quiet! And assured us if we needed, he would try his best to help us through it! Thanks David! We will be back to see you soon!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Perfect Cabin- low rates and high quality

Guest nar
Date of stay 01/27/12
Review Submitted 01/30/12

My group loved this charming cabin. The kitchen is in an open space with the living room, which makes it perfect for everyone to stay together while cooking meals and whatnot. The fireplace is easy to start, there's plenty of room to hang out everywhere and the view is absolutely excellent!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Whispering Forest

Guest navymom
Date of stay 01/02/12
Review Submitted 01/06/12

The Whispering Forest Home was the most increditable home-a-way from home for the reunion of a Proud Navy Mom and her son! And a special surprise was my son introdusing me to his fiance! What an perfect place for OUR TIME! The Whispering Forest was magnificant in every way! None of us wanted it to end! The property both inside and out was over the top! The owners were hands on if there was any need, and could not have been more accomidating! The most perfect home for the most perfect memories that will be everlasting! Thank you, you know who you are, for making this stay the most memorable for myself, my son and my new daughter to be! This was a blessing that was made possible by GOD through his servants, you know who you are, and we have all been blessed! Thank you VRBO and the owners and we shall never fade our time in the Whispering Forest Home! I love you all!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Filtz Family

Guest Filtz Family
Date of stay 12/31/11
Review Submitted 01/03/12

We all loved it, it was very clean,cozy cutest cabin, loved everysingle deteailed decoration in it. Amazing view from that nice deck, also loved the peacefulness you have in that area. Thank you David and Alan for working with us and making it possible to have that little amazing holiday vacation. We will sure love to come back and stay at your lovely Almost To Heaven Hideway!...thank you so much. We definitely recommend this cabin to everyone.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

First time in Big Bear

Guest familytraveler
Date of stay 12/29/11
Review Submitted 01/01/12

Our group of 4 adults and 4 children enjoyed the cabin and found the stay was a wonderful one. The accommodations were great for our family and priced very reasonably. A couple of minor things could have been improved, but nothing that would dissuade us from booking here again in the future. Overall a great experience, happy we stayed here.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Whispering Forest Cabin is great

Guest FastCars
Date of stay 11/21/11
Review Submitted 12/02/11

This cabin is truely located a short distance from the National Froest. We had a great time taking our Malamute for walks in the forest. Being a city dog she found lot's of new smells. The property is well suited for large dogs, secure 6 foot chain fence in back. The cabin is nicely decorated giving that real cabin/mountains feel. Nice fireplace with a gas starter, which made making a fire very easy since we are city people that live in a warm climate and not used to making a fire. The heating is very good, forced air heating. We never had to be cold, and it was very cold outside. There was sledding for the kids withing close walking, just inside the National Forest. There a pleantly of shovels if you need to remove snow from the steps or wherever. We were there for Thanksgiving and everything we needed in cook wear was there, We brought some items not being sure what was available. I would bring a whisk, gravey ladle, baster and foil pan for the turkey and a timer. Otherwise the kitchen was fully stocked. there are bunk beds in one room a queen or king? in the other 2 bedrooms. We were 2 adult couples and 2 children and all were comfortable. It is a short drive to the ski areas and into town. Do visit the Wildlife Animal Rescue/Zoo. It is great for kids and adults. The owners were very plesant and willing to help their renters if need be. The cabin is very clean We do not have any complaints and highly recommend this property for a family or just adults.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

We loved it!

Guest Fabulous 4
Date of stay 11/11/11
Review Submitted 11/14/11

Great cabin! We loved every moment we were there... My husband loved it so much he wanted me to give a so so review so we could have all the time! =) But David was nice, and so was the cabin, just couldn't do it! We'll be back for sure!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Just what we were looking for.....

Guest SnowBear
Date of stay 11/03/11
Review Submitted 11/05/11

We just completed a short stay at Almost to Heaven Hideaway, and what a wonderful mini vacation it was! The living room is large enough for several people to comfortably "hang out", and has a great bar and stools to eat at in addition to the dining table. Comfy sofa plus several chairs, with furry throw blankets and pillows to cuddle with, the fireplace (with wood already stacked for us), and the DVD collection (literally something for everyone) made such a cozy environment for us while the snow was blowing like crazy outside. I think each family member peacefully napped at least once in that room. The kitchen was fully stocked with plates, utensils, pots and pans...right down to measuring cups and spatulas. A blender, toaster, coffee machine and microwave are also available to use, as well as the ice maker in the freezer. The bedrooms were roomy and incredibly comfortable. Lots of extra blankets and pillows were readily available, and the mattresses gave us just the good night sleep we were seeking. I must mention the closet in the master bedroom....it was a gorgeous wood walk-in, with a full length mirror and built in shelves...lovely! The other two bedrooms, also lovely, are located down a flight of stairs (something to be aware of if stairs are an issue). The cabin has a washing machine and dryer to use (especially handy if you've been running around in the snow), and a dishwasher to make things that much easier. There is Wifi in the cabin, and it worked flawlessly the entire time we were there. Also, the central heating was incredibly effective throughout all the rooms (thankfully, as it was 20 degrees) at night). The deck offered the most amazing view of Snow Summit ski resort and surrounding mountains and trees, and offered a real feel of seclusion and privacy. The backyard is fenced in, but we are too cautious with our dogs to let them run free (one is a chihuahua) so I can't vouch for the safety of the yard. The front yard is lovely...you actually drive down the driveway to the house, so that the front door is far lower than street level...more lovely seclusion! Do be aware that there is a handful of steps to walk down from the driveway to the house. If you plan on ordering in, I suggest you call Red Baron Pizza. They were the only place that delivered to us in the middle of a snow storm, and with a smile! Overall, we would definitely visit again...My family is already talking about visiting again in the spring!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

A Definite Recommendation For "Almost To Heaven Hideaway"

Guest FPF
Date of stay 06/24/11
Review Submitted 08/23/11

One of the components that made our Men’s Retreat in Big Bear a huge success was our lodging at Almost To Heaven Hideaway in Whispering Forest. The location was idyllic, with balcony views that captured the feel of being engulfed by Nature, with all of its beauty and grandeur. In addition to the peacefulness of the area, we were treated with numerous visits by Black Hooded Bluebirds, Red Breasted Robins, an array of Forest Finches, squirrels, butterflies, and Red Crested Hummingbirds. And although we kept our trash bins secure, there was evidence that we may have also been visited by foraging Mountain Possums. The Retreat required a tranquil environment within close proximity to hiking trails and easy access to the quaint villages & businesses that lined the shores of Big Bear Lake. Gratefully, ATHH met all of these expectations for us. Even though we were only eight guests here at ATHH for the weekend (we also took another rental nearby for four additional people) the cabin could have easily accommodated double (with cots and sleeping bags). The living room was spacious and intimate at the same time, thanks to the knotted pine woodwork, wide beam cathedral ceiling, sliding glass door to the wood planked balcony, rustic (functioning) fireplace, open-air kitchen, and comfy low profile furnishings. The bedrooms, with their large closets, were very clean, and the linens more than adequate (loved the extra pillows!). The master bedroom was well appointed, replete with country inspired décor, and its’ immediate access to the main balcony was a plus for the guests in that suite (especially for that gorgeous mountain view in the moonlight). The kitchen was (gratefully) equipped with working appliances, useful cooking utensils, a good collection of pots and pans, and plenty of dinnerware. The connecting bar served as our buffet table for every meal, which eliminated the need to use counter tops for food. The bench-style dining table was a plus for us, being that we were a large number to seat each time. Lastly, the front porch and back balcony were used frequently for meeting breaks and lounging after dinner (an appreciable feature for “retreat” groups like ours). Yes, we would definitely come back to this cabin for future retreats, especially for the rustic ambience, more than adequate amenities, affordable rates, unsolicited personal attention given by David & Alan and their crew, and, of course, the natural beauty of Big Bear Lake blanketed by sweet smelling

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

A Definite Recommendation for "Almost To Heaven Hideaway"

Guest FPF
Date of stay 06/24/11
Review Submitted 08/20/11

One of the components that made our Men’s Retreat in Big Bear a huge success was our lodging at Almost To Heaven Hideaway in Whispering Forest. The location was idyllic, with balcony views that captured the feel of being engulfed by Nature, with all of its beauty and grandeur. In addition to the peacefulness of the area, we were treated with numerous visits by Black Hooded Bluebirds, Red Breasted Robins, an array of Forest Finches, squirrels, butterflies, and Red Crested Hummingbirds. And although we kept our trash bins secure, there was evidence that we may have also been visited by foraging Mountain Possums. The Retreat required a tranquil environment within close proximity to hiking trails and easy access to the quaint villages & businesses that lined the shores of Big Bear Lake. Gratefully, ATHH met all of these expectations for us. Even though we were only eight guests here at ATHH for the weekend (we also took another rental nearby for four additional people) the cabin could have easily accommodated double (with cots and sleeping bags). The living room was spacious and intimate at the same time, thanks to the knotted pine woodwork, wide beam cathedral ceiling, sliding glass door to the wood planked balcony, rustic (functioning) fireplace, open-air kitchen, and comfy low profile furnishings. The bedrooms, with their large closets, were very clean, and the linens more than adequate (loved the extra pillows!). The master bedroom was well appointed, replete with country inspired décor, and its’ immediate access to the main balcony was a plus for the guests in that suite (especially for that gorgeous mountain view in the moonlight). The kitchen was (gratefully) equipped with working appliances, useful cooking utensils, a good collection of pots and pans, and plenty of dinnerware. The connecting bar served as our buffet table for every meal, which eliminated the need to use counter tops for food. The bench-style dining table was a plus for us, being that we were a large number to seat each time. Lastly, the front porch and back balcony were used frequently for meeting breaks and lounging after dinner (an appreciable feature for “retreat” groups like ours). Yes, we would definitely come back to this cabin for future retreats, especially for the rustic ambience, more than adequate amenities, affordable rates, unsolicited personal attention given by David & Alan and their crew, and, of course, the natural beauty of Big Bear Lake blanketed by sweet smelling

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Great cabin!

Guest ST
Date of stay 05/27/11
Review Submitted 05/30/11

This is a great cabin in Big Bear. The wireless internet connection was not working when I arrived, but the owner made sure to get it working within a couple hours after my arrival, leaving me with the impression that he will do everything he can to remedy any issues you might have during your stay. The cabin has a nice long deck in the back with a grill and a great view of the mountains and ski resorts. A relaxing vacation spot!

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

Owner response: Hello, Steve: Thank you so much for your nice comments regarding our response time to get the Internet back up and running for you during your stay at the Almost-to-Heaven Hideaway. But I can't take all the credit. Alan, my trusty technical advisor, is always on hand to tackle any computer-related challenge that might arise for our guests. He is the one responsible for recommending that we expand our technological amenities in the cabin to include DVR capabilities. I never even knew what DVR stood for until Alan explained how Digital Video Recording can make television viewing so much more enjoyable. It is wonderful for our guests when they want to spend much of the daylight hours in Big Bear’s great outdoors, or exploring our many other attractions, such as the Discovery Center, the Historical Museum or events taking place in our Performing Arts Center. When our guests return to the cabin, they can play back the recordings of their favorite television programs, even fast-forwarding through all those pesky commercials. As I love to tell guests, there is so much more you can see and do while in Big Bear. Why waste a minute of your vacation time sitting through those irritating commercials? David

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

A Weekend to Remember

Guest C & C
Date of stay 02/04/11
Review Submitted 02/10/11

We had the time of our lives. The cabin is beautiful and the view is incredible. The reason we rented the cabin is because some of our family members had never experienced snow and we thought February would be the best time for this. Well, Mother Nature did not cooperate, but we were able to trick her and found a secluded place where there she had hidden some snow. We were on a budget so we needed to find a place where we could play for free. Believe me, it wasn't easy, but we found it! This made our whole trip worthwhile. My husband and I worked hard to prepare for this mini vacation and our kids had a blast. David is a wonderful person to work with and we really appreciate his attentiveness to our requests. I truly recommend this beautiful cabin for your stay at Big Bear. You will not regret it!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Perfect for a family getaway!

Guest Jonathan
Date of stay 01/07/11
Review Submitted 02/07/11

A cozy, comfy cabin with the perfect layout for a family with kids and a dog. We appreciated the fenced in yard, quiet location close to the forest, big open living space with a fireplace, and especially the huge deck that overlooks the beautiful Big Bear Mountains. Thank you David for getting back to us so quickly when we called and answering all of our many questions. We look forward to coming back!

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

Owner response: Hello, Jonathon: I wish more potential guests were as thorough as you in searching for the perfect cabin in Big Bear for their family’s vacation on the mountain. After renting out this mountain home for the last five years we have owned it, I think I have answers to all the questions that might arise during a family’s selection process. VRBO has limitations in the length of the description an owner can include with the listing, and I can understand why. The current description I have posted to describe the cabin would be twice as long as it already is if there wasn’t a maximum word count I could include. There are so many great things I want to tell potential guests about the cabin, but when individuals contact me with specific questions, I am able to respond about certain factors that are most important to them in a mountain vacation home. So keep those questions coming! Thanks again for all your questions, Jonathon, and for letting us know the Almost-to-Heaven Hideaway turned out to be perfect for your family, even your pooch! David

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Practically Perfect in Every Way!

Guest Susie and Company
Date of stay 09/24/10
Review Submitted 09/28/10

As Mary Poppins would say, this cabin is exactly what a cabin should be and more! Appealing to a diverse group of family members, we all wanted to plan our next visit soon after entering this beautiful and welcoming mountain home. We loved the fabulous decor, lighting, layout and view!! Everything is comfortable and well thought out. The backyard was fully fenced much to the delight of our lab and beagle! They spent lots of time roaming through the beautiful native plantings; it was a doggy Disneyland! David was helpful and easy to work with. Oh, did I mention the price? Bless you David for offering this to the VRBO public at a steal! Bravo!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

WOW! Incredible Place...what a view!

Guest AG
Date of stay 08/12/10
Review Submitted 09/10/10

The cabin location is incredible! Set on the top the hill with an amazing view but still close to the lake, village, zoo, and slopes. My family and I took a long weekend vacation to Big Bear and we couldn’t have asked for more. The cabin was spotless, fully stocked with everything we needed (besides food of course), and just perfect for our family. We had 2 adults, three teenage boys, and 2 large dogs. There was more than enough room for all of us. The kids loved the game table in the master bedroom and the DVD and surround sound in the living room. The master bedroom was gigantic with a full patio and windows on three of the four walls. The night air was clean and crisp, we slept like babies! The outdoor deck and barbeque area was phenomenal; we spent a great deal of time out there just relaxing and taking in the scenery. With the full kitchen and dining table, we prepared probably 80% of our meals at the cabin which was a significant savings with growing boys! Finally, I must say that David Gurzenski was the most incredible host and coordinator we’ve ever dealt with. He was professional, friendly, incredibly accommodating, and everything he arranged was exactly as promised. My family and I will definitely be heading back up there again soon and will surely stay at one of his properties. We can’t wait!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Not What I Expected...

Guest Dawne
Date of stay 06/14/10
Review Submitted 07/07/10

As a frequent VRBO user, I depend on people's reviews when planning a vacation. So, while I guess the owner would not let this happen again, I feel that there should be a "renter beware" review. Per owner's instructions cabin is ready for check in is a 3pm. We arrived at 3pm and called the owner at least a dozen times on both his phone numbers before he answered around 7:00pm. The cabin had not been cleaned, still messy from previous renters, beds unmade, etc. The owner was very apologetic and changed the linens and hung new towels. That was all. I spent the first night of my vacation vacuuming, cleaning counters, washing bath mats and removing used toiletries from the showers. FYI, linens were pulled from the dryer in the cabin, not professionally cleaned as stated in description. Again, I am sure owner would not let this happen again. For our families, however, it really ruined the beginning of a trip we had planned for months. The positive...the view is absolutely amazing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/11

Guest the martins4
Date of stay 01/30/10
Review Submitted 01/30/10

we had a wonderful 4 day stay at the cabin over MLK wkend. it is beautifully and comfortably furnished, and the location is great. it's steps from the national forest and great snowplay, and a short drive from the shops and slopes. david is very easy to work w/ and very accomodating. highly recomment.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Guest Evelyn Almanza
Date of stay 03/02/09
Review Submitted 03/02/09

My children and grandchildren stayed at the cabin January 9-12, 2009. The secluded location was great and yet convenient to big bear activities and stores. The cabin is well maintained, decorated, warm and accommodated us very comfortably. The kids loved the bunk beds and everyone enjoyed the beautiful view. We all had a wonderful and relaxing time. Thank you David for your assistance, we look forward to returning soon. Evelyn Almanza and Family Whittier CA

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Guest Jen DuBois
Date of stay 02/01/09
Review Submitted 02/01/09

Never having been to Big Bear, we stayed in this cabin for a week with our two preschoolers and we/they loved it. It was so nice to be on a quiet dead end street without the hustle bustle of Big Bear city, yet we were a less than 10 minute drive away to Vons and Starbucks. The view is spectacular to say the least and it was awesome to wake up with a view of the mountains and pink sky and see the ski slopes lit up at night. The house is fully equipped with newer furnishings and not run down at all. The owner has an extensive DVD collection. Very comfortable living for a week.

Owner response: Thanks for your very positive comment following your week in the Almost-to-Heaven Hideaway. I have tried to create the kind of mountain living experience I would want to have if I was renting a vacation home. It's comments like yours that want me to continue to find ways to make the cabin even more appealing for returning guests. Hope you can come back again to see the hideaway in spring, summer or fall. Every season has its own special charm.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Guest John and Rosie
Date of stay 12/28/08
Review Submitted 12/28/08

We were very happy with our cabin! Tastefully decorated, very warm and cozy. I really liked the neighborhood, away from the crowds and noise, but easy to get to the main drag. Very nice, helpful owner, he made the rental process very easy. Looking forward to next time!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

Guest Ken from San Diego
Date of stay 10/28/08
Review Submitted 10/28/08

Words cant describe this view ! It's like a deck in the trees ! We enjoyed a three night stay and wish we could never have left ! The cabin is very privately situated and has all the amenities you would ever need ! You may want to bring a vacuum to help clean up before you leave, the owners dont charge a cleaning deposit if you stay a third night so lets help out and keep it that way. Very pleased with no hidden fees or B.S. . I look forward to coming back real soon ....Ken And Annette Saul , Santee Ca

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Guest Kyle & Tara Graves
Date of stay 10/13/08
Review Submitted 10/13/08

What a GREAT cabin! My wife & I head up to Big Bear each Oct. to celebrate our anniversary. This was our 8th year and we've typically gone w/ rental companies. But I discovered this listing at the last minute and I'm glad I did! Great, comfortable, and modern (yet rustic) property. The living room seems huge with the vaulted celings, the bedrooms were plenty big and the kitchen was fully stocked. The widescreen TV made for relaxing evenings next to the stone fireplace. From the minute we opened the curtains in the morning until the time we closed them at night, the view from the back deck is spectacular. We HIGHLY recommend this cabin (and will be referring our friends) and we look forward to booking it again next year!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Guest Mark Alexander
Date of stay 09/06/08
Review Submitted 09/06/08

I stumbled across this cabin quite by accident, looking for a last-minute cabin up in Big Bear where I could take my family for a relaxing Labor Day weekend before the kids went back to school. Seeing that "Almost-to-Heaven Hideaway" was a new listing, I selected the cabin with some trepidation, but the special introductory rate was too good to pass up, and besides, the photographs made the cabin look quite attractive. Just a good photographer? Not hardly! In fact, the photographs didn't do it justice. The view is truly inspiring, and Whispering Forest is far enough from the bustle of the city, you could hardly tell it was a holiday weekend, except when we drove down to the lake, which was a very short drive indeed. So much about the cabin, such as the kitchen appliances, was brand new, but the owner took care to give the overall impression of it being a rustic mountain cabin that has been nestled in the pines for many years. We are already making plans to return to this cabin this winter. We can imagine what the view will be like with those mountain slopes covered in snow!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Guest James Alan
Date of stay 09/06/08
Review Submitted 09/06/08

We're a retired couple with grown children, so may not be your typical Big Bear vacationing family. But the Almost-to-Heaven Hideaway was perfect for us. All the summer crowd had left the mountain the weekend in early September we experienced this wonderful cabin. We loved the fact that it is located in a very quiet residential neighborhood of second homeowners and retirees. The owners were not exaggerating about the view. It is breath-taking! But we also discovered from the friendly neighbors that the dead-end road ends where the Natural Forest begins! One evening, we took a short hike into the pine-covered forest and were treated to more wonderful views of the entire Big Bear Valley. On the way back to our "hideaway" some 10 minutes away, we all agreed that our family had discovered a true mountain retreat we plan to return to for years to come. The Alan Family

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Reasonably-Priced Memorial Weekend to Remember [#201981] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (31)

Beautiful cabin with an amazing view

Beautiful cabin with an amazing view

Susan and Michael

Susan and Michael

Views to die for

Views to die for

We'll Be Back

We'll Be Back

We wish we could come every weekend

We wish we could come every weekend

Great Summer Kick-Off!

Great Summer Kick-Off!

Scenic, Relaxing Retreat

Scenic, Relaxing Retreat

Needed That Weekend!

Needed That Weekend!

Perfect Cabin- low rates and high quality

Perfect Cabin- low rates and high quality

Whispering Forest

Whispering Forest

Filtz Family

Filtz Family

First time in Big Bear

First time in Big Bear

Whispering Forest Cabin is great

Whispering Forest Cabin is great

We loved it!

We loved it!

Just what we were looking for.....

Just what we were looking for.....

A Definite Recommendation For "Almost To Heaven Hideaway"

A Definite Recommendation For "Almost To Heaven Hideaway"

A Definite Recommendation for "Almost To Heaven Hideaway"

A Definite Recommendation for "Almost To Heaven Hideaway"

Great cabin!

Great cabin!

A Weekend to Remember

A Weekend to Remember

Perfect for a family getaway!

Perfect for a family getaway!

Practically Perfect in Every Way!

Practically Perfect in Every Way!

WOW! Incredible Place...what a view!

WOW! Incredible Place...what a view!

Not What I Expected...

Not What I Expected...