Very comfortable, clean home with substantial living space. Nice deck with reasonable privacy for barbecuing. Approx. 30 min. easy drive to Yosemite NP. Owner graciously provided a complementary bottle of wine and was very responsive, with a short-notice rental. Priced VERY well for what you get - compares more than favorably with a hotel "room". Don't even bother with a hotel - total ripoff.
Krishna called to ensure stay at his home was smooth.
cons, and they are minor:
- check in time at 4:30 pm is a bit on the late side, esp if you're driving around with a carload of possessions and are at a loss to know how to keep it safe
- check out time of 10 am is a bit early. you sleep-in types know what I mean
- you need to leave the gated property and circle around to the gate when leaving, as you are obligated to take the trash to the complex's dumpster. You are asked to perform some very light housekeeping duties, in spite of paying a fee for cleaning. No big deal, but you certainly wanna build this into your schedule, considering the early check out. But, for the very reasonable price of a nightly stay, it's certainly not asking a lot.
- the complex charges you $20 for your stay for "use of facilities" associated with the lake, etc. Frankly, I paid extra for beach rental equip and for dining at their "premier" restaurant at the golf club. So, I'm not really sure why they levy this fee. No, it's not much, but, if you extend your stay at another property in this complex, you will have to pay the $20 again. Seems bogus, but what do I know? All in all, the price of this property is a bargain and the area is quite beautiful.
- one nit - there is no toaster in the kitchen (that I could find, anyway)
If you are looking for fine dining, forget about it. The area is relatively bereft of choices. Steer clear of Buck Meadows restaurant, approx 10 mi. away on the road to Yosemite. You are way better off cooking at home. That said, the Groveland Inn had some pretty decent food, although both of my initial choices were sold out. But the food was quite good there, in spite of that.
There is an area market that is well-stocked. Don't buy beef there - it is very tough. Instead, take a drive to Sonora - a good-sized town with numerous restaurants and large grocery store(s).
All in all, this stay was worth every penny! My GF concurs.