We have just returned from a weekend at the Woodland Park Manor. This mountain retreat was quiet and charming, nestled just off the main strip in town on South Circle.

We experienced great service from the family who runs the little place, and felt very welcomed. It was hard to come back down the mountain afterwards. The cabin was not luxurious, but it was cozy. One side of the cabin had floor to ceiling windows, and the dining table and two comfortable upholstered rocking chairs were strategically placed to enjoy the view. The cottage had a small, well-equipped kitchen, a queen and double bed, and a small bathroom. The beds are divided by a wall, but they are not in seperate rooms. This was not a problem for us but it would be useful for some travelers to know that privacy between the bedrooms was not possible in our room. The inn does provide a seperate area with a third bed for a small upgrade if privacy is an issue.

The peace and tranquility of the location, as well as the presence of a pool made this place ideal for our family. The owners provided a wide range of free video and DVD rentals (new releases and classic favorites), and the rooms had media equipment to watch the movies. Cable TV, which is not usually provided in cabin settings, was a plus because it allowed the boys to watch Nickolodeon and Disney channel in the morning.

If you are looking for an pleasant, affordable stay in Idyllwild this little group of cottages is just the place. The park area outside has a swing and a tetherball for the kids, or young at heart, to enjoy. The pool is medium sized and well maintained. Our kids are 7 and 10, and they enjoyed the fact that the pool depth went to 8 feet. We brought our own diving toys and towels, which worked well.

The only drawbacks that might trouble some travelers were: (1) the low height of the showerhead (2) the uncomfortable bed pillows, and (3) having your room cleaned is not part of the regular service (it is available for a small additional fee). None of these were a problem for our family, but might trouble travelers looking for more luxury.

We paid $105 per night for our cottage, which we thought was an excellent value.