Historic Writers Lodge w/spa as featured in San Diego Magazine. Walk to town.

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Entire home

Nothing but sweet dreams in the huge master suite and sitting room!

Giant great room with sky high ceilings and wonderful wood burning fireplace!

The Master suite is pure rustic luxury in the custom wood and leather bed.

Sleep under the stars in our seasonal outdoor bed, secluded on the master deck.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 82400 sq ft

Popular amenities

Hot Tub

Fireplace

Breakfast available

Air conditioning

Washer

Dryer

Explore the area

Idyllwild, CA

San Jacinto Mountains1 min walk
Idyllwild Nature Center9 min walk
Idyllwild Park16 min walk
Bermuda Dunes, CA (UDD)77 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1- Master Suite

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2-Downstairs Guest room

2 Twin Beds and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 3- Upstairs

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4- Upstairs

1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Other ;Seasonal Outdoor bed and queen air mattress

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Dining Area

About this property

Come experience a bit of history! Commonly referred to as The Mystery Lodge. This was once a summer writing home to famous author, Earle Stanley Gardner, Author of the world renowned Perry Mason mystery series! Built in 1945 originally as a hunting lodge and summer home. Knotty Pine everywhere!

The Mystery Lodge is a Hillside getaway with altitude one of 3 houses on over 3 acres! You can also book The Dome next door if you have a large group. Come stay with us for your Idyllwild experience. Pungent pine trees, mountain views, cocktails on the deck. Walk to art galleries, enjoy creekside hikes, gaze at star filled skies while you enjoy our four bedroom, three bathroom home. The knotty pine interior offers a full kitchen, great room with cathedral ceilings and brand new custom draperies, master suite with private deck featuring a seasonal four poster outdoor bed (which is dependent on weather and only set up on request), outdoor lounge area with views of Tahquitz, and six person jacuzzi. Just relax or choose from a menu of personalized services. We offer private chef service, rock climbing trips and hikes, yoga, spa treatments and executive retreats. We will customize your experience to ensure you get to enjoy all that is unique about our southern California mountain town.

Rustic, well loved home has a newly designed and remodeled master suite with a king size bed, ceiling fan, sitting room, outdoor deck and ensuite bathroom. Downstairs bedroom has two twin beds that can be converted into a king bed, ceiling fan, and guest bathroom with a custom slate shower. Upstairs has two bedrooms with a jack and jill shared bathroom (remodeled custom tile shower/floor). One bedroom has two twin beds that can be converted into a king bed and the other room has a king size bed. Both rooms have custom entry doors which replaced the privacy curtains. Great room offers a large wood burning fireplace, full wet bar, TV, stereo with iPod dock, and WIFI. We have numerous board games and puzzles, some DVD's and a library of books to enjoy during your stay. Dining area in full service kitchen seats eight to ten and provides everything you need for the ultimate dinner party with friends and family.

Outside there is plenty of outdoor furniture for relaxing on the deck or dining al fresco on the outdoor dining table that seats 6.

Property manager

Ida

Premier Host

Amenities

Hot Tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Breakfast available

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Child friendly, not "child proof"

Events

No events allowed

Only with owners permission/additional requirement

Pets

No pets allowed

Although we love pets, no exceptions can be made.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

This is a non-smoking house.

Please bring your slippers, we ask that you not wear shoes inside the house on the carpeted areas. It helps keep the everything clean for guests.

BB guns, Pellet guns and firearms not allowed on property. No commercial use or filming on property without owner's written permission. Thank you!

No smoking and no pets (even service animals) due to medical conditions.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Note from host: Only with owners permission/additional requirement

Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

Property Registration Number RVC-0259

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Idyllwild

Located in Idyllwild, this vacation home is in a rural area. While the natural beauty of Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can check out Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Traveling with kids? Consider Idyllwild Nature Center and Camelot Park Family Center. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Vacation Homes in Idyllwild

Idyllwild, CA

What's nearby

San Jacinto Mountains - 1 min walk
Mount San Jacinto State Park - 1 min walk
Idyllwild Nature Center - 9 min walk
Idyllwild Park - 16 min walk
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - 61 min drive

Getting around

Palm Springs Station - 53 min drive
Palm Springs Intl. Airport (PSP) - 72 min drive

Restaurants

Mountain Center Cafe - 7 min drive
Idyllwild Brewpub - 11 min walk
Higher Grounds Coffee - 10 min walk
Idyllwild Pizza Co. - 11 min walk
Gastrognome - 10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Writers Lodge w/spa as featured in San Diego Magazine. Walk to town. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Historic Writers Lodge w/spa as featured in San Diego Magazine. Walk to town.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Writers Lodge w/spa as featured in San Diego Magazine. Walk to town.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historic Writers Lodge w/spa as featured in San Diego Magazine. Walk to town. located?

This family-friendly Idyllwild vacation home is located in a rural location, just steps from San Jacinto Mountains and Mount San Jacinto State Park. Idyllwild Nature Center and Idyllwild Park are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Mike M.

Jan 3, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New Years

Great location. Close to town. Loved the fully stocked kitchen and bar ware. Hot tub was great on the cold days. Ida was very responsive. Would definitely come back

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ron D., California

Oct 28, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain Cabin Ambience

Very comfortable, homey location. Will definitely go back again.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Larissa D., Chula Vista

Jul 10, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Restorative Retreat

Grateful for Ida—she made our retreat at her home feel so restorative. She offered to help find a massage therapist for our group and provided information about the local restaurants, hiking trails etc. We spent the majority of the time in the great room and outside decks and it was lovely. The house is a short 5 min walk to the shopping and restaurants.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rick E.

Jul 20, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain get-away

We were there for our mother's 84th birthday. The home was roomy and well stocked. Ours was a summer visit with hot days. The owner purchased a portable a/c, this was very much appreciated. Upstairs bedrooms were warm, but the outside deck was a wonderful place to visit enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Angela K.

Apr 12, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nostalgic home away from home!

This was one of the best values I’ve experienced in short term rentals. The cabin has everything you will need for a short or long term rental. Our host was very informative and responsive. Rustic charm and authenticity with a dose of comfort and thoughtful planning (including fresh cut flowers in every room and home made banana bread). I’m confident that if we had a need: she would’ve been able to point us in the right direction if she was unable to solve it herself. It really felt a home away from home. We hope to visit again soon.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

About the host

Hosted by Ida

Lucky for me, my parents moved our family to Idyllwild and into this house when I was a child. I was lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to grow up in this amazing town. I grew up writing poetry on the deck with only moonlight to illuminate the page, climbing rocks, building snowmen and having many snowball fights with my brother and sister. There were many 'White Chirstimas' mornings and Thanksgiving day hikes. My family still gathers at the house to share laughter, love and tales of life's experiences. It is a place we will always call home and I am excited to share it with you.

Why they chose this property

This home was built in 1945, by Lou Britton and has since been owned by the Famous Mystery Author, Erle Stanley Gardner, whose ownership created a local nickname of 'The Mystery Cabin. I try to create that same sense of awe upon your arrival that I felt as a child walking through the giant wood door and looking up onto the sky high knotty pine ceilings! Wow!

What makes this property unique

Five minute walk to the centre of Idyllwild's restaurants, shopping, music, and art galleries. The homeowner's family has vacationed and lived in Idyllwild for over 46 years and is committed to providing you and your family with personal service to optimmize your stay with us.