The Mystery Lodge - Hot tub feat. in San Diego Mag

Entire cabin in Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

  1. 8 guests
  2. 4 bedrooms
  3. 6 beds
  4. 3 baths
Hosted by Ida
  1. Superhost
  2. 10 years hosting

Listing highlights

Featured in

San Diego Magazine, February 2020

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox.

Extra spacious

Guests love this home’s spaciousness for a comfortable stay.
The Mystery Lodge is a Hillside getaway with altitude for your @IdyllwildGetaways experience. Formerly owned by famous author Erle Stanley Gardner. Walk to town. Star gaze in the hot tub. Pungent pine trees, mountain views, cocktails on the deck. The quintessential rustic lodge with knotty pine interior offers a huge great room with wet bar, sky high cathedral ceilings, a large wood burning rock fireplace, a spacious primary suite with a private deck, 3 additional bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

The space
Come experience a bit of history! Once a summer writing cabin to famous author Erle Stanley Gardner, who wrote many a mystery novels and also wrote The Perry Mason series. It's the quintessential mountain escape @Idyllwildgetaways!

Built in 1945 by custom home builder, Lou Britton, The Mystery Lodge is a rustic, well loved lodge surrounded by tall pine trees and beautiful views. The hot tub is a highlight and provides the ideal spot for star gazing.

The lodge has a primary suite with a king size bed, ceiling fan, sitting room area with privacy curtain divider, private outdoor deck and ensuite bathroom with tub and shower. We also have a seasonal outdoor bed which is only set up during the summer months of June, July and August. It is not available from September-May due to unpredictable weather.

Downstairs bedroom has two twin beds that can be converted into a king bed, ceiling fan, and the guest bathroom is just around the corner with a remodeled 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 newly installed custom entry doors.

Great room offers a large wood burning fireplace, full wet bar, TV, 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 the 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.

Note: There is a flight of exterior concrete stairs from the driveway to access the main living area of the lodge.

Guest access
Self check-in is available. Guests can access everything except for the garage.
There is plenty of parking available in the driveway.

Other things to note
Are you traveling solo? Or looking for a getaway for just the two of you? Ask me about my weekday specials(Monday-Wednesday) just for you! Or we might even be able to do something special on the weekend if it's a last minute booking!! Based on occupancy and availability.

We ask that you do not wear shoes on the carpeted area of the house to keep it clean and free of sap. There is a basket of slippers in case you forget yours.

No pets or service animals (due to medical reasons). Sorry, no exceptions.

No smoking allowed on the property

Guests must sign a rental agreement via docu-sign prior to check in.

Per Riverside county short term rental requirements, guests will also have to provide an ID prior to check in.

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 2 pages

What this place offers

Mountain view
Kitchen
Wifi
Free driveway parking on premises – 4 spaces
Private hot tub - available all year, open specific hours

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Rated 4.97 out of 5 from 173 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is a guest favorite based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 97% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 3% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California, United States
We verified that this listing’s location is accurate.

Neighborhood highlights

Surrounded by pine trees and granite boulders its a quick 5-7 minute walk to the center of town.

Meet your host

Superhost
288 reviews
4.95 out of 5 average rating
10 years of hosting
Lives in Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California
What makes my home unique: Buckminster Fuller inspired GeodesicDome
Lucky for me my parents moved our family to Idyllwild and into the house next door to this one when I was a child. I was lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to grow up in this amazing magical place. I grew up writing poetry on the deck with only the moonlight to illuminate the page, climbing the rocks, building snowmen and having many snowball fights with my brother and sister. There were many white Christmas mornings and Thanksgiving day hikes. Idyllwild is a place to gather, share laughter, love and tales of life's journey. It is a place we will always call home and I am excited to share it with you!

Ida is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

House rules

Check-in after 4:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
8 guests maximum

Safety & property

Exterior security cameras on property
Pool/hot tub without a gate or lock
May encounter potentially dangerous animal

Cancellation policy