First however, you go into the village of Lake Arrowhead, and it truly is a village not a city or large town. Within the village in a second floor office over a real estate business you check in and pick up your keys and information for your stay. A map and directions will help you find the chalets.

Once at the property you find multiple wood sided units housing several timeshare condos each, scattered over the hillside. A pull off parking space is allotted for each unit, some have two, and you have to climb about 8-10 steps, which can be slippery in winter, up to you front door. This always makes for fun conversation and teamwork in hauling in all your groceries and paraphernalia for your stay.

The units are built up and you enter the second floor where a small landing gives you the option of going up or downstairs.

Upstairs (about 1/2 to 3/4 a flight of stairs) is a large dining area to the right, living room with fireplace to the left, and pullman (two-wall) kitchen ahead off the dining area and one bedroom off the living room with a private bathroom. The table and chairs in our unit were a heavy rustic wood and the set would have easily seated eight people. There was ample space around the table. The kitchen was smallest but amply supplied and equiped to meet your every need. It was very easy to prepare a meal in.

The living room contained a sofa and several chairs with tables and lamps. It was bright enough to read and play games on the coffee table. The fireplace was average sized, pleasant, but rather non-descript. The master bedroom, off the living room, was adequate but not large. It had a queen bed, nightstands, and dresser. A bathroom with tub and shower were off the bedroom. The decorating was pleasant though seeming a bit dated, but everything was clean, comfortable, and inviting.

Back downstairs was a wide hallway that contained a full sized washer and dryer. At the end of the hallway was a standard sized bathroom with tub and shower and sink vanity. To the left of the hallway were two VERY large bedrooms. One had a queen bed and the other two twin beds. Each of the kids claimed their respective room and we saw very little of them the entire time in the condo. They loved their huge rooms and could spread all their "stuff" out to enjoy and play.

Being downstairs, the bedrooms were ultra quiet for all the inhabitants. We got some serious sleeping done in this timeshare. The entire unit seemed more like a home than an apartment. Being in the mountains, it's rustic nature seemed fitting for the setting.

The downfall to the facility was a lack of things to do on-site. We walked over to the pool and "recreation center", but the outdoor pool had not opened for the season yet and the quality of the pool and the so called rec center left much to be desired. We never went back and we saw no staff or other visitors there. I was even concerned for youngster's safety with broken pieces of wood and sharp edges. It was dreary and dirty.

The location of these timeshare units is great, but they apppear to need some cosmetic facelifting if they are to continue to draw people. I'd give it another try and just avoid the pool and rec center. Our unit filled our needs for a week away from the rat race with plenty of room for all to enjoy.

• Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Poor
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent