Entire home

Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect

Family-friendly stay near Ouachita National Forest

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Photo gallery for Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect

Exterior
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, music library
Terrace/patio
Dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 111884 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Royal, AR
  • Place, Cathy's Quiltin Square
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, On Target Indoor Firing Range
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Funtrackers Family Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Hot Springs, AR (HOT-Memorial Field)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Royal

On lake.A stay at this vacation home places you within half a mile (1 km) of Ouachita National Forest and 6 miles (10 km) of Cathy's Quiltin Square. CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs and Extreme Fun Spot are also within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • Cathy's Quiltin Square - 8 min drive - 6.1 miles
  • On Target Indoor Firing Range - 8 min drive - 6.1 miles
  • Extreme Fun Spot - 9 min drive - 7.2 miles
  • Funtrackers Family Park - 9 min drive - 7.7 miles
  • Hot Springs National Park - 12 min drive - 8.8 miles

Getting around

  • Hot Springs, AR (HOT-Memorial Field) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Wards Crawfish Hole - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪SONIC Drive In - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬13 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect

Tucked beneath the shade of a sprawling old tree and just moments from the water, this thoughtfully updated retreat was designed for families to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy time together again.
With plenty of room to comfortably sleep up to 11 guests, this home is perfect for family vacations, fishing weekends, reunions, tournament getaways, or simply escaping the nonstop pace of everyday life.
Outside, the spacious yard invites everyone to unplug and enjoy the simple things again. Kids can run and play beneath the trees, challenge each other to badminton, or shoot hoops old-school style in the yard while grandparents relax nearby. As evening settles in, the stocked fishing pond becomes the heart of the property, where stories are shared, fish are caught, and sunsets reflect across the water.
Inside, the home combines warmth, comfort, and thoughtful details throughout. Guests enjoy strong Wi-Fi, smart TVs with Alexa integration, spacious sleeping arrangements, and inviting gathering spaces designed to make everyone feel at home.
The primary suite offers its own private retreat after a day on the lake or exploring Hot Springs. Relax in the whirlpool soaking tub tucked into a quiet alcove, dim the lights, and let the day melt away. The steam shower creates a spa-like experience perfect for eucalyptus or lavender oils and a little well-earned stillness.
This home also holds a special place in the owner’s story.
It was the very first property JB personally renovated and transformed into a guest retreat. What began as a modest home slowly became something much more through years of hands-on care, thoughtful updates, and attention to the little details that make a stay memorable. From relaxing spa features to unexpected comforts like heated bathroom touches, every addition was made with guests in mind.
JB believes vacations represent something valuable: hard-earned time, meaningful moments, and the rare opportunity to step away from busy schedules and reconnect with the people who matter most.
That belief shapes every stay here.
Because your time away should feel worth every moment.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub
  • Sauna

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • 4 steps to reach entrance
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Gravel flooring in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No elevator
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Thin carpet in public areas
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,884 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

Events allowed only with prior approval. Additional event fees, parking limits, and house rules apply.
Pet deposit fee of $99 non-refundable applies. No glitter, silly string, paints, candles, or fireworks inside or out. Quiet hours from 11pm- 6am.
Weight limit for top bunk bed is 150lbs Missing or Damaged items that are the direct result of the guests will incur a fee.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 50 lbs per pet)
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: With non-refundable pet fee & host approval.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 40
Long-term renters welcome
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40. Long-term renters welcome. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect to the airport?

This vacation home is 8.6 mi (14-min drive) away from the Hot Springs, AR (HOT-Memorial Field) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (16-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect to downtown Royal?

This vacation home is 2.6 mi away from Royal.

Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 29 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 29 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 29 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 29 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 29 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very welcoming host, great affordable option for a large group
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jammie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The host was very good about answering questions when needed and I’m a good timing.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice layout for privacy and plenty of room for parking a boat trailer.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary Jo W.

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

Family Get Away

This was a great house for us! It had plenty of room on the inside and great outdoor spaces for the kids to play. I liked that it was a bit out of town but not to far away.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The property was well maintained and in a quiet area but close enough to the city. My family enjoyed it very much and plan on staying there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brandi C.

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

Great place to stay!

Great place to stay. House was amazing and has plenty of room for all of us. Was located not far from town and not far from downtown Hot Springs. Neighborhood was quiet. Beds were super comfortable. Will definitely rent again if we come back to hot springs!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alissha W.

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

Great stay

Convenient location with a quiet neighborhood. Very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daphanie R.

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

A piece of paradise

This is a beautiful home and very accommodating. Host responded very quickly and stayed in touch. I sighs love to start here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard W.

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

Everything was great.

We had a 3 day weekend and the host gave ideals. We had a great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alisha H.

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

Would stay again

We thought this place was super cute. We want to pick it up and take it to our area and live in it! Clean, had everything you needed, extra things to do outside, convenient location, and just good energy all around. Great communication with owner. 10/10!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place was super comfortable for us. I really liked the many things to do outside such as horseshoes, basketball, etc. I really wished we’d brought our fishing poles but hopefully we can stay there again sometime. This place was very clean and had a lot of room for us. We were very satisfied!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christy V.

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

Beautiful Home

We came down for our yearly family vacation and had an amazing time. The house is a close drive to Hot Springs and to the surrounding lakes. There are also numerous hidden water fall locations all around this house so we were able to keep the adults, teen, and small children busy all week. The owner was so helpful and assisted us with anything we needed. We would absolutely rent here again and would 100% recommend this home!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tammy B.

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

Family Trip

The house was very spacious with plenty of sleeping space. Love the fact that there were 3 bathrooms so we didn’t have to fight for time in the shower. There were indoor and outdoor games for the family to enjoy. Host responded quickly and providing help with anything needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew T.

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

Vacation

Had a great time. Communication was great.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy C.

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

Amazing country stay

Wonderfully equipped house and a beautiful setting perfect for families. The rooms were large and spacious and well furnished. Kitchen was well-equipped. There were ample games and equipment for the family to play. There’s a large deck on the back overlooking a pond and woods. It’s just beautiful. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tonya S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Setup was good ... Did not have a pet
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice comfortable house. Everyone loved the beds! Its so pretty in the back with the pond and the treeline. We did see some turkey and a bob cat wandered on the back porch which was neat. I also saw an eagle soaring in the sky. The kitchen was well stocked with everything needed. We loved all the space outside, there was plenty to do to keep my son happy. He fished the pond, and although he didnt catch anything, he did say he saw a 10 lb bass. The couches were also super comfy. The host is very friendly and accommodating. We for sure would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Sue C.

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

Fishing tournament

Close to where the boys were in the fishing tournament.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leo R.

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

Awesome

Very relaxing. The wife really loved the steam shower.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael A.

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

Hot Springs/Crater of diamonds getaway

Large property in the country. Quiet neighborhood. Great location about 10 minutes from Hot Springs. Easy to get to. Clean well kept property. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth E.

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

Spring break getaway

This is a great place. The bunk room for the kids was perfect. The fishing was so fun. If i had to complain about anything is that the outdoor furniture was not clean especially the table on the back porch. Of course we had a broken oven but they got there as soon as they could
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

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

Family vacation

We brought our crew of 7 down...with five kids ranging from 12-20, plus 2 dogs. The house had tons of room for everyone. We loved the fact that we had three bathrooms and three showers so getting up and around every morning was easy. The kitchen was big and both the kitchen table and dining room had enough seating for the whole crew. We took advantage of the space and had several meals in. The host was great as well. We arrived in town early and reached out to see about an early check in since we had the dogs with us. They were able to accommodate, which made life easy! We also had an issue with the dishwasher one night after dinner, but they responded and fixed it quickly! Great service and much appreciated! Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marion P.

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

Pleasant Stay

The overall stay was pleasant. The house was big enough to comfortably fit the 11 of us. The game room was a lot of fun and they have puzzles and other games available!! The slot machine doesn’t work-it’s for show, according to the owner. The fishing pond didn’t appear to have any fish-not even minnows-which disappointed my oldest grandson that was looking forward to fishing while there. I recommend you bring washcloths since there were only 3 available! Also bring a kitchen towel and dish detergent if you want to wash dishes by hand. They had 3 dishwasher detergent pods available but if you’re like us, you’ll need more than that if you cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The location was very quiet and enjoyable!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

4/10 Poor

Cynthia B.

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy
This property was advertised as lake front. It had a pond behind it that was almost dry, it is not lake front. The home seemed to be generally clean upon first impression and the location was easy to access. There is sufficient room for a large family.The house was in general disrepair, for an example at one point a door blew open during a storm and we couldn't bolt the door closed (we were out of the house when it happened), and only the door knob would lock when we found it upon our return. Flies and other bugs (appeared to be roaches to me) were in the house. The owner stated the house had been treated a couple of weeks before.Instructions posted inside the home differed from that on the vrbo app for internet and checkout. I didn't get the access code to the door until I contacted the host the day of travel, leaving me to wonder if we would get it in time to get inside the home.If you are a light sleeper, roosters could be heard starting about 5am from the master bedroom.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kim Z.

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

Nice property and location

The house was located in a great area. 15 to 20 min from down hot springs baths area. The land was wonderful, lots of land and privacy. My husband caught small fish in the pond for fun. We did build up the fire pit one night and had a very small campfire for marshmellows which was really fun for us. It was to cold outside for us to really enjoy the land or add-on room to the house with the gameroom. The slot machine is for show. The house was huge, plenty space, big enough for 5 adults. Never an issue with space. Loved all the couches in living room so we where able to all sit in there at one time and watch a little tv. Loved the large dining room table so we all could eat together and play board games. Even though the other days we were not at the house much besides to eat breakfast and sleep I enjoyed it. 3 bathrooms was great as well for larger family, very useful especially for the shower area. The house is older. The house was clean. They left some extra knives for us and had enough kitchen supplies since they knew I was cooking thanksgiving dinner. Very thoughtful. Kim
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024