Take advantage of a firepit, a garden, and a playground at Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or the hot tub. In-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with an arcade/game room and laundry facilities.
Reviews
9.29.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Entire home
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 11175 sq m
Popular amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Air conditioning
Add dates for prices
About this property
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.
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
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)
Two bedroom House with fenced in yard, covered patio area, located at the Joplin Inn at the entrance to Mountain Harbor, just 1 1/2 miles from Lake Ouachita. by RedAwning
Mount Ida
Two bedroom House with fenced in yard, covered patio area, located at the Joplin Inn at the entrance to Mountain Harbor, just 1 1/2 miles from Lake Ouachita. by RedAwning
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 allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
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 has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
About the neighborhood
Located in Royal, this vacation home is in a rural area and on a lake. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls and Extreme Fun Spot are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Uptown Hot Springs and Fountain Lake Center. Traveling with kids? Consider Funtrackers Family Park, or check out an event or a game at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling. Visit our Royal travel guide
Is Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect located?
This family-friendly Royal vacation home is located on a lake, within a 15-minute walk of Ouachita National Forest and Lake Hamilton. Extreme Fun Spot and Funtrackers Family Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).
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Reviews
Old Bear Family Lodge ~ Fishing Pond ~ Spa Bath ~ Where Families Reconnect Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.2
Cleanliness
9.6
Location
10
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 38 reviews
10 - Excellent
29
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 38 reviews
8 - Good
6
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 38 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 38 reviews
4 - Poor
2
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 38 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
Reviews
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
James
Mar 20, 2024
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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!!
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
We absolutely loved the charm and family feel of this property. It was a little weird but wonderfully comfortable at the same time. We would recommend it especially under the mission statement of “families reconnecting”.
Could use a few more cooking supplies but we managed with what we had or went and bought more and left for next guest . The beds were very comfortable . A very relaxing stay for our time there . We will be back for this was our second stay .
The stay was nice . We needed a place to stay and go to Lake Ouachita daily on our trip . I told my husband that it stated that there was a pull through for our boat/trailer but there is a volleyball net in the pull through, although it worked out okay. Thankful we rented a slip at Safe Harbor to keep the boat in a slip. Wish the oven had a second shelf, it would have made cooking a lot quicker. There was plenty of room and the beds were comfortable. A small sauce pan was the biggest pan besides a big pot. Was thankful there was aluminum foil there, the baking sheets were rusted . If we come back for a stay I would come back .
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!