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My wife and I have been going to Black Bear Cabins for 14 years. A few years ago, they were bought by Gateway Lodge. Since that time, the personal touch has been lost. The previous owner always remembered our names and personal information. Now, we are asked, "Have you been here before." It comes "furnished" with everything you need. There were no steak knives, one cereal bowl, two stove burners were inoperable, the deck furniture has remained broken. The wifi is extremely spotty and the TV has about 10 actual channels that anyone would watch. This year, the microwave had a filthy dish left in it. We'll probably continue going (for our anniversary) but only because of the tradition of it. Otherwise, we'd go elsewhere.
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Date of stay: May 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ernest F, Owner at Black Bear Cabins
Responded 11 Jun 2019
Thank you sir for your constructive feedback. We give each comment personal attention as we are committed to making Black Bear Cabins an enjoyable experience for all. Our apologies for the inconveniences experienced in the kitchen. This is certainly not the standard we uphold and we are sorry for missing the mark. Our staff had recently cleaned the burners previous to your stay and unfortunately missed connecting two of them back up. We certainly would have been happy to have addressed this at the time of your stay along with your missing bowl, dirty microwave, and request for steak knives. We're sorry that we did not have the opportunity to correct these issues for you. Our deck furniture was repainted and repaired within the last 2 years, but we will inspect the furniture again this Spring as it is a part of our routine checks on the property. Our goal is that when you return next year for your Anniversary that you'll find that the experience exceeds your expectations. Best wishes.
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We rented 2 of the Black Bear Cabins in the heart of the Cook Forest for our extended family and were treated to nightly wildlife visits...deer, raccoons, chipmunks etc. The cabins are modern with full kitchens, wi-fi, DirecTV as well as 3 bedrooms, dining/living room and spacious raised deck in the back (which is where we had all our meals). Outdoor table and firepit area that easily accomodated all 9 of our party. Conveniently located near the major attractions but secluded enough that you seem to be back in the wilderness on your own. A lovely hike out the back of the property. The only reason I did not rate it 5 stars was because it was not maintained quite as well as it was advertised. Refrig needed replacing in one, not enough dishes for 6, no sheets for twin beds, couch cushions worn in the other but manager seemed very concerned when we mentioned things that were not up to snuff
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Date of stay: July 2016
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Cabins 2 & 3 were ideal locations
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We rented a cabin in January --- three bedroom was the perfect size for our group. This was about as rustic as I would want to get with a cabin. It had all the amenities we needed for a long weekend in January. We did get close to a foot of snow during our stay, and I have to say that the grounds the cabin sit on were gorgeous in the snow. And the drive back to the cabin at night with the snowflake lights and lamposts lit up was magical. We experienced issues with the heat at night, with the bedrooms getting way too hot. Had to leave the doors open. And the heating unit was loud. Loved the covered back porch on the unit, but for snow season, having a bigger covered area to enter the unit would be nice for taking off gear rather than tracking it in to the cabin. While we enjoyed our stay, I think in the future I'd try some other places before coming back here --- it was good, but my guess is there is better.
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ernest F, Owner at Black Bear Cabins
Responded 11 Jun 2019
Upon receiving your review, we inspected our heating units and did not come across any malfunctioning. Thermostats are adjustable inside each cabin and can be changed to a heat level appropriate to your needs. We welcome any further details about the heating situation. Comments can be provided at info@gatewaylodge.com. We are happy to hear that you had given our property the opportunity to serve you and yours. Some ways to make your stay even better are to enjoy our restaurant nearby with breakfast and dinner available to guests, the nearby Woods Spa which features wonderful massage services. Also, there is a great sled riding launch on Black Bear property if you didn't discover it during your first stay; we are happy to show you it's location on your second visit. We hope to see you again! Best wishes.
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We stayed three nights in Cabin #4 for a peaceful getaway from the city during COVID in October. The check-in process was streamlined and contactless. The cabin was clean and well equipped. Cabin #4 sleeps six and is located at the end of the row of cabins. The kitchen was clean and equipped with the cookware and dishes you'll need for preparing meals, and a coffee maker. It is equipped to accommodate a family, but it was also great for just the two of us. There is a nice fireplace in the living room. We really enjoyed the fire pit. To make the most of the fire pit, you'll need to bring camp chairs or folding chairs. If you want to cook on the fire pit, you'll need to bring your grill grate and supports. The fire pit is a 30" ring, so if you bring two 3-foot sections of rebar or angle iron, you'll be able to support your grill rack and cook over the open fire like a champion. Johnnie cooked all of our meals over the fire. We recommend bringing a cast iron griddle or skillet for cooking over the fire. There is also a standard national-park style charcoal grill, 12" X 18" mounted on a post. You will need to bring your own charcoal to cook on this. You are supplied with an eighth cord of wood for your fires. We burned through that and purchased a second eighth in our three night stay. There is a covered porch facing the woods where you are sheltered if it rains, and it is a nice place to eat breakfast or enjoy your morning coffee. We spent our days relaxing, reading, cooking, eating and drinking, and playing board games. We took some walks in the woods and watched the leaves fall. We did not turn on the television or check the news once during our stay. We were in need of several days away from the city, and away from people, and we enjoyed our time here. Johnnie and Lovie will be returning to Black Bear Cabins.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Cabin #4 is a bit more isolated from the other cabins than the other three.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We've stayed in their Black Bear Cabin #1 for the past 16 years. They actually bought the cabins (I'm not sure. Maybe 6-7) several years ago. Every year they've owned the cabins, our stay has gotten a little less pleasurable. Although it's been such a long tradition, we have decided that this year, our tradition needs to change. Their rates are very high. Last year, they did away with the week-long discount. This year, they actually quit renting on Sundays! So, we can only stay during the week-no full weekends. Considering the fact that many tourist businesses in the area are only open on the weekends, that simply won't work.
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Date of stay: May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ernest Fesco, Owner at Black Bear Cabins
Responded 21 Jun 2023
Hi Donald, We sincerely appreciate your past patronage, and we are genuinely saddened by your comments. We want to take this opportunity to address your concerns and provide some additional information. Firstly, we would like to highlight our ongoing investments in maintaining and improving our cabins. In 2021, Cabin #1 underwent several updates, including new wooden blinds throughout the cabin, fresh bed linens, the installation of a fireproof fireplace mat, a new storm door, and an updated fridge. In 2020, all of our cabins were equipped with new stainless steel cookware, chef-level cutlery, and new serving-ware. Furthermore, we have recently improved our lane, and Cabin #1 is scheduled for additional renovations in the coming weeks. We take great pride in caring for our cabins and ensuring a positive customer experience. Regarding availability, we want to clarify that our cabins are open every day of the week from Memorial Day weekend through October. However, during the period from November to most of May, we do close the cabins on Sundays and Mondays. This scheduling allows us to allocate necessary resources for the upkeep and maintenance of the property. It is important to note that pricing has increased in recent years. These adjustments are necessary due to the rising operating costs we have experienced as a result of inflation. We are committed to investing in the ongoing upkeep of our property and in our dedicated staff who work diligently to provide excellent service to our guests. We truly value your feedback, and we want to assure you that we are deeply committed to continuously enhancing our offerings and ensuring a memorable stay for our guests. We appreciate your understanding of the need for these adjustments and hope that you will consider returning to experience the improvements we have made. Thank you for your past support, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future. Please feel free to reach out to us directly if you have any further questions or concerns.
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We stayed for a week last year, loved it so much that we tried to stay again this year, but we waited too long to schedule and all the cabins were booked - we definitely will be trying to book sooner next year. Even though we missed booking the cabin we were sure to stop in and eat at the restaurant a few times while we were in the area. The food is absolutely the best, the staff always so warm and friendly, the property beautiful. We love it there
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ernest Fesco, Owner at Black Bear Cabins
Responded 30 May 2024
We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us last year and that you were eager to return this year. We're sorry to hear that our cabins were fully booked, but we're glad you were still able to stop by and enjoy our restaurant. It means a lot to us to hear that you find our food to be the best and that our staff made you feel welcome and at home. We truly appreciate your kind words about our property and the experiences you've had with us. We can't wait to welcome you back next year, and we'll be sure to help you secure your cabin reservation well in advance. Until then, take care and thank you for your continued support!
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Black Bear Cabins are beautiful, very well maintained and clean! Gorgeous view off the back deck. Far enough off the main road that traffic isn't a bother. Cooked most of our meals there, enough kitchen utensils that we didn't need to bring our own. Linens are provided. Neighboring cabins to the right and left but didn't hear a sound. Quiet policy from 11-8 so you don't have to worry about partying which is nice with the close proximity. Very enjoyable stay. We'll definitely return.
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Date of stay: January 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We visited on a family trip in early September. Unfortunately not all of us were able to make it but those of us who did greatly enjoyed ourselves! There was wifi & Direct TV for the one who wanted it, and the wonderful outdoors for the rest of us. Morning coffee on the large covered back porch was an amazing experience. It was so peaceful sitting on the cushioned settee, listening to the birds and dew dropping from the trees. The cabin was comfortable with a modern kitchen (including a microwave), 3 bedrooms, bathroom with walk-in shower, and comfortable seating in living area with fireplace. Youngest son really enjoyed campfires in the fire pit!
We had such a good time on our long weekend, that we planned a return trip in the summer for a full week!
The only caution is to remember that sound carries very well up there on the hill, so if you're out sitting on the back porch, try to speak quietly in the early morning ( our neighboring gentlemen didn't realize how well sound carried), and don't say anything you wouldn't want strangers to know! Then again, I enjoy listening to birds more than people with my morning coffee.
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed here for two nights for a birthday getaway and wanted to do some hiking in the snow .
Size of the cabin was nice and the view was very pretty . Nice deck on the back with a picnic table. Obviously we didn’t use it due to the fact it was February. Great location for hiking, canoeing in any season. The cabin is fairly dated. In fact, there was an area that you walked over which you could tell that the sub-flooring was rather soft. There was a strong mildew smell throughout the cabin And this was my biggest complaint. For the $214 per night in off season, I was hoping for something a little better. The cabins are advertised as “rustic” cabins so perhaps I was wrong to think that these would be a grade above . The heat was crazy. The bedrooms were so hot that it made it uncomfortable to sleep and the living area was hardly heated . Also, the gas stove’s igniters didn’t work, and we had to light it manually. Mentioned upon check-our that we were not too impressed and they mentioned that they will be doing improvements in the future.
Overall, we tolerated it for such a short stay, but probably wouldn’t go back into improvements were made.
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Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ernest F, Owner at Black Bear Cabins
Responded 11 Jun 2019
We are em"bear"assed to say that we missed reconnecting the stove igniters after we cleaned them just prior to your stay. This is an oversight that caused an inconvenience. We are truly sorry for this! The soft portion of the flooring has been noted and is slotted into our maintenance team's schedule. In other words, we're on it and it will be fixed. As for the heating, the thermostat can be adjusted to your liking. If there was a significant heating difference between rooms, perhaps there were some floor vents closed channeling most of the heat to one area? We have routinely inspected these heating units and nearly all are newly replaced. In regards to the smell, we do inspect our cabins on a routine basis to ensure the quality of our guests' experience. While this was not deemed problematic in our inspection, if it bothered you, we would have been happy to relocate you to a more suitable accommodation to suit your sensitivities upon request. We ultimately want you to have a great experience during a stay at our cabins and not just a "bearable" one. Kudos for being clever. You managed to make me smile in spite of receiving negative feedback. We look forward to the opportunity to give you a great next visit! And we hope you'll give us another chance.
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My husband, children and parents rented cabin number 4 on a very hot stretch of days. The cabin was unbearable hot we had to purchase fans as there are none there. Also screens were broke so we could not open all Windows without letting in tons of bugs. The cabin was infested with ants. I expect bugs in and around a cabin in the woods but this was beyond that. Ants were crawling every where and on everyone. This is upsetting when you repeatedly find ants crawling on you sleeping children as you check on them in the night. There was no cable as advertised it was all pay per view. The grill was so rusted it could not be used we had to purchase our own. Ultimately we left a day early as we could not tolerate the ants and heat. There was no satisfaction from the staff and would not recommend Black Bear Cabins.
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Date of stay: June 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Cooksburg area.
LOCATION
United StatesPennsylvaniaCooksburg
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Black Bear Cabins
Which popular attractions are close to Black Bear Cabins?
Nearby attractions include Coudersport Ice Mine (1.4 km), Gary's Putter Golf & Jiffy Pup Restaurant (1.7 km), and Potter County Historical Society Museum (5.3 km).
