Exeter Vacations from $428

If you're in Visalia have to stay at the Darling

Paradise Ranch Inn has a beautiful setting and a wonderful concept, but the execution didn't match the vision or the premium price. The river, grounds, and overall design are lovely. The bed was comfortable and the tent very nice. Unfortunately, several practical issues kept the experience from feeling truly relaxing. The biggest surprise was that the tents are a significant walk from the parking area, requiring guests to haul their belongings by gorilla cart over a dusty dirt path. Even the closest tents require this, and the property didn't communicate it clearly in advance. We had extended a car camping trip, so we had extra gear, but this actually felt like more work than car camping. There were also maintenance issues: the sauna wasn't working, the gorilla carts needed repair, and some of the tent window flap fasteners were missisng. Opening the windows required climbing onto a narrow elevated platform with no railings. The shared kitchen is attractive, but because food is stored at your tent, preparing and eating meals privately means hauling everything back and forth. The bee problem mentioned in other reviews was also real. Finally, there are only two combined toilet/shower rooms serving all the tents. If someone is showering, one of only two toilets is unavailable. This is a beautiful property with tremendous potential. Better maintenance, clearer communication, and a few operational improvements could make it the premium glamping experience it aspires to be.

Upon a bad experience at another hotel the manager Angie assisted us in quickly getting us a room. Ramon the night employee was a big help getting us settled in when we arrived late. Both employees gave us suggestions on things to do and places to eat. This hotel and it's employees definitely saved the rest of our vacation. It was a clean and friendly place to stay. The pool and spa were top notch clean and working perfectly. The breakfast was wonderful and good coffee.