Bear's Den Lodge
Save
Share
2870J Hartley Bay Rd Bear's Den Bay, French River, French River Provincial Park, Alban, French River, Ontario P0M 1A0 Canada
Full view
View all photos (91)91
Pool & Beach (11)
Dining (9)
About
#1 of 7 Speciality lodging in Alban
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Specialty lodge Alban on the French River offers American plan meals, clean, modern housekeeping cottages fully equipped kitchens, stove, refrig, micro, propane BBQ on each deck, bedding supplied. Water taxi from Hartley Bay Marina included. Excellent fishing. Free WiFi. Guides and Boat rentals. Amazing Landscape and Wildlife viewing in remote setting. Family and corporate retreats. Fishing French River. 5 Star Quality Family-style meals are prepared by the Executive Chef, incorporating seasonal fresh garden ingredients. Enjoy dining with panoramic waterfront views while sharing the day's stories and tales.
Read more
Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Restaurant
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Show more
Room features
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Location
Full view
Contact
2870J Hartley Bay Rd Bear's Den Bay, French River, French River Provincial Park, Alban, French River, Ontario P0M 1A0 Canada
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Alban car hire
29Reviews0Q+A6Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 24
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
+1
What an amazing spot Bears den is . The location is beutiful. Our hosts Art Brenda and Joe Barefoot were great hosts .The Fishing is truly something special . We stayed in the lodge and loved it . We opted for the American plan. Food was very good had Loved the breakfasts. Topped off with a great steak dinner on the Sat.Now the Fishing wow just wow . My target species was muskie and it did not disappoint. Over the weekend we caught lots of pike , seen so e real big 4+lbs smallies and both my partner and I both caught a trophy , I started the ball rolling with a sunset 52in piggy and my partner George caught a beutiful 54in monster . Both fish were released to fight another day . Thank you for the memories Bears Den and the French river already planing my next adventure back .…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: I love the rooms I the lodge
See more room tips
Helpful
Response from Brenda Barefoot, Owner at Bear's Den Lodge
Responded 2 weeks ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful review of your stay at Bear's Den Lodge. We are pleased you had such an amazing fishing experience with great catch and releases of trophy muskies along with bass and pike. We are pleased to hear your enjoyed your American Meal Plan. Again, thank you for sharing your memories and we look forward to your return!
Read more
Just returned from bears den lodge. The boat and motor were excellent and the cottage was clean. Everything else sucked. We were picked up at Hartley bay marina by, I guess it was Joe. He didn’t say a word to us the whole way, even though I introduced us to him. We were taken to our cabin and given a map of the river. The topic of breakfast came up and I said we would like to eat at 6am. I was told “the fish don’t bite til after 8 “so breakfast would be served between 7 and 8. The boat was never gassed up and wiped down until after breakfast. Coffee usually was delivered between 7:15 and 7:30. Breakfast between 7:30 and 8:00. We wanted to start fishing around 6:30 but never got on the water til the earliest was 8:20. American plan was supposed to include beverages,worms, boat and maid service. The boat was gassed and and the seats wiped but never cleaned. We asked for coffee twice, once after dinner, and once after lunch. We were told there wasn’t any and then told begrudgingly she’d make another pot. My grandson went to get some worms and was told it would cost $ 7.00.Finally she gave him some. Meals were served in styrofoam containers with the cheapest plastic utensils available, and three napkins for 3 people. Dinners were ok at best but try to cut a skinny grisly piece of steak with a cheap plastic fork. Same brownies for dessert every dinner. Lunch was another story. Some had lunch meat with cheese and mustard on the side, there was also peanut butter and jam. Six sandwiches the same cookies every lunch, fruit and three napkins.Monday she asked what kind of sandwiches we wanted packed in the cooler, so we told her bologna was fine. What a surprise when we opened the cooler to grab a sandwich and it’s two pieces of bologna between bread. No butter no mustard no mayo no cheese no lettuce. Also pop and the same cookies and yes,3 napkins.I phoned this morning to talk to the owners about the maid service that was never supplied and was told that the government won’t allow them in the cottage and if I want a rebate it’s never going to happen. I mentioned the other complaints to the man on the phone and he told me us yuppies have a sense of entitlement and expect too much. I happen to be a 64 year old retired autoworker who was taking his son and grandson away for a “memory”. He was even ruder on the phone than in person. I told him I was doing a review on trip adviser and he said he didn’t care he had 500 great reviews and people would know what kind of person I was by reading my review. I really didn’t expect a lot but certainly a lot more than I received. Good thing we caught lots of fish. The woman even ask my son where we caught some pickerel and when he told her she said no way and argued with him. Why would he lie? The bottom line is we stopped at french river lodge because they had an ice cream sign an felt more welcome there buying ice cream than we did paying big money at bears den lodge.…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2021
Location
Service
Helpful
Response from Brenda Barefoot, Owner at Bear's Den Lodge
Responded 2 weeks ago
Thank you for taking the time to review our boats, motors, cottage cleanliness and our meal plan. We have taken your concerns to the fullest review as indicated during our conversation prior to your departure. Meal times have been added to our website. As noted in our COVID-19 Protocol we are not permitted to enter your cottage for daily maid services other than for emergency services. We appreciate your grandson following COVID Protocol and I am sorry that I did not recognize him masked and with sunglasses thinking he was either one of our neigbours or part of a different group. I quickly corrected the situation and no receipt of money occurred for the worms as that was part of your package. Your boat was serviced and fully cleaned on a daily basis. Boats are available to the guests during daylight hours from arrival to departure to freely come and go at their leisure. You asked advice about fishing our area and with 36+ years of experience and fishing logs we offered you advice of when the best fishing times were and reviewed the map with you for navigation and fishing. We did not stop you from going fishing early morning before breakfast. We even offered as compensation the opportunity to fish an extra morning at no charge which you declined before departure. Our staff delivered all the “take out” meals. Nonalcoholic beverages were offered to you and you notified us you had “plenty of your own” and that you “only required coffee for breakfast”. Nonalcoholic beverages were served with all meals and coffee was served extra once we knew of your desire. Prime Canadian angus beef was served on China plates with silverware and steak knives. Styrofoam containers are used to provide a means to maintain temperatures for food serving during take out in Step 2 of COVID-19 requirements. All our cottage kitchens are fully serviced with silverware, dishes, glassware, coffeepots, microwave, refrigerator, stove plus more of which you were welcome to have used. Our staff is committed to providing a safe and COVID-19 free environment for our guests to enjoy their Canadian wilderness experience and we continually strive to maintain high standards of service.
Read more
I have been meaning to write this review for months. We booked a cabin at Bears Den this past July for the first time. From the extremely clean and well appointed cabin to the friendly outstanding dock service(even during covid times) our experience was outstanding. Fantastic boats, comfortable wide bottom boats and motors ran like a charm. We will definitely be back this summer once again. Thank you for a wonderful vacation.. P.s. Buddy the dog is a bonus..
Read more
Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: we were in eagles nest, nestled back from water and quiet.
See more room tips
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Brenda Barefoot, Owner at Bear's Den Lodge
Responded Nov. 13, 2020
Thank you jefferyf334, for the fantastic review! We are glad our friendly staff were able to give you and your family a great holiday and that you felt safe here at Bear's Den Lodge! We look forward to your return here this summer.
Read more
My Husband and I visited in July. Had an amazing time!! Great fishing and so beautiful. Hosts were friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend taking a trip to Bears Den for great atmosphere and great fishing!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Brenda Barefoot, Owner at Bear's Den Lodge
Responded Nov. 13, 2020
Glad you and your husband had an amazing time with great fishing and beautiful French River scenery! We are always happy to help and look forward to your return!
Read more
A beautiful stay at this lodge. Highly recommended for a clean, relaxing,lovely little spot. The fishing is great. I love this place! Thanks to the staff there. We will be back when those piles are larger!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Brenda Barefoot, Owner at Bear's Den Lodge
Responded Jul. 9, 2020
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review of our facilities, staff, fishing and area. We are glad you enjoyed your stay and look forward to your return.
Read more
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioNortheastern OntarioFrench RiverAlban
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Bear's Den Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Bear's Den Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a business centre.
What food & drink options are available at Bear's Den Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Does Bear's Den Lodge offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.