he Kern river valley is a beautifully wild and rocky place with many businesses that look as if they've been through some economic hard times due to the drought. Falling Waters is no exception. Although our experience was mixed, we had a good stay, it was a good value, and we'd stay there again. There's an abundance of water in the river this year, Lake Isabella is full, and the mountains are packed with snow that will melt and feed river for the rest of the 2017 season. So just go and enjoy this beautiful region! We stayed in a duplex. Here's the good stuff: - The host was wonderfully nice to us - so much so that she made our stay feel memorable, despite some drawbacks. - Our duplex was right on the river, and very quiet. We could hear the river running at night which was kind of dreamy. I imagine that fishermen like to fish right outside the room. - Room was spotlessly clean and airy due to open beam ceilings. - Sleep quality was excellent. Drapes did a good job blacking out the light with the exception of the window in the front door. - There was a fully-equipped kitchen, with pots & pans, silverware, coffee maker, toaster, scrubby, dish soap, and drainer, linen towels, etc. We brought supplies and made a full breakfast - this is recommended. No paper towels or napkins - bring your own. - Mattress was a little soft for my taste, but fine for sleeping, as were the pillows. All bedding was immaculately clean and fresh. - TV and satellite worked well. - Room had a real wood-burning fireplace. - Bathroom was *very* dated but also *very* clean. - There were totes adorbs kittehs at reception! - There were wild deer wandering the property in the morning, birds singing, nature naturing. Here's the so-so stuff: - All furnishings were in good condition but the decor is dated and oddball. Dutch colonial armoire, Two French statues made of concrete, super cheap lighting fixtures, faux stone castle wallpaper, 1980s bordello-style satin bed cover, plastic ferns stapled to the walls. - There were plug-in mosquito repellent units that emanated an excruciating electronic whine; we had to unplug them. We didn't get bitten without them. - Although we had a fireplace, there was no wood or kindling. Wah. - There was a baseboard missing in the bathroom. - There is no table or light on one side of the bed. Here's the not-good stuff: - The grounds are badly neglected. Weeds, piles of cut branches, overgrown shrubs, etc. Maybe try a cleanup weekend where you let people stay there for free if they will work four hours a day in the yard....? There are also some abandoned (?) trailers and vehicles around that should be towed away. - The pool was drained at some point in the past. Dunno if it will ever be refilled.... - The large skillet has a ruined Teflon surface and needs to be replaced for health reasons. - The unit had no heating. We didn't need it, but the room was ~60 degrees in the morning so we did miss it coming out of the shower. The room does have an a/c unit on the wall. - No wifi. - The air freshener used in the room was horrific. Or, perhaps it was bug killer. Regardless, it stank. Please, please stop using this. As noted above, we would stay here again, as the room was super clean and perfectly equipped, and because the host was so awesome. We do recommend the place; just be aware that it's a mixed bag.…