House in Dorrington, CA

CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars!

CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars!

Photo gallery for CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars!

Welcome to the Chesa Madrisa!
Swiss-Alpine inspired architectural design with covered walkway & two car garage
main entry - protected from snow & connected to the garage
double sided fireplace with seating areas on both sides
Interior

Overview of CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars!

Reviews
5 out of 5 Exceptional
3 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 10288 sq m

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher

Explore the area

Dorrington, CA
  • Popular LocationCalaveras Big Trees State Park19 min walk
  • Popular LocationSierra Nevada Logging Museum12 min drive
  • Popular LocationSequoia Woods Country Club and Golf Course12 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Dining Area

About this property

CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars!

SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS - BIG TREES VILLAGE



The Chesa Madrisa is a beautiful vacation home nestled in the quiet neighborhood of Big Trees Village in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, and resides at approximately 5,000 feet elevation. Featuring 3 bedrooms & 3.5 bathrooms, this Swiss inspired mountain home was custom built in 2001 and has been updated.



The Chesa Madrisa is a great escape – fresh air & quiet solitude, with easy access to fun activities. The neighborhood of Big Trees Village borders Calaveras Big Trees State Park, just north of the town of Arnold, and approximately halfway between Bear Valley Ski Resort & the town of Murphys.



The Chesa Madrisa comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests (6 ADULTS MAX).



The Chesa Madrisa is the ideal getaway for travelers who are looking for a vacation home that meets a higher standard - here's how the Chesa Madrisa Vacation Rental Home is different from nearby homes....



PREMIUM FEATURES
●3 bedrooms each with KING size bed & plush mattress topper

●3 bedrooms each have private attached full bathroom

●Siemens VersiCharge LVL 2 Universal Electric Vehicle Charger (Teslas - bring adapter)

●Amazing kitchen gear, from silverware to Vitamix - it's all there!

●Sheets & linens are included for no additional fee & duvet covers are laundered in between each guest stay

●Curbside trash & recycling are both included for no additional fee

●Central AC with dual zones (on very hot summer days the larger & open main level cools to around 75-80 degrees, while the lower level bedrooms stay nice & cool)

●Free wifi, two Smart TVs, a 3rd Roku TV in a bedroom & landline with free long distance (cell service very spotty up here, though Verizon is good)

●Blu-Ray players, DVDs & Nintendo wii with games

●2 car garage with fairly level driveway & plow service in winter months

●Kids Toy Closet filled with games & activities (literally filled - 20 board games, puzzles, Legos, Brio train set, Lincoln Logs, play kitchen, dollhouse, pop up castle, arts & crafts)

●Large kitchen enables plenty of room to unpack your groceries

●Power outage from storm or PGE? Built-in automatic generator for whole home

●Full size toiletries provided (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap) + basket of extras just in case anything was forgotten

●Kitchen & all 4 bathrooms feature Williams-Sonoma hand soaps & lotion sets

●All paper products are provided (and not the cheap stuff!) - no more running to the grocery to buy toilet paper on your vacation

●Wifi enabled thermostat so the home will be heated upon arrival in cool weather

●Dusk-to-dawn exterior lights so you don’t have to fumble with a lock box in the dark

●Wifi enabled security system so the alarm will be off prior to arrival

●Outdoor cameras to see screen shots of current weather - especially handy in winter months.

●Bose wireless speaker

●Golden Poppy Pass for entry to Big Trees State Park

●Sno-Park Pass for access to local winter trails for sledding and snowshoeing etc



KITCHEN - A CHEF'S DREAM!

●KitchenAid double wall oven

●Vitamix blender

●Breville mini oven

●Breville microwave

●Set of Le Creuset ceramic bakeware

●Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee & Espresso Maker

●Keurig

●Mr Coffee

●Le Creuset french press

●Le Creuset tea kettle

●Williams-Sonoma pots & pans

●Bialetti Hot Chocolate Maker

●KitchenAid standing mixer

●KitchenAid Double Belgian Waffle Maker

●All-Clad 7qt Slow Cooker

●Black+Decker electric griddle

●Williams-Sonoma wok

●Williams-Sonoma cooking utensils

●Crate & Barrel dishware - Aspen collection



LAYOUT

The Chesa Madrisa opens to an inviting sitting area with tall windows and double-sided gas fireplace. This main level of the home features a half-bathroom, mudroom for ski gear, and a well-appointed kitchen overlooking the main living area & oversized sectional couch. The kitchen opens to the dining area with a table for six, which can be enlarged to accommodate ten guests. The dining area overlooks a TV area with patio access including Weber propane tank grill and outdoor patio table & chairs.



The entry has a flight of stairs down to the lower level, where the three bedroom suites are located & large hallway with "kids zone" for entertainment. Each bedroom has a king size bed and its own full-bath attached. The 1st bedroom also has a set of twin bunk beds for children, and a king size bed that can be split into two twin beds upon request.



Many families have enjoyed multi-generational vacations at the Chesa Madrisa with grandparents in the far bedroom with a walk in shower, parents in the middle bedroom, and children all bunking up together in the 1st bedroom. The Chesa Madrisa does not accommodate more than 6 adult guests. There are 2 additional twin-size folding beds for children (guests #9 & #10).



The Chesa Madrisa has a two-car garage for guests, and a covered footbridge with steps leading from the garage to the main entry. The driveway is not steep, and in the winter snow season it is plowed with each fresh snowfall. There’s no better place to hunker down during an exciting snowstorm!



For winter ski weekends, the garage features a wall-heater so you can leave your ski gear in the car or on the ski benches & racks without lugging gear back into the house.



●Bedroom #1 - king bed (splits into 2 twins) & 1 set of twin bunks with attached full bathroom

●Bedroom #2 - king bed & attached full bathroom & Roku TV

●Bedroom #3 - king bed & attached full bathroom (walk-in shower)


FAMILY FRIENDLY

The lower level of the Chesa Madrisa has a "Kid Zone" featuring a fun red couch & TV area with cable, Blu-Ray player, Nintendo Wii, and a closet full of toys, games, puzzles, and crafts. The garage has a mini-ping-pong table that can be set up anywhere a guest chooses. The closet in the 1st bedroom has a Baby Bjorn Portable Crib, Little Einstein Exersaucer, Baby Bjorn Babysitter, diaper changing pad to place on dresser, Cloud B Twilight Ladybug for bedtimes, bath toys, step stool, Baby Bjorn potty seat, baby gate, and red dinosaur humidifier. The dining room pantry has a high chair-booster combo seat for infants & toddlers.



FAQ

● The Chesa Madrisa has two exterior video cameras

● Primary Guest's email address is automatically added to quarterly newsletter & may unsubscribe at any time

● The Chesa Madrisa comfortably sleeps a maximum of 6 adults (& up to 4 kids with two in cots)

● Weekly curbside trash pickup & curbside recycling every 2 weeks

●The Chesa Madrisa is equipped with a generator in case of power loss during winter storm

●No RV parking

●Dogs are welcome - we bring ours! Recent flea treatment required - 2 dox maximum - $100 fee one dog/$150 two dogs



RESERVATIONS

All guests are required to pay a non-refundable 50% Reservation Payment, digitally sign contract & text/email photo ID within 24 hours of booking or same day if reservation is within 2 weeks. Large groups may be required to have refundable security deposit in addition to standard non-refundable Property Damage Protection insurance.



CHESA MADRISA LLC is a California limited liability company & this rental is managed by Hillary Gibson, Family Property Manager.



**Please note VRBO's AI sometimes overrides owner input information and photo titles. The most accurate details are in this listing description (notably we do not have 4 bedrooms and photos of Big Trees State Park are not on our property as VRBO indicates)** Any text under this line has been added by VRBO's AI and may not be accurate.

Property manager

Hillary Gibson - Chesa Madrisa Family Property Manager

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Twin bunks & portable cots for kids. Toy closet!

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed
1st dog/$100 & 2nd dog/$50

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking/vaping anywhere on the property.
Guests will receive a detailed contract upon booking & need to e-sign within 1 day of booking, or same day if booking is less than 2 weeks away.
ID required for Primary Guest booking & paying for reservation.
There is NO SMOKING anywhere on the property - outside there is no smoking due to high wildfire risk.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 224

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Arnold

Located in Arnold, this holiday home is in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Calaveras South Grove Nature Preserve and Stanislaus National Forest, while Sierra Nevada Logging Museum and Murphys Creek Theatre are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Leland Meadows and Cave City. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Stanislaus National Forest - 1 min walk
  • Calaveras Big Trees State Park - 19 min walk
  • Arnold Rim Trail - 9 min drive
  • Sierra Nevada Logging Museum - 12 min drive
  • Sequoia Woods Country Club and Golf Course - 12 min drive

Getting around

  • Sacramento, CA (SMF-Sacramento Intl.) - 144 min drive

Restaurants

  • Bistro Espresso - 11 min drive
  • The Lube Room Saloon - 3 min drive
  • Arnold Chinese Restaurant - 13 min drive
  • El Vaquero Authentic Mexican - 11 min drive
  • Giant Burger - 10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars! ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is CHESA MADRISA - EV charger, open floor plan, 3 king bedroom suites - 5 stars! located?

This family-friendly Arnold holiday home is located in the mountains, within 1 mi (2 km) of Stanislaus National Forest and Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Sequoia Woods Country Club and Golf Course and Meadowmont Golf Course are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

5

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 5 - Excellent. 47 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 0 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 0 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews" "

5/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

5/5

Location

5/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Joaquim N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
5 stars
5 stars all around. We’ve already booked another stay here and can’t wait to get back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

5/5 Excellent

Mark M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Really wonderful house in the woods
We planned a family get together with 8 people and our dogs. We absolutely loved this house. The manager was very responsive and we had no issues with anything while we were there.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

5/5 Excellent

Rebecca K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular rental!
We had an amazing time! The house has everything you can need, and more! I love how all the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms. It was perfect for our two families, each of the couples got a room with a King size bed, and the 4 kids shared the ones with the King and the bunk beds. The community pool was also really nice. I highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

5/5 Excellent

Tracy h., PLEASANTON

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Swiss chalet in Arnold
Gorgeous Swiss style chalet just minutes from Big Trees Calaveras. Hilary's was great to work with and her place is a hidden gem. We loved the classic touches such as the cow bell and old school X county skis. I appreciated the kid friendly accommodations incl PakNPlay/high chair/baby gate and my kids loved playing with all the toys. There was a sled in the garage. Tons to do and large kitchen for any chef. We enjoyed fondue and Raclette and our dogs loved running in the back yard and walking around the neighborhood. Close to Bear Valley and Moaning Caverns and town of Arnold
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022

5/5 Excellent

Lauren K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Winter Wonderland
My family and I absolutely loved our stay at Chesa Madrisa during the Christmas holiday. The beautiful floor to ceiling windows in the living room allowed us to watch the snowfall and be completely immersed in the snowy forest. Hilary (the host) is absolutely amazing. She is kind, friendly, and goes out of her way to provide any information needed. I felt she went above and beyond as a host. But my favorite thing about the house was a completely well-equipped kitchen so we could feel at home cooking holiday meals. This is something I have found to be a rare thing with rentals. Would 100% rent this house again! Loved our stay here. I miss it already :)
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2021

About the host

Hosted by Hillary Gibson - Chesa Madrisa Family Property Manager

Host profile image
I'm Hillary Gibson, and I am the Family Property Manager of the Chesa Madrisa, LLC - this is our family vacation home, built by my grandparents in 2001. I live in Lake Oswego, just outside of Portland, Oregon with my husband, 10 year old son, and pup. I am readily available to guests via email, text, or phone & I have a great team on the ground in Big Trees if needed.

HISTORY
Lawrence & Luana Wilsey built this home in 2001. The original Chesa Madrisa was built by the Wilsey family in 1973 in Snowmass, Colorado. It was the first home on its road, overlooking a stunning landscape of aspen forest, the Rocky Mountains and a 180° view of the Continental Divide. The home’s design was inspired by Swiss ski chalets that the Wilseys had grown fond of during their travels. The name “Chesa” means home, and “Madrisa” was the Wilseys’ favorite ski run in Switzerland, from Klosters to Davos.

The Wilsey family has deep roots in the Sierra Nevada region. The owner’s father was a leader in the logging industry in nearby White Pines, Big Trees, and Angel’s Camp, and the town of Wilseyville, also up in the Sierras, was named after the original owner’s father.

After a long and distinguished career, which included working for the Marshall Plan in Norway, and for businesses, banks, hospitals and educational institutions around the world, in 2001 the Wilseys built the second Chesa Madrisa in Big Trees, California, modeled on the first Snowmass Chesa Madrisa. In fact, the same Soleri bell that hung by the entry of the Snowmass home currently adorns the entry of the Big Trees home. Be sure to ring this bell upon initial entry - it’s a tradition! Also, be sure to admire the vintage wooden Norwegian skis hanging in the stairway that were retired by the owner decades ago after amazing runs in Norway, Switzerland, and Colorado. The antique Swiss bell (beatfop) in the kitchen also hung in the same place in Colorado.

Why they chose this property

Big Trees Village is an ideal location for a relaxing home base at the Chesa Madrisa while you explore the Sierra Nevada mountains. Fresh air & quiet solitude, with easy access to fun activities in Big Trees State Park, Bear Valley, Murphys & Angels Camp.

Avoid the crowds of Tahoe and enjoy relaxation just a 3-4 hour drive from the Bay Area, and just over 2 hours from the Sacramento airport.

Year round the nearby town of Murphys is the perfect destination for guests who enjoy one of a kind shops, nice restaurants, and wine tasting. This historical mining town in the Sierra Nevada foothills is now well known for excellent wineries and its charming Main Street lined with boutiques. Pack a picnic, or grab a sandwich from Aria or Alchemy in Murphys, and then head to the picnic tables by the creek and let the kids enjoy the playground and water. There’s even a bocce court! The 1st Saturday every October is the annual Calaveras Grape Stomp & the Annual Gold Rush Street Faire. In March, Murphys Irish Day features a parade and entertainment all along Main Street.

REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
●Big Trees State Park - Giant Sequoias, Beaver Creek, Sour Grass Bridge
●Bear Valley Ski Resort - Downhill alpine skiing & expansive groomed cross-country skiing trails
●Lake Alpine - Summer water sports such as swimming, stand-up-paddle boarding, & kayaking
●Murphys - Irish Day (March), Calaveras Grape Stomp & Street Faire (October), Day of the Dead (November)
●Angels Camp - Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee (May), Mark Twain Wild West Fest (October)
●Stanislaus River - fly fishing
●Mercer Caverns
●Columbia State Historic Park
●Union & Utica Reservoirs
●White Pines Lake – summer swimming next to town of Arnold
●Arnold Rim Trail - hiking
●Sierra Nevada Logging Museum
●Big Trees Village Recreation Center - summer swimming pool

What makes this property unique

This is our well loved family vacation home, and not a generic investment rental property. If you're looking for a home that values quality over quantity, then you are in the right place. Our goal is not to get "heads in beds" - we want families who appreciate the extra amenities and will enjoy our home as if it were their own special retreat.

As a frequent guest of vacation homes with my husband & young son, I have tried to outfit the Chesa Madrisa with every item I've ever found to be lacking in other homes - nothing has been overlooked here!

The Chesa Madrisa is one of the few vacation rentals in the area that has premium features such as linens & towels, as well as top of the line cooking gadgets. This home is amazing in all seasons with a wide variety of outdoor activities & we also loan out Golden Poppy Pass & SnoPark pass.

Guests love the Chesa Madrisa layout because all three bedrooms have their own private bathroom, and the rest of the home has plenty of room to spread out and relax.

Got kids?
I've yet to stay at another vacation home outfitted with so many toys to keep the younger crew busy while the adults can relax. Legos, Brio trains, arts & crafts, dollhouse, play kitchen, board games galore....

Tired of Departure Chore Lists?
We pretty much just ask you to start the dishwasher before heading out. If you use extra blankets or beach towels then those need to be laundered, but our cleaners will launder all of the bed sheets, duvet covers, and bath towels. 100% of our cleaning fee goes to our cleaners. Enjoy the final morning of your vacation!

Don't like surprises?
Our home is well taken care of and we do routine preventive maintenance. In the past few years all of the following have been replaced: double oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, AC, generator, furnace & water heater. We try really hard to have everything in tip top shape for our guests to enjoy & relax.

Languages:

English
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