The Lakes in Banning, CA

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Pros

• The Lakes at Banning is an excellent place for senior assisted living.
• The facility is very clean and attractive.
• The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive.
• There are lots of activities, including bingo, movie nights, and holiday celebrations.
• The food is excellent and the dining rooms are comfortable.
• The Lakes provides a swimming pool and transportation for outings.
• The memory care unit is well managed and the atmosphere is calm.
• Residents and families feel welcomed and at home.
• The Lakes offers good value for the money.

Cons

• The Lakes at Banning is disgusting, with mold in the walls and carpets from a ceiling leak that was ignored for weeks.
• It is no longer a healthy place but a neglected facility, described as sad.
• The staff are not to be trusted, and the facility should be shut down.
• Management and directors need more schooling on running a facility.
• The front desk receptionist is criticized for poor customer service.
• The staff are described as rude and unprofessional, including a nurse described as the rudest ever.
• There is a report of theft by an employee involving a resident, with the family blaming the facility.
• The Covid response is criticized for poor judgment and failing to notify families.
• The facility is criticized as expensive and nickel-and-diming residents.
• The attitude of “get you in the door and forget you after that” is cited as true by some reviewers.

Review

The Lakes at Banning is best suited for active seniors who want a polished, amenity-rich campus and a robust schedule of social, cultural, and wellness activities. It is a strong fit for residents who anticipate gradually increasing care needs and value on-site memory care, multiple dining options, and dependable transportation. Families seeking a community that feels like a small town, with staff who know residents by name, regular family updates, and ample opportunities to participate in events, performances, and outings, will find this environment compelling. The setting combines a modern, welcoming design with the conveniences of a larger assisted living campus, making it a compelling option for those who refuse to sacrifice lifestyle for care.

Those who should consider alternatives are typically budget-conscious shoppers or those who prioritize a quieter, more intimate residence over a resort-like atmosphere. The Lakes carries a premium price tag for many services, and some families report disrepair or maintenance gaps that can sting when finances are tight. Prospective residents who want private, low-key living spaces rather than shared accommodations may prefer smaller operators or communities that emphasize coziness over breadth of programming. Additionally, several reviews raise questions about front-desk responsiveness and occasional staff conduct, alongside isolated incidents like a theft or questionable sales experiences. In short, price, pace, and perceived consistency of care are critical lenses through which to evaluate this option.

The Lakes’ strongest positives revolve around the quality of care, staff engagement, and the richness of programming. Families repeatedly describe attentive caregivers, transparent communication, and a culture of warmth that helps residents feel at home. The campus offers a broad menu of activities, everything from bingo and movie nights to live entertainment and dog therapy, and the on-site memory care unit is supported by leadership that has earned praise for adjustments that improve atmosphere and resident well‑being. Transportation to appointments, shopping, and outings is a tangible benefit, as is the large dining operation with multiple rooms and flexible dining hours. When management and frontline teams function cohesively, residents appear well cared for, engaged, and emotionally connected to staff and peers.

Yet potential buyers must weigh several meaningful drawbacks. Maintenance lapses and at least a few bathrooms in need of remodeling point to ongoing upkeep concerns that can erode the perceived quality of the environment. Some residents have found room sizes to be tight, particularly for couples or those bringing in extensive belongings, which can undermine comfort in daily living. Reports of inconsistent front-desk service and a few negative interpersonal interactions among staff suggest that the customer experience may vary by shift or unit. Security and operational issues have also surfaced in reviews, including an unlocked door incident in memory care and a troubling report of misaligned expectations around pet policies. These factors don’t negate the positives, but they do mean diligence is essential before deciding.

Practical diligence can turn the decision into a confident one. When touring, request concrete details about room configurations, especially for memory care and two-person arrangements, and verify exact dimensions and included features such as furnishings, kitchenette access, and climate control. Ask to review the current maintenance log, see sample floor plans, and observe a mealtime in both assisted living and memory care settings to gauge noise, turnover, and the dining experience. Demand a written, itemized cost structure with no hidden add-ons, and probe the contract for policies on disputes, rate changes, and what happens as care needs evolve. Meet with the memory care director, and if possible, speak with several current residents and family members to understand consistency of daily life; insist on seeing safety features, emergency call systems, and the cleanliness of common areas and bathrooms.

In the end, The Lakes stands out as a top-tier option for families seeking a lively, resource-rich community that prioritizes person-centered care, continuity of staff relationships, and a breadth of activity that can keep seniors socially and physically engaged. Its strongest appeal lies in the combination of attentive caregivers, strong leadership in memory care, and the ability to move along a care continuum without relocating. The main caveat is that the premium experience is paired with a premium price, and pockets of maintenance or service inconsistency can temper the overall value if not promptly addressed. For families prioritizing a vibrant social scene, robust programming, and dependable transport and dining options, The Lakes delivers a compelling, well-rounded package.

If the fit feels right, enter the process with a clear, disciplined plan: schedule extended tours and a trial visit, secure meetings with the care leadership, and request detailed references from current residents’ families. Bring a prioritized list of questions about room size, memory care capabilities, safety protocols, and the exact scope of included services. Demand transparency on pricing, payor options, and any potential future rate increases. And above all, insist on seeing how issues are handled in real time, maintenance requests, room cleanliness, and responsiveness from front desk and care coordinators. With due diligence and careful planning, The Lakes can be a life-enhancing choice for the right resident and family, providing the structure, companionship, and quality of care that make a meaningful difference in daily living.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Total Care Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (8.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.4 miles)
• Patsy's Country Kitchen (0.4 miles)
• Wienerschnitzel (0.5 miles)
• Farmhouse (0.5 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (0.5 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.6 miles)
• Jack In The Box (0.6 miles)

Physicians

• Gambro Healthcare Banning (0.5 miles)
• Beaver Medical Group (0.5 miles)
• Karim Toursarkissian, MD (0.5 miles)
• Beaver Medical Group - Michael Yoon MD (0.6 miles)
• Beaver Medical Group (0.6 miles)
• Loma Linda University Health Care (0.6 miles)
• Cardiology Specialist Medical Group (0.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Loma Linda University Medical Center-Beaumont Asc (0.6 miles)
• San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Sharetea (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Starbucks (8.5 miles)
• Starbucks (8.5 miles)

Theaters

• 2nd Street Cinema (0.9 miles)

Parks

• Mountain View Park (1.4 miles)
• Noble Creek Park (3.3 miles)
• Palmer Park (6.6 miles)
• Avenue I Park (9 miles)
• Valley Wide Regional Park (10.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church (2.2 miles)
• Precious Blood Catholic Church (3.5 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (7.4 miles)
• San Jacinto Assembly Of God Church (9.5 miles)

Transportation

• Banning Regional Airport (4.6 miles)