Big Bear Lake Hotels

Formerly Northwoods Resort, the fully renovated Holiday Inn Resort Big Bear opens late 2015, catering for guests in 148 modern, nicely decorated, lodge-style rooms, with views of the quiet, partly wooded neighborhood - one block from Big Bear Boulevard on the south side of the lake, a short walk from Big Bear Marina. A shuttle to the ski lifts is available, for a small fee. Some of the rooms have views over the sundeck, garden and outdoor pool/hot tub at the front; inside, facilities include a fitness center, meeting space for up to 400 people, and a full service restaurant/lounge - open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The chalet-style, multi-room accommodations at Bluegreen Vacations Big Bear Village are divided between six blocks, separated by walkways and landscaped gardens, and they feature many amenities including full kitchens, balconies or patios, bbq grills, washer/driers, fireplaces and whirlpool baths. Additional facilities are somewhat limited - free wi-fi, an exercise room and a games room - but the area has many attractions. There are many restaurants a few blocks away, mostly along Pine Knot Avenue, and the lakeshore is also within easy walking distance.

The largest chain hotel in the Big Bear Lake resort area is the Best Western Big Bear Lake Chateau (42200 Moonridge Road), a Swiss chalet-style building in a densely-wooded residential neighborhood one block from the main road (CA 18) and a mile from the lake shore. This is a full service establishment with its own restaurant (Le Bistro), a cocktail lounge & bar, a heated outdoor pool (seasonal), sauna, exercise room, and a range of facilities for weddings, conferences & events. Each of the 80 rooms features a fireplace and either a patio or balcony; some have pool views. The hotel is a mile from both the Big Bear and Snow Summit ski centers - the most popular winter attractions in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Facilities are quite basic, comprising an outdoor pool, laundry, wi-fi, cable TV and free coffee, but the rooms at Motel 6 Big Bear are clean & comfortable, rates are low, and the place has a peaceful location, surrounded by pine trees in a residential area on the east side of town. The shore of Big Bear Lake is just 0.2 miles north, while the local airport is a short distance east. For dining, the nearest restaurants are one block away along Big Bear Boulevard.