The Lodge at Big Bear Lake, a Holiday Inn Resort

Expect to see lots of families and outdoor sports enthusiasts year-round at this generally quiet and casual lodge. Anglers and mountain bikers frequent the area in summer months, and skiers hit the slopes in winter. This property has a cozy mountain lodge vibe, with stone columns, a fireplace, and lots of wood paneling and rustic furniture. Antler chandeliers hang from an atrium-like space in front of the stone-and-quartz front desk. The expansive sundeck that wraps around the pool and a peaceful pond area is a favorite spot for sunsets, or drinks and a meal throughout the day.

The Lodge enjoys a convenient location on Village Drive, just outside the main drag at Big Bear Village. It’s on a busy intersection, but the Lodge is relatively quiet, with rooms set back off the road. Several restaurants are less than a five-minutes walk, and many more are just a bit farther along Pine Knot Avenue, where there's also a movie theater and shops. Big Bear Marina is a seven-minute walk or two-minute drive, and Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is an 11-minutes walk or three-minute drive. Bear Mountain Ski Resort and Snow Summit Ski Resort is about 10 minutes by car. The Big Bear Trolley also runs throughout the village and to the ski areas. Approximate drive times to San Bernardino International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport are 60 minutes and two-and-a-half hours, respectively. 

Like the rest of the hotel, guest rooms were renovated in 2016 and remain fresh and well-maintained. They offer a mix of rustic furniture and contemporary touches, such as upholstered armchairs, butterscotch leather ottomans, and desks with modern office chairs. Amenities also have been updated to include Keurig coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves, and Wi-Fi is free. The mostly beige and light gray motif feels a bit dark, despite bright white duvets and nature-themed art with cheerful colors. Standard rooms offer enough space for comfort. Larger suites -- some with multiple bedrooms/bathrooms and wet bars -- also are available. Many units feature gas fireplaces and patios/balconies, and some Spa Suites have in-room whirlpools. Despite plenty of space and handsome tile flooring, the bathrooms are where the units in this older property most reveal their age. That’s primarily due to the drab acrylic shower/tub inserts that appear to be relics of the pre-renovation era. Quartz vanities are en-suite. Views are unremarkable, and while generally quiet, noise from other rooms can sometimes be heard. 

This lodge has amenities that you might typically find in a mid-range city hotel, such as Stillwell’s restaurant, which serves American classics for breakfast (fee), lunch, and dinner. The lounge also has a bar menu, and outdoor seating overlooking a peaceful pond. Room service is available. Wellness features include an outdoor pool and whirlpool in a sunny spot but, they're only open seasonally. There's a sauna for guests to warm up in during ski season, and the fitness center has Life Fitness cardio equipment including an elliptical, stationary bicycle, and two treadmills. For kids, the children’s playroom includes a pool table and blackboard that spans an entire wall. The business center has two computers for guests to use, and the hotel offers six meeting spaces for up to 400 people. Other amenities include a 24-hour guest laundry room (but it only has one washer/dryer), valet dry cleaning and laundry, and a concierge. The lobby has free popcorn for guests, a gift shop, car rental counter, ATM, and newsstand. Wi-Fi is free throughout, as is on-site parking. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.