Big Bear Village Lodge

Part of me is hesitant to give an honest review, because my selfish side wants to keep this gem all to myself for our next run up to Big Bear. But the Village Inn (which goes by a lot of names, by the way) is really the sort of motel that is sadly disappearing across the United States: it’s quite reasonably priced, the rooms are large, it has full kitchen facilities that have all the cookwear, dishes, and utensils you’ll need (and the fridge is full sized), the rooms are kept spotlessly clean for lodging in this class and seems to have been given a bit of spiffing up recently, there are a lot of thoughtful touches that makes life easier for the traveler, its rules are reasonable and assume that you are an intelligent adult, it has a very accommodating dog policy, there are no hidden fees, and it’s right at ground zero for walking to restaurants and shops in the area. If you are a couple who like to be able to stretch out with a separate bedroom or a small family that wants to save by cooking a few meals, this is the place for you. Just a couple of things to consider: (1) There is on-property space for only a single vehicle, and that parking can get a little tight if your maneuvering skills are at an amateur level (there is free public parking on a well-lit lot about 100 meters away if you need to park another car overnight); (2) Unless you have one of the two ground units, you’ll be walking up a flight of stairs (no big deal); (3) You should bring some basic spices (salt, seasonings, etc.) and oilutter; (4) This isn’t a cute cabin tucked away in a forest; it’s an old school in-town motel that was probably a small apartment building at one time and is located on a very popular street; (5) Like most places up here, it’s built for cold weather, so the heater is strong and efficient but during August you’ll need that big fan they give you; (6) If you are a delicate sleeper who can’t stand any night sounds whatsoever, you’ll need to use that fan to create some white noise, and (7) These are really self-catering units which means no daily housekeeping service, though the office is right downstairs and open during the day for swapping out towels and linens as you require (that said, the cleaning crew that comes in after you and your tribe have departed do a great job, so tip generously). We’d come back here in a heartbeat. Wonderful place to use for a base for skiing or other exploration in this area! Nick in Palm Springs

I can't say anything about the property since my reservation was canceled before I even got to Big Bear but the way this guy handled our situation.. That was just some seriously lousy customer service. Because of a snowstorm all the roads to Big Bear were closed so it was impossible to get there. We had been in a car for 6 hours and at that point decided to turn around. Before we did I called the property to let them know we were not going to check in that night. The woman who answered was very nice. She said the roads would probably reopen the next morning and I told her we would come then. The next morning one of the roads into Big Bear reopened and we were almost half way there when I called the property again just to let them know we were on our way. The man who answered told me my reservation was canceled because I was a no show and they gave my room to someone else. I made a reservation for three nights, I was prepared to pay for three nights and I don't understand why they wouldn't hold my room. I don't understand why they didn't at least try to contact me and tell me about the cancelation. This guy said he didn't have a room for me and he couldn't help me. It was a very unpleasant phone call as he was just trying to get rid of me as fast as he could. I would recommend the man who answered my call to get some advice on how to deal with customers. We really like Big Bear and will go back for sure but this place will never hear from us again.

What a great experience we had staying at the Big Bear Valley Lodge! If you require high-end accommodations, this is not the place for you. But if you would enjoy a rustic “up in the mountains” feel, you would love it. The location is perfect - on the main drag in Big Bear Lake. We came up to Big Bear to participate in the Tour de Big Bear cycling events and the location could not have been more perfect. Restaurants line the street and the best gelato in town is right downstairs! The suite was very large and though there were two of us, 6 could have easily stayed. There was a full kitchen with coffee supplied. Wes, the proprietor, was very accommodating and helpful. Free and easy parking. There was no AC in the room, but that was not a problem with ample fans supplied and windows that opened for a delightful breeze. From our unit, there was a (side) view of the lake. I will plan to stay at the Big Bear Village Lodge on my next trip to Big Bear.