Big Bear Hotels

The line between hotel, motel, cabin, lodge and resort is often vague, especially when travel agents and websites are trying to find you a place to stay. Never has that been truer than in the case of Big Bear. While there are a few traditional "hotels"--the Best Western and the Northwoods Resort & Conference Center, most notably--most places to stay in Big Bear are happy to call themselves a cabin, a hotel, a motel, a lodge and a resort all at once, hoping the right title will snare the right visitor.

A Rose by Any Other Name . . .

The distinguishing trait of a hotel seems to be not necessarily the amenities offered, but that a single building houses the entire operation. On the other hand, you might stay at an establishment that has a check-in desk, a concierge, a pool, and other hotel-like features, but you will have to leave the main building to get to your room. This seems to make it something other than a hotel.

To be fair, the few full service hotels in Big Bear Lake offer fitness centers, business centers and room service, which is beyond what the other cabins, motels, lodges and resorts provide. But as Big Bear is generally visited for its outdoor activities and is less of a cultural center, do not expect a "city" style hotel. Outside of the business center, the biggest advantage of a hotel may be that you can rack up some frequent flier miles.