Black Forest Lodge-Cabins & Motel Resort

Pros: friendly staff, easy check in and check out process, fireplace in room, wood bundles available for $ 7 each at lobby, close to village and ski resorts
Cons: room was smaller than expected, outdated and needs to be thoroughly cleaned, mattress & pillows were really worn and extremely uncomfortable.

Due to a huge booking error through
(where I made my reservations online) and Golden Bear Cottages (the hotel we were supposed to stay at), I showed up to Golden Bear Cottages with no reserved room for us even though we printed out and had a Confirmation # (about 3 weeks prior) to prove it. Lisa with Golden Bear Cottages made some phone calls for us to find another hotel that included a jacuzzi for us, in which she told us Black Forest Lodge had an opening for $ 450 for 2 nights, for a standard, 2 Queen bed room and a jacuzzi on the premises. We were told that we should take it since other hotels were booked and at $ 450 for 2 nights and they wouldn’t charge us tax, and that was a good deal. Not having the luxury to make an educated decision with 2 kids in tow and my husband waiting in the car, we took our chances. We didn’t like the high rate, but what choice did we have?
Once we arrived, we did a drive around the premises and could not find a jacuzzi. In the morning we called the front desk to make sure we had the jacuzzi (that was ONE thing we were counting on to enjoy for our family getaway), we found out that we were basically lied to and that they hadn’t had a functioning jacuzzi in 15 years. I expressed that I was not happy because I was told there was a jacuzzi and so the lady at the front desk told us that we could get a refund for that night. That was great and all, but at this late in the game (we booked our reservations with Golden Bear Cottages over 3 weeks prior), where would we go and could we even find another place? It was Saturday morning on a busy weekend, where we had specifically booked that weekend in anticipation of snow showers. When I called and looked online that Saturday morning, we were not able to find another room cheaper than $ 350/​night or they were all full. We had no other option, but to stay there.
The room was ok, but not what we would’ve expected for spending $ 225/​night. We had no jacuzzi, basic cable that had no guide to look through and we had to channel through the channels to see what we were getting, microwave had to be pried open while pressing the open button at the same time, and beds were uncomfortable.
To top it off, we later saw that their online rates were $ 155/​night per holiday weekend. Why were we overcharged at $ 450 for 2 nights (not a holiday weekend) even though they knew of our booking error situation and you would think they’d be more understanding of it and work something out that would compensate us for our misfortune? Nope, they charged us more and didn’t feel sorry for it and basically told us it takes a lot of money to run this place and that the best they could do is «hook us up» if we ever book with them again.
What is it with these bigger hotels/​cabins that have multiple rooms? Don’t they care about providing good customer service? I have a 2-​bedroom cabin in Big Bear that was booked that same weekend so I had to resort to booking another place in order for our kids to be able to play in the snow. Even I would have treated our guests better than how we were treated.
I guess they don’t really care. They only care about taking your money and running with it.

This people do not care what situation you are in. No hot water, receptionist keep telling in 20 min it will be, still nothing. Everywhere is dirty. They just take your money and let you deal with it. I checked in at 6pm, it is 8 pm right now and still cant take shower also smoke detecter is not working. Worst $ 120 i’ve ever spent.

This place is amazing, I’ve stayed in a zillion places in big bear and finally tried one of the cabins here! Got the log cabin… It was great! I mean come on a bed, fire and bath in a log cabin surrounded by snow!!! Yes!!! Thanks Katrina aka Heidi

OVERBOOK AND GIVES YOUR KEY TO OTHERS — HORRIBLE SERVICE — DO NOT STAY!
My birthday was in December and my girlfriend took me to Big Bear for the night. We had a reservation from two weeks prior. After checking in, they gave us keys to a room and WE WALKED IN ON A COUPLE HAVING SEX! The hotel clerk stated they overbooked their hotel and denied us a room. He made minimal and unsuccessful efforts to find an alternate accommodation. His solution was to stay at a place that in his words was «the worst hotel in Big Bear,» or to drive 90 minutes down a mountain pass in a snow storm. It was bad that he did not offer to pay for the alternate room like all other hotels do when they screw up like this… But it was unforgivable when we went to the «worst hotel» and the Black Forrest Lodge clerk DID NOT HOLD THE ROOM… The experience left us stranded in the below freezing and snow storm for over three hours from 6:30 PM to 9:45 PM.
We never got a call from management or owners as promised. No apology. No compensation. This place does not care and it shows! DO NOT STAY — Black Forrest Lodge is the worst hotel in Big Bear!

The worse hotel I have ever seen. (See pictures!!!) Checked in 12÷26÷15 checked out 12÷27÷15 @2am Rm.15. I have uploaded pictures of the room. Upon checking in we head to our rm. 15.
The place was just dirty, but didn’t complain. I had left because my friends had rented a cabin. We were just going to sleep at the Black Forest lodge. So my mom and I came back around 1:30 ish before heading to the room we went to the window outside to ask for clean sheets. Since the room was filthy. No one was answering. So we just went to our room to use our own blankets. As we were getting to the room it smelled like gas. We never turn on the heater. I told my mom that we can not sleep here. We try calling the front desk # and no one answered. There was a smoke detector that is broken. (See pictures). My mom started bleeding due to the smell. I started getting stomach pains. We finally decided to leave around 2am. I couldn’t help being here at all. Went to the window again and the bell was not working. Finally we notice a sign that said no vacancy and I lifted up the sign and it was an intercom. I told the man we are leaving due to the conditions in the room. He didn’t mention a word. I wrote him a letter and hand him the key. The room was cheap that’s why we rented it for the weekend, but with the gas smell and the filthy room I couldn’t stay. My mom and I had to look for another place to stay it was late at night and everything was booked. (Hilton Gardens Inn) definitely saved my night/​morning.
I always look on Unilocal when I travel and the pictures that were posted on the website are false. I just can’t believe this place is in business. The room definitely needs remodeling. I didn’t want to rate it any stars, but in order to get the review have to put a star.
I recommend that you do not come here. If you need a place to stay. Stay in a agency rental cabin or San Bernaradino in a nice hotel. This place is definitely for the rats.

My boyfriend and I stayed here last night. Check and check out was nice and easy. The room itself was right across from the office and located on the second floor. It was a nicely spaced room with a big elevated bed, little kitchen area, couch, some dressers, a closet, bathroom, & deep hot tub with jets, to which they provide a bottle of bubble bath.
The little fireplace in front of the tub was charming, and we even had a little porch on the side. Some things that were a bit of a turn off for us though is the size of the TV… I mean, you have this nice room you’re paying for with a TV set from the 80s and no DVD player. Our fridge was also not turned on, so we couldn’t store anything in there. And we weren’t too crazy about the fact we couldn’t lock or even keep close our bathroom door.
Other than those few minor things, the room was clean and the bed was comfortable. We would stay here again if we were in the Big Bear area.

My furnace went out a few days ago and, being a long time resident who had heard good things about them, called Black Forest Lodge first. When I heard their weekly rates I jumped on it, knowing it would be some days waiting for replacement parts for my heater.
What I got was a cozy, comfortable room with a fireplace and a nice view. What I also got was meeting not only their friendly, cordial staff but also a number of excellent folks staying here. Some were
just «Hi» and «Goodbye» in passing but others were folks I’ll keep in touch with in the future.
Affordability is always nice but if you want to stay in a place that offers a warm, family like atmosphere, come to Black Forest!

Booked our room through Expedia for a queen bedroom with a jacuzzi spa. This little lodge is so cute and perfect for a couples getaway or a big group of family and friends. The staff there is very nice and were very accommodating. I would say they could use a little help in the coffee department but that’s just me. Thank you Black Forest Lodge for being so awesome we will definitely be back!

I LOVE THIS PLACE! We stay a lot and in every season. Can’t beat the price– great value. I recommend the rooms in the main building over the cabins. They are really large and have big jacuzzi tubs which I love. It’s a quirky, slightly odd place but we love it. The owners are also really friendly and helpful. They even baby sit our one-​year old while we load and unload the car! I think this place is a little gem. We bring our own pillows and some kitchenware and make it ours.
— I wrote that 4 years ago and forgot to post! Our kid is now 5!
Still coming here regularly and still love it. It’s old school– not some fancy place but crazy character and rooms in the main building are huge. The grounds are also really great– summertime we hang by the pool and jacuzzi and have dinner at one of the many picnic tables while the kids play on the grass. They have a crazy variety of rooms– some with mini kitchen and bar, some huge, cabins– so I recommend you figure out what you like and check out the rooms if you can.
Don’t expect fancy — it’s more homey and kitsch
We still bring our own pillows and kitchenware and stock the fridge. It becomes a little home

We’ve been visiting Big Bear for over a decade now. Mountain biking in the summer and skiing as soon as there is snow. We always loved the Black Forest Lodge for it’s uniqueness, which is the opposite of corporate chains like Best Western, Days Inn, etc.
We always book one of the rooms with a jacuzzi (huge), which look like a perfectly designed movie set from the 50’s.
I’ve seen the many bad, in my opinion undeserved, reviews posted here by fellow travelers. I’ve never had a negative experience here. Plenty of clean towels and linens. (We bring our own pillows for comfort) The owner Rita is a lovely lady, who fixes any problem asap if you point them out to her.
We already booked the same room for the Christmas holidays:)

Best spot to stay in big bear. My boyfriend and I go to big bear multiple times a year and it’s the only place we stay. The staff is awesome and always accommodating. The cabins are cozy and have spa tubes big enough for two! I highly recommend this location to anyone staying in big bear. Another plus is all the rooms are pet friendly!

I always come to Big bear at least twice a year wether its for one night or 3 but this time and first time I stayed here the jacuzzi is what attracted me then when we got there on a late check in Wow Sylvia who was at the front was so friendly funny and just a really genuine person. She deserves 10 stars then we got to our remolded room and wow so cozy and clean and we just didn’t want to leave especially when we were just enjoying the jacuzzi and bubbles. We are definitely coming back here for my husband and I quick getaway trips. Thanks Sylvia for making our stay well worth it. Cant wait to come back next month!

It was my first time staying here so I didn’t know what to expect. Staff was friendly and accommodating. The décor is a little outdated but it still gives you that home in the mountains feel. It had a fireplace and a full bath/​shower. It’s a good place to stay if you’re not really planning to stay in the room the entire time. Price was decent as well. The door window however has no cover and one can see inside if they tried. So we covered it by hanging a coat over it. That’s why I only gave it 4 stars.

The location is great, right in the middle of town. Our room was gross. The «queen» room was filthy. The bed was clean, that was it. The floor is old green, stained carpet. We found a condom wrapper, an earring & dirty qtip by the night stand, cigarettes in the fireplace and a tv remote without batteries. The floorboards and carpet edges are grimy and unclean.
The second day, someone walked into our room, management assigned our room to another party, while we were still there for another day. No apologies, just excuses as yo why it happened. The staff were unfriendly at best.
The grounds are cute and the pool was clean and warm. There are fire pits close to the rooms which seem like a good idea, except if you are trying to sleep. Other guests use the facilities which makes it difficult to have a quiet night in your room.
We won’t go back.

What a sh*thole! The rooms are disgusting and filthy, the towels are crunchy, they use flat sheets instead of fitted on the mattress so by the end of the night your wrapped up like a mummy all twisted in sheets. The bed was out of a Flinstone’s cartoon hard as a rock. Fireplaces in each room which is a nice touch but the room smelled like the inside of a Weber Bar-​b-​que.
There are way to many good choices in Big Bear to stay at this dungeon of horrors.

Dusty and old décor aside, the room was fantastic.
My boyfriend and I wanted to hibernate and this was the perfect hideaway.
A hot tub, a mini bar and fireplace.
You’ll have to overlook the rough touches such as the foot stool holding up the mini fridge.

I just spoke with the front desk clerk (not Valerie or Silvia) and the lady was rude, short and nasty. I have never encountered this sort of behavior from someone in the hotel industry. I need to cancel a reservation and simply postpone it. My husband and I are pregnant and my doctor said I could not travel until further notice.
Furthermore, my husband called this business and they were even more rude to him. My family owns a family business and to keep a successful business we were trained to give clients respect and at least listen to them (not cut them off in the middle of sentences and hang up on them). This business is a family business and I would think they would want it to thrive, not have the word of mouth be negative.

Let me start by saying there is not a lot of «nice place» options in Big Bear. I looked for someplace close to the lake and the village, that was nice and quaint. Not knowing anything about the area, I picked Black Forest Lodge because the online booking price was a little higher than others.
Boy, was that a bad way to pick a place to stay. First of all, we arrived to find its a motel. Not exactly what I wanted. Online it asked if we had any requests? I entered «4 extra pillows.» That didn’t happen, so I went to the office and they only had two, small, old flat pillows. My girlfriend is now officially displeased with me. We got a cabin that was filthy, hot and had no A/​C. The was no maid service. Pool is small and uninviting, jacuzzi had one or more employees in it each of our two nights stay. Our online booked «king bed» was the smallest queen I’ve ever seen.
The biggest sting was the price. Online deal was $ 177/​night. We arrived to find a local newspaper (free) offered in the motel lobby that advertised our cabin for $ 79/​night. Ouch. Might want to hide the newspaper kids.
In my walking around town search for something better next time, I found very little in the way of «worth the money» kinda nice. Big Bear appears to be more of a Laughlin than a Vegas. Choose carefully.

Here for Memorial Day weekend. We got an amazing deal on 3 nights for $ 128. Clean, cute, warm and the owners are really nice. The only negative thing I would say is the cleaning crew didn’t come by once. So you have to go to the office and get toilet paper and towels which is a little ridiculous. My boyfriend went to the office to kinda hint that we wanted the cleaning people to come by but instead he came back with garbage bags.