BIG BEAR REVIEWS: actual reviews & comments from our Big Bear guests. Thank you for taking the time to send us your reviews from your vacation stay with us in Big Bear Lake. Best family and groups guestbook reviews & comments PROVERBS 25: 11 "An idea well expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver" GUEST REV
01
"Amazing Resort for a Big Party...
We had my 50th birthday celebration at Golden Bear Cottages the first weekend of October, 2020 and it was AMAZING. We reserved 12 cabins of all sizes and Lisa was so amazing as we worked through all of the details of putting a big party together. All of our guests had such a great time and I am sure we'll be back. Here are a few of the highlights of this Big Bear Lake resort.
- Lots to do - our group made the most of the 'play area' - volleyball, basketball, ping pong, swimming, horseshoes and a playground. It was perfect for our daytime events on Saturday.
- Rustic, great cabins - the cabins all feel like authentic mountain retreats. Comfortable furniture, stocked kitchens, working fireplaces and beds a-plenty. A little dark on the interior, but that's the feel of most cabins.
- Wonderful group area - The group picnic area perfect for our Saturday night dinner and casino night. The resort allowed us have the fire pit going and the overhead lights were beautiful.
- Great location - we were able to walk to the lake and easily get into town.
I would highly recommend Golden Bear Cottages for a couple, family or large group party! Posted on TripAdvisor"
Kevin McCloskey Woodland Hills, CA 10-07-2020
02
"Maureen Ciulla on Trip Advisor.
★★★★★★★★★★a few days ago.
Comfy, Cozy, Clean Cottage.
Loved our experience at the Golden Bear Cottages. The owner Don, his daughter Lisa and her husband Lenny were so friendly and accommodating. We rented a large studio cabin which was perfect for two people. It is very comfortable and well furnished. A jacuzzi tub and a fireplace which lends to the ambiance. The kitchen was large and was well equipped.
We will definitely return to Golden Bear Cottages for another lovely stay in their wooded mountain paradise."
Maureen Ciulla La Cresenta, CA 10-04-2020
03
"'Stayed 4 nights. Really enjoyed our stay. We even had a fenced yard with our cottage. Upgrades have been nicely made, the website photos do not do the cottages justice. Rustic to a degree but I rented a historic cabin so it should be! The staff were friendly and helpful. Convenient, yet quiet location. And wow, hot water that lasts through all of us showering. The grounds were kept clean. We had some cold weather come through so not able to enjoy the pool but i put my arm in and the pool is heated!! Will definitely stay there again when we come back.' says Susan"
Susan Lalumia Las Vegas, NV 09-12-2020
04
"Ray C. - reviewed on Trip Advisor.
First time at Golden Bear Cottages in Big Bear Lake.
This was our first time visiting Big Bear Lake.
Spoke with Lisa about the accommodations at Golden Bear Cottages. Lisa was very helpful in suggesting which cabin to rent for our party. The cabin was fantastic and just right for our group. The entire cabin was clean and all amenities were in good working condition. The fans kept the cabin cool at night. The resort grounds were very clean. The kids had a fantastic time using the heated swimming pool. At night we were able to use the outdoor fire pit to cook s’more. Also the resort was not noisy at night, very quiet. The location was great...just a short walk to the lake and a short drive to The Village. We enjoyed our stay at GBC."
Ray C Los Angeles, CA 08-09-2020
05
"Laura Milleron posted on Google.
★★★★★★★★★★a few days ago.
We just had our first visit to the Golden Bear Cottages In Big Bear close to Boulder Bay and were pleasantly surprised. We had a charming cabin with a lovely porch and a hammock close by. The pool was clean and refreshing with a Jacuzzi area as well. Our children had fun walking around the grounds exploring and playing some of the games on the property. We enjoyed the birds singing in the morning, the shade of the pine trees by day, and private use of the fire pit ring in the evening making s’mores. This will definitely be our go to spot for Big Bear Lake from now on."
Laura Milleron Claremont, CA 06-04-2020
06
"Jana Janaon.
Google★★★★★★★★★★.
This place was immaculate, every single room in our three bedroom cabin was clean. Very comfortable beds, fully loaded kitchen. Very kind owner !! We will definitely be back!! I highly recommend this place !! The owner is a true man of integrity he explained all fees & taxes . DO NOT go through a booking site they hide fees , deal directly with Golden Bear Cottages they tell you exactly what the final cost is & their prices are phenomenal!!"
Jana J LA, CA 10-29-2019
07
"Thank you so much for Paramount High School Choir's group stay. We loved that we had plenty of room to spread out while maintaining that 'homey and welcoming' feel. The students loved the new experience and we had a meaningful and productive time together. We will be back!"
Lynne Cuneo Paramount, CA 11-21-2019
08
"Posted on Expedia.
Top rating ★★★★★★★★★★.
We stayed in romantic Honey Pot 5 (a private one bedroom cabin). We were pleasantly surprised to find a porch swing, a fenced yard and a nice 4 person Jacuzzi in a separate room. It's not fancy, but authentically rustic and clean and absolutely great for our small family.
We are so glad we had a great time and will surely come again."
Donald C San Diego, CA 08-30-2019
09
"Malia D on Trip Advisor
★★★★★ 2 days ago
Golden Bear Cottages resort is a true Big Bear gem.
I stayed at Golden bear this past week and it was amazing we had the most comfortable beds and had everything we needed for our family get away. I was our second visit. The cabins are clean and spacious we had a Jacuzzi tub that was an amazing bonus... Check in was easy checked out and got my deposit back with in a few days. We will def stay here again!"
Malia D Mentone, CA 09-25-2018
10
"Tara तारा ( Google review of Golden Bear Cottages at Big Bear Lake, CA)
My 1907 historic cabin with rock wall shower was perfect. Had beautiful fires every night. Comfy Tempurpedic bed, large hot tub with a nice little pup yard. I've enjoyed my stay by much at Golden Bear, and love this Christian family owned business very much. Walking distance to Boulder bay, clean not kitchy, my towels were fresh and white, smelled of bleach. Very happy. Giant tub, instant hot water. Everything I needed in the kitchen. So amazing. Huge front yard, tall pine trees, quiet, except for the many birds and squirrels, and chipmunks I saw. Love this place. Come visit Big Bear and Golden Bear... It's Paradise."
Tara Milner CA 04-16-2018
11
"Thank you Golden Bear Cottages resort staff, my family and I had such a wonderful weekend. The cabins were great. Real mountain cabins. Just what we needed. So glad we stayed, and will definitely stay at Golden Bear again. Thank you so much for making this last weekend so memorable."
Gilbert Laza Long Beach, CA 02-26-2019
12
"I just had to write about my great experience!!!
We give Golden Bear Cottages resort 5 out of 5 stars!!!
I am so disgruntled about all of the people that write negative things online that I wanted to share my personal experience while staying at Golden Bear Cottages. My significant other and I went to stay in a cabin in the beginning of June this year. We loved the cabin(which we got a free upgrade on when we checked in). It was like a historic hunting lodge with big log beams and a moose head over the fireplace. The nice thing was that it was cool enough for us to have a fire. The office staff was so kind and they actually never charged us for our firewood even though we received an upgrade that should have been twice as expensive as we actually paid. What great hospitality! We were also so appreciative that our cabin was so clean and we think this was really the best trip we have ever taken to Big Bear. So I would just like to give props to the whole Golden Bear Cottages team and let them know how very awesome they ALL are!!! THANK YOU (and we posted this on TripAdvisor too)"
Leonard Curr Tustin, CA 07-01-2016
13
"Guest review and comments: We love staying at the Golden Bear and are now bringing the 3rd generation of our family. We vacation there a couple times a year and have stayed in over a dozen different cabins. But our favorites are the cozy romantic spa cabin 5 (Honey Pot), the three bedroom cabin 26 (Snuggle Bear) and the biggest one - the seven bedroom retreat cabin 28 (Golden Bear Manor). Oh, and by the way we love the new Tempur-Pedic beds! See you again soon!"
Kathy & Bud Skinner Las Vegas, NV 04-10-2017
14
"Thank you owners of Golden Bear Cottages. You've done it again! You provided a place of peace for our family retreat. Your kindness does not cease. Don, Karen, Lisa and Len shine Christ's love so beautifully, with the warmth that you all show whenever we've visited Golden Bear Cottages Resort. We feel like we have been welcomed home after a long trip. All of our families truly thank you from our hearts for being such a blessing. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe until we see you at Golden Bear Cottages again."
Steven Horvath Orange, CA 07-10-2016
15
"We have been staying at Golden Bear Cottages for over 25 years. We love it there! We have always had a great cabin no matter which one we stay in (although our favorite is cabin #9 Bear's Den and we loved our stay for the Thanksgiving holiday). As we have said before, all the staff is really friendly and always try to accommodate any special requests. The owners, Don and Karen. DiCarlo, and Lisa and Lenny Duran are very nice and treat us like just like family. The cabins are kept very clean and are stocked with a wide assortment of kitchen items and always plenty of linens and towels and daily maid service. The beautiful grounds are kept clean and they have a great play area for kids and adults. Year-round, whether there is snow or not, it's a great time and a great value for all that is included.
Your friends, the DeJong Family"
Lisa DeJong Ontario, CA 11-29-2016
16
"Our family is looking forward to enjoying Thanksgiving holiday at Golden Bear Cottages again this year. It is a perfect way to begin the holiday season with the family. The cabins are conveniently located on Big Bear Blvd across from the lake and just about 1 mile from the quaint downtown where all the cute shops, restaurants and movie theaters are, we wouldn't stay anywhere else. Been a guest many times. I've stayed in a quaint and cozy cabin with my hubby that had a cozy wood burning fireplace, we have stayed in a spacious big two story private cabin with our family and I've gone with a very large group for a church retreat. They have cabins for every size family or group. Their largest cabin was huge.... a seven bedroom retreat with several bathrooms, 3 floors, and a huge kitchen. The outdoor grounds are beautiful and I love that they have a heated pool and playground for my kids. It's nice to have a place to get away that's affordable and the owners and staff provide all the friendship your heart desires. We have joined their Golden Bear Cottages Mountain Vacation Club because of the great cabin rental values offered and now we will go on vacation even more. We appreciate Golden Bear Cottages. We also posted a nice review on Yelp."
Niza D East Highlands Ranch, CA 11-02-2016
17
"“Happiness is at Golden Bear Cottages.”
My husband and I just spent the most wonderful 24th wedding anniversary at Golden Big Bear Cottages...
The beautiful historic cabin we were in was fully furnished with every need we could possibly want. The kitchen was fully equipped, the jacuzzi bathtub was a real plus and the clean and beautiful surroundings were delightful. The cottage area was quiet, but supported seeing children on the the basketball court, sand volleyball court, horseshoes and a huge heated pool. There is something for everyone to do at any age in this non-hotel. We were close to the city, village and everything. Oh! Did I mention the fireplace. We will never stay anywhere else in the Big Bear area. Don and the rest of the family were gracious and helpful in every way. Don't miss out on the lovely place to stay. It's a treat in itself. We traveled as a couple for a romantic and relaxing weekend, and absolutely loved it.
Joe& Sandi Logan
Riverside, CA."
Joe and Sandi Logan Riverside, CA 11-06-2012
18
"Our family of four had a very nice time at this Resort! We stayed in Cabin 8, a big private cottage which was plenty of space for us. The kids really enjoyed having the upstairs and downstairs and appreciated being able to play in the pool as well. The beds were comfortable and good sized. These are AAA approved quality cabins. We had plenty of room for more to join us if we'd brought friends for the kids. The owners, Lisa and Lenny, were great, very friendly and helpful! It was a perfect place to stay for going up to Big Bear and having access to the lake and all the outdoor activities the area has to offer. We will stay again!
Our family stayed at Golden Bear Cottages for vacation in June 2013."
Jon S. TripAdvisor Member. Redlands, CA 06-19-2013
19
"'For our returning group: another great retreat at Golden Bear Cottages in Big Bear Lake. Once again, thank you so much for an amazing stay. We always appreciate all the extra service, and sincerely love your hospitality and friendliness. Each of our group leaders commented that each member of your staff were so accommodating to us. You always provide our group the best place to stay. Thanks again for the late check-outs for group members who had later travel arrangements back to San Francisco. Your resort property and variety of cabin sizes, big and small, is always perfect for our group planning retreats. We will see you again for our next group event.'
Jacquelyn Lindeman, California Youth Connection"
Jacquelyn Lindeman, California Youth Connection San Francisco, CA 04-02-2015
20
"Great Getaway at a friendly place.
I stayed at the Golden Bear Cottages over the President's holiday weekend. My decision to drive up to Big Bear from Los Angeles was very last minute so I assumed I wouldn't have any luck at finding a place to stay especially since I was traveling with my dog. I reached out to Golden Bear on Wednesday hoping for a Saturday check in. Lisa was nice and made it clear that they were very pet friendly. To my surprise she had 1 cabin available because of a cancellation. I assumed the price would be jacked up but again to my surprise she quoted me a very reasonable price. I've never stayed in Big Bear or a mountain/ski area so I'm not sure what an average price is but I found less than $150 per night reasonable. The only thing was that I wanted to stay 2 nights and the required holiday minimum was 3 nights. So I had to drive up Friday, which for the price and how accommodating she was I really didn't mind.
I had cabin #15. It was a simple historic cabin with a queen sized bed, a 2 seat dinette set, fridge, microwave, and a small storage area with dishes, pots, and a hot plate to cook on. The bathroom also has a large jacuzzi. Outside I had a BBQ grill that I didn't use. The cabin was comfortable although I found it got a little hot at night. The simple solution to that was to turn down the heat or crack open a window. There were plenty of open areas to walk the dog on their large resort property in the woods. Some of the cabins have small fenced in yards which are obviously great if you have a pet. Oh and free wifi – that’s always a big thing for me.
When I checked in I spoke to Lisa for some time. She was friendly. They seem to thoroughly enjoy running their cabins and getting to know their guests. I asked probably some of the silliest questions and she answered all of them not seeming to mind. I explained it was my first time to a mountain/ski area so I was a complete newbie. She totally helped me out. The next day the gentleman in the office was equally friendly. Part of a friendly family owned business.
Check in was simple: my credit card was charged 50% before I checked in which Lisa explained over the phone. The remainder was charged when I got there. Check out was even easier: I left before the office opened on Monday morning so I just had to drop the key in a box.
But I decided to just watch Netflix on my ipad instead. The room was a little smaller than what I was looking (it was their small studio cabin) for but considering how last minute I was I really cannot hold that against them. I could tell by walking around the cabins that there were plenty of different sizes to choose from if you aren’t a procrastinator like me.
The resort is within walking distance to the lake which has a cute area with picnic tables to sit and take in the scenery, and a small market and restaurant. It’s less than a 5 minute drive to snow activities and I guess what you’d call the town center which has tons of stores and restaurants.
It was a great stay. Thank you"
N J Los Angeles, CA 02-22-2014
21
"We have always done private rentals in Big Bear before, but we found Golden Bear to be a more affordable option for the Christmas holiday period so went with it, and now believe we will return to Golden Bear Cottages rather than do private rentals in the future.
Our cabin was a nice size studio with a bath Jacuzzi, Cabin #18, Grizzleys Den. The kitchen had a cooker, microwave and fridge freezer and we successfully cooked our whole Christmas dinner and did self catering for the 5 nights we were up there. The kitchen area also had a dining table and chairs and conveniently opened out to seat 4.
The bed was a little soft, but completely fine and the cabin was nice a cozy. When we arrived it was 17 fahrenheit, but the wall heater was so effective we were soon toasty at over 70 degrees.
On our last night there our friends came up to join us as the cabin had a sofa bed; it was great for the time that we were there and very economical.
The Jacuzzi bath is a nice touch too, and great for the evenings when you've been on the slopes.
It was great to be in such a great family environment for Christmas. Lots of snow and It had the right balance of privacy and community. We also had great fun on the grounds of Golden Bear Cottages. There is a play area which is great in the snow, but I can also see how good Golden Bear would be in the summer with its pool and outdoor hot tub.
The owners and housekeeping staff were helpful and lovely. When we asked for extra blankets for our friends it was no trouble, and we felt very welcomed. Thank you, Rebecca
The internet was a great advantage too as it meant we could video chat with our families back home on Christmas day. It was reliable and effective.
Golden Bear Cottages resort is rustic, charming, and welcoming. We also had great snow. We give Golden Bear Cottages our top Big Bear Lake review rating."
Rebecca Porter Los Angeles 01-03-2013
22
"Thanksgiving to remember.
A Top Review:
We just spent 4 days at Golden Bear Cottages. We have traveled to Big Bear both of these past two years for the Thanksgiving holiday. The first time we had been to Big Bear lake we were looking for a family vacation retreat, and we really found a good one here. We truly enjoyed the hospitality at Golden Bear Cottages. Our children were constantly in and out of the office to borrow sports equipment and ask questions, and the great people there made them feel comfortable each time. Their request was that we return to Golden Bear each year for the holidays. We have already booked a three bedroom cottage for our extended family for next Thanksgiving holiday. It will make our third straight year at Golden Bear and we really can't wait to get there again. See you again soon! Review rating: This is the best place to stay in Big Bear Lake."
Lenore Little Las Vegas 12-04-2016
23
"Review: This past weekend was our first visit to Golden Bear Cottages. Perfect for our family of 5. We were even upgraded to a large comfortable cabin without even asking... The 'Shaggy Bear' cabin was beautiful, clean and well stocked with clean towels and kitchen utensils. The owner is very sweet and gracious.. We can not wait to return... My boys (15, 13 and 5) are already asking when can go back and we just came back home yesterday! Looking forward to our next trip to Big Bear and the Golden Bear Cottages. We give a top accommodations review to Golden Bear Cottages."
TJ Azulay Chatsworth 06-11-2011
24
"Returned for another wonderful time over the long 4th of July weekend to Golden Bear Cottages in Big Bear, CA. The cabins are always clean and decorated in quaint, country style charm. They all have a fireplace (which we used on many cool nights), a fully stocked kitchen, and a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom.
We again found plenty to do, including the teenagers. We relaxed by the pool and enjoyed the playground with volleyball, horseshoes, ping pong, and tether ball. We watched movies on the DVD/VCR in our room at night, as well as by the pool on Saturday night. The office has a nice gift shop, and a large library of movies for rent, and games for the kids. We also enjoyed the local news and wi-fi in the room, which highlighted local attractions and special events in the area. We watched the fireworks show over the lake, and visited the local zoo again and the Discovery Center for the first time. Both were impressive!
The service was excellent, including management, maintenance, and housekeeping. Great family owned business and this is evident in the way they treat their guests! Our room was stocked daily with whatever was needed, and maintenance saved the day by supplying us with an extension cord to make our traditional homemade ice cream on 4th of July. Hats off to Golden Bear Cottages for providing such a charming, relaxing escape in the gorgeous mountain atmosphere. We'll be back for the winter!"
Laurie Olivieri Alta Loma 07-08-2012
25
"OUTSTANDING STAY:
My husband and I plus 6 of our good friends just stayed at the Goldern Bear cabin #25. Every year we travel to Big Bear Lake for the Big Bear Bash which is run by Corvettes West. We have stayed at the Golden Bear for a number of years and we have NEVER been disappointed. The owners go out of there way to make our stay enjoyable. The cabin was clean and was ready two hours before check in time. We are all looking forward to staying at the Golden Bear non hotel again next year: same cabin already booked. Personal notes:
Wedie from Ventura has had
20 review contributions the Internet.
She stayed June 25-29, 2010.
She has been a TripAdvisor Member since August 22, 2006"
Wedie D and friends Ventura 07-03-2010
26
"Review of Golden Bear Cottages in Big Bear lake: We went down for Thanksgiving Weekend and had the experience of my life like never before. I really didn't expect to see SNOW but I DID!!! It was the most Beautiful site ever...Came in when none was to be seen and woke up the next morning jumping for Joy to see God's Wonders...Loved my cottage and the friendliest service ever Thank You Lisa, you were great!! (got best deal in town) and Don Thanks for getting me on the right road...Had an Awesome 4 day Thanksgiving weekend....God Bless
(p.s. Definitely coming back soon =)"
Sara Garcia Los Angeles 12-03-2013
27
"If you don't have a fabulous time here you're with the wrong person\people.”
A review of Golden Bear Cottages Resort.
Nov 26, 2010.
The establishment and the friendly owners make every effort to provide a great stay. These cabins include a fully stocked kitchen with frig, stove/oven, microwave, toaster and all utensils. The cabins are clean and have great individual mountain decor. For your comfort a thermostat controlled heater and fireplace are included along with TV, VHS and DVD player with rentals, a gift shop and firewood available at the office. The remodeled bathroom in our cabins included oversized tub with jacuzzi jets. We found all of this in the studio unit we rented for one night. Then we came back again a month later and rented another cabin... Everything was just as good the second and third time! This is a great place to spend your Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays"
The Artel family Ontario 11-26-2010
28
"Big Bear Christian retreat with lake cabins for rent. Thoroughly enjoyed our return visit to the Golden Bear. Same clean cottage. Same great family owners and staff. Same cabin which is only a block from the lake. It's nice to have a comfortable relaxing place to go for a short vacation. After our second trip, we were sold. We even gave the group cabin rental information to out church youth group leader. She is now planning a youth retreat at Golden Bear. The Golden Bear resort property is a perfect place for our family to have a getaway from the city life in any season!"
Lee Estes Jr. Redondo Beach 09-06-2009
29
"Great Times at the Golden Bear Cottages”
Review of Golden Bear Cottages Resort by the Vasquez family.
I had wanted to take my mom and dad to Golden Bear Cottages, located in beautiful Big Bear Lake, for a long time. I had heard very positive things about this resort for a long time. Since so many of my family members wanted to go along for vacation as well, we decided to rent the biggest cottage at the resort. That way we could have family coming and going all week and would have room for everybody. We live in nearby Southern California cities so this getaway is perfect for us. It is just an hour from home, yet it is exactly like being in an entirely different world! The weather was perfect, in the low to mid seventies, while the weather at home was in the high nineties. The evenings were clear and crisp – the first time we had worn light jackets in months! Our cabin was perfect for our family. We had plenty of room in the huge kitchen for everybody who wanted to cook in our family “chicken cook off” to join in! There was a huge dining room that seats 22 plus a great game room with poker tables, a pool table, and a foosball table. Our three level cottage was comfortable for all who either came to visit or for everyone who stayed for the week. Many of our family members spent much of the week at the beautiful Golden Bear pool and outdoor spa. The setting in the centuries old pine trees is breathtaking! The kids played ping-pong, basketball, volleyball, and other sports at the resort. There was even a great playground for the small kids. Golden Bear has a gift shop, movie rentals, a huge selection of board games, card games, and karaoke plus a library of new hardback books for those who may forget to bring something to read. We had never seen so many great amenities at a vacation destination. Our entire experience at Golden Bear Cottages was just wonderful! We will definitely make this an annual event for our family, one that we will all look forward to. The staff bent over backwards to make sure all of our needs were met. The housekeeping staff and the front office staff made us feel at home, providing great service with smiles and even hugs! I highly recommend Golden Bear Cottages to anyone who wants a wonderful get-a-way for their family and friends. We’ll be back!
Signed, 'luvtotravelDV'"
Derrick Vasquez Colton 09-11-2010
30
"Very flexible, courteous, friendly ownership! My friends and I are serving in the U.S. Navy stationed in San Diego and we travel to Big bear on weekends in the Winter whenever our schedule allows. Instead of making the 3 hour drive back to San Diego one day, we decided to rent a cabin. Golden Bear just happened to be the first place we stopped, and we have been in love with it since. Once, we were snowed in on the mountain and we couldn't leave, and they gave us a generous discount on our cottage to ease our burden. Another time we planned to rent cottages for a group of 30 and planning it a month prior wasn't any proplem. Soon after, our military schedule changed and we were unable to meet our reservation date. That wasn't any problem for the Golden Bear group. They understood our predicament, helped us pick a later date, and credited our account for any unused portion. We had made attempts to stay at Golden Bear plenty of other times throughout the season, but soon learned that reservations book up fast. I definately know why, some other places on the mountain were far less accommodating and more expensive too! Thank you, Golden Bear from all of us!"
M. Mitchell and friends U.S. Navy Imperial Beach 03-15-2008
