Fireside Lodge - Big Bear Lake, California

Lindsey B.

I stay here every time I come to Big Bear and have since their previous ownership. The staff are nice. The location is very convenient. The rooms are spacious (always book the suites). The beds always feel clean. The fireplaces are a beautiful touch. And as a child of the 90s I love the decor and really, really hope they never remodel (including the bears painted on the doors). This place has the CHARM and kitsch that we love in Big Bear and keeps me coming back.

Lou F.

“Looks Good From Far, But It’s Far From Good!”

If you’re thinking of staying at Fireside Lodge in Big Bear based on the photos — don’t make the same mistake I did. It may look decent from the road, but once you check in, the truth hits fast: this place is run by people more interested in cutting costs than providing even a bare-minimum guest experience.

It started with the check-in: my key and Wi-Fi instructions were handed to me in a tattered, obviously reused sleeve, pulled from a stack of equally overused materials. A small but telling sign of what was to come.

The grounds are in disrepair, the outdoor furniture looks like it was dragged off the curb, and the common area outside our room reeked of pot — thanks to neighboring guests lounging in broken plastic chairs that wouldn’t be out of place at a junkyard.

Inside the room, it got worse. The bedding looked suspiciously unwashed, the furnishings were outdated and grimy, and the overall feel was less “rustic retreat” and more “neglected roadside flop.”

After a full day of driving, hiking, and paddleboarding, all I wanted was a clean room and a hot shower. What I got was so off-putting I slept in my clothes and seriously debated whether to stay at all. I had booked two nights, but bailed after one — even knowing I’d forfeit the second night’s cost due to their arbitrary 30-minute refund window. That’s how bad it was.

Yes, they could repaint and toss the junk furniture, but it wouldn’t fix the real issue: ownership that cuts every corner and shows zero regard for guest comfort or pride in their property.

Do yourself a favor: spend the extra $20 and book literally anywhere else. Fireside Lodge may fool you with its photos, but it’s far from good — and even farther from worth it.

Mvanshaar

They were great to accommodate on short notice and even had room to park my trailer, although during the busiest times I doubt this would be true. Friendly staff and easy to work with. Ended up spending two nights here.

Oneday A.

This hotel is great ! The owners are very kind and it's definitely a great atmosphere 🙂 and most of all I love the pool it's good size 8 and 1/2 ft deep :)! I will definitely be going back there😁

Kelly C.

If you want to be close to the village and have view of lake (2nd story)…it’s just ok. Pre-Covid they offered breakfast and AAA. New owners, nothing has been updated, run down. We left a day early. Also be aware they require a 14 day cancellation notice which is ridiculous.

Eric W.

Love that Fireside have a room available on short notice and it's location near the lake and the Village are great!
As almost always, there's a but. The first thing I noticed entering the room was that the door had been kicked in, so the bolt had broken the jam. The room has been repainted about 1,000 times, and the last few times sloppily. The sheets and towels were clean, as we the main use areas. All the carpet to wall transitions had a healthy fringe of dust.

Steven K.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Fireside Lodge in Big Bear City, and I must say, the experience was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The service was impeccable—upon arrival, the front desk staff warmly welcomed us and even allowed us to check in early since we were exhausted from our travels. Their kindness set the tone for a wonderful stay.

We were placed in a beautiful lakefront suite that exceeded our expectations. The suite featured a separate bedroom and living room, along with a private balcony offering stunning views of the lake. To make things even cozier, the staff had thoughtfully turned on the fireplace before our arrival, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for the chilly season.

A delightful personal touch was when a front desk staff member gifted me a fridge magnet with the lodge’s name. As someone who collects magnets from every place I visit, this was such a meaningful gesture, and it’s now one of my favorite additions to my collection.

I couldn’t be happier with my stay, and I’m already looking forward to returning. Fireside Lodge has truly set the bar high with their exceptional service and attention to detail. Highly recommended!

Linda M.

Great place and great location. Owners are super friendly and helpful. A dog friendly hotel as well. We will definitely be back