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This place is a dump, and management is extremely rude and inhospitable for a business that is in the hospitality industry. We booked Unit 14 for a Saturday and Sunday night. When we arrived on Saturday afternoon, the unit had a strong odor that was giving us headaches and making my 70 year-old mother-in-law nauseous. We assumed the smell was from extra cleaning because of Covid, opened the windows to ventilate the unit and went out to do some outdoor activities in Big Bear. Wrong! The smell wasn’t from cleaning; it was from bug spray to try to kill the ants that we later discovered all over the kitchen, downstairs bedroom and living room. In addition to the ant problem, the water in the pool was drained (which was not disclosed on their website or Booking.com), multiple light bulbs were out, there were screens missing in several windows, one of the beds had a crater indented into the mattress that made it virtually impossible to sleep in, the TV remote did not work and the air conditioner literally spit out icicles during the night. Overall, the unit was dated (not in a good way) and run down. We weren’t expecting the Ritz Carlton, but we did expect it to be clean, free of bugs, with a working TV and light bulbs, and a beds that could be slept in. We could have dealt with the other issues, but the ants and lingering smell of bug spray were a deal breaker. Unfortunately, because we had been out enjoying ourselves during the afternoon and evening, we did not realize the extent of the ant problem until after 8 p.m. We called the front desk and spoke with Mandy. She was not at all surprised and did not deny that they had sprayed for ants before our arrival. In fact, admitting that there were major issues with our unit, Mandy offered to cancel our reservation for a full refund. She pointed out, however, that because it was a Saturday night, we might have trouble finding somewhere else to stay. She was right. We went online and called around to a few places, but couldn’t find anywhere else to stay on Saturday night (there were 7 of us – me, wife, four kids and grandma – so we would have needed at least two rooms). Because we could not find another hotel, Mandy gave us the option of staying on Saturday but cancelling and getting a refund for our second night. Since we didn’t have any other options, we decided to stay on Saturday and cancel the second night of our reservation. We were expecting to get a refund for at least half the amount we paid, since we had only stayed one night, and because of all of the issues with the unit. Instead, Bear Creek only refunded us $270 out of a $740 booking. So basically, they charged us $470 to stay one night in an ant-infested, bug-spray-smelling, run down dump of a cabin. For the past several days we have been fighting with Bear Creek to get a half refund (we should be asking for a full refund), and can’t believe the way we’ve been treated. On Sunday, Mandy basically told us we we

I happily discovered the Session Retreat Hotel based on a friend’s recommendation for a unique and stylish stay in Big Bear. The exterior was charming, but upon entering the room and communal spaces, the decor and style were beyond expectations – a blend of retro and space-age, reminiscent of a captivating museum. The proximity to the ski resort and downtown village made it convenient for play, dining and nightlife. We were thrilled to explore the innovative concept of the new Bar, the Flatlander on the property. This boutique property impressed us at every turn, and we felt like we had uncovered a hidden gem before it becomes the next big thing.

Good! I like it!

Great location. It’s very close to grocery stores, The Village,and attractions. We also went to The Barn Bowling Alley and Swim Beach/Ski Beach, and everything was close by. I was pleasantly surprised with the room. It’s very roomy and has a rustic modern feel. It was clean and we loved the full kitchen. Our family of four enjoyed our stay. We would definitely book here again. The pool was a perfect temp. We come to big bear every summer in August. We find most places don’t have AC. This place provided fans and we brought an extra from house. Each room also has a ceiling fan. The place cools down really quick. All the staff were so nice. I called ahead and asked for a first floor due to a recent knee injury. They were able to accommodate. The bathroom showers even had rails in the shower which was a bonus.