Ebbetts Pass Visitors Center & Bear's Lair Inn

Sid and Kate are thoughtful hosts who clearly care about their guests. I spent four nights there last week and enjoyed it a lot. The accommodations were clean and roomy, with distinctive decor, and made a great base for exploring the area. They also run a charming antiques shop with a well-curated selection of mid-century modern pieces. I hope to return again and again.

Be careful with the cancellation terms. I booked one night at Bear's Lair, where the listed charges were $100 for the room, 6% tax, and a $15 service charge described on Airbnb as a room cleaning fee. The cancellation cost was listed as $0 at least seven days before arrival and $100 within seven days. Two days before our arrival, I came down with a severe cold and had to cancel. I expected to pay the $100 fee under the terms I’d accepted, but my credit card statement showed a $121 charge. They had billed me for the room and the cleaning fee too. Charging to clean a room that was never used seemed unreasonable to me, since there were no utilities, sheets or blankets to wash, or room to clean. I understand they didn’t want to lose money from the cancellation, but making extra profit from my illness really bothered me. I contacted them several times, and they refused to refund the $15 service charge. I plan to rebook my Arnold trip, but I won’t stay here. There are other places with more reasonable cancellation policies.

I came away feeling very deceived. This was a basement in someone’s home and business, where we could hear every step and loud music early in the morning. It felt like an Airbnb setup, not a hotel or a cabin, and not even a shack. Four stars on Google? The $35 cleaning fee was hidden until I checked out online. The house rules and checkout instructions said guests had to do all the cleaning themselves or forfeit their deposit. There was no TV, so my friend and I tried to make the best of it by playing the old games. I’m attaching photos of the rules, but couldn’t bring myself to photograph the inside or outside. There was nothing worth sharing.

A good place to stay around here. The owners are really nice, it’s easy to find, and there’s great food next door. The electric heaters take a while to warm the place, and there’s no dishwasher.