Shore Acres Lodge

We had a nice, quiet stay in a peaceful, woodsy setting, with a lovely view and perfect access to the lake. I enjoy rustic places, and the camping-like feel with a basic kitchen and bath may suit someone looking for a simple getaway. Still, this retreat needs some straightforward updates. The mattresses were horrible, and one cloth chair was disgustingly dirty. The living room furniture needs replacing too. If you’re expecting a four- or five-star resort, this isn’t it. I’d love to see it reach its full potential with a few fairly easy upgrades.

We had a clean cabin with a great lake view, just a few hundred feet from the water. My friends had recommended the lodge, and it was my first time in Big Bear. Since we were the only guests that week, we practically had the whole place to ourselves. There are cabins in different sizes for different needs, and the one we chose was enough for me and three friends. We noticed a few issues, though they seemed understandable given how old the lodge is. It’s pet friendly and there are plenty of family activities. We’ll be back next year, probably in a bigger cabin. I recommend it.

Basic cabins, with a well-stocked kitchen and plenty of hot water. They were clean, but bring extra pillows and blankets, and your own hair dryer. There’s no help on site. Nice water and chess, with good views, and it’s close to town. A cheap place for an overnight.

The best thing is the lakeside location. We had all the cabins for a family reunion of 25, but the place is extremely old and seems never to have been updated. I stayed here when I was 20, over 40 years ago, and things still feel the same. The beds and couches sank almost to the floor, the windows were rotted and wouldn’t open, and the picnic tables were weathered with rotten wood. I was glad I’d brought plastic tablecloths. The jacuzzi was broken, which we only found out after arriving, and the gate was locked at night so swimming wasn’t possible. One cabin smelled really strongly of smoke from someone’s fireplace fire. There’s no way it was worth $300 per night.