Black Bear Lodge

I’ve been staying here for a seasonal rental, and it’s been a great experience so far. I ski and snowboard, and after visiting plenty of mountains, I’d say Waterville has had the best conditions I’ve experienced. I’ve stayed at the other lodges too, and they each have their own appeal, but Black Bear suits me best. From what I’ve seen, the staff care about making guests feel welcome and helping with requests. The place feels warm and cozy, and everyone has been friendly and accommodating. It’s also an easy walk to the restaurants, shops, and places I go regularly. If you like a stay where people are ready to help, Black Bear is a good fit.

The missing cash made what could have been a pleasant stay deeply upsetting. Two days after leaving our passports and money in the hotel’s “safe,” we found almost $2,000 gone from our plastic envelope. We contacted the police to file reports for insurance. They were courteous and professional, but couldn’t recover the money, and dealing with the report took several hours. Their report raised a string of problems: the “safe” was just a locked drawer, its lock was broken and hadn’t been repaired, and the office it was in had no door, so it couldn’t be secured. There was no CCTV inside. We’d been promised more limited access to the drawer and key than it turned out there was, and there wasn’t a proper process for moving valuables from the front desk or recording what had been deposited. Calling that setup a safe was badly misleading and disappointing. The hotel does have some charm and practical features. The pool was pleasant, and the sauna and steam room were fine. There was plenty of parking. Our room was spacious enough, clean, dry, and warm, though badly in need of an update, with things like 1970s cookers. The 50-inch flat screen TV was good.

Dawn at the front desk is wonderful and will help with whatever you need. My family and I come here every year. It’s peaceful, with beautiful views, and the best place to stay in Waterville Valley. Already looking forward to going back.

Bring your own fan. Ours was missing a blade, so when we plugged it in it hopped around the room instead of cooling it. Room 603 needs repairs and a serious deep clean. The carpet was stained and sticky, and the place looked filthy as soon as we walked in. There was visible mold in several spots, and good luck getting the toilet to flush. Even the dishwasher was dirtier than the carpet. It looked like nobody had cleaned it after use, and I wouldn’t trust it with dishes. I hardly ever write negative reviews, especially about Waterville. My family and I have spent every July here for ten years, and I love Waterville, but this room left me no choice. Until it’s cleaned up and fixed, stay far away from 603.