Bear’s Lair

we stopped to look at this place but was met by the owner being very rude because we were looking at the outside of the property with out talking to him. we did not cross any gate or do not enter signs. just looked from a distance. I think the people from Arnold would want to invite people not push them away. wont stay their going to murphys instead dave

This is a nearly perfect place to stay when visiting the Big Trees. As a family of three, we are budget conscious, and enjoy being able to stay in a condo-​style hotel so that we can cook & eat «at home.» Not only does this save money (which can then be used for activities, souvenirs, etc.), but it also ensures that we can avoid trying to find a family friendly restaurant that will meet all of our needs. (Eating out with a 4 year old boy is not always the easiest task!)
The owners, Sid & Kate, were hospitable to the extreme without being AT ALL intrusive. We saw them once or twice (walking their dog, working the little gift shop) and never felt «watched» or uncomfortable at all. I believe they genuinely would have done just about anything to make our stay wonderful. They definitely add a nice, homey touch to the experience.
BUT… even without the wonderful customer service, the Bear’s Lair would still be a great deal! The cost is right, the accommodations terrific (great atmosphere, great ambiance, very clean), and the amenities were perfect. There was not a single thing that could have been done to make our stay more comfortable.
When we booked the suite, they contacted us to confirm our reservation, provide us with the rental agreement & asked our son’s age so that they could ensure there were age-​appropriate games and toys for him.
The owners were also extremely helpful when it came to recommending various restaurants for the one or two times we ate out, and they made some suggestions when I asked for nearby toy stores.
Overall, it was very nice & we will definitely stay there again. In fact, next time we will probably invite friends and take advantage of the fact that the suite is perfectly set up for two couples /​small families!
*** Only «caution» — while the wi-​fi is free (with the provided password), there is NO phone service if you are an AT&T customer. This did prove challenging for me as a small business owner because it was impossible to receive or return phone calls. Thankfully, I was able to keep in contact w/​our business via email.
Thanks for a great stay, Sid & Kate!
The Taylor Family

BEWARE OF THEIR CANCELLATION POLICY! I really regret booking a room at Bear’s Lair. When I made a reservation for 1 night, the charges were listed as $ 100 per night, plus 6% tax, plus a $ 15 service charge (described on airbnb as a room cleaning fee.) In addition, the cost of cancelling my reservation was listed as $ 0 if cancelled 7 days or more before date of arrival, and $ 100 if less than 7 days before date of arrival. Unfortunately, 2 days before our scheduled arrival I came down with a severe cold and was forced to cancel. Even though I was sick, I expected to pay the $ 100 cancellation fee since those were the conditions I agreed to. However, I was totally shocked when I received my credit card statement with a charge for $ 121. Not only did they charge me for the room, but they charged me the cleaning fee as well. The idea that they would charge a cleaning fee for a room that was never used seems totally unreasonable. Because I never used the room, the owners had no expense for utilities, washing sheets and blankets, or cleaning the room. I understand that they did not want to lose any money due to the cancellation, but to make an extra profit off of my illness really irked me. I contacted them several times, but they absolutely refused to refund the $ 15 service charge. Although I plan to rebook my trip to Arnold, I definitely won’t be staying here or any other place that requires more than a 1 day cancellation notice.

My husband and I were trying to find a place to meet my parents. When we found Bear’s Lair we couldn’t pass it up. Great price and spotless! It has a full kitchen, two bedrooms (which are on opposite sides of the living room), and two full bathrooms.
When we arrived I met the owners, Sid and Kate, they were very kind and warm to talk with. Sid and Kate had lots of brochures on the area and told us good places to dine. They told us to let them know if there was anything we needed during our stay and not to hesitate ringing their door bell, even if it was closing hours. We only went up once to ask for an extra garbage bag.
Sid and Kate live above the Bear’s Lair. In the mornings, we could hear them walking around. At night when we were sitting outside, we worried about being loud. Sid and Kate never mentioned that we were too noisy, but we didn’t like worrying about it.
Each night and morning we sat outside on the nice patio that overlooked beautiful trees. We really enjoyed using the ping pong table outside. The Inn had tons of games.
During our stay we only ate out twice. It was so nice to cook in the kitchen and hang out.
This would be a great place to stay for couples, families and friends.
Hope this review has helped.

We are so thrilled we found this newly opened boutique inn on
that’s located behind the Ebbetts Pass Visitors Center right in between Sarafina’s and Giant Burger.
This charming «home away from home» has two private suites that will comfortably accommodate a family or two couples. Only my husband & I were here, so we weren’t given a key to the smaller suite, but it’s only $ 25 extra per person should you need the other room.
The kitchen has a dining table for 4 and comes fully stocked with a full-​size fridge, sink, microwave, pots & pans, silverware, plates, & everything else you could need to cook (the only thing they don’t have is the food!). There’s also a comfy living room with an electric fireplace, couches, games, books, & a bar.
There’s even a covered porch that overlooks a private wooded half-​acre complete with 4 chairs to enjoy the serenity and beautiful trees. It’s essentially your own private cabin to relax in & take in the gorgeous scenery.
If you don’t feel like cooking, there’s plenty of nearby restaurants to choose from; Sequoia Woods Country Club & Big Trees State Park are 5-​minute drives, with Bear Valley Ski Resort & Lake Alpine 30-​minute drives.
The personal touches & details that have been added make this feel «homey» and not at all like a normal hotel stay. This is most definitely our new go-​to spot to stay when we’re in the area. I’m so happy to spread the word about this gem! :)