Escape to Big Bear Lake: Home2 Suites Awaits!
Escape to Big Bear Lake: Home2 Suites Awaits! – A Rambling Review (with a Side of Sanitize)
Okay, so, Big Bear Lake. That little slice of mountain heaven… or at least that's what the brochures say. I, your humble reviewer, was on a mission: escape the city grind, breathe some pine-scented air, and find out if Home2 Suites lived up to the hype. And, spoiler alert (not really, you're reading the review because you want to know), it was… an experience.
First, the vibe. You know? That whole "we're all about relaxation!" thing? Home2 Suites certainly tries. The lobby is clean, the staff is… well, they're there. Let’s call it efficiently friendly. Not overly gushy, which, honestly, after a five-hour drive and a near-miss with a rogue tumbleweed, I appreciated.
Accessibility & Safety: Let's Get Down to Brass Tacks (and Hand Sanitizer)
Right off the bat: Accessibility. They've got the good stuff. Elevator? Check. Accessible rooms? Claimed, but I can't test them, but worth querying for anyone with mobility limitations. CCTV in common areas and outside? Yes, always a plus. Smoke alarms? Duh. And the whole shebang, fire extinguishers, safety deposit boxes, exterior corridors, they've ticked the boxes. So far, so good.
Then… the plague. Oh, alright, I'm being dramatic. But the whole global situation definitely cast a shadow. So, how did they handle the Cleanliness and Safety stuff?
- Hand Sanitizer? Everywhere! At the front desk. In the lobby. My own room. I felt like I was living in a Purell commercial. (A good thing, mind you.)
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Claimed. I can't say I saw the cleaning crew wielding hazmat suits, but hey, the rooms felt clean.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Seems like it. (Again, trusting their word, because who wants to follow the cleaning crew around?)
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Yes! This is what I like to hear.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? They seemed to be. No dramatic coughing fits from the staff!
- Masks? Yeah, they were on. It's the new normal, folks. Embrace it.
- Cashless payment service? Yep. Easy peasy.
- Individual wrapped food options? Yes!
The Room: My Sanctuary (or at least, my temporary base of operations)
My room… was a Home2 Suites room. You know the type: functional, slightly generic, but perfectly acceptable.
- Free Wi-Fi: Praise be! (Seriously, a deal-breaker for me.) And, as advertised, it worked!
- Air Conditioning: Crucial! (It does get hot in Big Bear sometimes, even with the mountains.)
- Blackout Curtains: Yes! Perfect for sleeping in… until the kid in the next room decided to stage a drum solo at 7 am.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Essential. (I'm a caffeine addict, judge me.)
- Refridgerator: Wonderful for storing all the leftovers from… well, you'll see later.
- Microwave: Surprisingly useful.
- Toiletries: The usual suspects. Didn't blow my mind, but hey, they're there.
- Bed: Comfortable enough. Not the "clouds of heaven" experience, but I slept.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food Fight (and the Lack of Food)
Okay, here's where things get… interesting. Home2 Suites doesn't have a restaurant. Or a bar. Or a proper dining room. It's more like a grab-and-go situation.
Breakfast [Buffet]: The biggest source of my disappointment and slight annoyance. It was okay. The usual continental suspects: muffins, bagels (meh), cereal, a waffle maker (which I attempted to use and burned the first waffle I made). The real let down was the lack of seating. I'm just saying, finding a space to sit and eat your breakfast can be a challenge.
Coffee/tea in restaurant: Okay, they had coffee (and tea).
Snack bar: Nah.
Poolside bar: N/A.
Bottle of water: They gave me one.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Seems like it. (Again, trusting their word, because who wants to follow the cleaning crew around?)
Okay, I'm being a little harsh. It's a suite, not a five-star resort. But I'm a foodie, I like to eat good food!
Things to Do & Relaxation: Big Bear's Calling, and the Sauna's Buzzing
Now, the reason we're here: Big Bear! The hotel has a pool with a view? Yes! But honestly, I found it a bit crowded. Also, the pool is outdoor. Which made me realize after my short dip that the water was cold.
- Fitness center: Tiny, but functional. I braved it one day.
- Hot tub: No
- Sauna: Nope.
- Spa services: Nada.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things (and the Big Ones)
- Free Car Park: Yes!
- Laundry Service? Yep. Which was invaluable when my kid decided to use my white t-shirt to wipe… something.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They had them, for the corporate crowd.
- Luggage storage: You betcha!
- Front desk 24-Hour: Always a plus!
- Daily housekeeping
Getting Around: Wheels and Walks
- Car park [free of charge]: A godsend. Parking can be a nightmare in Big Bear.
- Taxi service: Not that I saw.
- Airport transfer: Seriously doubt it. Big Bear's not exactly an international hub.
For the Kids: The Verdict
- Family/child friendly? Definitely.
- Babysitting service: Nope.
- Kids facilities: See above.
Conclusion: Home2 Suites - Not Perfect, But Perfectly Acceptable?
Look, Home2 Suites isn’t the Ritz. But it’s clean, it's comfortable, and it’s well-located. The breakfast situation could be better (much better), and the lack of a proper restaurant is a bummer. But for the basics of a Big Bear getaway – a comfy bed, hot water, and a safe place to leave your stuff while you frolic in the mountains – it does the job.
Would I stay again? Sure. Especially if I got a good deal. Just remember to bring your own snacks. And maybe a good book to read while you're waiting for the kid to finish his drum solo.
Luxury Downtown Wilmington Getaway: Home2 Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip to Big Bear Lake, even starting at the Home2 Suites, is… well, it's a journey, alright? This isn't some pristine, perfectly-photographed Instagram post. This is real life, messy hair, questionable coffee choices, and the ever-present possibility I'll leave my phone in the Uber (again). Here we go…
Operation: Big Bear Bliss (and Mild Chaos)
Phase 1: Arrival and the Pre-Vacation Hangover (aka "Is the Lodge Open Yet?")
- Day 1:
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up, already feeling that pre-vacation buzz. You know, the one where you're simultaneously excited and terrified you've forgotten something crucial (like, say, my passport which I'd never leave behind… hopefully). Pack the last-minute essentials: snacks, earplugs (for the kids, mostly – me, I'm a light sleeper so I'll likely need them too!), and a small bottle of emergency wine (just in case of cabin fever, you see…). Check, check, check.
- Mid-morning (9:00 AM): Drive from home, and already traffic is playing its games. Breathe in, breathe out. Gotta remind myself that the mountains are calling… even if it's the sound of honking horns.
- Lunch (11:00 AM): Stop at some questionable fast-food establishment for some sustenance. I'm not always keen on eating this kind of food, but the drive wore me out and well, what are ya going to do?
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Finally, make it to Home2 Suites. Pray to the booking gods everything's in order. I'm not good at waiting for things.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Settle in. Inspect the room. Did I pack enough socks? Probably not. The room is clean so far, and they have free breakfast.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM): Take a quick nap, and spend time lounging on the couch.
- Early Evening (5:00 PM): Drive around Big Bear Lake, and soak in the scenary.
- Dinner (7:00 PM): Head somewhere, eat some food, nothing special.
Phase 2: The Big Bear Boogie (aka "Conquering the Mountain (and Possibly Myself)")
- Day 2:
- Morning (8:00 AM): Free breakfast at the Home2 Suites. Attempt to assemble a breakfast burrito that doesn't fall apart immediately. Fail miserably, but enjoy it anyway. I'm here on vacation.
- Morning (9:30 AM): The MAIN EVENT: Hiking! Okay, maybe not a mountain, but a good trail. I, naively, thought I was in peak physical condition. Turns out, those "gentle slopes" are more like "slightly challenging inclines that make you question your life choices." I take some water, and breathe in, breathe out - all with good results. The views are amazing though, worth every achy muscle. I push through, and finish the hike.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Post-hike fuel. Probably a burger. Or maybe pizza. I'm not going to judge myself. I earned it!
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Try my hand at some souvenir shopping. Mostly just to buy something for myself.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Rest up at the lodge, maybe enjoy the pool.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at some local spot. I'm open to suggestions. Some place with good vibes, and good food. No stuffy, pretentious places.
Phase 3: Chill and Repeat (aka "Finding My Inner Mountain Hermit")
- Day 3:
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast at Home2 Suites. Repeat.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Drive somewhere for a relaxing experience, or some exploration.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Food again. Seriously, how much food am I going to eat?
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): More chill time. Maybe a book? A nap? Both are great possibilities.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Sunset cocktails (or mocktails, depending on how the day went) at that same bar, or maybe try to find a different spot.
- Evening (9:00 PM): Head back to the lodge, rest, and then get ready for the drive back.
Phase 4: The Long Trek Back (aka "Trading Mountains for Concrete")
- Day 4:
- Morning (8:00 AM): The same breakfast at Home2 Suites.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Pack up, and check out of the lodge. Savor that last cup of coffee, and breathe in the mountain air one last time.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Start the drive out of Big Bear Lake. Pray for smooth traffic, and no flat tires.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Stop for lunch. In the car. Or maybe a restaurant. Depends on how hungry I am!
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Continue the drive home.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Finally, make it home! Unpack, do laundry, and start planning the next escape. Because let's be honest, I'm already dreaming of the mountains again.
The Unedited, Unfiltered Truth:
This is not a perfect itinerary. It's a guideline. Life happens. Restaurants are crowded. Traffic sucks. But that's the beauty of it, isn't it? It's embrace the chaos, laugh at the imperfections, and soak up every single moment. The goal is not to be picture-perfect, it's to be present. And to maybe, just maybe, leave Big Bear a little bit happier (and a little bit more tired) than you arrived. Now, off I go, into the glorious mess of a mountain adventure! Wish me luck!
Luxury Downtown Wilmington Getaway: Home2 Suites Review!
Escape to Big Bear Lake: Home2 Suites Awaits! (Or Does It?) - FAQ's...ish
Okay, so, Big Bear. Why'd I pick *this* place?
What's this "Home2 Suites" thing all about? Are the photos... true?
Big Bear Lake itself... is it actually pretty?
What's there to *do* in Big Bear? I feel like I'd just... sit there staring.
Oh, and if you visit at the wrong time of year, be prepared for snow! (This is a pro-tip, I'm not telling you how I learned that!)
Any tips for surviving the Big Bear experience? Like, what *not* to do?
**First, the obvious:** Sunscreen! Altitude sickness is a real thing, so hydrate. Seriously, drink water. And pack layers. The weather can change on a whim.
**Don't, under ANY circumstances,** try to outsmart the wildlife. Especially the bears. Keep your food locked up, even in the hotel room! (Learned that one the hard way. Let's just say there was a *very* close encounter with a particularly persistent chipmunk. Who, honestly, unnerved me.)
**Don't** expect stellar cell service. It's spotty. Embrace the disconnect. Pretend you're living off the grid. Try to appreciate it!
**Don't** be afraid to just... *be*. Sit, stare, breathe. The mountains are pretty good at the "being" part. They do their thing. You do yours. (Which, for me, mostly involved eating donuts and feeling slightly less overwhelmed by existence.)
The Room, the Pool, and the Breakfast – Quick Rundown, please.
- Room: Clean, functional, slightly sterile. Think "hotel room," and you're spot on. Had a fridge. Very, very important.
- Pool (Indoor): Small. Okay for a quick dip, but don't expect Olympic-level swimming. I'd call it a large hot tub with some chlorine.
- Breakfast: Waffles. Bagels. Donuts. Fruit that looked like it was about to stage a coup. Sufficient. Not amazing. Don't expect something fancy.
Overall, would you recommend the Home2 Suites and the Big Bear experience?
The Home2 Suites isn't fancy, but it's comfortable enough. And it's clean. Clean is good. I mean, it's better than a tentEscape to Paradise: Hampton by Hilton Antalya Airport Awaits!
