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Reviews of Big Bear Lodge

2 out of 5
Big Bear Lodge
2052 US Highway 23 S., Alpena, MI

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 269 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 143 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 50 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 474 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Lynette

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The motel is in a great location, the rooms are cozy and clean. If you are looking for a quiet cozy motel, this is the place. The people who own it are very friendly and willing to help with any issues.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from Owner on 2024/5/17
Lynette thank you for your kind words, we do our best at Big Bear so you have a great stay

10/10 Excellent

Eric

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love staying here. I travel for business and this place is great. Friendly owners welcome me every time.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Owner on 2024/5/15
thank you Eric, we really appreciate you, come back any time

8/10 Good

jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Was loud being next to the busy road and the hot water was very lacking
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from Owner on 2024/5/13
Jeffrey, sorry you had a problem, it would have been better if you had told us about your problem while in house . Thank you for the good score

10/10 Excellent

Wilda

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay. very friendly staff. Convenient shopping for everyone. Looking forward to our visit
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from Owner on 2024/5/10
Thank you Wilda you are very kind. Please come back again

10/10 Excellent

Ronald

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Matthew

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Cute and cozy but could use some upgrades/improvements.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Owner on 2024/4/22
Thank you Matthew.

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Big Bear Lodge is extremely comfortable and a truly nice place to stay. The owners are very kind and welcoming and they have truly made this a one of a kind place to stay. My family and I very much enjoyed our stay and when we visit family again up this way in Michigan, we will absolutely be looking to stay here again. Please be sure to give this place a stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Hanlie on 2024/2/25
Thank you to God all the glory. Thank you for staying with us and loving us

10/10 Excellent

Deborah

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect One Night Stay
My friend and I stayed for 1 night while I was up from Texas to look at houses. I booked Big Bear Lodge purely on reviews. I am joining the others in saying I will definitely stay here again! The owners were so sweet, welcoming, and made us feel right at home. Hanley even showed me a trick to get my tight fitting drivers license out of my wallet! The room was clean, comfortable, and cozy. The beds were very comfortable, and the “retro” red fridge and microwave were adorable! I had an issue trying to regulate the heat, but IF I had read the available info card, all of my questions were easily answered. Louie got the heat going immediately, and came back a few hours later to make sure we were warm enough. Overall, our stay was very pleasurable in every aspect. Thanks for treating us like family!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from Hanlie on 2024/2/18
Thank you Deborah for choosing us, we are so happy you had a good cozy stay. Wishing you a wonderful life in Alpena and your new home if you found one welcome to the community

8/10 Good

Andrea

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Response from Hanlie on 2024/1/30
Thank you Andrea

8/10 Good

Jim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean, no frills motel. Old school. Staff was great, rooms were cozy and comfortable. Only concern was some damaged weather stripping at the base of the door allowing cold air to come in, but easily fixable. I’d stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Owner on 2024/1/22
Thank you Jim for staying with us, we appreciate you

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It seemed very "ma & pa" in a good way. We would call the overall feel to be vintage also in a good way. With microwave and charming refrigerator/freezer along with a hair dryer, and nice flat screen it had all the modern amenities.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from Owner on 2024/1/18
Thank you Martin, we truly appreciate your comment

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/12/7
Thank you kindly

10/10 Excellent

Todd

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We have always had a nice stay and the staff are friendly. It is nice to walk across the road to the beach.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/11/13
Todd we thank you and we appreciate you

8/10 Good

James

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was fine for a vintage facility. The rooms were clean, comfortable and quiet. There were dining options nearby, although no food was available at the lodge.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/11/1
Thank you James

10/10 Excellent

Randy

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
They go way beyond a hotel-excellent service!
Excellent place to stay. I left my buddies jacket behind and they even called me and are shipping it to me. How’s that for service? BTW the hotel is a outstanding and fun place to stay. Very clean with great shower pressure
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/28
Randy, thank you we are so grateful that you chose to stay with us.

10/10 Excellent

Todd

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/12/7
Todd thank you so kindly for the 5 out 5

10/10 Excellent

marcia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Older motel owners great across from beach quiet
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/25
Thank you Marcia

10/10 Excellent

Natalie

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room was adorable. Very clean and comfortable. I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/22
Thank you Natalie it is wonderful to hear you appreciate my teams hard work

10/10 Excellent

Una

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wish motels were all this great!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/14
UNA, what a great review

10/10 Excellent

Steven, Alsip

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Check in very quick, friendly and efficient. The room is comfy and cozy. This is not a fancy or modern place, but extremely clean and well maintained and the price is very economical Great visit!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/10
Steven, thanky so much for your great review

10/10 Excellent

Keith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/7
Wow Keith, Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really nice mom and pop motel, very clean! Beds very comfortable! One thing I particularly liked was hard wood type floor, which were freshly cleaned, I know that because we were 10 minutes early and the floor was still damp from being mopped. Carpet in hotels fine but how often are they shampooed, and who knows what's on it. Host were very nice !!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/2
Robert, we humbly thank you for such a wonderful review

8/10 Good

Toni

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice local owners. We were happy to support their business.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/30
Toni, we were happy to have you as our guests, thank you

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect road side motel.
Brilliant little motel in Alpena. It’s an older facility, but well cared for with a kitschy style that is fun and leans into the style of the building. Great value for the price.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/27
Thank you John, glad you could stay with us

10/10 Excellent

steven

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/14
Steve thank you

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Traveled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Enjoyed our stay
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/19
Dennis thank you

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Convenient location, good value. Comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/19
Thank you Julia

10/10 Excellent

david

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome owners! We’ve been coming here the last 5 years to celebrate our anniversary… and we’re definitely coming back! Very clean rooms and comfortable beds! The staff is excellent!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/18
Thank you David it is such a great compliment

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/7
Christine, much appreciated thank you

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The couple was darling very quite it a very nice town would do it again close to the great lake
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/15
Sylvia, thank you so much

8/10 Good

Therese

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/10/7
Thank you Theresa,

10/10 Excellent

larry

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great little Mom and Pop retro motel in Alpena. Parking is easy, great restaurant right new door, cute fridge snd microwave in rooms, owners are helpful and friendly!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/10
Larry, thank you that is such a great review, we really appreciate you.

10/10 Excellent

Carmen

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Like the full size coffee maker and the room was clean very clean and it was easy in and out
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/10
Carmen thank you so much for the great review and score

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great sleep. Only there for one night, but very cute and just what was needed!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/9
Marilyn thank you so much

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We stayed in the Family Suite. Very clean, comfortable, and we loved the kitchen.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/3
Thank you Sandra

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was clean,comfortable bed,slept well,has small table with 2 padded chairs,small lounge chair with ottoman, mini refer with nice size freezer,microwave,coffee maker and enough outlets in right places. Walls repainted. Bathroom clean with night light,walk in shower but room small.Parking in front of room. Even had a mini pack of cookies to eat. Motel area well maintained,close to Lake Huron. One of the best motels I've stayed in last 4 summers of travel. Well worth the price. If I ever return to this area,I would stay here in a heart beat. Town clean,great scenery.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/2
Jack, you made my day. It is great to hear you appreciate the hard work my team puts into cleaning and us in keeping our Lidge cozy and comfortable. thank you

8/10 Good

james

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Property is very dated
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/1
Just the way we like it. Thank you for taking the time to send a review

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/31
Thomas! thank you

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, simple, straightforward. Its dated, but it's immaculate and clean. Absolutely fabulous owners. I would highly recommend this place. I will stay here again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner. on 2023/8/29
Diane thank you for your great review. I will be sure to pass your appreciation on to the cleaning crew. They were thankful for the generous tip you left them. it was great having you and your son stay with us, hope to see you again

8/10 Good

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room was clean with hardwood floors. Mattress was comfortable and best of all it is owned and run by two very nice involved owners who care about the guests. I would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/29
Cheryl, thank you for choosing us and your lovely comment, we are humbled by it

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Everything was clean and neat, room is a bit outdated and small. Good enough to lay your head down and take a shower
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/26
Thank you Joseph, we just upgraded everything , taking great care to keep the comfortable, cosy retro home style look, that is our signature

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed staying there. We liked the how it was decorated also.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/26
David thank you hope to see you again

8/10 Good

kalven

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/9/15
Thank you Kalven

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/23
Thank you Andrew, we are humbled by your great score

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Check in was nice and warming! The lodge was easy to find and we were able to park right in front of our door. The room was clean and welcoming. If I am in the area again, I will definitely be stopping by for a return visit!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/19
Thank you Rebecca, we are humbled by your review. We truly appreciate you

8/10 Good

Steve

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff was super nice and accomodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/20
Thank you Steve

8/10 Good

Robert

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
A nicely kept 70 year old motel. Dated rooms but very clean. Nice owners.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/18
Yes Robert our building is very old, well built and we love her, thank you for your comment, we try our best to give you a great stay, old or not

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Came for a late check in and early check out , spoke to them ahead of time and everything went smooth! Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/17
Thank you Amanda, we aim to please

8/10 Good

Scott

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
1 night stay
Very nice
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/15
Thank you Scott

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Owner on 2023/8/12
Thank you Robert