Name: Sessions Retreat & Hotel
Address: 41421 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California, United States of America, Big Bear Lake, California, US
Price range: US$106–US$270 per night
Rating: 8.48

What guests think

Reviews of Sessions Retreat & Hotel highlight friendly, hands-on staff, clean renovated rooms with eclectic decor, and a central Big Bear location that makes it easy to reach the village and ski areas, creating an inviting, dog-friendly, camp-style vibe.

Check-in and communication are widely praised for responsiveness and helpfulness. Common drawbacks include no air conditioning, occasional street or neighbor noise, and some compact or dimly lit rooms with limited storage or furnishings. Shared amenities like the kitchen, lounge, fire pits, and outdoor games stand out, though the pool has at times been closed or under construction. Expect a character-rich, value-minded base for Big Bear outings.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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Facilities

Guests like the shared lounge and kitchen, fire pits, hammocks, and outdoor games; parking is easy and a pool is available. Some note the pool was closed or under construction at times and there is no elevator.

Related guest reviews

8

greg

25 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice place with many amenities including game room, shared fireplace room, kitchen, outdoor games like horseshoes. Very quiet and property is very spacious. Rooms are a bit small as it is an old style hotel and resort but fine if you are busy outside doing other things.

10

Whitney

15 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This place was awesome! The grounds are amazing! Peaceful and quiet and beautiful! Lots to do! Clean pool, basketball, horse shoes, fire pits, tether ball. The owners are super nice and welcoming! We loved it!

10

IGNACIO

2 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

THERE WAS PLENTY TO DO AND SEE WE LIKED THE SWIMMING POOL, THE HORSESHOE PITS THE CORN HOLE PATIO. THE LODGE WITH POOL TABLE AND LOUNGE TO SIT AND WATCH TV. EVERYTHING GREAT THANK YOU.

6

diana

17 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly staff, close to the village. Our request for a top floor room was honored. The room was pretty outdated. There was only one set of towels supplied for 2 people. The room has no AC so it got hot in June. The pool was under construction. Overall okay place to stay.

8

Dwight

20 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Property was good, had a porch, firepits, on site restaurant. Bed was comfortable, shower was good. Shared spaces with couches, pool table, tv and full kitchen was nice. Easy parking, 7/11 and McDonalds across the street. No A/C control in unit, if room near street, can hear traffic pretty clearly. About 3-5 min drive from the Village restaurants/bars

10

Justin

1 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Big Bear generally has some low-end rustic (meaning rundown) dated properties. Sessions breaks that mold. My room was updated to be more modern. Felt more spacious and was decorated in a really cool manner. Think Austin Powers! The staff was terrific and the facilities were really nice. There was a really nice clean pool and there's a nice hangout area with fire pits. I would say sessions is the best place in Big Bear I've stayed at yet by far.

10

Arkadiy

1 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I stayed in Logde building Junior Suite. Room is comfortable, but very basic, doesn’t have any table or chair. But all these is compensated by very handy area on the first floor, that has everything: fully equipped kitchen, dining and living areas and even fireplace and billiard.

10

rachel del

9 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful property! We will be back. Loved the hammocks between the trees and the fun games to play outside.

10

Grace

6 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Nice and clean rooms. Love the communal kitchen, eating areas, and activities (billiards, pickleball, tether ball, basketball hoop, and pool). Dog friendly too!

10

Eric

5 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Wonderful stay, easy checkin and our process. Nice shared space with updated rooms and facilities. No elevators for rooms on second level. Not a big deal for us but incase others need it.

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Cleanliness

Most reviews cite clean rooms and well-kept grounds, with several mentioning spotless bathrooms. A few report lapses such as dusty furnishings or missed details in specific units.

Related guest reviews

2

Arbi

3 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I recently stayed at Sessions & Retreat Hotel, and unfortunately, my experience was disappointing. Upon entering the room, I noticed several issues that should never occur at any hotel. First, the room felt poorly maintained. The sofa bed was visibly stained and clearly not cleaned, making it unusable. Even more troubling, there was trash left under the kitchen cabinet, which not only indicated a lack of proper cleaning but also raised serious concerns about the hotel’s hygiene standards. To add to the frustration, the restroom door didn’t close or lock properly, which was both inconvenient and unacceptable. These issues significantly impacted my stay and left me questioning the hotel’s commitment to quality and guest satisfaction. I sincerely hope the management addresses these problems promptly to provide a better experience for future guests. However, until significant improvements are made, I cannot recommend staying at this hotel.

10

Bill

15 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great stay, clean, a lot of attention to detail, reasonably priced

10

Rodolpho

4 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean and well kept.

2

Hong

4 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I arrived hotel at 7 PM. The room was different from the hotel photos I saw; I don't know why I booked the wrong hotel. The office was already closed, and to make matters worse, the bathroom door was locked. There were no hotel staff, and I couldn't find anyone! There was no toilet either, so I run to the McDonald's in the cold night to use their restroom. Hotel Staff finally opened the toilet door after 7 AM . I didn't sleep well .The room was very old and dimly lit, the sofa and chairs were very dirty, and the stool by the door was covered in dust, clearly unused for a long time! Hotel really shouldn't have charged me for the room and should refund my room fee.

10

Shannon

24 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We had a wonderful one night stay. The staff were super friendly and made us feel welcomed. The room was very clean and comfortable. Check in and out was easy and quick. Thanks for a nice stay.

8

Nina

5 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We had the double queen room for 2 adults, 2 kids, and medium-size dog. It was just enough space for us. Their beds are comfy and the bathroom was spotless and appeared remodeled with new tile. The room could have used one more lamp, kind of dim inside at night. Fridge was nice and cold - kept our ice packs frozen. Service was friendly and helpful. We were arriving late and the office texted us ahead of time with check in info, keyless entry, and Wi-Fi password. They also turned the lights and the heater on ahead of our arrival. Overall, we had a good experience and was perfect for our overnight trip.

10

Jolanta

11 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very clean room, bathroom spotless clean, no trace of mold. Quiet. Very pleasant stay. I recommended it 100%.

10

Christopher

21 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice and clean rooms with nice staff. Perfect place for what I needed in a motel.

10

Gail

30 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice and clean, inside and out. Everything you need. I plan on returning. Thank you

10

michelle

25 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff was very friendly and the property well kept. Check in and out was very easy and the room was clean and quiet. Appreciated the additional heaters for the rooms.

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Rooms

Renovated rooms are stylish and comfortable, ranging from compact motel rooms to larger chalets. Recurring drawbacks include no air conditioning, thin walls or street noise, dim lighting, and limited furniture or storage in some rooms.

Related guest reviews

6

lupe

22 Jan 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Its very close to everything, for just sleeping its ok. Seems as though the units are being renovated. The walls are thin. THE STAFF WAS AWESOME 👌

8

Betsabeth

1 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Loved the room, super clean and cozy. The service was excellent only huge problem is that the walls are very thin and you can hear everything from the cabin next door. So if you want to sleep, Id suggest making sure youre not sharing a cabin next to someone else.

10

Rishab

22 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Really cool place - it’s like a remodeled motel but the rooms are very clean with lots of fun art and they have a great lounge too

8

Karen

8 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Although this property was in a safe area and close to everything in Big Bear it was very noisy at night. It sounded like someone was getting up every 1/2 hour or so and running the shower. But I think it was the heater. The decor was mid-century/industrial with psychedelic art on the walls. I found the color scheme too dark and gloomy for my taste.

8

Naydine

12 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The property is in a convenient area to ski resorts, just about a five minute drive. The beds could be a little more comfortable, we had an okay rest.

6

diana

17 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly staff, close to the village. Our request for a top floor room was honored. The room was pretty outdated. There was only one set of towels supplied for 2 people. The room has no AC so it got hot in June. The pool was under construction. Overall okay place to stay.

8

Sydney

1 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Quick one night stay — in the “motel style” part of the hotel. Easy parking, friendly staff. Only two things I would change are to offer more lighting in rooms (VERY dark and dim lighting-even during the day) and also give more towels at the start of the stay. (More hand towels at least for face washing, etc)

8

Dwight

20 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Property was good, had a porch, firepits, on site restaurant. Bed was comfortable, shower was good. Shared spaces with couches, pool table, tv and full kitchen was nice. Easy parking, 7/11 and McDonalds across the street. No A/C control in unit, if room near street, can hear traffic pretty clearly. About 3-5 min drive from the Village restaurants/bars

10

Justin

1 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Big Bear generally has some low-end rustic (meaning rundown) dated properties. Sessions breaks that mold. My room was updated to be more modern. Felt more spacious and was decorated in a really cool manner. Think Austin Powers! The staff was terrific and the facilities were really nice. There was a really nice clean pool and there's a nice hangout area with fire pits. I would say sessions is the best place in Big Bear I've stayed at yet by far.

4

Albert

18 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Tiny room, bed occupies 80% of the room (size wasn't mentioned on Expedia), no elevator, lots of steps to go to 2nd level, TV didn't work (manager agreed that we move to a 1st level similar room), closet totally dark, no coffee machine. My wife and I were even debating the idea of traveling back home that evening instead of spending the night in that place.

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Service

Service stands out as friendly, responsive, and accommodating, with staff and owners helping with late check-ins, special requests, and local tips. Several guests describe proactive problem-solving.

Related guest reviews

10

Gerald

10 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Natasha at reception was very friendly. Room was clean and modern. Unfortunately we had to cut our stay short due to the wildfires in the area but Natasha helped arrange for us to get a refund for the remaining night. Great customer service.

10

John

6 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I had a bad experience at Cathy's Cottages with mice in my room so I moved here. Jacky at the front desk was so sweet and welcoming and the property is well maintained and very comfortable. I also liked that they did not charge more for weekend nights like all the other hotels in Big Bear. Next time I am in town, this is definitely where I am staying. Highly recommended. A+

10

Peter

4 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Frank was really cool and went out of his way to make us feel comfortable! Highly recommend staying here!

10

Amanda

27 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great property and management. Really good experience.

10

hitoshi

1 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We had an outstanding stay. Paul checked us in and was super friendly and helpful. While checking in, we met one of the owners, Frank, and he saw that we had kids so he sent a smores pack to our rokm. He guided us through all of their activities. They have a carriage that they can take you around the property in, fire pits, grills, a separate lodge with a pool table and kitchen, and a really cool boat with pirate gear for the kids to play in. They even have a lounge that serves beverages that is open until 10pm. The rooms were spacious and cozy. There was a lot of thought that was put into this property. It seems to be owned and operated by a husband and wife and they do an amazing job. We will definitely be back.

10

Bliss

2 Oct 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was great. Shower pressure was awesome. You communicate with front desk via text. We needed to check in early for a wedding and they were super nice. They had netflix on the tv which was nice. They provide a bunch of nice small pillows but we requested full size ones and they brought them right away. We ended up starting to get sick, and we asked the front desk if they had advil. We werent expecting them to, and i had expressed that in the text and said no worries, id be happy to run to 711. The front desk guy said hed look for some. He showed up to our door and let us know that they didnt have any, but he went to 711 himself and got us some. If thats not over the top service i dont know what is. The heater is dead silent but works super well. Also had a nice floor fan. The stay was wonderful besides how we were feeling and eveyone was so kind and accomodating. We would stay again in a heartbeat.

10

Brian

28 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great room, great staff and service, very accommodating, great location (close to the Villages and the Big Bear Lake marina,)

10

Donald

14 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent property under new ownership since last year, our room was recently renovated and very comfortable. He is also very friendly and helpful to PCT hikers, giving us a ride to the trailhead. The lodge had a really comfortable living room area and we had use of the full kitchen. Outside were games and seating areas for families. I definitely would stay again if we returned to Big Bear Lake

10

Anthony

1 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I had an emergency come up at work and had a change in my travel plans but Frank was beyond accommodating to make my stay an amazing experience. Look forward to coming back again soon.

10

Jennifer

18 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Really good vibe, cool room, accommodating staff. Love it!

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Location

Central on Big Bear Blvd near the Village and ski areas, making it easy to get around. Some street-facing rooms report traffic noise.

Related guest reviews

10

Jeannine

13 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Our room was great! Location was close to everything. Overall, a great experience! Will definitely stay there again.

8

John

23 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Property is very eclectic. Close to Big Bear Village. Lots of area to relax

8

Naydine

12 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The property is in a convenient area to ski resorts, just about a five minute drive. The beds could be a little more comfortable, we had an okay rest.

10

lidia

5 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We had a great experience at Sessions. The check-in was very easy, great communication system through texts, and very fast response. Close to everything, pretty much walking distance to everything, including the slopes. We loved staying here, and would highly recommend.

10

Ellen

26 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel was well located for a quick ski weekend. Frank made check in a breeze even when we were arriving late. The room was clean and well decorated. We enjoyed our quick stay.

10

Brian

28 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great room, great staff and service, very accommodating, great location (close to the Villages and the Big Bear Lake marina,)

10

Olivia

2 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This property was great for what we were looking for during our time at Big Bear. It is was conveniently located just minutes from Big Bear skii resort and close to many restuarants/cafes that made it easy to find something to eat. Would stay here again. Thank you!

10

anapaula

18 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Close to ski resort, walkable to the village. Room was clean and comfortable.

10

Lindsay

22 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

After-hours check-in was convenient and easy, the location central to Big Bear, and the room comfortable and well-furnished.

8

Eric

12 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I stayed 3 nights, beginning as a work retreat, then stayed an extra night/day and my GF came up with my dog to join. The grounds were very cool, pretty large and diverse. I enjoyed some hammock time, some coworkers enjoyed some basketball and the fire pits. The bar, Flatlanders, had a cool vibe. Seemed like the food is catered from the outside for events. The room was decent, I stayed in the hotel. The lighting was impractically dark to see well, they had slightly brighter task lights over the bed. The bed was ok, a little hard for me, and there was some bad traffic noise the first night as it was too warm to close the windows. The second night I figured out how to use the provided sound machine and used earplugs, that really helped sleep through the night. For the price, comparably to other lodges/cabins in the area, it's probably the best. I chatted with the manager for a bit, all the staff were cool and friendly. Though after my work team left the Flatlander bar didn't open again. There weren't many people staying during the Friday night I was there, it was kind of cool having the grounds mostly to ourselves.

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Dining

The on-site bar/lounge is praised for its vibe, drinks, and occasional events, though hours can be limited. No consistent mentions of breakfast or a full restaurant.

Related guest reviews

10

Gloria

17 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We had a great time at Sessions, room was clean, recently renovated, beds and pillows super confortable, awesome people running this place. And the bar, the bar is super cool, great drinks and it’s only for guests. We will come back.

8

Dwight

20 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Property was good, had a porch, firepits, on site restaurant. Bed was comfortable, shower was good. Shared spaces with couches, pool table, tv and full kitchen was nice. Easy parking, 7/11 and McDonalds across the street. No A/C control in unit, if room near street, can hear traffic pretty clearly. About 3-5 min drive from the Village restaurants/bars

10

Alaric

22 Jan 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The owner Frank was very hospitable, making us feel like we were not just checking into a hotel, but were getting an experience beyond your normal resort hotel. The rooms are thoughtfully decorated, including fresh scents and a nice cozy extra blanket on the bed for those cold winter nights in the mountains. The hotel lounge has a delightful happy hour, where you will find yourself surrounded with esthetics that

10

Marja

15 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff were super friendly and the hotel was revamped so well! The bar area is family friendly and the drinks are amazing. I loved waking up early and heading to the back of the property to swing in some hammocks with my family. The only down side were the beds and pillows, but not so bad i wouldn’t stay again. We didn’t see the bike wash area, but next time we stay we will be sure to utilize it. Check in is easy and the location is close to the village and snow summit. 10/10 recommend

10

Shirley

11 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed two nights in the bigger cabin to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and we absolutely loved it. We met the owner, and he was very kind, accommodating, and hospitable. He gave us a tour of the property, and even let us into the bar (that’s not open during the week) to check it out. The bar is very spacious with a retro vibe, and it has a big screen to watch snowboarding videos. It’s a perfect spot if you don’t feel like leaving where you’re staying but want to be at a fun place and have a few drink. You can also order food! There is also a lounge with a pool table and a kitchen, which is where we spent a large part of our day. The property is big enough to make you forget you’re staying at a hotel. You even get greeted by their adorable two dogs. We have officially made this our go-to place for each time we come back to stay in Big Bear

10

Juan Carlos

29 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Amazing experience at this Hotel. Frank was so helpful and available all the time. Facilities are brand new. I traveled with my wife and my 2 kids and it was just perfect. Were able to make some s’mores at one of the fire pits and had some wine and beer at the amazing bar! If we go back to Big Bear, will definitely stay at Sessions!

10

Ariadna

25 Nov 2024

·

Really enjoyed our stay at Sessions Retreat and Hotel. The staff was nice and attentive. We were invited to an event at their bar and had a really great time. We booked this place as we brought two pups along and this is by far the best pet friendly accommodation I have stayed in. I plan on returning to Big Bear in the near future and I don’t plan on staying anywhere else.

10

zhenni

3 Feb 2024

·

Amazing experience at this place! Me and my boyfriend spend a wonderful night here. The room was warm and clean, and staff working here was friendly and helpful. They also have a cool bar located next door! Definitely recommended and will stay again next time :)

10

Stephanie

29 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Loved our stay here! We will definitely be returning. The Flatlander bar is such a vibe too. Loved every part of our stay.

8

Eric

12 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I stayed 3 nights, beginning as a work retreat, then stayed an extra night/day and my GF came up with my dog to join. The grounds were very cool, pretty large and diverse. I enjoyed some hammock time, some coworkers enjoyed some basketball and the fire pits. The bar, Flatlanders, had a cool vibe. Seemed like the food is catered from the outside for events. The room was decent, I stayed in the hotel. The lighting was impractically dark to see well, they had slightly brighter task lights over the bed. The bed was ok, a little hard for me, and there was some bad traffic noise the first night as it was too warm to close the windows. The second night I figured out how to use the provided sound machine and used earplugs, that really helped sleep through the night. For the price, comparably to other lodges/cabins in the area, it's probably the best. I chatted with the manager for a bit, all the staff were cool and friendly. Though after my work team left the Flatlander bar didn't open again. There weren't many people staying during the Friday night I was there, it was kind of cool having the grounds mostly to ourselves.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$135
February	US$130
March	US$105
April	US$94
May	US$131
June	US$126
July	US$144
August	US$150
September	US$125
October	US$110
November	US$117
December	US$192

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18 $120	19 $153
20 $106	21 $108	22 $106	23 $106	24 $106	25 $243	26 $270
27 $106	28 $107	29 $109	30 $106

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $109	2 $200	3 $230
4 $106	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13 $118	14 $120	15 $108	16 $164	17 $214
18 $109	19	20	21	22 $109	23 $178	24 $195
25 $109	26 $109	27	28	29 $108	30 $165	31 $178

Sessions Retreat & Hotel

Prices for Sessions Retreat & Hotel

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Superior Cabin

Deluxe Room

Signature Double Room

Signature Single Room

Signature Triple Room

Studio, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa Bed

Deluxe Cabin

Traditional Room

Guest reviews of Sessions Retreat & Hotel

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Sessions Retreat & Hotel

Prices for upcoming dates