The idea of a mountain getaway always sounds great, but long drives, flight connections, and an assortment of travel logistics have a knack for taking all the fun out of it. That is, unless you’re headed for Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. Located east of Los Angeles, at just over 5,100 feet in the San Bernardino National Forest, in less than a couple hours, you can trade crowded highways for a lake shore edged with trees and blue skies.
The Lake Arrowhead Resort offers 162 rooms and 11 suites spread across three floors. The property is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection; it has the consistency guests expect, but still lets its history and personality shine.
My Mountain Side Guest Room was spacious with a balcony that boasted a bonus picturesque Lake Arrowhead view. Along with two queen beds, there was a large desk with two easy to reach electric plugs in the base of the desk top lamp. In addition to coffee and tea making supplies, all rooms offer a small refrigerator.
Along with daily housekeeping, the resort offers nightly turndown service that includes a sleeping mask and lip balm.
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A space-saving, sliding door separates the bathroom from the rest of the room. The vanity is spacious with double sinks and a shower/bathtub combination. The room’s closet is also located in the bathroom. It’s hidden behind a patterned curtain, instead of having a door that would take up valuable room.
In addition to two hot tubs, the resort’s outdoor swimming pool is heated year-round. Pool hours are 8am to 10pm daily. A pathway below the pool area leads to a small, private beach with chairs and a fire pit.
Along with offering body treatments like facials and massages, the resort’s full service, Spa of the Pines, is home to a fitness center, that can also be used by local community members. Daily classes the likes of Pilates, kickboxing, Tai Chi and cardio interval training, are complimentary for hotel guests. Schedules are available at the spa.
Just off the hotel lobby, BIN 189, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel is also an easy walk to Lake Arrowhead Village, home to a number of eateries like Belgian Waffle Works, where waffle toppings include the likes of ice cream, fresh fruit, chocolate sauce and cookie crumbles.
Lake Arrowhead has a fun history with Hollywood. Just for You, a 1952 film starring Bing Crosby, Ethel Barrymore, and Natalie Wood, was filmed at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. In 1965, I’ll Take Sweden, a movie starring Bob Hope, and Frankie Avalon, was filmed at the property.
Rates for Mountain Side Guest Rooms range from $129 to $249. Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa charges a resort fee of $20 per room, per night. The fee covers valet or self-parking, Wi-Fi, and access to the fitness center. It is a smoke-free hotel. You can also check Hotels.com or Expedia to compare rates (but you’ll still pay the resort fee).
Review and photos by Dana Rebmann. Her stay was hosted by San Bernardino County, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
