When you stay at Big Bear Lodge in Alpena, you'll be near the airport, within a 10-minute walk of Lake Huron and Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park. .This motel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Starlite Beach and 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Thunder Bowl Lanes.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary - 4 min drive - 3.6 km
Northern Lights Arena - 7 min drive - 5.5 km
Getting around
Alpena, MI (APN-Alpena County Regional) - 14 min drive
Restaurants
Culver's - 5 min drive
McDonald's - 9 min walk
Pompeyo’s Mexican Grill - 6 min walk
Taco Bell - 4 min walk
Domino's Pizza - 3 min drive
About this property
Big Bear Lodge
Motel with free parking, 5-minute walk to Lake Huron
Big Bear Lodge offers 20 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually decorated. Cable television is provided.
Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. This Alpena motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 20 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. Additional features at this motel include a picnic area and barbecue grills.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Free self parking on site
Things to do
Playground
Family friendly
In-room refrigerator
Playground
Conveniences
Limited-hour front desk
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Multilingual staff
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Accessibility
No lift
More
Designated smoking areas (fines apply)
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Entertainment
TV with cable channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Freezer
Refrigerator
More
Air conditioning
Individual decor
Window screens
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 10 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Property is also known as
Big Bear Lodge Alpena
Big Bear Alpena
Big Bear Lodge Motel
Big Bear Lodge Alpena
Big Bear Lodge Motel Alpena
Big Bear Lodge Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Place was very cute and clean. It is not a new place and travelers with high expectations need to pass but the beauty of this place is its 70’s charm and owners!
This adorable mom&pop operation was a really lovely place to stay. It reminded me of the trips my family used to take in the 1970's and 1980's. The beds were very comfortable and the little kitchenette had everything we needed. Clean and cozy and cute as can be.
I just loved it there it was clean , nicely decorated , up to date but stll the look of a mom & pop's hotel also loved the walk across to the beach even when is under renovation.
This charming “Mom & Pop” motel is older but well maintained and very clean. Our room was small with 2 double beds. Very friendly greeting and efficient check in. Parked right by our door, had an actual key for the room. Air conditioner worked well, lots of towels. Walked to the restaurant next door. Excellent dinner with view of Lake Huron.
Judy
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
4/10 Poor
Debra
Business traveller
2 Aug 2025
They really need to fix the entry door bottom seal, it’s broken and let’s all the spiders in
The couple in the office was so friendly that I feel bad leaving a sub par review…
The room is soooo tight. My husband and I had a hard time navigating around each other. Can’t imagine 4 people sharing this room, Furnishings are “meh.” The closet is sort of scary. I wouldn’t sleep next to it.
Shower is spacious but there was hair on the wall - not mine. Underside of the toilet seat was not clean. Bathroom floor not clean. Bathroom door has some damage at the bottom that needs to be attended to as well.
The exterior door threshold needs to be repaired. AC unit had to run constantly to keep the room cool and the fan would not run on a low speed so it was noisy. At least I couldn’t get it to go at a lower speed.
I’m very surprised that this little hotel’s score was a 90 - “wonderful.” I’m thinking 75.
Bugs need to be cleaned away from the exterior light fixtures to make the room more welcoming from the outside.
Water pressure was good in the shower but there is nowhere to set anything down by the sink. Again, I can’t imagine 4 people sharing this room and bathroom.
On a positive note, grounds were quiet.
Looking forward to seeing a few lighthouses.
Very quaint place with modern amenities. Mom-and-pop motel, locally owned, and well maintained. Owners and managers pay attention to every detail of the property, inside the rooms and outside. Very pleasant experience. Will definitely visit again!
Very family oriented. Owners are so kind & generous & always there to lend a helping hand no matter what time of the day or night. This was our 2nd stay here & there will be many more stays at this motel. Beautiful views of Lake Huron just across the street.
Karen
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
Debra
29 Jun 2025
The motel was clean but outdated. Dark paint on the wall and dark window curtains makes the room feel closed in.
It was exact like it was described and captured in photos on Expedia. It’s a nice, clean, comfortable, roadside motel. The owners were super friendly and every have us great suggestions for dinner. We would stay here again.