Hotel Marina Riviera

The place

On the southern shore of Big Bear Lake, California, a 1960s hotel restored with its rustic lodge soul intact — a natural base for the San Bernardino Mountains. The 42 rooms take their tones from Big Bear itself, each crafted with mid-century furnishings, Parachute bedding, and Aesop bath products.

The lake does most of the work here. A private sandy beach, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a barrel sauna, fire pits glowing after dark. A shuttle runs to the ski slopes, and Big Bear Village is a five-minute walk away. De La Nonna handles meals and drinks — an Italian-inspired restaurant of signature focaccia-style pizzas, craft cocktails, and natural wines.