Castlewood Cottages: Romance in the Mountains
- Jennifer Chung
- Jun 21, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 18, 2023
Nestled up in the mountains of San Bernardino County, Castlewood Cottages in Big Bear, CA, will leave you feeling like a child that just embarked on an epic adventure. This adults-only, themed hotel is the perfect place for a romantic getaway to the mountains and is worth a stay if you ever find yourself in the area. Each cabin features a unique and distinct theme and in-suite hot tub, creating a memorable stay for any occasion. For our visit, we stayed in the Castle Garden suite and were not disappointed.
From the moment you step foot into the Castle Garden Suite, you are transported into a different world. This medieval-themed suite boasts a spacious 3 stories that are all perfectly decorated to match the indicated castle theme, including a suit of armor and drinking goblets for your own use.
The main level holds a large jetted bath tub, swing, and a fake tree and garden area with twinkle lighting for an extra romantic touch. The entire suite is equipped with various mood lighting as well; we had fun initially just going around to see what each switch was for.
(Pictured: Entry level of Castle Garden Suite with hot tub and swing.)
Head down the stairs to find a small moat and waterfall that can be activated via light switch. This moat is complete with a drawbridge, of course!
(Pictured: Waterfall/moat area and bridge.)
Cross your drawbridge over into the kitchenette and bathroom area, which also includes a shower. The bathroom was nothing special, but it was clean and adequate. The kitchenette, though small, was adequately equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, allowing for convenient meal preparation.
Head upstairs, through the tower, and on your spiral stone staircase to the bedroom, boasting a large fireplace and king bed with royal wooden posts. On this level, there is a large balcony overlooking the entire suite. The closet includes some costumes for you to try on if you please as well, if you were looking to fully submerse yourself in the castle theme during your stay.
(Pro Tip: If possible, bring your own firewood. They have some available for purchase if not, however.)
(Pictured: Upstairs sleeping area and fireplace.)
One of the standout features of the Castle Garden Suite is its private gazebo. Castlewood Cottages has a few lovely swings and gazebos on the property, but this one is solely connected to the Castle Garden suite. When we had went, the porch was covered in snow and we could not access it, but I would imagine it is lovely in the spring and summer to go enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
Another notable mention was that we went following a record-breaking snow storm and it was quite cold up in Big Bear. For how large the suite was, the heating system they have in place is phenomenal. We were almost too hot at times, which is a great problem to have when it is snowing outside.
The location of Castlewood Cottages is another notable highlight. Situated in the heart of Big Bear, it offers easy access to the area’s ski resort and lifts. We are huge snowboarders, so this is a big perk for us. Outside of winter, Big Bear offers other outdoor activities, such as hiking trails and the picturesque Big Bear Lake. Exploring the charming town and its surrounding natural beauty is a breeze from this central location. Here is a link to some other things to do in Big Bear during your stay:
While my stay was mostly exceptional, there were a few minor areas that need to be noted. The bathroom is on the bottom level, but the sleeping area is on the top floor. This is a minor inconvenience, but you do need to climb two flights of stairs to use the restroom in the evening. I also loved the idea of the indoor waterfall and wanted to leave it running at night, however, we soon discovered that this eventually makes the floor wet. Also note that you are staying in the mountains. This means sometimes the phone and internet service is not the best. Also, beware of ants. We had some sweets we brought and left out and they were covered with ants in the morning. Keep your food sealed or in the mini fridge!
Overall, however, I am excited to go back and stay in one of the many other suites that Castlewood Cottages has to offer. It is well worth the drive to the mountains for a romantic weekend.
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