Celebrate the winter holidays while discovering the great outdoors in Southern California at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, Autograph Collection in the San Bernardino National Forest, which offers a wide variety of winter activities like S'mores Under the Stars at the hotel's lakefront beach, within walking distance of Lake Arrowhead's Village, and just a short drive from SkyPark at Santa’s Village.
Thanksgiving weekend Macaroni Kid headed to Lake Arrowhead so we could attend a media day at SkyPark at Santa’s Village and we decided to check out the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa as it's one of the top resorts in the area and is very close to SkyPark at Santa’s Village.
We left on Friday morning and arrived by noon, the drive was very easy and once we exited the freeaway it took about 30 minutes to get up to the resort. Please note we had some awesome driving weather and the first snow had not fallen yet. The weather around the resort was pretty great - around 60 degrees during the day and at night it was cooler around 40-50 degrees.
Once we got to the resort we checked in and were told that the resort is very close to Lake Arrowhead's Village and was a 5 minute walk. So after putting our luggage in our rooms we headed down to the village to check it out. The village is really very cool. It has a stage for musical entertainment. There are also some really interesting stores, you can walk around the lake and get some awesome lake pictures and at the end of the village is Lollipop Park which is a minature golf park which includes rides for the kids in addition to mini golf.
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After lunch the kids were ready for a swim and so we walked back to the resort so we could check out the pool and jacuzzi area. Please note that the hotel has some comfortable robes but you will need to request that from the front desk. The pool area features a nice sized pool with two jacuzzi's and the pool area overlooks a small beach on the lake with hiking trails and the forest surounds you. In the pool area there are several hammocks you can use and a few shuffle board courts.
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The hotel features two forms of dining, BIN 189 which is the main restaurant and another is Aromas Cafe where you can order hot drinks like hot tea and hot chocolate which be sure and grab on your way to the pool area. It was pretty great to sip our hot drinks as we relaxed in the jacuzzi while the kids had a blast in the heated pool area.
When we were done at the pool we headed to our rooms which were wonderful. We had two rooms for the 5 of us. They were connecting rooms and the kids room included two Queen beds along with a private outdoor balcony which overlooks the pool area and Lake Arrowhead, you also have a perfect view of the forest area.
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Harold and my room included a King size bed and a pull out sofa bed. The beds in all the rooms were super comfortable and we also had a private balcony with amazing views of the area. Each room included a desk and chair, coffee/tea maker, some tea and coffee supplies, and a small fridge. The bathrooms included a closet, sink, spacious shower and spa products for your daily use.
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For dinner we headed over to BIN 189 for a wonderful family dinner in the very cozy dining room. As you enter the restaurant there is a family sitting room with couches, a fireplace, TV and games for you to play with like tic tac toe, along with a Christmas tree. They have a wonderful kids menu and the macaroni and cheese dish was a favorite.
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I had a delicious salad and Harold enjoyed a delicious Prime Steak dinner. The desserts were amazing, but Harold and I were stuffed so the kids got to enjoy a delicious Apple Pie and a Chocolate Brownie Sundae dessert. The feel of the restaurant is very family friendly and we noticed that at almost every table featured families with kids.
After dinner we headed downstairs to the Lake Arrowhead’s Spa of the Pines where we picked up a ticket for our S'mores Under the Stars and then took a walk past the pool and down a walkway to the resorts lake front beach which is where there is a firepit and we handed over our ticket and received our S'mores Kit. There are benches around the fire pit and we had a great time making S'mores and meeting other families who were enjoying the resort and making S'mores with us.
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The hotel lobby is decorated for the holidays with holiday lights, a Christmas Tree and holiday decor throughout the lobby. There is a large fireplace whith comfortable couches for guests to hang out on as they enjoy the cozy fireplace. The hotels front desk also keeps a bunch of family oriented games so that guests can borrow them and play them in the lobby area.
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This holiday season the hotel is offering some wonderful holiday events and activities that were not available yet but if you go be sure and check it out. We highly recommend the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa and definitely be back again as it was the perfect quick getaway that the whole family loved.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES:
Build Your Own Gingerbread House with Santa’s Elves Saturday, December 15, from noon to 5 p.m.
- To create their own personalized gingerbread houses, kids and families are provided houses and decorations to “build” away with a little help from Santa’s elves.
- $30 per gingerbread house.
- Reservations are required.
Build Your Own Hot Cocoa Saturday, December 15, through New Year’s Eve; daily from 6 to 9 p.m. in Aromas Cafe.
- There’s nothing more satisfying than creating a custom cozy warming hot chocolate beverage using whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles and more delectable delights.
- $7 each for 12 oz hot cocoa.
Kids’ Night Out December 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29; starting at 8 p.m.
- Guests enjoy family-friendly holiday movies in the Stars Room on Kids’ Night Out, accompanied by popcorn, hot chocolate and yummy Christmas cookies.
- $20 per guest or parents who have confirmed dinner reservations at BIN 189 during the movie time can bring their kids for free.
S’mores Under the Stars Saturday, December 15, through New Year’s Eve; from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. nightly
- It’s time to enjoy a nostalgic holiday experience by roasting s’mores with friends and family on the resort’s Lobby Deck.
- $20 per s’mores kit; makes enough for a family of four.
HOLIDAY SPA TREATMENTS
- Lake Arrowhead’s Spa of the Pines is a restorative spot that features indigenous ingredient treatments for guests to connect with the beauty and tranquility of the resort’s natural surroundings.
- Created especially for holiday indulgences, soothing comfort and beauty are the Holiday Hot Stone Relief Massage, All Is Bright Facial and Mint Chocolate Mistle-Toes Pedicure.
- Reservations can be made by calling at 909.744.3000.
HOLIDAY DINING
On Tuesday, December 25, Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa is throwing a lavish bountiful Christmas feast in Lakeview Terrace with seatings at 1 and 4 p.m.
- The festive celebration will include a carving station with Roasted Prime Rib and Espresso Maple-Glazed Ham.
- There will also be Stuffed Chicken Florentine, Lobster Ravioli, Chilled Shrimp, Charcuterie, seasonal sides and yummy traditional desserts. $57 per person; $28 for children six to 12; $33 for seniors, plus tax and gratuity.
Christmas Day from 1:30 to 9 p.m., BIN 189 will serve a three-course festive menu starting with seasonal soup or salad, then offering Prime Rib, Ham or Chilean Sea Bass and ending with traditional holiday sweets;
- $47 for adults; $39 for seniors, plus tax and gratuity.
- Reservations can be made by calling 909.744.3020.
Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa is located just 3-4 hours away from Ventura County at 27984 Highway 189 in Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
Learn more at http://www.lakearrowheadresort.com/
Disclaimer: Macaroni Kid was a guest at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa and all accomodations, which included a family S'mores Under The Stars experience and dinner at BIN 189 were complimentary to help facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.
