Our Mission / Our Team
Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel is a European-inspired boutique hotel located in Big Bear Lake, California. Known for its intimate mountain setting, wedding venue spaces, and retreat accommodations, the property blends alpine charm with modern comfort just minutes from Snow Summit and Big Bear Lake. Inspired by unique boutique hotel experiences, our Australian owners believe our guests should always feel welcomed as family and return home with a truly memorable and unique experience on the mountain. Boutique but not pretentious, with a sense of humor, not so serious, and fun times are at the top of our owners' list.
Meet Our Founders
In 2021, a California-based Australian family acquired Chateau Big Bear, bringing fresh vision and thoughtful updates to the property while honoring its European-inspired character.
With a balance of refinement and relaxed hospitality, the owners have revitalized guest spaces and gathering areas to enhance comfort, connection, and the overall mountain experience. Their hands-on approach and welcoming spirit continue to shape Chateau Big Bear as a distinctive boutique destination in Big Bear Lake.
Meet Our Team
Our team is carefully selected with exceptional guest service as the highest priority. Each member plays an important role in delivering a smooth, welcoming, and memorable stay at Chateau Big Bear.
We take pride in maintaining a well-run boutique hotel environment where comfort, award winning cleanliness, and responsiveness matter. Our team delivers consistent guest satisfaction and thoughtful service, even in dynamic mountain conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chateau Big Bear modeled after a European chateau?
In 1987, Mr. Paul Rizos, a wealthy hotelier and immigrant, purchased the land to build the chateau in the image of properties his family owned in Europe.
When was Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel established?
The development of Chateau Big Bear began in the mid-1980s, when developer Mr. Paul Rizos introduced a vision that was unique for Big Bear Lake, California. His European-inspired design required extensive planning and engineering, particularly due to the substantial quantities and structural weight of imported marble and specialty construction materials.
In the spring of 1987, the property officially opened as the Big Bear Inn, quickly becoming one of the most distinctive hotels in the San Bernardino Mountains. Over the years, the hotel operated briefly under the Holiday Inn flag and later as a Best Western Plus property.
In 2024, new ownership repositioned and rebranded the hotel as Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel – BW Signature Collection, elevating it into a boutique mountain destination known for weddings, retreats, and upscale accommodations in Big Bear Lake.
Where is Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel located?
Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel is located in the San Bernardino Mountains at an elevation of 6,892 feet above sea level in Big Bear Lake, California.
Since opening in 1987, the hotel has anchored the Moonridge Corridor, a growing district near the base of Bear Mountain Ski Resort. The property is approximately 1.8 miles from Bear Mountain, 0.5 miles from Snow Summit, 1.2 miles from Big Bear Lake, and 1.8 miles from Big Bear Lake Village — all making it a centrally located mountain lodging destination for skiing, lake activities, weddings, and retreats.
Does Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel host weddings and retreats?
Yes. Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel is a popular wedding and retreat venue in Big Bear Lake, California. The property offers indoor and outdoor event spaces ideal for intimate mountain weddings, corporate retreats, wellness retreats, and group gatherings.
Couples choose Chateau Big Bear for its European-inspired architecture, alpine setting, and convenient location near Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. The hotel provides on-site guest accommodations, making it easy for wedding parties and retreat attendees to stay together in one centrally located mountain destination. Learn more about our Big Bear wedding and retreat venue options.
What makes Chateau Big Bear different from other Big Bear hotels?
Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel stands apart from other Big Bear Lake hotels due to its distinctive European chateau-style architecture, boutique atmosphere, and flexible event capabilities.
Unlike larger chain resorts or cabin rentals, Chateau Big Bear offers a refined yet intimate mountain setting with on-site wedding and retreat space, walkable access to the Moonridge Corridor via the Rathbun Creek Trail, and close proximity to Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake, and the Village.
The combination of architectural character, centralized location, and event-friendly design makes Chateau Big Bear one of the most unique boutique hotels in the San Bernardino Mountains.
What is the Myth behind Chateau Big Bear?
Throughout the hotel, you will find art pieces playfully depicting aristocratic animals that once occupied the property. This urban myth dates back to 1987 when the hotel was established by its European founders. They adorned the Chateau with millions of dollars worth of art and hosted operas and extravagant events for their aristocratic Californian and international friends. It is said that the local wildlife took on human form and cursed the hotel owners for taking over their land. Inspired by this story, our free-spirited Australian owners have embraced the playfulness and broken the curse by paying homage to the mountain's wildlife as equals to us and our visitors.
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Contact Us at Chateau Big Bear
909-866-6666 - Direct
Chateau Big Bear
42200 Moonridge Road
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315