Community, Non-profit, Industry, and Sustainability Partners are foundational to our motel

Partnerships

We partner with local non-profits and community organizers to create inclusive spaces that connect our neighbors, foster creativity, and address needs around Bear Lake and Manistee County.

We've hosted various events including wellness classes, fundraisers, art workshops, and farm-to-table meals.

Our pool is open weekly for public swims, and we've built giving back directly into our business's operations and financial model.

Sustainability + Community Care

We work to incorporate sustainability and community care into every part of our business.

Ongoing Initiatives

  • Donating unusable linens to our Homeward Bound Animal Shelter in Manistee

  • Collecting our guests’ returnable cans for Pleasant Valley Community Center (PVCC)

  • Stocking the Bear Lake Cares Box with period-care items every month

  • Recycling all unusable metal items through Vets for Scrap. Contact David for local pick-up: 231-510-5177

  • Donating 1% of our profits to initiatives that support women and LGBTQ+ people living in and around Bear Lake.

If you have an idea on how we can support a community need or fundraiser, let us know! info@motelbearlake.com.

Two women smiling and holding boxes of sanitary pads, labeled as Super Tampons, Light Pads, and Regular Tampons, with signage for Motel Bear Lake and a window showing parked vehicles outside.

Community Partners

PFLAG Manistee

Up North Pride

Triginta Women’s Club,

Bear Lake Promoters

Armory Youth Project

Contact us if you’re interested in using our community lounge: info@motelbearlake.com.

Group of people dressed in colorful and glamorous outfits, some in drag, posing in a rustic wooden setting with a sign that reads 'Iron Fish'

Industry Partners

Our industry partners have endlessly supported us and we are grateful to build the next chapter in Northern Michigan hospitality, tourism and business ownership.

Manistee County Tourism Authority - we’re on the board!

West Michigan Tourist Association

Outdoor swimming pool with lounge chairs, a fence, and a small building with a covered porch in the background. There are several cars parked nearby and trees behind the building.
View fullsize November Pillow Talk Shorter days, lower occupancy, the election… and yet, we rise! 🥦 Overall - “You have a very healthy business,” that’s what our CPA, @new_soul_pisces , said after auditing our 2024 books. Huge thanks ag
View fullsize Want to help our lil’ retro, gay motel without spending a thing? You can! Here are 5 ways you can make a HUGE impact. Write a Google review- (Link in bio) Google Maps is the #1 reservation referral for us. These reviews are soooo important fo
View fullsize I’m posting some sunny, beautiful pics of the motel to remind myself how far we’ve come... because I’m tired. Uninspired. Projects are taking longer. My priorities don’t feel clear. The emotional weight of creating a space
View fullsize Can we celebrate some solid dudes? Yesterday was International Men’s Day, and though we talk a LOT about the ladies, we want to give a much-deserved shout-out to the men who support us with their time, talents and hearts. Devin - Our go-to fo
View fullsize October Pillow Talk Let’s start with the wins, because there were many: 💕 Humans - Our shining in their on-site roles, extended education courses, and community events. And, a huge shout out to our guests. They are amazing. Our people are fin
View fullsize It’s a haunted motel… 📸 - @jackieblairphotographer #retromotel #motel #itsahauntedhouse #mymanistee #haunted #batesmotel
View fullsize @michiana_jones named this piece, “Pool Dreams” It’s a watercolor she painted of a photo she took last summer next to our 1/2 full pool during her birthday weekend at the motel. Krista is my dearest friend, a talented artist, and
View fullsize It’s the final day to enter our “We wanna get you high” fall giveaway! Special thanks to our partners: ✈️ Orchard Beach Aviation 🍃 @dunegrass.co 🥃 @ironfishdistillery 🍫 @kilwins_frankfort 🎿 @crystalmountainmi 🗺️ @manisteetour
View fullsize We have another sweet, sweet time-travel story. “Oh, dad. I haven’t seen his handwriting in so many years.” 😭😭 This is Joan. In 1962 her dad hand drew the original motel architectural plans. We have them proudly displayed in
View fullsize 🍂✨GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY✨🍂 We wanna get you high: - In the sky - Down a slide - On the farm - At the motel Nominate someone that you wanna get high - or tell us why it’s high time you treat yourself to a little getaway. $450+ Package i
View fullsize September Pillow Talk This month was the transition from treading water through the crazy tourist season to connecting with our community(and still exhausting ourselves). 👏 Our team - Continues to show up with great energy - filling needed roles
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View fullsize Can I share another great human story? This is Connie. (And me with a photo of the original motel owners ) She and her late husband, Tom, owned the motel from 1996 to 2004. She popped by the motel yesterday. We exchanged stories, toured the prope
View fullsize We have a great list of community events for this month! Bear Lake Triginta Club Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, September 7th, 7pm - Contact them directly for details 2nd Community Paint Night with @sipandstrokepaintparties4you - Monday, September 1
View fullsize August Pillow Talk Woof it was a month. 🙃🫠😵‍💫 started with room upgrade chaos > a week that felt like a manageable new normal > ended with what the service industry around here calls “Angry August” but we made it! 👏 our.