What to Expect at

Motel Bear Lake

Retro Vibes for All 🌈

The moment you pull into Motel Bear Lake, you feel it. This is a place for you. A place where you can be yourself, wear what you want, hold hands and kiss whomever you want, walk your sweet doggie around, smoke a j on a yard bench - not just judgement free — fully embraced.

Our woman-powered team is ready to welcome you to a sweet escape from the day-to-day - where cleanliness and good communication are equally as important as the little details that will delight you.

Are we a good fit for you?

All are welcome! We’re especially perfect for for the girls, the gays, the grays, and the golfers.

  • Girls - Solo female traveler or a trip with a lifelong girlfriend, fav cousin or new coworker? YES!

  • Gays - Identify as LGBTQ+ or embrace those who are? YES!

  • Grays - Coming into your Golden Years and yearning for some nostalgia? YES!

  • Golfers - Hitting the links at nearby courses like Arcadia Bluffs or Crystal Mountain? YES

Communication

Smartphone screen displaying check-in instructions for Motel Bear Lake, including reservation details, WiFi password, and contactless room access.

Immediately after booking - Email confirmation. If you don't receive your confirmation, please contact us.

3 days Before Arrival - Email and text message with pre-arrival overview.

8 am Day of Check-in - Email and text with check-in instructions, room and door code.

3rd Party Bookings - If you booked through a third-party website like Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com, or Airbnb, please check their in-app messenger for all of your communication details.

*If you book less than 3 days before your arrival you will still get all communication.*

24-Hour Check-in

A man in a tropical patterned shirt and a dark baseball cap using his hand to operate a door lock on a white door marked with the number 112. There is a sticker on the door indicating non-smoking.

Digital key-code access - no physical keys

No lobby check-in process - Park & go straight to your room

Check-in Time: 4 pm - or anytime after

Check-out Time: 11 am

Around the Motel

Group of five people standing in front of a colorful mural, holding drinks, with some wearing sunglasses and casual summer attire.

Michigan Mural Wall - On the backside of the motel, you’ll see our ever-expanding Michigan Mural Wall. Click here to learn more about our artists.

Pickleball & Basketball Courts - Located 1/2 block under beautiful shade trees.

Bear Lake Community Beach - Just across the street, you’ll find a small, sandy beach and life jackets.

Blarney Castle EZ Mart - Also across the street is a great convenience store and gas station with grab-n-go food, booze and ice.

In-room Amenities

Interior of a motel room with a mounted flat-screen TV, a microwave on top of a mini fridge, a wooden serving cart with a coffee maker and travel guides, a circular wall mirror, and a decorative pillow on a chair.

TV - Enjoy a smart TV with Netflix included and additional streaming services available with your login - no cable or local channels.

Comfort - Organic mattresses, fresh linens, white noise machines, black-out curtains & charging stations.

Micro-kitchens - Mini-fridge, microwave, coffee pot, coffee, tea & cute branded mugs.

Dreamy 60s Pool

A colorful inflatable pool float with orange, green, yellow, white, and pink stripes, floating in a pool of clear blue water.

Palm Springs Vibes - Lounge chairs, pink umbrellas & oversized pool floaties.

Open Seasonally - Memorial Day to Labor Day (10am - 9pm).

Weather Closing— Based on our license guidelines, our staff is empowered to close the pool if they deem weather conditions unfit for guest use.

Curated Guest Amenities

Interior view of a storage room or porch with shelves holding towels and books, and outdoor seating area with potted plants and chairs visible through the door.

Guest Amenity Room - Located to the left of the Lobby doors. Use your room door code.

Delightful Finds - Explore our collection of classic games, coffee-table books, kids’ toys, dog treats, and, our favorite, art supplies!

Essentials - Grab a box fan, a first aid kit, tampons, towels - anything needed during your stay.

Ice, ice, babes

A woman is placing a container into a white ice bin labeled 'ice' outside near a brick wall.

No Fancy Ice Machine - We don't have a traditional hotel ice machine (because they are really expensive, and we are just starting up.)

Chest Freezer - Help yourself to our chest cooler with ice scoop in front of the Guest Amenity Room.

Guest Support

Shelves stocked with neatly folded white linens and towels inside a guest supply room, next to a brick wall with a sign.

Lounge Hours: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm (May-September)

24/7 Guest Support - Easily text or call: 231-224-6273

No traditional lobby

Cancellations

View of a brick building with an open doorway marked "Office" leading to a sitting area with a cream sofa, wooden side table, and a rug. Outside, there are white and green chairs with cushions and a potted plant.

For direct reservations:

  • 30+ days before arrival: 92% refund

  • 14 to 29 days before arrival: 50% refund

  • 7 to 13 days before arrival: 25% refund

  • Less than 7 days before arrival: No refund (0%)

Please call to cancel: 231-224-6273

All other reservations:

All are Welcome

Two women holding hands and smiling while standing on a driveway in front of a brick house with green bushes. One woman has curly blonde hair and is wearing orange glasses, a bright orange t-shirt, and blue overalls. The other woman has short dark hair, and is wearing an orange Kawasaki t-shirt and black shorts.

🇺🇸 Veterans and First Responder Discounts - Learn More

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ and BIPOC friendly, welcomed, safe, and loved - Learn More

Text reading 'MOTEL Bear Lake' in black and white graphic design.

Wish you were here.

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