Casetta Hotels has reopened Big Bear’s beloved Hotel Marina Riviera, marking a new chapter for an iconic lakefront lodge originally built in 1968.
Perched on the quiet edge of Big Bear Lake, the Viking-inspired property underwent a thoughtful restoration led by Los Angeles-based design studio Electric Bowery. The result is a layered, nostalgic hospitality experience that merges alpine nostalgia with the louche charm of a 1970s mountain escape.
Cozy guestrooms
The 42 guestrooms at Hotel Marina Riviera have been reimagined with a warm, earthy palette of terracotta, umber, pine, and deep forest green.
Natural oak flooring, hand-finished woodwork in graphic plaid, and bespoke furnishings by local artisans ground the interiors, while murals of pastoral scenes nod to the lodge’s vintage roots. Accommodations are also punctuated by lake-blue, mossy green, and burnt orange tones that mirror the surrounding alpine terrain.
Public spaces at Hotel Marina Riviera
In the lobby, guests are greeted by a moody fireplace lounge and a curated analog record nook, which sets the tone for slow afternoons and cozy evenings.
Adding to the revitalized energy is De La Nonna Big Bear, the first mountain outpost of the popular LA pizzeria. The restaurant is breezy and unfussy, channeling the relaxed rhythm of lake life with inlaid wood paneling, Japanese tilework, and mirrored surfaces that reflect the mountain’s changing light.
Outside, guests can relax in the year-round heated pool, cold plunge, barrel sauna, or kick back by one of several sunset-facing fire pits.
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