JILL WEINLEIN

After graduating from UCLA, JIll traveled the world looking for unique destinations. She’s been writing about her travels for almost 30 years in various publications.

She writes a weekly restaurant review for the Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News. It’s inserted into the Los Angeles Times every Thursday and delivered to subscribers from Hancock Park to Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills to the Wilshire Corridor.

Big Bear’s boutique Noble + Proper is an Upscale Getaway for All Seasons

By JILL WEINLEIN

Last month I discovered one of the most beautiful new cabin resorts in Big Bear. After the last snow storm blanketed Southern California with a thick layer of white powder, I drove two hours drove up the mountain to stay one night at Noble + Proper.

Interior designer Sara Simon, founder of Handsome Salt, and her husband Sven purchased a group of cabins in Big Bear in 2021. They lovingly renovated and refreshed each one to honor beloved family members. There are 7 two bedroom cabins and one four bedroom home that are uniquely decorated to reflect the personality of the person being honored.

There is no front desk at Noble + Proper, instead guests receive a welcome email 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions. I was assigned Elfriede’s Haus, drove to the parking spot where her name and image was etched on the glass of the front door. Then I pushed my personal access code on a digital key pad to enter the private cabin.

Walking inside, I discovered that Elfriede’s an older woman and revered family member. The 830 square feet, two-story cabin is cozy and furnished in feminine pink, green and cream colors. Warm wood tones, and exciting tile work offer an opulent feel inside. The well stocked kitchen had a full-size refrigerator, microwave, plates, glassware, silverware, a toaster, kettle, and french press for preparing breakfast in the morning. There was also a complimentary bag of coffee and bottle of sparkling water on the counter top for me to enjoy.

Elfriede’s blue and white china are artistically displayed on the wall, as well as her framed needlepoint. Books and trinkets on a shelves enlightened me to what Elfriede enjoyed reading and collecting.

As I sunk into the comfortable sofa and turned on the 50′ framed Samsung television, I noticed a vintage looking gas fireplace with a automatic timer to turn on and off. Turning it on, I enjoyed a warm glow in the room.  All cabins have central air-conditioning and heat to keep guests comfortable year round.

Retiring early, I walked upstairs and discovered two-bedrooms, each with a comfortable queen bed fitted with Parachute Home linens. There is a tiled half-bath separating each bedroom upstairs, while downstairs there is a beautiful pink and green tiled bathroom with a large walk-in shower. Pink tile was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Some say this color took off when former first lady Mamie Eisenhower, who adored pink, inspired builders and decorators to use the rosy colored tile during the postwar boom years.

Upstairs I opened the the large viewing window to allow the crisp and fresh mountain air inside, while I snuggled under a down duvet.

The sounds of Blue Jays in the nearby pine trees woke me up in the morning. After making coffee, I drove over to the lake and took a walk along Stanfield Marsh Wildlife Boardwalk Park. It’s a beautiful 1.6 mile waking trail offering bird watching opportunities and pretty lake views.

Other activities in Big Bear include hiking, skiing, snowboarding, shopping and dining in Big Bear Village. During the early summer, boating, as well as mountain biking and fishing are popular. Big Bear Lake offers some of the finest freshwater fishing in California. There is an abundance of trout, bass, catfish, and blue gill. Marinas around the lake offer a variety of boat rentals, kayaks, jet skis, and stand-up paddle-boards to enjoy water activities.

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is open as the only mountain zoo in the United States with over 100 wildlife in need that have been rehabilitated.

Before checking out, I learned Noble + Proper offer complimentary bicycles for guests to take out for a spin. There is also a main area in the center of the boutique resort for guests to congregate to play horseshoes, swing in a hammock, or prepare a bbq dinner and dine al fresco under the towering pine trees.

For family or friend reunions, there is one cabin that is over 3,000 square feet, offering 4 bedrooms and 3. 5 baths, plus a hot tub in the back. It’s a great alternative to Airbnb.

Prices range from $495 – $1,995 a night. Go to www.nobleandproper.com or call (909)264-8463.