A Storied Mountain Escape Is Reborn in Big Bear Lake

Just two hours from Los Angeles the alpine enclave of Big Bear Lake has long offered Southern Californians something increasingly rare: quiet immersion in nature without the logistical lift of long-haul travel.

Now, a new boutique hospitality venture is reshaping that escape by restoring two historic mountain retreats and returning them to the cultural life of the region.

Founded in 2025 by Joseph Lontos, Donna Mulchand, and Todd Calongne, Arkouda Stays brings together two complementary properties under a shared philosophy: meaningful travel happens when people slow down, unplug, and reconnect—with nature, with place, and with themselves.

At the center of the brand’s debut is Arkouda Cabins, a restored nine-cabin woodland retreat now open year-round. Soon to follow is Arkouda House, a reimagined lodge scheduled to open after a comprehensive renovation. Together, the properties mark not only a new chapter for the brand, but a revival of two landmarks woven into the region’s layered past.

Hollywood History, Preserved in Pine and Stone

During Hollywood’s Golden Age, Big Bear’s forested slopes served as both sanctuary and studio outpost. With film contracts requiring actors to remain within quick reach of production, the nearby San Bernardino Mountains became a favored retreat for directors, crews, and stars seeking seclusion between shoots.

One of the most prominent hideaways was Embers Lodge, opened in 1935 and now reborn as Arkouda Cabins. Over the decades, its guest list read like a roll call of Western and Hollywood legends—among them Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Audie Murphy, Howard Hughes, and cast members of Bonanza. Their presence remains etched into the property itself, where preserved cement walkways still bear handprints from Marilyn Monroe and Roy Rogers.

Nearby, another local landmark carried a different kind of legacy. Honey Bear Lodge—now Arkouda House—became known for its strength after surviving the powerful 1992 Landers earthquake that reshaped parts of Southern California.

For co-founder Lontos, restoring these properties meant safeguarding more than buildings—it meant preserving cultural memory.

“These properties were not operational when we acquired them and we felt strongly that allowing two iconic parts of Big Bear’s history to fade away would have been a shame,” Lontos said. “From Marilyn Monroe’s handprints at the former Embers Lodge (now Arkouda Cabins) to Honey Bear Lodge’s (now Arkouda House) resilience after the earthquake, these properties carry incredible stories. We see ourselves as stewards of that history, bringing both hotels into a new chapter through restoration, elevated design, and a renewed level of comfort. We want to ensure they become vibrant, active parts of the community once again, defined by beautiful design and authentic character."

“We were also intentional about the rebrand,” Lontos continued. “We wanted to keep ‘bear’ in the identity to honor Big Bear, but create something distinctive. With a Mexican mother and a Greek father, I explored names in both languages, and ‘Arkouda,’ the Greek word for bear, just stuck. It felt authentic to us while signaling something fresh.”

Restoration With Restraint

The revival of what is now Arkouda Cabins was guided by a preservation-first philosophy—one that values patina as much as polish. Original knotty pine interiors remain intact, along with hand-laid river rock fireplaces, vintage doors and windows, and winding cement paths shaded by mature trees.

The design approach favors continuity over reinvention, allowing the property’s history to remain visible and tactile.

Each of the nine cabins is individually styled, ranging from intimate studios suited to romantic weekends to a spacious three-bedroom retreat designed for families and small groups. The scale is deliberately limited, reinforcing the sense of privacy that has long defined the property.

Expansion, however, is already underway.

“Our approach to growth is very hands-on, iterative, and constant,” Lontos said. “At Arkouda Cabins, we’ll continue enhancing the in-cabin experience while making meaningful capital improvements, such as adding new inventory, expanding outdoor gathering spaces, and including amenities like a dedicated dog run. We’re also investing in the ‘soft product’ by introducing curated convenience packages, like our ‘Cozy Cave’ option, so guests can arrive to a fully prepared cabin."

"At Arkouda House, we’re moving forward with a comprehensive renovation ahead of our May 2026 opening, and we’re exploring additions like a wellness center with saunas and potentially incorporating restaurant space," Lontos continued. "For us, growth isn’t just about scale, it’s about continually elevating the guest experience in creative ways.”

Building a Sense of Belonging

For Lontos, the vision behind the brand is deeply personal. Having spent much of his childhood moving between countries, he describes hospitality not as service, but as the creation of emotional grounding in unfamiliar places.

“Arkouda Stays is new but our ambition isn’t small,” Lontos said. “Having grown up abroad and moved frequently as a child, travel wasn't just something I did here and there; it was my life. To me, hospitality has always been about creating a sense of belonging in unfamiliar places. We established Arkouda Stays in 2025 with our first two acquisitions, but that was just the starting point."

"Right now, our top priority is ensuring Arkouda Cabins fully meets our high standards and completing the renovations at Arkouda House so we can welcome our first guests in May 2026. Although it's still early days, we're thinking big, leveraging what we’ve learned, and building a boutique brand willing to approach hospitality differently,” Lontos added.

A Return to the Mountain Ideal

Big Bear’s enduring allure has always been rooted in contrast—proximity paired with remoteness, accessibility paired with escape. What Arkouda introduces is a renewed interpretation of that balance: design that respects history, comfort that never overwhelms setting, and a philosophy centered on presence rather than spectacle.

In an era when travel often chases novelty, the brand’s approach feels quietly radical—restore what matters, preserve what endures, and invite guests to experience the mountains not as a backdrop, but as the destination itself.