Review - Bear Lake Mountain Resort
The Bear Lake Mountain Resort is an extension to Tanglewood National Park and Bennetville Montana. Read our review of the rest of the park here.
Overall, this is a pretty well laid out resort with some really good rooms - which are free. The resort could do with a bit of sign posting to help visitors but overall, it’s recommended
Overall look and feel
The Bear Lake Mountain Resort is located down quite a long road away from the rest of Bennetville. However, like the rest of the complex the theme is very much Montana mountains and forests.
Bear Lake Mountain itself consists of a chalet type resort building, with facilities including a pool, restaurant, outdoor cafe and bar.
Within the resort you then have signs to something called “Benny’s Place Resort Hotel.” This I found a little confusing, as Benny’s Place Resort Hotel is basically just an annex of Bear Lake Mountain.
Like the rest of Tanglewood and Bennetville, a lot of care and attention has been put into the design and build. A welcome notecard explaining everything would however be an idea, as well as more signs in and around the property
Note that everything here is self service.
Overall - 3.5 / 5
The rooms
As mentioned, the rooms are in an annex, which is called “Benny’s Place Resort Hotel.” However, it’s essentially the same place.
There are four adult rooms and one family room. The adult rooms are really good, better than the rooms I have seen in some paid for resorts.
They are large, with nice touches such as a drinks fridge and coffee machine. The bathroom is also big, and well designed. The choice of furniture is good - for example a Hudson Adult Bed, a Nutmeg Colonial Bathtub and a Loft & Aria Kendall Shower.
I was less impressed with the family room, but then again family RP is not really my thing, and I know that plenty of people enjoy it. If so, this is for you.
Overall - 4 / 5
The facilities
Again, given that the resort is free, what was on offer is good. There is a self service restaurant, a bar, an outdoor dance and DJ area, and a swimming pool at the bottom level.
There are also extensive grounds and forests to walk around in. For an idea of some of the facilities here, read our Tanglewood review.
Overall - 4 / 5
Other considerations
There are adult rooms and one PG (family) room to choose from
As the rooms are free, there is no privacy and it is first come, first serve
I didn’t find lag too much of an issue
Overall
Combined with the rest of the park complex, it is definitely worth a visit. One of the best free hotels I have seen - recommended.