About Us

How We Came to Big Bear Lake

Chris grew up on a farm in Ellsworth, and later moved to Gaylord as he was finishing high school. He entered the US Marine Corps and served his country honorably for four years and participated in Desert Storm. After his tour, he worked some odd jobs until he found his career in truck driving. He worked in food service delivery as a semi-driver for more than twenty years. He has been happily married to Maria for about ten years, and he has an adult daughter named Alexis.

Maria grew up in a large family who owned a produce company out of the Eastern Market in Detroit. Her family moved to the San Diego area when she was young, but they moved back to Detroit shortly after she graduated high school. She has worked in many aspects of the food service industry for more than twenty-five years. She is a self-taught cook and loves to entertain. She and Chris met and married about ten years ago. Maria has three adult children and two granddaughters.

Together, Chris and Maria have a passion for serving. Chris worked a very physical job for more than 25 years, and it was taking a toll on his body. They were praying for an opportunity to still make an income while retiring Chris from his job. They always loved entertaining friends and family and felt like it was their gift. They were looking at purchasing a small restaurant when they heard about a former bed and breakfast that was for sale. They realized that they could combine their gifts of cooking and entertaining into one successful business.

Chris and Maria are intensely devoted to each other and are strong proponents of healthy marriages. Their mission is to help you decompress and renew your commitment to your marriage and family while you’re staying at their home. We offer exhausted moms and dads a time of respite and hope you feel as though you're being spoiled by your parents. When you’re not visiting with your family, the house is a great retreat for small men’s or women’s groups; or for celebrating wins with your sales team. You will be welcomed and loved on during your stay.

Chris and Maria

The History of
Bear Lake Getaway

Bear Lake Getaway was successfully operated as a bed and breakfast for about twenty years. The former owners retired but wanted to sell to new owners who were interested in keeping the business running.

We are centrally located in the northern part of lower Michigan. The area is known for its breathtaking scenery, gorgeous fall colors and many outdoor activities like skiing, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, golfing, kayaking, and hiking.

In addition, there are many other tourist destinations within a 90-minute drive.

Come explore all that Bear Lake Getaway has to offer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We want to bring our jet skis. Is there room to park our trailer?

Yes, we can accommodate a trailer as long as you have arranged it in advance with us.

Do you accept pets?

No pets of any kind are allowed at Bear Lake Getaway.

Do you accept children?

We love children and we will love on them like our own family.

Do you allow smoking?

No, we are a smoke-free property, both indoors and outdoors.

Are you handicap accessible?

No, we are NOT handicap accessible.

Can we check in early if we arrive earlier than expected or stay late on our last day?

Currently, regular check-in begins at 3:00pm through 5:00p. Check out is by 11am. We do offer an early check-in and/or a late check-out, by prearrangement only and for an additional fee.

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