The Pines Resort

The resort has a picturesque lodge overlooking the lake, with grounds that sprawl through the nearby forested hillsides hiding its chalets and cabins. Outdoor features are scattered throughout property, from the sand beach and the outdoor terraces overlooking the water, to the quiet woodland paths winding past the playground and all the cabins. Interior spaces are less alluring, and although the main building has an attractive, timber-and-stone construction, there isn't much to it. The pine-paneled lobby has a dramatic entryway framed in massive beams and topped with a deer's head, but there's just a simple reception desk along one wall and no lounge. It's a popular destination for family vacations, weddings, and honeymoons, and has quiet hours enforced after 10 p.m.

The Pines Resort is on the north shore of Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. It's part of the tiny Pines Village, which has a gas station and a post office, along with a pizzeria and a Mexican restaurant (all within walking distance), but there's nothing else nearby. It's within convenient driving distance to many tourist sites in the area, the most popular being the south entrance to the Yosemite National Park, about a 30-minute drive from the resort (Sights like Glacier Point are about a 90-minute drive). Fresno, and its international airport, are just over an hour drive to the south. 

The resort has a total of 84 chalets, 20 lakefront suites, and two private houses, with a mix of rustic, dated, and contemporary mountain decor. The chalets are (side-by-side) duplexes and each two-story unit has knotty, pine-paneled walls and full kitchens with refrigerators, ovens with stovetops, microwaves, cookware and dishware. Most have bedrooms with a king or two queen beds, simple wood furniture throughout, and living rooms with gas or wood-burning fireplaces. There's also small, carpeted lofts, but they're empty and accessible only by ladder (guests can put air mattresses or sleeping bags on the floor to make a spare bedroom for older kids.) Since they're duplexes, they can be easily combined for larger families to share. A few chalets have only kitchenettes; the two-bedroom chalets and an Executive Chalet with two queen beds and a conference table. Each unit has a private deck, with tables and barbecue grills, with either forest or lake views. 

The suites are housed in a lakeside building and have an open, split-level design, with high ceilings and exposed beams. The rooms open to entries with separate vanities and bathrooms off to the side. Carpeted bedrooms have king beds and wood furniture, while the wood-floor living areas a few steps down have sofa beds and fireplaces. There are also wet bars with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. These units open to small furnished patios or balconies, all with lake views. Upgraded suites add whirlpool tubs. There are also two rental houses; one two-bedroom and one five-bedroom, with furnished living rooms, wood-burning fireplaces, and full kitchens. Though tidy, bathrooms are dated across the board, and contain shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. All units have flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. 

This resort has a full range of amenities, with a focus on outdoor recreation. The private marina has fishing and water sport rentals, like boats, kayaks, and jet skis, and there's a stretch of sandy beach with loungers and a fire pit. Nature trails surround the property for hiking and biking, and there's a multi-purpose sports court for tennis or basketball. Other outdoor amenities include a playground and a picnic area with a fire pit and simple charcoal grills. Right off the beach, an outdoor lap pool and a hot tub are surrounded by a sundeck with more loungers. A tiny fitness room off the sundeck is crammed with a treadmill, stationary bike, and some weight training equipment. There's no full spa, but massages are available in a treatment room, or in-room. 

Overlooking the marina, Ducey's on the Lake is a woodsy steakhouse with locally grown produce. It's also the only place to get breakfast (not included) within walking distance, and it has a varied menu of traditional items, like omelets, eggs Benedict, waffles, and pancakes, along with huevos rancheros and a bottomless Bloody Mary. Upstairs, the more casual Ducey's Bar & Grill serves a broad menu of burgers, sandwiches, and salads, plus tacos and teriyaki bowls for lunch or dinner. It also has outdoor seating on a deck overlooking the water. The Pines Bar has several flat-screen TVs for watching sports, two pool tables, and an outdoor deck, along with a great selection of craft beers and regular live music or karaoke nights. There's also an on-site grocery store with a deli. Facilities for events and weddings include two banquet halls, four smaller meeting rooms, and 7,000 square feet of outdoor space. Free parking is included, and Wi-Fi is free throughout, but housekeeping isn't daily (every fourth day).