We've stayed at the Black Bear twice this year, and have enjoyed ourselves both times. The hotel's "condo-style" rooms our perfect for our family, with two small kids (6 and 4). The units have a large living/dining room with couch and a Murphy bed, a full galley kitchen, and a dining table that seats six.

The bedroom is also roomy, with a queen bed and a single/trundle bed for kids. There is a divider curtain between the two sleeping areas. The full bath has a double sink and the tub and toilet have a door for privacy (so more than one person can get ready at a time).

The furnishings and decorations are on the utilitarian side, but are very serviceable. On both our visits, the rooms were clean and well serviced. The staff have been pleasant and accomodating. You won't mistake the service for the Four Seasons, but everyone's been nice, even at 5am when I have padded down to the lobby for the free coffee service while my family slept.

The hotel's indoor/outdoor pool (you swim under a wall to communicate between to the two halves) is small but fun, and was a big hit with our kids. The hot-tub is an above ground unit that "seats" six... popular on the cool July evening we were there. You also get access to the Athletic Club in the valley, which is a full-service facility with pools, racquet courts, weight rooms, etc.

Guests at the Black Bear (Summer 2004) also get to take advantage of the 'mountains of adventure' (or something like that) program, which includes a 2-hour mountain bike rental, a one-hour canoe- or kayak rental, and several other activities each day. We did both in a morning to the pleasure of everyone in our family. The canoeing is on the small pond by the Town Square (you can swim at a small beach there, too). Mountain biking can range from flat-road rambling on the local streets to some serious trail riding.

Which brings you to the real reason you go to Waterville Valley if you're at all inclined to the outdoors -- it's surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest, with mountains rising 2000 feet above the valley floor. The hiking is spectacular (try the Welch-Dickey Trail for amazing open-ledge walking). The mountain biking is great. And the skiing at Waterville Valley is peerless, especially for a young family, for whom the "Kids Kamps" have been a boon.

The Black Bear Lodge is a great base of operations for outdoor adventures -- comfortable, convenient, and centrally located -- you can walk to Town Square, restaurants, a small and expensive (but well-provided) store, etc. Compared to the other facilities in Waterville Valley, the Black Bear seems to be well-priced and conveniently appointed (and honestly, having seen several rooms at the close-by Golden Eagle Lodge, the BBL seems better-layed out and more convenient, if not quite as architecturally interesting).