My dad stayed here on another visit and liked this place even more than Northwoods. Check it out at www.knickerbockermansion.com.
It's a lovely place with great views. They stayed in the carriage house suite. The room was gorgeous and roomy, with a gas fireplace and massive bathroom with a whirlpool tub. The chef was world-class and the common areas were comfortable.
They've got everything you could want, including history. The Knickerbockers were one of Big Bear's founding families, and this place was their private residence. It was built in 1920 and became a B&B in the '80s. The current owners purchased it in '98 and redid pretty much everything.
Knickerbocker Mansion is a few blocks from the village but feels isolated and off the beaten path, since it's in a residential area. You *can* walk to the village, but I wouldn't recommend it in the winter, as it's uphill from the village and there are no pedestrian paths for a few blocks. If you've got a dog allergy, this isn't for you, as their "kids" live here too, an English sheep dog and a standard poodle. Both dogs are friendly and affectionate. I let my 3-year-old cuddle them without fear, as they're sweet and well behaved. Overall it was a great place to stay, but book early! It's popular, and they've only got 11 rooms.