Sierra Lodge - Mammoth - Going Downhill Fast
Written: Dec 05 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Space for luggage, boots and skis
Cons: Needs a major redo.
The Bottom Line: Okay but don't expect much
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| realtraveller's Full Review: Sierra Lodge |
For the past 10 years, each time I ventured off to the Eastern Sierra either to enjoy the Mammoth area, or on the way to Yosemite or points north, I'd book the Sierra Lodge. When I first found this place it was new and was one of the first all non-smoking accommodations. Unfortunately, in a ski and mountain hiking area, with hiking and ski boots, with ice, snow and dirt, this motel has endured heavy use. And it shows.
Sierra Lodge is located a few miles off Highway 395 on Main Street in Mammoth Lakes, California. It has a convenient central location, near one of the shuttle stops that goes to the mountain. It has one of the few undercover parking garages in Mammoth, so that travelers don't have to scrape ice and snow off their vehicles first thing in the morning. For bone soaking, there is a small hot tub. Beware though. One time it had so much chlorine that my daughter's blonde hair turned green at the tips.
Room
A few rooms on the front of the motel have a mountain view, a limited mountain view across the highway and town, but a view. However, other rooms look out over an alley into a grungy apartment building where sheets are used for curtains and loud music is the entertainment.
The motel advertises itself as having 'kitchenettes' which are just a mini-frig and a microwave, a sink, a few mugs and a counter along one wall of the room. Other than that, the room is a standard motel room, nothing special and lately in need of major makeover. The furniture and carpet need to be replaced.
Bathroom
I do like the bath for one main reason. Given that this is a ski town, there is a long bench for either luggage or ski boots. Above that are lots of pegs for hanging parkas, jackets, scarves, and whatever. There are also two sinks. One in the bathroom itself and one outside. The bathroom itself is nothing special.
Breakfast
When we first stayed here years ago, the continental breakfast was really memorable. There were giant bearclaws and other treats from the locally renowned Schatt's Bakery, a sort of Mammoth area institution. It was really nice to splurge on a sugary roll in the fireplace room looking out over the mountains. Alas, Sierra Lodge has gone cheap on the continental breakfast. Now it's just store bagels, cream cheese and tasteless grocery store type sweet rolls, with coffee and orange juice.
Mammoth Lakes is an expensive place to spend the night. It's one of California's best ski towns and in the summer it's a great base for hiking. It's also one of the prettiest towns on historic Highway 395 and not far from the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite. In a high priced place, Sierra Lodge used to be a find. It never was a place to spend more than a night or two, a place to sleep after a day of hiking.
But it's gone downhill, skiing pun intended.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
realtraveller
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Kathryn
Location: North of Malibu, East of Eden
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Trusted by: 132 members
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Seeking higher ground
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