Lake View Lodge

The hotel was okay besides the view of the dumpster but what ruined the stay for us was realizing two hours after we’d left that we’d left a tote bag in the room. This bag had medication and some expensive cosmetics and other toiletries. As soon as we realized we’d left the bag two hours later we called the front desk and even though I told him our room was directly behind the office and he could have taken two minutes to check that room, he told me to call back hours later at 4pm when housekeeping finishes. Then he gave me attitude when I told him we know the bag was left in the room and it had a lot of special travel items and medication but he was rude and implied I’d left the bag somewhere else. We hadn’t been anywhere else and the bag didn’t leap out of our car as we drove down the road. We called again the next day and got the same response. To whomever took my bag from that room and didn’t turn it in you suck and I hope you’re enjoying all my stuff I needed during the last five days. Won’t be considering this place again. Pffffft.

We stayed one night at Lake View Lodge in Lee Vining. Stayed here after travelling the Tioga Road from Yosemite, we needed somewhere to break up a long journey to Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately there is not much to choose from in this area. The room was very poorly lit and looked tired The sink in the bathroom was too high, can’t believe someone designed it that way. We dined at the Basin Cafe for breakfast which was nice and they gave us 10% off with a voucher. The hotel grounds seem to be looked after better than the accommodation.

Our room was spacious but not well lit. Furnishings were older and there were nicks in the walls. Toilet kept running; we had to ask twice to get it fixed. There were two sink areas. Sinks and toilet were placed low. One sink had no cold water, only hot or warm. There were two kleenex holders but no kleenex. The AC worked well. The bed was comfortable. The room had a mini-fridge with freezer and a microwave. The shower head was good. We heard some road noise. We'll probably look for another place to stay next time. The Basin Cafe had good food, but it's overpriced.

After reading some of the recent reviews I was a little concerned about our one night stay but I need not have worried. We arrived on a particularly cold afternoon & they let us check in a little early. Our room was on the first floor with a bit of a side view. It was warm, clean & comfortable. We slept fairly well, although there is a little noise from the road outside. The location is fantastic for visiting Mono Lake & entering Yosemite from the Tioga Pass. I didn't give it 5 stars as they didn't reply to my emails pre arrival & I didn't like how they cost the rooms - my confirmation said my credit card would be debited $x amount but then they add the taxes & an extra $11 on top of that which is just a bit confusing. Just quote what the total price will be!!!

Update: Sept 2024 Well, we stayed here again but I think next time I will try another place. I have stayed here for years. It was our go to place in Eastern Sierra. But it seems to me the family that owns it (still maybe Banta family?) is choosing to not invest in the property. The 2 queen room we had had a small TV, smaller dresser than usual, so the fridge and microwave had taken the sink countertop area. The handles on the sink and bath tub were so hard and poorly put in you had to tug super hard to turn them on. We couldn't even get the foil off the shampoos. Are they buying really cheap shampoos? The ice machine room has had water on the floor forever. They just don't fix it. If you're going to run a business, you need to invest in it. And it seems to me they have just given up. Which is too bad. Because the structure, the physical layout, the grounds, they are all nice. --------------------- I have stayed here many times. Let me list a few things so you have the right expectations. I paid $250 a night for a room with two queens. You are paying for the location. 30 minutes to Tuolumne Meadows. If you want to see Yosemite Valley (what majority of folks think of as Yosemite), this is way too far. It's a solid 2 hour drive to the valley one-way. But as close as you can be to Tuolumne. So again, don't book this if you are a newcomer to California and want to see Yosemite. You are probably thinking of the Valley. Check out is 4 pm, and they close the office from around 2:30-4 and put a note on the door "Check in is 4 pm". There is no one to talk to before that. They don't answer the phone. At 4 pm a line has formed at the front. Ironic that they email you afterwards saying we are like family. Poor service on their part. The employees are instructed by the owners/managers to do this. Check out is 10 am; earlier than most other hotels. Room tidying-up only if you stay more than 3 nights (note that you've paid $250 a night but no service). Back to my note you are paying for the location. Their bedding is low quality; they could use higher quality blankets. But why I keep staying here: Location. I want to get an early start on my hikes and don't want a long drive, (the next best option is June lake, 15 more minutes south), lovely landscaped grounds with flowers with plenty of seating, all kept clean, good size rooms, clean, AC works (although loud). easy parking. Also I would only stay in the main lodge. The rooms they call cabins, etc. are trailers, and look out on other trailers, and seem dark and not that nice. They have some behind the main lodge and some across the street. Lastly, don't expect Lake Views from most rooms ( a few have it). But it is a view of the open vistas of the Eastern Sierra, a truly beautiful view.