Mammoth Lakes hotels

Your log cabin dreams can come true at Tamarack Lodge and Resort. If you enjoy privacy and seclusion, like I do, this is one of the top-rated hotels in Mammoth Lakes. Lucky guests stay in tranquil, private cabins, which combine romantic, rustic touches with modern amenities.

The resort is right on the edge of Twin Lakes, with the Panorama Dome trail just steps beyond the grounds. The lobby is such a stunner that I’d consider working the front desk just to enjoy it for even longer. Meanwhile the on-site restaurant – aka Lakefront Restaurant – is equally as impressive.

Toss in the bike and paddle hire in summer, the pet-friendly rooms and the continental breakfast, and there’s no doubt this is one of the best hotels in Mammoth Lakes.

If you want direct access to the slopes, The Village Lodge is one of the best hotels in Mammoth Lakes to book. This ski-in/ski-out hotel has more than its fair share of perks, including an outdoor pool and multiple hot tubs that are most fun in winter, when they’re surrounded by four feet of snow. In summer, check out the poolside fire pits.

Beyond the lodge’s epic ski access, this spot is just steps from the Mammoth Village Gondola, Mammoth Brewing Company and the five-plus mile Lakes Basin Bike Path, which goes to scenic spots like Twin Lakes Vista. And that’s just the beginning of a long, long list of attractions.

As for the rooms, look forward to sizeable digs, fireplaces, balconies, full kitchens, bathtubs and up to three bedrooms for you and the crew.

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the suites at The Westin Monache Resort are what sealed the deal for me at this property. I love the modern look almost as much as I love the spectacular mountain views.

The rooms here are stylish, the kitchenettes are about as nice as they come and the outdoor pool is smack-dab in the pines, which is my kind of landscaping. All that aside, the resort’s location alone would make it one of the best hotels in Mammoth Lakes. It sits at the base of the Mammoth Village Gondola, right by the Village at Mammoth, which has shops, restaurants and events all year.

For après-ski nightlife, check out Lakanuki Bar & Cafe – admittedly, it’s a bit strange to go from chalet town to tiki bar, but that’s all part of the fun – and Shelter Distilling, which has great live music on weekends.

Convict Lake Resort is set on a cul-de-sac in the mountains, next to a picture-perfect lake. Located about 15 minutes east of town, it’s a bit of an insider secret.

This spot – all private cabins with modern amenities in a secluded setting – is especially great for groups. The largest cabin can fit up to 32 people, making it ideal for weddings and family reunions. The on-site restaurant and bar are must-visits, anglers can fish right off the marina and hikers can get straight on the trails around Convict Lake (so named because a group of convicts hid here in 1871 after a prison break).

If you want to skip the hubbub of the Village at Mammoth, Convict Lake might just be your spot.

Cinnamon Bear Inn has a definite vintage feel, making it one of the most unique hotels in Mammoth Lakes. Every room is a bit different, but if you can nab one with cathedral ceilings and large windows, you’ll be onto a winner. Some come with kitchenettes and lofts (as well as bunk beds for the kids) and all have motel-style exterior access. There’s a nice breakfast offered every day too.

As for location, it’s right in the heart of town, steps from the trails around Main Street and just a few minutes from Mammoth Creek Park and the Village Gondola Station. In the summer months especially, it’s super walkable.

Note there’s no lift here, so if someone in your group has mobility issues or you don’t want to haul your luggage, ask for a room on the ground floor.

On the northern edges of town but still centrally located, the Empeiria High Sierra is another one of the best hotels in Mammoth Lakes. I love the fact that it offers a little bit of everything.

Rooms vary from your standard two-queen to a two-bedroom suite with a full kitchen – so whether you’re staying two nights or two weeks, you’re covered at the Empeiria. With a modern feel, large rooms, a great breakfast restaurant and easy access to Main Street, it couldn’t be easier to power up here and get on the road for all of Mammoth’s adventures.

I love that the staff are happy to dole out local tips, from hiking trails to ghost towns and beyond. Don’t miss Mono Lake State Natural Reserve, which has three times the saltiness of the ocean (and yes, the staff are equipped to tell you why).

A mountainside pool. Epic balcony views. An adorable on-site coffee shop. Homely “modern mountain” vibes. The aesthetic makes Juniper Springs Resort one of the best hotels in Mammoth Lakes. It somehow manages to be both cosy and luxurious, which is a fine line to tread.

The hotel is set slope-side at 8,000 feet (2,438 metres), with trails right outside the front and back doors, just steps from the Eagle Express chairlift at Mammoth Mountain. Skiers will be in heaven here, and hikers can traipse down via winding trails to the pretty Mammoth Creek. For golfers, Sierra Star Golf Course is just beyond the grounds too.

As for the rooms, both apartments and townhouses are available, with full kitchens, fireplaces and more. There are also two swimming pools and six hot tubs – ideal for some hard-earned après-ski relaxation.

The Mammoth Creek Inn has that old-school ski-lodge vibe, with just 26 guestrooms for an intimate feel – a stark contrast to the massive apartments on the slopes.

Rooms range from standard occupancies (with wood-burning stoves, no less) to master loft suites with cathedral ceilings and full kitchens, ideal for long-term guests. I love this spot’s location, which is hinted at in the name – it’s right next to the lovely Mammoth Creek Park and the trails that wind along the creek and down Old Mammoth Road.

For those seeking plenty of tranquillity with their stay, this is one of the best hotels in Mammoth Lakes.

With Mammoth Creek babbling away practically in its back garden, Snowcreek Resort has hit the jackpot in terms of natural surroundings. Guests here get to benefit from them hugely.

Beyond balconies with epic mountain views and trails just out the back door, guests get complimentary access to Snowcreek Athletic Club (a world-class facility just steps from the hotel) and waived green fees at the nearby Snowcreek Golf Course, one of the finest in the city.

Guest spaces here have everything, from full kitchens and laundry facilities to grills and blazing fireplaces. There are also spa services, a steam room and two swimming pools on-site.

For those of us who can’t resist a European chalet-style hotel (guilty as charged), Alpenhof Lodge delivers the cosmopolitan dream in the heart of California. The Village at Mammoth is about a 20-second walk away, putting this spot right in the thick of Mammoth’s action – and so close to the Mammoth Village Gondola and the slopes at Mammoth Mountain.

Though the shops and restaurants of the Village are just a stone’s throw away, don’t overlook Alpenhof’s two dining establishments: Petra’s Bistro and The Clocktower Cellar. The former is a place to relax and sip good wine; the latter is more about whiskey and billiards.

As for the accommodation options, there’s a healthy mix of studios, cabins and “fireplace rooms” for those who prioritise cosiness (also guilty). Or, since this is the Alpenhof: those who prioritise hygge vibes.