Gull Lake Lodge — Hotel in Mammoth Lakes

Due to road closure on the 395, my family and I could not get to the motel that night from Bishop. We informed the owner and they insisted we keep checking until the point we could not find a place to stay the night at Bishop and were stranded. Doug (owner) calls me and says that there is no issue with us not coming that night since their guest that are currently in our booked room could not leave also and that we would not be responsible to pay for that night since they would charge the current guests. But, they would cancel the reservation on Expedia so they don’t pay Expedia the commission fee but I still had to pay owner Administration fee. They are working the system. The next day, the 395N was only opened up only up to the 203, and cars escorted by CHP. So we get to Mammoth and all operations were closed due to power outage. I informed owner that Catrans said it was not safe and zero visability and 395 road again was closed. I informed owner and then get an email that they cancelled my entire reservation for the rest of the 3 days and forfeit my 2 day deposit of over $600 and administration fees. I told them we were trying to make it up there. They said I||“was playing a game”. What the heck game is it called when you’d rather be stranded instead of having accommodations and ski? They are playing a game! Only allowed me to get back my reservation when I offered to pay that day I couldn’t check in. Some greedy owner! Also, I was not told that they would go into your room. They don’t even make your bed, just put towels. We felt violated and I think they were snooping to see what they can deduct your deposit or charge $. After check out, I was deducted $23 from my $100 cleaning deposit for unwashed cups, chip wrappers my kids left in room and 2 dirty towels. When I asked why, they said there was a letter in the room with instructions, which I didn’t it see. Beware!||Cabin #16 is smelly. Had to buy 2 buy 2 candles and air fresheners. Stains on floors. Sinks stained, patch and paint, and shabby rooms. They will ensure they get their nightly rate, one way or another. They did no one any favors. When people are at their lowest, they will still still drag you down and get their money. Won’t ever stay here again and will let my friends and family know. There are other local motels to support...

Due to road closure on the 395, my family and I could not get to the motel that night from Bishop. We informed the owner and they insisted we keep checking until the point we could not find a place to stay the night at Bishop and were stranded. Doug (owner) calls me and says that there is no issue with us not coming that night since their guest that are currently in our booked room could not leave also and that we would not be responsible to pay for that night since they would charge the current guests. But, they would cancel the reservation on Expedia so they don’t pay Expedia the commission fee but I still had to pay owner Administration fee. They are working the system. The next day, the 395N was only opened up only up to the 203, and cars escorted by CHP. So we get to Mammoth and all operations were closed due to power outage. I informed owner that Catrans said it was not safe and zero visability and 395 road again was closed. I informed owner and then get an email that they cancelled my entire reservation for the rest of the 3 days and forfeit my 2 day deposit of over $600 and administration fees. I told them we were trying to make it up there. They said I “was playing a game”. What the heck game is it called when you’d rather be stranded instead of having accommodations and ski? They are playing a game! Only allowed me to get back my reservation when I offered to pay that day I couldn’t check in. Some greedy owner! Also, I was not told that they would go into your room. They don’t even make your bed, just put towels. We felt violated and I think they were snooping to see what they can deduct your deposit or charge $. After check out, I was deducted $23 from my $100 cleaning deposit for unwashed cups, chip wrappers my kids left in room and 2 dirty towels. When I asked why, they said there was a letter in the room with instructions, which I didn’t it see. Beware! Cabin #16 is smelly. Had to buy 2 buy 2 candles and air fresheners. Stains on floors. Sinks stained, patch and paint, and shabby rooms. They will ensure they get their nightly rate, one way or another. They did no one any favors. When people are at their lowest, they will still still drag you down and get their money. Won’t ever stay here again and will let my friends and family know. There are other local motels to support...

This was the best stay in a hotel/lodge/inn I've had in probably 20 years. First, I had to change my arrival date on short notice and they were able to do that no cost by taking another customer for my original date. (I don't want to encourage you to be flaky like I am, but it was a huge relief not to waste the money.) Second, I was walking up Rush Creek trail the next day, wanted to start early, and the location was perfect--it took me 15 mins to get to the trailhead. Third, the room--suite, really, with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living-room--was outstanding. Everything was spotlessly clean--rooms, kitchen, plates, pots and pans, towels (lots of them, very good quality), sheets, literally everything was squeaky clean. Some important features were updated--like the bathroom (excellent shower by the way) and the bed (very comfortable). But the building itself is old, which is a gigantic plus. There were no hydraulic door-slammers on the doors, so I wasn't blasted out of bed by anyone arriving late or leaving early. Unlike modern hotels, the building did not vibrate and hum all night from giant heat/aircon/ventilation systems. No moaning/humming elevators, either, and no intermittent buzzing refrigerator--'cause the fridge is in the kitchen, not in the bedroom! Also, it was wonderful having all that space--not feeling like I was in a box all night. And finally, the place seems to attract a mellow clientele, because I heard NOTHING from any neighbors or from the room upstairs, ever--from about 5 PM when I arrived until about 7 AM when I left, not a peep. I slept soundly for 10 hours straight and woke up refreshed and ready to roll.

Oh and for what it is--the space, the cleanliness, the kitchen, the updated bathroom--this was a VERY cheap stay. Maybe I'm a fool, but in the past I've paid half again as much to stay in a noisy box in Lee Vining where I got maybe 5 hours of sleep.

Next time I head into the Eastern Sierra, I'm staying at Gull lake Lodge if I can possibly get a room. Again: best short-term lodging experience I've had in 20 years, minimum. Oh and if I ever want to stay a week on the east face and explore around Mono Lake & Craters & such, Mammoth Lakes, Tuolumne, Parker Lake, Walker Lake, etc., this would...