Heidelberg Inn — Hotel in Mammoth Lakes

Summary: An inviting yet quiet place with kind staff, fully equipped condos, good maintenance & amazing mountain view from the hot tub.

Please note:

• I stayed in this place during September 2018.

• I made an informative video to support the following review. You can watch the video on "OVR Travel" YouTube channel under the title "Heidelberg Inn Resort Review (June Lake, USA)".

The pros:

• The view – The resort is facing a mesmerizing mountain view. You will be able to enjoy the view when sitting inside the hot-tub, or when doing BBQ. The rooms that are facing the direction will enjoy the view as well.

• Peacefulness – Some of it is because the area itself, and some is because the place wasn’t fully booked during my visit, but I you probably will find it anyway. The rooms are spacious, and you can find several spots to sit quietly and relax without being bothered.

• All year relevance – The resort is a great place to stay, whether you come during the winter to ski, or during the warmer seasons to fish, hike or get a tan. The resort offers amenities that are suitable for those activities (fishing cleaning room, ski lockers).

• Distance from Yosemite National Park – I guess there are closer accommodation alternatives to Yosemite National Park, but 30 minutes drive isn’t that bad. Especially when the other places I considered were also in the same area.

• Kind staff – I didn’t have that much interaction with them, but they were informative, kind, and explained to me about things to do in the area, including giving me a map.

• Cleanliness and maintenance – Though this resort is in a rural area that isn’t that modern, it is clean and maintained well. This applies to the room which was fully equipped with everything I needed, the peaceful and warm lobby, and the rest of the amenities.

• The small perks (along the other available amenities) – I know it might be obvious that perks and amenities should be included for what you paid, but because it’s not a big place, things such as the veggie platter and cold water with lemonade that were offered for free, or all the stuff that was available in my room shows that there is a sincere effort to offer a positive experience.

• Free parking space – You probably will arrive with a car, so it’s good to know where you can park your car.

• Wi-Fi works well – Worked fast, no disconnections.

• Laundry room – The place offers laundry room, which was very useful.

• Price – I checked several accommodation types for this area, and I think that the “Heidelberg Inn” offers attractive price compared to most of them, especially to other resorts.

The cons:

• Bed & pillows comfortability – It’s not that bad but could be more comfortable that it actually looks like.

• Not all the rooms will have the same view – The rooms that are facing to the back won’t enjoy the same view as I had.

• Limited culinary options - The resort itself doesn’t have a restaurant, and the near area has limited culinary options, so it’s best to check with the staff in advance where you can go and purchase food to cook in the room or eat outside.

• Some people might have obstacles to get to the second floor – I believe people with disabilities will have to settle for a room on the 1st floor because there are only normal stairs.

• The spa / sauna wasn’t active during my visit – I’m not sure exactly if there was only a sauna room or there’s more than that, but it wasn’t active anyway during my visit, so I cannot...

My husband and I stayed at the Heidelberg Inn for five days in early September with the intention of visiting Yosemite and the Eastern Sierras. We were not familiar with the area and did not know if we had made a wise decision to stay outside the park, although we hoped that the literature we had consulted was correct that there are many sights to see to the east of the park outside the Tioga Pass Gate. We found that there are indeed many wonderful sights - Mono Lake, Bodie State Park, Mammoth Lakes to name a few - to the east of Yosemite, and there are many spectacular hikes and sights inside the Tioga Pass Gate that are less than a half hour drive from June Lake where the Heidelberg Inn is located. The drive from June Lake to Yosemite Valley takes 2 1/2 hours in good weather with minimal traffic - it would be much longer under other conditions, so if Yosemite Valley is the main draw, we would advise staying there to avoid the 5 hour round trip drive. We did make that round trip drive one day, and we stayed in Yosemite Valley for one night to avoid repeating it.

On the whole we were very happy with our decision to stay in June Lake at the Heidelberg. The town of June Lake is charming and anything needed is available for purchase there. The Inn itself is rustic in the best way with pine beams, a central fireplace and friendly and helpful agents. The one bedroom condo we rented was adequate for two people or a family of four. Best of all the place is immaculate with not a smudge, a speck, a crack or a stain anywhere. There are many custom pieces of furniture and hardware, and pristine appliances. It was more relaxing than staying in Yosemite Valley, cooler on hot days and much less...

(5 Stars if they had AC.) We visited during August 2020. Apparently, it typically doesn't get warm enough to warrant air conditioning. However, the windows can be opened to let in some of that glorious mountain air. We did ok with the portable fan that was provided.

Being Covid19 time, our priority was cleanliness - which they excelled at.

We had single queen suite with a small closet and dual nightstands. They even provided a bedside flashlight, which I've never experienced. How thoughtful. I'll think of this place everytime I use it.

Just kidding!

The kitchen was fully equipped with medium sized fridge, stove, blender, coffee maker, cook ware and utensils - along with complete set of dining ware.

Dining table for four and small lounging / TV area. View of the hillside southward. (From our town strolling, we saw no lodging that offered much of a lake view. Too bad.)

Right in the middle of town and definitely within walking distance of local businesses and restaurants - maybe eight in all.

We didn't know about the history of the place - being a celebrity haunt since its beginnings a hundred years ago. B&W photos of movie stars adorn the walls, testmony of its glory days. It has a grand (though not large) central gathering area with a once upon a time "largest four sided fireplace in the world."

Yes, the place has been renovated - so you're not staying in hundred year old rooms. That said, the cottage cheese ceilings are dated, but in fine condition and freshly painted.

Seb was our host - friendly, gracious and accommodating.

We would definitely return. Hopefully someday when we could mingle at the lodge bar and the well appointed seating area around...