Panamint Springs Resort — Hotel in Ridgecrest

First time to Death Valley, We did not travel in RVs or campers and we wanted to stay overnight to see the stars. Since there weren't many accommodations around and every place is at a premium, this resort is the least pricy of all. We opted for a rather pricy cottage/cabin located behind its restaurant. The cottage is clean but very basic and rustic for sure. First impression, it has a dusty, "makeshift" vibe, but to be fair the entire resort has the "makeshift" vibes because we're in the desert after all, so it fits the place and its environment. The beds had clean white sheets covered over lumpy mattress with an array of white pillows with different degrees of lumpiness, and the bathroom was cleaned and stocked with basic toiletries and towels, along with a basic working shower and flushable toilet and a working slow-draining sink. The closet area has a rack with hangers and a small working fridge (It would be nice to also include a small working microwave and a water boiler for the price of the cottage, just a minor suggestion). When we first opened its door the room had two window A/Cs running. The TV is flatscreen and it does work but we couldn't watch anything at all. There's WiFi password provided at checkin but we could not get any cell signals so we couldn't make or receive calls let alone get online. We were told the nearest place with signals to our cottage is at the restaurant.. (hmm... very clever). The cottage comes with a dusty front porch and a little side porch under a pine tree. Some of the outdoor chairs on both porches had seen much better days and desperately needs cleaning, repairing, or replacing (they really resembled discarded broken chairs left by the curb on trash days). But on the other hand, seeing them haphazardly placed on the porches oddly fits the vibe of the resort itself because all the dust, entropy, and decay doesn't seem out of place here at all. The staff at checkin were nice and helpful. From my perspective, frankly, we just needed a place to rest our heads after a long day of desert drive and this place fits the bill. Next time around, I would be more prepared and rent a camper and camp overnight at the resort and prepare my own meal at the camper (like I said, everything here is at a premium including the restaurant). As for the resort, it has a general store behind its gas station, this is where the checkin take place (you could get Wifi signals here). A restaurant on site with a surprising decent selection of food and beverages of your choice, and the food's not bad, by the way. Across the road is their newer, landscaped camping RV area with bathrooms/outbuildings along with few other pricy cabins. The resort is overall pretty well kept and the staff are nice. It's a great place to stargaze. So for those who are looking for desert "glamping" experience, this is not that place. There's no "glam" here. The resort accommodations are more basic and rustic in vibe. I would return to use...

BLOT: Booked as a hotel room, actually it's a tent, ended up not using it because it's too cold. Panamint Springs Resort refused refund request. Moving forward to legal side, and working with Expedia to delist this option from hotel choices.

Details: Booked from Expedia.com which listed "tent cabin" as "hotel room". All information indicates it's a tent with amenities (see attached photos). Didn't expect it to be backcountry shelter. Front desk closes at 8:30pm so I was on my own. It was a good tent, though. If you expect camping at 30F, it's kinda okay. If you booked it as a hotel from travel agencies sites, it is likely illegal - somewhere between false advertising and fraud. They intentionally listed the camping tent with real cabins (the real "Resort") at the cost of your life and health.

What you should expect: This place is sold by "Panamint Springs Resort", but it's called "Panamint Springs RV Park" on google map. A tent and a few portable camping bed. No cleaning. The one I used had foot prints from previous user, indicating no cleaning or COVID measures. No electricity. No heating equipment. I saw someone burn firewood in a tent (no chimneys or vent pipes). Night temperature in late January can be 37F. Recorded by my car. No beddings, pillows. No WIFI. WIFI exists in a store across the street (aka front desk), which closes at 8:30. Front desk would suggest you to use WIFI outside of the store, but it would be too week to connect. No cellular network. No services, no gasoline after 8:30pm. Howling wind and squeezing noise from the tent. Panamint Springs gets pretty windy at night.

If you were unprepared and caught by surprise like me, don't try to sleep there under extremely low temperature. What I've found useful: The LTE base station at Rt 190/136, 30mi west from Panamint Springs. Get food and gas at 24-hr Mobil in Olancha CA, end of Rt 190. The shared bathroom is a warmer place than the tent. The 3G base station at Stovepipe Wells Gas Station/Camp ground, 30mi east from Panamint Springs.

Ofc if you're reading this on-site, you must be in the convenience store so don't hesitate to ask for refund...

if you're looking for a fancy top of the line resort, this isn't it. but who's really visiting a national park expecting a luxury spa experience?? this place is FANTASTIC! I stayed in one of the little cabins and enjoyed every minute of it. it was very small, yes. just big enough for a bed and bathroom. but what else do you need?? you're here to enjoy the natural wonders of Death Valley! the cabin had running water, a shower and sink, electricity, wifi, an ac unit for summer, and a heater for winter. the resort also offers camp sites, rv sites, and "tent cabins". across the street, there's the gas station/general store, and the restaurant/bar. yes, everything is overpriced. but this is California. literally everything is overpriced. not to mention the fact that this is the only stop within miles. and the food is GREAT! they also offer a huuuge variety of beers in their cooler. you can enjoy with your meal, then bring some back with you to enjoy in your room/site. on clear nights, you can see SO MANY stars! and during the day, the views of the mountains are breathtaking. my advice is to arrive during daylight. if not, be very cautious getting to your rental. the roads laying to the campgrounds and cabins aren't very clearly marked and kinda look like you're about to drive off the road. not a huge problem, really. I made it even with not the best night vision. just use caution. I 1000% recommend. just understand what this place is. it's not some luxury 5 star resort. it's older, and modest, but it's clean and the staff are all very friendly and helpful. also, free breakfast buffet at the restaurant! I visited the Oasis at death valley, and I'm completely happy that I chose...