The Bodie Hotel

We came away with a quiet, restful night, despite hearing the hotel was supposedly haunted. We were half expecting a noise or sighting to test our skepticism, but nothing happened. Jeff, one of the owners, checked us in and was friendly, chatty, and accommodating. He knew a lot about Bodie, the area, and where to see fall colors. There are books and information about Bodie here that we couldn't find online or get on the tour, which was useful since we were visiting Bridgeport for Bodie. The decor has a lot of character and is beautiful. Small touches stood out too, including quality hand soap, shampoo and conditioner, and an espresso machine you can use yourself. Downstairs there's a welcoming den with what looked like a real buffalo skin rug. For pastries and strong coffee, High Sierra Bakery is a five-minute walk down the road.

The antiques and little details make The Bodie Hotel feel like stepping back in time. Even with its alleged haunted history, the place felt cozy and peaceful, though my partner swears a ghost poked him the morning we left. Who knows? We stayed one night recently and had a great short visit. I grew up in bigger cities and usually stay in chains when I travel, so this place had a lot more warmth and character than I'm used to. The owners were incredibly kind. Jeff checked us in, kept in touch when we were running late, and welcomed us with a great conversation and fascinating local history, even though it was late at night. You can tell they care about the hotel and their guests. Thanks for such a lovely stay. If you want charm and a sense of history, it's worth it.

Bridgeport was nice, with plenty of nearby places to eat and drink, and the ghost town of Bodie is an obvious must-see. We wish we'd booked another night so we could explore more of the nearby lakes and hot springs. We stayed here for one night last month during a big road trip, and it was a really nice stop. Jeff, or perhaps that was his name, greeted us and was friendly, clearly passionate about the hotel's history and the area. The quaint, cosy rooms and common spaces have a distinct Wild West and gold rush look. Of the 18 hotels we stayed in on the trip, this was easily the most unique.

The owners were great hosts and communicated really well. There's plenty of character, and lots to do right at the hotel. It's a super convenient place to stay for Bodie, and I'd absolutely come back.