Winnedumah Hotel

The old building creaks, and the walls are thin, especially noticeable from a downstairs room. Still, I’d come back. It’s just been renovated, the rooms and linens were very clean, and the shower pressure was perfect. Communication by email and text was great, and check-in and checkout were easy.

I booked in February 2026 for a late March stay. Then, late on the afternoon of check-in, they told me the place was suddenly under construction and unavailable, and moved me to a decidedly inferior sister hotel elsewhere. There were dead bugs, car parts in the yard, and broken fixtures. They did provide earplugs, which I’d never had a hotel give me before, because the place was right by a large road with lots of truck traffic. I tried to resolve the dispute through Booking.com, but they did nothing to help and I got no refund. You can’t trust Booking.com to help when its hotel suppliers scam you.

The staff were very friendly, and the room had a comfortable bed and a shower with plenty of hot water. Breakfast came in a bag because the regular buffet was postponed at the time. Bring your own hair dryer and shampoo and conditioner, since none were provided. There’s a peaceful courtyard, and an old kitty will probably come greet you right away. They love plenty of pets and attention. The historic hotel has a simple, throwback feel, with nostalgic dated smells, creaky floors, and quiet hallways. It’s a great escape if you like things simple and without all the modern technology. I can only imagine what the atmosphere is like without a pandemic.

The caretakers were incredibly sweet and went out of their way to handle last-minute changes to our reservation. They even set aside breakfast bags for us to grab before heading to the trails at 4 in the morning. We found the clean, safe property suited our quick trip, with simple provisions. It’s a historic place that takes you back in time, rather than a Ritz Carlton. The hotel is just off one of Independence’s main streets, with a few small convenience stores and places to eat nearby. I’d suggest stocking up in Lone Pine. I’d gladly stay again if I’m in the area.