Tioga Lodge At Mono Lake

The place is very old, but clean. I liked having a sitting room, and the beds were comfortable. A nice place to stay by Mono Lake.

I've wanted to stay there for years, but always rushed on to Bridgeport. This year I'm hoping to book for Thanksgiving weekend. I'll bring them food love from Ventura County, the way I do for Ken's sporting goods throughout the year.

Gladys was kind and happy to accommodate my request for a cabin where I could watch sunrise over Mono Lake. The garden is beautiful, with several spots to sit and relax, and the room, towels, and blankets were super clean and smelled nice. We knew there was no TV and that the in-room Wi-Fi wasn't great, and that was fine, even for the teen. It's a good place to unplug and spend time with your travel companions. The cabins face the lake, and it's a lovely spot for sunrise. The restaurant was closed because they didn't have enough staff, but several other restaurants and the Yosemite entrance are close by. Highway noise depends on which cabin you get, and it was loud from ours. I'd come back, but would choose one farther toward the back. I gave four stars because getting into the property from the highway and finding the registration office were difficult, and the traffic noise from our cabin bothered us.

A couple of things weren't ideal: the lodge sits right by the highway, so you may hear a car now and then. We barely noticed it, though, and it didn't spoil the peaceful feel of the place. I found a green, park-like setting with well-kept trees and a stunning view of Mono Lake, just minutes from Lee Vining. The rooms sit beneath the trees, and there are benches for relaxing, eating, or talking with other travelers. It has a way of slowing you down. Staff were exceptionally kind, and the rooms were spotless, with fresh, soft towels, small decorative touches, and complimentary toiletries. There were plenty of parking spaces right in front of the rooms. Whether you're passing through or using it as a base for Yosemite, this lodge feels like an oasis in the desert, especially compared with overpriced, depressing motels.