Desolation Hotel Hope Valley

Fall is our favorite time to visit, with the changing leaves, crisp air, and clear sky. My husband and I come at least once a year, whatever the season, and always enjoy it. The scenery across the property and nearby is hard to beat. We like staying in a cozy cabin or an inviting yurt, and our pup enjoys the trails. She's welcome everywhere we go on the dog-friendly property. DHHV has the whole package: warm, attentive service, nourishing and delicious meals at Sorenson’s cafe, and thoughtful, romantic touches. Bring family, friends, or someone you love. There are memories to make at DHHV.

The whole property is gorgeous, and everyone was so helpful and accommodating. I stayed only briefly after a snowstorm worsened on my drive back to the Bay Area and an avalanche closed the road. I pulled into the first hotel I saw, and Desolation Hotel came through. They had one room left, so I took it to wait out the storm. The cabin was adorable and already warm from a gas fireplace that looked like an old wood-burning stove. At dinner, we sat in the enclosed patio, which is covered and heated for winter, and were really happy with the food and the staff's kindness. The restaurant also has indoor seating. Guests can reserve the sauna. They said same-day bookings are usually easy, but in my case nothing was open until 11 the next morning, my checkout time. They still let me use that slot after checking out. I'm so thankful for the lovely stay and amazing staff. I only took a few photos because I wasn't there long, but I'll be back. I absolutely love this place!

I was traveling alone, and my little cabin was so cool it felt like being in a magazine. It was built with natural materials, even a stone bathroom floor, and the bed was incredibly comfortable with a fireplace at its foot. They'd left white and red wine, bottled water, and world-class coffee. The restaurant was nearly as good. Get the veggie pot pie. I can't say enough about how great this place is. Now I want to try the one in South Lake Tahoe. Major kudos to whoever runs this business.

Feb 2026 We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The location is awesome, and our Doug fir room was cute, cozy, and very nice. The bed was comfortable, the kitchen-dining area was well equipped, and the staff were friendly. We had a great dinner at the restaurant one night and also tried the wood-fired sauna. We’re looking forward to coming back. The reason this wasn't a five-star review was the Sno-Park pass listing. The hotel says you can buy passes there, so I emailed a few weeks before our arrival to check they had them. No reply. Two weeks before the trip, I called during business hours and left a message, but still got no response. To be safe, I ordered a pass from the state, and I'm glad I did: the hotel had run out. The lack of communication could have caused a real problem.