Especially for birders, but also for anyone drawn to the rugged beauty of the rare US “Great Basin” (the name of the C. Fremont region between the western Rockies and the eastern Sierra Nevadas, where streams and rivers do not flow to any sea), Mono Lake is a must-see. Lee Vining, a town where Tioga Pass crosses the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas from Yosemite National Park intersects US Highway 395, a major north-south highway in the eastern Sierras just south of Lee Vining, CA.
The closest intersection to that is a culinary travel site, about which I have written more extensively in Whoa Nelly Deli (at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/267730/inter_yosemite, and mono_lake_lies.html). Having more than one dinner at Whoa Nelly is the reason for staying in Lee Vining that I can understand, although seeing the lake and the various geological phenomena (tuff towers, volcanoes) and the birds that breed or visit Mono Lake are the usual reasons. to stay in Lee Vining.
Outstanding exhibits are the Mono Lake Visitor Center overlooking the lake north of Lee Vining and the visitor center in town west of Main Street (better known as Highway 395).
I had the pleasure of staying for three nights at the Best Western Lake View Lodge (30 Main Street) on the south bank of Lee Vining (adjacent accommodations to Whoa Nelly). We didn’t expect wireless internet in the rooms. It had not been announced, nor had it been available the day before (or: the antennas had only been installed hours before our arrival). He was not warned about the WiFi in the lobby, which had already been there before – and the cable in the lobby to which the guest could connect his laptop.
The rooms were quite spacious. I didn’t see the rooms in the back of the motel or the four rooms across the street, but there were some suites even bigger than our double rooms.
My usual complaint is that guests who want two beds may want two luggage racks as well (although in this case we didn’t have any hard luggage). But in the coal in which the sink was, there was enough space for the winemaker. For some reason, it is not time to target.
There was more counter space around the pump in the bathroom. there was dry hair on the wall. The bathroom and the shower (which, alas, were separated by a curtain rather than a door. Four packs of toiletries and shampoo.
It was an open cupboard with an iron plate on the side.
The table had two additional chairs, which are both for two laptop users who take out to eat or do something microwaved. (Including bagged lunches we had three days worth of food at Whoa Nelly for the entire three days, but we could easily have leftovers given the size of the serving portions).
Part (25″?) of TV included some Denver stations, Showtime and TCM. It was on the radio clock it.
The mattresses were firm. Each bed had three pillows with another one in support.
As we were in the field (up and down the mountains, successfully beating the bush for herons and owls, etc.) all day, I do not know how quickly the rooms were made, but I know they were very much. they clean The motel has been there for years, but it hasn’t come down. Adding free in-room WiFi shows commitment to the service provider. Most of them were friendly reception and helpful.
There is a grocery store just north of the motel and a bar (which closes at 9 a.m.) beyond it. There are several places to sit outside overlooking the lake, and access to one end (head trail) of the Lee Vining Trail across the street.
Everyone is not allowed in the rooms. Rates are higher in the summer (July 11-Aug. 31) and the motel is closed during the winter (as is Tioga Pass).
