163 Twin Lakes Road, Lake Mary Rd., Mammoth Lakes, California, United States | (618) 248-8274
Right on Twin Lakes with fishing and boating
Fine-dining restaurant with lake views
Woodsy lobby bar has a fireplace and live piano
Rustic pine-paneled guest rooms with antique beds
Cabins have fireplaces, kitchens, and furnished wooden decks
Cross-Country Ski center has lessons and rentals
Picnic grounds with outdoor grills
Forest and lakeside event spaces
Free continental breakfast
Free in-room Wi-Fi
Pets allowed in cabins (for a fee)
Somewhat isolated location
Not all guest rooms have private bathrooms
No in-room TVs
Small, pricey restaurant requires reservations
The three-pearl Tamarack Lodge and Resort is an ideal place for hiking, fishing, and boating in a remote, natural setting -- and the only resort on the shores of Twin Lakes. The property's 35 cabins range from small, rustic studios, to large, three-bedroom units with multiple decks, while the 11 guest rooms in the main lodge are basic, and some have shared bathrooms. All have fireplaces and kitchens, but no TVs. Dining here can be expensive, though the restaurant has alluring lake views and free breakfast is included. There's also a cozy lobby bar with a fireplace and live piano on weekends. Travelers looking to downhill ski should compare with the much larger Mammoth Mountain Inn, which has direct access to the slopes.
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Scene
Rustic, historic retreat with lake and mountain views
At an elevation of 8,500 feet, the Tamarack Lodge and Resort is a remote place that's ideal for couples and families looking for quiet time and a lakefront setting. Its isolation makes it inconvenient for tourists, and nearly every guest is here for boating, skiing, attending a wedding, or just having a peaceful retreat away from the crowds. It's a historically registered site, first established in 1924, and though it has Wi-Fi, there are still no TVs. Several brown- and green-painted outbuildings and cabins are scattered around the property, with a classic mountain lodge in the center. This main building houses the lobby bar, restaurant, and the lodge's 11 simple guest rooms. Inside, the lobby is timber-framed and covered in pine paneling with bark accents. A small reception window is just inside the door, and the rest of the space is devoted to cozy lounge with leather couches and log furniture. Fires blaze in an ancient-looking stone hearth at the far end of the room, and there's a wood-burning stove in the corner, opposite a baby grand piano.
Location
Just outside the town of Mammoth Lakes, on the shores of Twin Lakes
Tamarack Lodge and Resort sits on an isolated road about a seven-minute drive from the Village at Mammoth, where the closest restaurants and bars can be found. There's nothing in walking distance other than hiking trails and the shores of Twin Lakes. Eagle Lodge at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is roughly a 10-minute drive from the resort. Mammoth-Yosemite Airport is a 20-minute drive, and Yosemite National Park (via Tioga Road, which is closed in winter) is about 90 minutes by car.
Rooms
Rustic, simple rooms, and cabins with kitchens and fireplaces
The main lodge has 11 carpeted and pine-paneled guest rooms with rustic wood furnishings. Sizes vary, with a mix of twin and double beds on antique metal frames. Some have seating areas with leather chairs, but there are no TVs. The small bathrooms have tiled walk-in showers and come stocked with Aveda products. Some guest rooms share bathrooms in common hallways, which are basic but tidy.The 35 cabins come in two types -- truly rustic, historic cabins with timber and stone construction, most of which have wood-burning fireplaces, and slightly more modern cabins with country decor and gas fireplaces. Studio Cabins have king or queen beds, dining tables, and small kitchens equipped with ovens, stovetops, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. They also have small furnished decks with Adirondack chairs. Larger one- to- three-bedroom cabins have separate living rooms with sofa beds and fireplaces, along with full kitchens that include dishwashers, cookware, and plenty of counter space. Some cabins have multiple outdoor decks, and one has a lofted bedroom atop a spiral staircase. Bathrooms have either tiled walk-in showers, or average shower/tub combos, and also contain Aveda products. Free Wi-Fi is available, though the signal can be spotty.
Features
Direct lake access, restaurant and lobby bar, and free breakfast
The lodge has direct access to Twin Lakes, where guests will find a few picturesque spots with Adirondack chairs and the quiet shoreline. Activities include seasonal boating, kayaking, and fishing (fee). In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available on-site, with rentals, lessons, trail passes, all for an extra charge, and guided tours from the lodge's ski center at a discount to guests. There's an outdoor picnic area with tables and a grill, along with several outdoor event spaces, including the pretty Forest Chapel, an open-air spot in the woods that's a popular place to get married in the area.The Lakefront Restaurant offers rustic fine-dining with lake views, but the room is small enough that reservations are usually required. A free continental breakfast is included with standard rates. The lobby bar serves cocktails in a woodsy lounge with two fireplaces, accompanied by live piano music on weekends. Pets are allowed in cabins (for a fee).
