The Monarch in Mariposa

The Monarch is situated in a four-floor building with an outdoor patio out front in the small town of Mariposa. An outdoor pool is open in the summer, and it’s a decent spot for guests to cool off before and after a day at Yosemite and other area attractions. But the pool and location are the only highlights, as the property is sorely overdue for an overhaul, with dated and shabby public spaces and guest rooms. It draws budget-minded leisure travelers, families in particular, looking for affordable, basic accommodations as a base for exploring the area.  

The hotel is located on Highway 140/49, the main street running through Mariposa, and a short stroll from numerous restaurants, bars, and shops. The big draw in the area is Yosemite, with only a few attractions in Mariposa, such as Mariposa Museum & History Center, a seven-minute walk from the hotel. The Amphitheatre at Mariposa County Park and the east side of Mariposa Park, Yosemite Ziplines and Adventure Ranch, and California State Mining and Mineral Museum can all be reached within a five-minute drive. The Arch Rock Entrance to Yosemite National Park is about 45 minutes by car, and it's roughly a 75-minute drive to Yosemite Valley floor and Mirror Lake. The Midtown Mariposa (Outbound) bus stop is a one-minute walk from the hotel, and here guests catch the Merced Highway 140 bus for a 45-minute drive up to the Arch Rock Entrance. It's a 90-minute drive to Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Guest rooms are spacious, nicely equipped, and some have red accent walls that add a dash of visual appeal, but overall, they're dated and in dire need of upgrades, renovation, and better maintenance. Expect cheap-quality bedding, scratched furniture, worn sheets, and old, dingy carpeting. The in-room amenities package delivers value, however, as all units have flat-screen TVs with HBO, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, mini-fridges, microwaves, and free Wi-Fi, and some rooms add sofa beds. There's also air-conditioning, though it doesn't always work well according to some past guests. Bathrooms are where the need for revamping is most apparent, with stained caulking around tubs, broken tiles, and chipping paint. All contain shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and minimal toiletries. 

The limited facilities at the Monarch are topped by a 10-meter outdoor unheated swimming pool, open for use in the summer months, set into a patio with loungers. A free continental breakfast includes cereal, toast, coffee, tea, and juice, but most past guests say quality and variety is mediocre at best. There's no lunch or dinner offered on-site, but numerous restaurants are within a short walk. Other amenities include vending machines, a lobby computer, 24-hour front desk, free on-site parking, and free Wi-Fi throughout. A coin-op laundry facility is available at the hotel’s sister property, Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station Motel, located down the street. The Monarch allows pets in some rooms for a nightly per-pet fee, with no restrictions.