Mt Williamson Motel and Basecamp

Joe Terri

2024-04

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Carl Beeney

2024-01

My boys and I had a very nice stay at the Mt. Williamson Motel, Doug and Lauralyn treated us like family. The rooms were cozy and clean, Doug and Lauralyn are avid supporters for the Hikers coming off the trails ( Trail Angels ) and they let me plug in my Toy Hauler for the stay for a couple of the boys and to cook out of for our Hunt. Thanks.

Mark Brazeal

2023-05

I stayed at the Mt. Williamson Motel in 2019 and was so impressed by the motel's charm, the owners' hospitality, and the great location in the Eastern Sierras that I couldn't wait to return. I found the opportunity last week during a last-minute trip to Death Valley and was stoked they had a room available. The recently updated rooms are private and cozy with nice little touches like quilted bedding, mini fridges with chilled wine glasses, and electric boiling kettles for the included tea and pour over coffee pouches. Owners Doug and Lauralyn are on-site and attentive to your needs. The hot breakfast served in Spring and Summer is bed-and-breakfast quality. If you're looking for a charming, reasonably-priced independent motel, this is the one!

David L. Alexander

2023-09

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Christopher Hoof

2023-10

Our experience at Mt. Williamson Motel and Basecamp was truly exceptional. During our thru hike of the JMT, this establishment played a crucial role in ensuring our journey was comfortable and enjoyable. Their shuttle service was punctual, the staff exhibited a warm and welcoming demeanor, and their dedication to providing top-notch hiker services was evident throughout our stay. The rooms were comfortable, and the staff went out of their way to make us feel at home.In addition to their exceptional hospitality, we encountered equipment issues on the trail. Fortunately, our family coordinated with Emmaleigh to arrange for a replacement water filter through a local outdoor sports company, Big Willi in Lone Pine. This level of assistance and support further exemplified Mt. Williamson Motel and Basecamp's commitment to ensuring our journey was as smooth as possible.In summary, we cannot recommend Mt. Williamson Motel and Basecamp highly enough, whether you're thru hiking or simply passing through the eastern Sierra region. Their outstanding hospitality and dedication to customer satisfaction make them a must-stop destination.

Peggy Cochran

2023-11

My first time to stay here, my backpacker husband has stayed several times. We celebrated my birthday here while visiting two of my favorite sites--Mono Lake and Owens Lake. We enjoyed the Tufas at Mono and a special treat was seeing the Land art installations at Owens Lake. I recommend both---and I highly highly recommend the Mt. Williamson Motel...unique, special, down to earth with all the amenties one would need. The " sit down and served to us" morning breakfast was delightful. Eating with the other guests was so interesting---our's were backpackers from back east. Delightful...I could spend a whole summer at Mt. Williamson Motel...I have packed to top of White Mountain and highly recommend it too....(14,000+) I want to do it again----if I get back to this part of the Eastern Sierra I will always stay at Mt. Williamson Motel.....WilliRocks!!!

Georgia Dobbyn

2023-07

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Michael Holtel

2023-09

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Gustav Erlank

2023-05

Well worth a stay when in the area. Each cabin is tastefully decorated and equipped with all the basics and a few luxuries. Best of all is the attention to guests needs. Staff and owner are on a mission to be available and make every aspect of your stay happy, comfortable and joyful. Not a frown in sight. Only, how can we make your stay as pleasant as possible. It's a great place for the outdoor enthusiasts coming off the Pacific Crest or John Muir trails and just any parched and weary traveler wishing for a well run oasis to recover and recuperate and to be surprised by the fantastic pampered experience! Full marks!

Katy O'Donnell

2023-05

My partner and I stayed here for one night after completing the JMT. It was very nice - very clean and comfortable. We didn't use it, but we thought it was really nice that our cabin had a kitchen - affording the opportunity to make our own meals if desired.We enjoyed the hot breakfast and conversing with the other patrons. Over all, we had a lovely stay. We would stay here again and will recommend this motel to others. Thanks!

Harpreet Cheema

2023-05

Very cozy and fun place to rest, rejuvenate before the arduous task of climbing Mt Whitey or easier & fun hikes like Cottonwood Lakes Trail. Rooms are clean, bathrooms are nice with tubs to wind down, mattresses are comfortable, and breakfast at 7:00 am with hot pot of coffee. The family/ folks who host this place are wonderful people and v. helpful.. You cannot go wrong with this place.

Blaire Schmalenberg

2022-05

This place is the cutest! Perfect location to many hikes. The rooms were small cozy cabins and everything was 10/10 clean. They made us homemade breakfast served outside overlooking the mountains and it was delicious. We really appreciated the kindness and hospitality we received here! Thanks for a wonderful experience and memories made!

pjmacone

2023-05

This place is a great stop for hikers. The breakfast under the trees with the backdrop of the Sierra's is something that can't be duplicated. The cottages are cozy & Independence is such a trip of a town. Hopefully "the restaurant" will be open(French restaurant is the only spot in town) & take their advice, GO TO THE MUSEUM! We loved ending out trip here & checking out the history at the museum, a short walk away.Not only are they gracious hosts but when I had issues with my bill they were more than accommodating, walking me through the questions I had & they were super friendly. We look forward to staying here again when we finish our JMT!

Eric Saretsky

2023-06

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Lucas K

2023-05

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Craig Matola

2023-05

This is a hiker focused hotel. Highly recommend if you’re in the area or passing through for outdoors. We were through hiking and they were kind enough to coordinate transit to and from Onion Valley. The couple that owns it clearly loves this place, they’ve made the room feel like home, keeping it clean and well maintained.

Gerhard Tratter

2023-05

When you are coming off the JMT as a "stinky" hiker it is a nice change to receive a warm welcome, loaner clothes so the motel can do your laundry, plenty of USB outlets so you can recharge your navigation devices and phones, super clean and well stocked showers, a comfortable bed and an amazing breakfast. The pick-up and drop-off from/to the trail head was also super timely. What a great place to stay. We HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this place!

Valjean Clark

2023-05

This was my best experience staying at a motel/hotel/b&b in my entire life.Doug and Laura Lin are exceptional, kind, thoughtful people. I bought the hiker resupply package and they made everything easy. I was able to change the date I stay by texting them from my Garmin. They washed my clothes and held my resupply bucket for me. It was a lovely warm evening, so we all hung out through sundown sharing stories. I hear there are even pizza nights sometimes, so keep an eye an eye out for that :).Whether you are a PCT/JMT hiker or someone looking for a place to stay along 395, don't read any other reviews and just stay here. You will not be disappointed!

Danielle C

2023-05

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Mary Ann Wilson

2023-05

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Cindy williamson

2021-05

After staying Bishop for 5 days fishing we decided to do some sightseeing and chose Mt. Williamson Motel as our base. We made the reservation on line and paid as well. When we got there we were greeted by one of the owners Doug. He was quite friendly and very likeable. We had a little cabin or bungalow. One room with bath and shower. Refrigerator, microwave, very comfortable bed and clean and cozy. A free breakfast was to be included but we were unclear on how to go about that.It was quite close to every where we wanted to go. The mountains are breathtaking and I imagine it was a neat little town when all the businesses were open. ( alot of businesses closed due to covid restrictions) Now it has only 2 gas stations with mini marts open. I would recommend this motel to friends and family and we would go back.

Caper Carter

2023-05

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Jason Hall

2021-05

This motel is cute and just enough of what you need. Easy to get to, free parking for guests, and they’re dog friendly! Laura moved us to a room with a fence and small potty area for the dogs (a water bowl and ball was provided for them😄), and had the heater and lights on for us when we arrived. The view just behind the establishment is amazing! Thank you for a great stay!

Sarah Pucci

2023-05

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Blair Nicodemus

2022-05

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B Gee

2022-05

Great spot to stay in Independece, CA!! They are as attentive as you want them to be, which is great!Check in was super easy. The cabins have great decor and super cozy. They provide sheets for you to put on the bed if you have dirty backpacking items.Tea, coffee, free wifi (great strength), hot showers.A+ stay all around!

catherine melis

2021-05

Stayed here in 2016 and now again during the pandemic and if you are looking for a cute and safe little bungalow to hide out and enjoy nature this place is a must! We came up to the eastern sierras to get out of the house but we’re very concerned with traveling during the ‘rona. Mt Williamson Motel fit the bill perfectly and we felt totally safe. Very clean rooms and they aired it out fully between travelers. Maintained safe distance and the owners wore masks (like the only shop owners between lone pine and big pine who seem to be following guidelines!)Our room was dog friendly and there is a nearby little park to walk over to to relax in the shade and toss a ball around to wear your pup out.We have a high risk family member traveling with us so we did not partake in the breakfast but we have before and it’s worth it. You will be treated like family.We absolutely will continue to keep this motel on our “must stay at” list when in the Eastern sierras!

Graham

2020-05

Awesome staff that really made the experience. I was not planning to stay here, and kind of stumbled upon it by accident, but after meeting the owners I decided I couldn’t pass it up. The breakfast is great and full of wonderful conversation since it is served family style. I would stay at this motel even if I wasn’t hiking, but their accommodations for hikers are seriously top notch if that’s what you’re here for. Some may not like the road noise or the noise of the AC but it didn’t bother me at all and I was in room 1 right beside the highway. I highly recommend staying here. It will be one of the highlights of your trip.

Neil Miller

2020-05

I stayed at the Mt Williamson Motel last week. I stayed there on a resupply night after exiting the JMT Trail at Kearsarge Pass. I had heard about this motel in the past, but had never stayed there. I was 100% happy with my stay and was really impressed with the total experience.The owners were very friendly and went out of their way to make our experience really special. The room was clean and had everything we needed. I have a bad back and like a good and firm mattress (which most motels won't invest in). The nice mattress made for an excellent night of sleep. The room had everything a hiker could want - coffee maker, shower, refrigerator, A/C, and room to spread out your things and get organized.It was nice to socialize with other hikers and talk to them about what to expect on the next leg of the trip. Breakfast time was especially nice as we all talked about which mountain passes were easy and which required special equipment. I was concerned about getting back on the trail in a timely manner in the morning, but this was not an issue - breakfast was served promptly at 7:00:00 am and the shuttle driver arrived a few minutes before 8:00 am. He drove us up the mountain and we were back on the trail at Onion Valley at exactly 8:30 am.I will stay here again and I would recommend the motel to others!See you next year!

Nicholas Moore

2021-05

I loved this place! They left the heater on for us, so it was nice and toasty when we got to our cabin. The AC also worked great when we decided we let it get way too hot! Our single queen room was small but perfectly cozy for two people. Everything was very clean, no problems at all during our stay.