The Inn at Death Valley

Oct 21st, 2021

An oasis in the middle of "nowhere ".
Oct 19th, 2021

Oct 10th, 2021

Great place in the middle of a really amazing National Park. Food was great at the Saloon. The half rack of ribs was great. Place looks like a Cowboy movie set. Staff very nice. Might want to have your flashlight out if you are in back buildings since they do low light pollution I think and it is a little walk back there. Air conditioning works fine by the way. Gift shop was top notch with large variety. They have plenty of merchandise here to cover for the visitors center gift shop being closed. If you check out the pictures make sure you gas up outside the park or at Stove Pipe Wells. Station next to the Ranch was a little pricey.
Oct 7th, 2021

The hotel itself is quite a beautiful unique property, my understanding is it was recently renovated. The pool is spring fed and warm all the time -- a perfect place to relax after a day of activity. Given it's history and preservation I forgive the relatively small size of the rooms, they had to work with what they had, both of my 2 stars are for the property itself. But there is no forgiving the way Xanterra has been allowed to mishandle management of the resort. The staff is so poorly trained with what appears to be little or no oversight that I am amazed at some of the other reviews. We pulled up to the parking lot which looks like a dirty construction site, and went to drop bags and check in -- no valet in sight nor room to stop the car because landscapers were occupying the entire area and shouting at one another. The pool bar was closed both days we were there, despite crowds of people. No one sweeps the paths between areas which are covered with decaying vegetation and bugs crawling in the rot. The food at the ranch buffet was practically inedible -- I have not had slop like that to choose from since college cafeteria in the 80's. The cashier lamented that if I charged dinner to my room, I would not be able to leave a tip and waited for my decision? We ordered $65 filet mignon at the nice restaurant at the Inn only because the rest of the menu was so limited. It was not filet, it was something thin and over-cooked and the "crab" on it was from a can with some mayonnaise, we pushed it off to the side after gagging on it. If you come here for the amazing park, I recommend you just drive in and out, or bring a cooler of your own food and picnic in some of the beautiful places to sit. They do not make up your rooms until you check out but you are allowed to ask for extra towels. Staff is absent and all of them seem to be trainees who don't actually have answers about things, I did not run into a single competent or helpful person, except the overworked bartender. I later learned that they have trouble attracting employees -- understandable given distance from everything, but they should fix it or book fewer people. If you choose to stay dial down all expectations and be prepared to travel back in time to a 2 star motel from 1975 with the food and service to match it.
Oct 21st, 2021