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All 4 Lee Vining hotels »

El Mono Motel

51 Highway 395, Lee Vining, CA 93541
Hotel amenities
El Mono Motel
Ranked #1 of 4 hotels in Lee Vining
3.5 of 5 stars 43 Reviews
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43 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    12
    17
    5
    5
    4
Date Rating
Los Angeles, California
1 review
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW
4
people found this review helpful

I made a terrible mistake by following Trip Advisor reviews that rated this hotel as number one!! Not only rooms were extremely smaller, there are BED BUGS in the bed! I am writing this review in the middle of the night after being bitten by 2 big fat bugs that feasted on my blood. Disgusting!! And this is in room... More

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Chicago, Illinois
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW

After having read several positive reviews on this site, my husband and I decided to stay here as our starting point for a couple days in Yosemite. The park was filled, but El Mono had a room available with a queen sized bed and we decided to take it. You certainly couldn't beat the price. Only $55 (incl. tax). I... More

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London
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 November 2011
3
people found this review helpful

We stayed here for one night and had a room with a bathroom. The room was small but clean with new bedding. The double bed wasn't very comfortable and the rather ancient looking heater took about three hours to heat up. Again, the bathroom was clean but there was no blind in the window and no heating in the bathroom... More

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1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 October 2011
4
people found this review helpful

We followed the Trip Advisor reviews, who rated this motel as their first choice in Lee Vining. What a disappointment. Rooms were extremely small and run down, only the fresh paint was holding them together. Asking $99 per room for this shack is a joke. I wonder whether any of the people who wrote reviews ever really stayed there. More

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Senior Contributor
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25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 October 2011
1
person found this review helpful

This is an adorable little hotel and and an adorable little cafe. Both fall into the relaxing, indie, bohemian category with bright, cheery colors and calm friendly outdoorsy people--both workers and travelers. This is a wonderful little haven in the mountains to sip delicious coffee on their big cozy porch or in their little cozy cafe with beautiful Mono Lake... More

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Santa Barbara, California
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 September 2011

great coffee, nice people, gardens, locals, cool old building, if like to read books drink coffee and meet people stay here More

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East Coast
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 September 2011

We stayed here at the beginning of a Yosemite vacation. Our plans were disrupted a bit by Hurricane Irene on the East Coast, so we made this reservation last-minute and were thrilled with the find. We stayed in a double-bed room that had a sink but no ensuite, so we used the shared showers and toilets. The rooms are nicely... More

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Ann Arbor, Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 August 2011
1
person found this review helpful

The rooms weren't as bad as I thought. I was a little hesitant about the shared bathrooms and showers, but they it went pretty well. The front desk people were nice (there's a cute guy that works there, another plus). They have a cute dog! And the bakery was delicious. I had the Pumpkin Gingerbread, and it was really good!... More

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Mammoth Lakes, Ca.
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 August 2011
1
person found this review helpful

The El Mono is a small motel in Lee Vining. It is a no frills kind of place, but very quaint, clean and peaceful. There is a beautiful garden with seating right outside of your room and a wonderful cafe, Latte Da, is attached to the motel. The rooms don't have a phone or TV, but have photos of local... More

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See 2 more reviews by mountaingal59 for Lee Vining
Epping, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 August 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Had read all the previous reviews on TripAdvisor and decided on this little place to stay on road trip from Vegas to Yosemite/San Fran. Small, quaint but comfortable stay. As previously recommended, the coffee in the morning is great - 'specially with mountain views at back and Mono Lake at front! Very busy place in the small coffee shop/ reception... More

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