Nice place, clean and quiet, - beer, dinner and breakfast @Jenny's

Ray's Den in Independence awards a step back in time. We stayed in a clean, well-appointed room with a king bed, a refrigerator, microwave oven, a coffee pot, airconditoner and a hairdryer for almost half of what we paid at a middle class chain hotel the day before in Lone Pine. Linda, the proprietor, was very pleasant, welcoming and efficient. The next morning, we ate our picnic breakfast in the wooden chairs set out under the eves just outside our room. The motel had been totally booked the night before, but we didn't hear a peep out of our fellow patrons. Even though the temperature was 104 degrees the afternoon we arrived, we were very comfortable in our room.

Ray’s Den motel epitomizes the importance of paying close attention to TripAdvisor reviews. Overall, the TripAdvisor reviews on Ray’s Den are glowing. Having stayed there very recently I am pleased to agree that Ray’s Den is indeed outstanding (nay…‘superlative’). We occupied the ‘family room’ (two double beds). The beds were very comfortable. The bedroom, bathroom and shower were spotlessly clean. The rooms are nicely appointed with a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. The shower has a cool dispenser for shampoo, body wash and body lotion. As mentioned in several other TripAdvisor reviews, Linda (the so called ‘Den Mother’) is most pleasant. When we arrived she was wearing kneepads. I asked her what these were used for and she told me that she uses them for cleaning the rooms (‘hands and knees’). So…Linda is responsible for the spotless rooms. My wife and daughter love this place. The view of the Sierra from the front of the motel is breathtaking. This motel is a bit ‘funky’ in that I am reminded of the many small motels decades ago. From the outside you may think that this is just another out-of-date little motel. The old adage: “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is appropriate in this case. BTW: If you are a hiker, this motel is most convenient to the Kearsarge Pass trail…my favorite of the Eastern Sierra day hikes between Independence and Mammoth. This hike is not for the wimpy. However, if you are in decent aerobic shape you will love this incredibly scenic day hike. In conclusion: having heaped superlatives on Ray’s Den motel, I selfishly advise you not to stay there so that it will be available to us for our next visit.

My wife and son stayed here 2 nights during Easter vacation. Spotless clean, and the owner, Linda had everything ready for their arrival.Landscaped with beautiful seasonal flowers and nice relaxing chairs outside each room, to admire the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance, and the local birds visiting the bird feeders. You get a $3 coupon to have breakfast at Jenny's Cafe, which is a must visit!
There is a new nature trail you can take from the park behind the motel,which goes to the Independence Museum. It's really nice! Also,at the park right behind the motel has a running stream and nice picnic facilities. Always highly recomended!