Embarking on a late afternoon road trip from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe, we opted to stay the night at a suitable halfway point before reaching our destination the following day.
With that in mind, we chose a hotel we’ve always wanted to check out -Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth (in California).
Review: Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth (California)
At A Glance: Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth
Image: marriott.com
- Official Website: Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth
- Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $257.27 USD
- Loyalty Program: Marriott Bonvoy
- Loyalty Category: N/A (60,000+ Points)
- Discount Applied: N/A
- Room Type As Booked: One King Bed Studio Suite
- Room Upgrade: Mammoth Studio Suite ($50 Value)
- Resort Fee: $25 per night
- Parking Fee: Complementary self-parking; $25 valet (per night)
Booking/Redemption
This Westin resort typically runs anywhere from $250 a night to over $600 a night, so we opted to pay the cash rate of $257.27 instead of using 60,000+ Marriott Bonvoy points for an award stay.
Thank you, shoulder season.
Location & Parking
Westin Monache Resort Is located in the awesome town of Mammoth Lakes, California, which is the home of Devil’s Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, and a gateway to nearby Yosemite National Park.
Complimentary self-parking was available in the underground garage of the hotel, as was valet parking for $25 per night.
Entrance to the parking garage
FHOP Tip: The Westin Monache Resort is located adjacent to (and walking distance from) “The Village”, the main shopping and dining destination of the town of Mammoth Lakes.
Lobby
Image: marriott.com
Front Desk & Check-In
We arrived at the front desk at about 1:00 AM to find two fully awake staff members working, who pleasantly greeted us, before checking us in.
I was recognized for my Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, and told I’d be given the option of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or free breakfast at Whitebark Restaurant & Lounge.
If you read me at all, you already know I went with the free breakfast.
We were also notified that we’ve been given a room upgrade to a “Mammoth Studio Suite”.
A mini-Devil’s Postpile adorns the wall behind the front desk
Welcome Package
We were given a welcome package consisting of a property map, a room key, a Platinum Elite breakfast certificate, and a flyer of the goings on of the resort.
Room Key & Platinum Breakfast Certificate
Room Upgrade: Mammoth Studio Suite
Elevator Area
Hallway
Room Entrance
As we entered the room, we were pleased to find an unexpected kitchenette, along with a dining table, bedroom area, and a living area reminiscent of an extended stay hotel.
The room itself had been recently renovated, and it still looked new.
It was clean, well-lit, and fully stocked with room amenities including bottled water, a coffee machine (with Starbucks coffee), and even a sleep well lavender balm spray.
Kitchen Area
The kitchen area even came fully stocked with a blender and cooking utensils, glassware, coffee mugs, plates and bowls, and a variety of pots and pans.
Bedroom Area
The bed was clean and comfortable, especially the mattress.
I always seem to forget that Westin resorts usually have some of the most comfortable hotel beds due to the “Heavenly Mattress” brand they frequently use.
Living Area
The living area was confined to a small area, but it had everything one would need to fully relax – including a new couch, a large flat screen TV (hung over an electric fireplace), and even one of the strangest (coolest?) night lights I’ve ever seen in any hotel.
That is one fancy night light
Closet
Bathroom
The bathroom was clean and well-lit, although slightly outdated, with an old-school tub and magnetic shower curtain.
Overall, it was fine.
View From The Room
The view from our room was of the roundabout at the entrance of the resort and the ski gondola (with a terminus at The Village).
Whitebark Restaraunt & Lounge
Image: marriott.com
Whitebark Dinner Menu
Whitebark Breakfast Menu
Whitebark Elite Breakfast Menu & Breakfast
We headed down to Whitebark Restaurant and Lounge to try our luck with the Platinum Elite breakfast benefit.
As we entered Whitebark, the space had an upscale bar/lounge area in the front, and an elegant wood-accented restaurant in the back.
We were given a special elite breakfast menu with several free breakfast items to choose from.
We went with the Spinach Omelet and the All-American Breakfast – and boy were we surprised.
The elite breakfast at the Westin Monache Resort was easily one of the best free breakfasts we’ve ever had at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel. And that’s saying a lot.
It’s a vicious cycle: Just when I think I’m fed up with Marriott Bonvoy (and trying to decode their breakfast benefit across different hotel brands), I stumble upon a hotel with a great
Swimming Pool
Image: marriott.com
The Bottom-Line Review: Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth (California)
The bottom-line was Westin Monache Resort really impressed us, and we had a great time there.
The service was excellent, the location was just about as good as you could get in Mammoth, the complementary Platinum Elite breakfast at Whitebark was delicious, and our room upgrade was very nice.
I can highly recommend the Westin Monache Resort to couples on a ski trip, backpackers looking for a nice place to crash before (or after) the “big hike”, families with kids looking for a mountain getaway, wedding parties, and even road-trippers like us.
Final Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
