I want to like Mammoth Mountain Inn because, at first glance, it seems like a cozy place with character and history. On the plus side, several employees were very nice and accommodating to our needs. They genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs and the lifestyle that comes with living in a ski town.
One caveat to this review: we stayed here during the off-season, and I understand that things are probably very different during peak ski season.
1. Location (Without a Car = Major Problem)
If you don't have a car, the location is terrible—especially in the off-season. There are shuttles, but if you miss the schedule, your options are limited. You'll either pay $45 for a 4-mile taxi ride to the village or have to walk. Uber doesn’t operate here. Nearly all the restaurants and shops are in or near the village. There’s basically nothing up at the Inn except their own restaurant.
2. Room Quality (Disappointing for the Price)
The rooms were a huge letdown, especially considering the high price. Maintenance appears to be severely mismanaged and underfunded.
Carpets were stained and torn.
Walls and furniture were scuffed.
Paintwork was sloppy.
Lighting was dim and depressing.
Fixtures and furniture felt 30+ years old.
You could clearly hear full conversations through the walls.
Popcorn ceilings added to the dated, run-down feel.
Overall, the room felt gross and far below an acceptable standard. Yet they still charge premium prices—even in the off-season. Upper management seems either unaware or indifferent, and a full remodel (along with new leadership) is desperately needed.
3. Mountain Side Bar & Grill (Avoid at All Costs)
This was, without a doubt, one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had.
Even in the off-season, the prices were outrageous.
The chicken was visibly dry, like it had been sitting for hours or possibly returned by another customer.
The steak salad consisted of a pile of spinach, half a fig, about five cups of weird pink dressing, and meat that smelled like it was going bad—and tasted like it, too.
The waitstaff (three guys in their 20s, wearing sneakers and T-shirts) seemed completely uninterested in the customers. They were more focused on cracking jokes, checking their phones, lingering around the bar, and laughing among themselves. It honestly felt like some lift attendants had been reassigned for the night to keep busy.
I can’t emphasize enough how bad this place was—and how ridiculously overpriced.
Maybe if I had stayed here during ski season, I’d have been out on the mountain having fun, and my perception might have been better. But if you subtract the skiing aspect, this place is an incredibly poorly managed, overpriced operation.
I honestly don’t understand how they have so many good reviews. There were TripAdvisor cards prominently placed in the lobby, encouraging reviews. Who knows—maybe there’s a free drink in it for a positive review?
For the quality you get in the off-season, the only way I'd stay again is if the price was max $75 per night because that's seriously all it's worth. It's insulting that the management charges what they charge and expect you to be accepting of what they give for that price.