Small Town Affordability in Bishop, California

While I’m generally a luxury city girl, there are times when citified luxury is nowhere to be found. This is often the case when traveling the backroads of the United States, enjoying some of our National Parks and historic sites, and when you visit small town America. And while those trips will give you different hotels to choose from, comfort, convenience, and value are just as important.

Bishop, California is located on U.S. Route 395, the highway that connects Reno, Nevada, with the Inland Empire, and also connects to Los Angeles. Although I had never heard of the town before I went there, I learned that it is small – population under 4,000 – but that it’s a major western resort town, is located near numerous tourist attractions and is a popular vacation spot with visitors to the area east of the Sierra Nevadas.

With plenty of outdoor recreations available, especially fishing, hiking, and visiting the nearby National Parks, it’s not surprising the many visitors to the area plan on camping during their time in Bishop. When your looking for something with a few more amenities and creature comforts, the best hotel in town is the Best Western Bishop Lodge.

The Best Western Bishop Lodge has 86 rooms in a handful of 2-story buildings spread over the property. A swimming pool and hot tub are centrally located among all the buildings. The exterior style is mid-century modern with a dash of Western thrown in – think Brady Bunch meets John Wayne – and while things don’t compare to glitzy Los Angeles (four hours away) or even closer Mammoth Lakes with its rustic luxury, there’s something very grounded about Bishop. You’ll find comfortable accommodations, a friendly front desk, nearby restaurant and stores, and great value. It’s pet-friendly, too. All at a price that won’t break the vacation budget.

Rooms are large, there’s plenty of room for a family and all the necessary sporting gear, and the bathroom area is large enough for multiple people to get ready. There’s no art on the wall, but there is a microwave, coffee maker, and mini-refrigerator. If you really want to cook up a storm, there are barbecue grills near the pool. And if you caught something in one of the nearby lakes or streams, you can take advantage of the fish cleaning station and freezers. Complimentary breakfast is included with the room.

Other amenities include complimentary wi-fi, free parking (oversized vehicles have parking nearby), fitness center, and a self-serve laundry. Whether you’re using the hotel as your base of operations, or merely stopping through on your road trip, you can refresh and replenish for a fraction of what it costs elsewhere.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and affordable stay for your next road trip to Yosemite or Death Valley, want a more affordable choice than the upscale hotels in Mammoth, and want to experience small-town Americana, stop off in Bishop for a stay at the Best Western Bishop Lodge. It’s the best game in town. Plus, the surrounding scenery is America at its best.

Location:  Best Western Bishop Lodge is located at 1025 Main Street, Bishop, California. Although this is primarily a driving destination, Mammoth Lakes-Yosemite Airport is about 30 miles away. Rates start around $125 per night. Compare rates at a hotel booking site like Expedia to see if you can get a deal on your reservation.