A classic roadside motor inn at the southern edge of Lone Pine, offering direct views of the Sierra Nevada and a history of hosting regional artists.
The Alabama Hills Inn, currently operating as the Quality Inn Lone Pine near Mount Whitney, is a classic roadside motor inn located at 1920 South Main Street at the southern entrance of Lone Pine, California. Originally constructed as an independent two-story hotel, the property was designed to capture the spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada range to the west and the Inyo Mountains to the east. For years, the inn served as a creative hub in Payahuunadü (the Owens Valley), the traditional homeland of the Owens Valley Paiute, notably hosting the legendary watercolor artist Henry Fukuhara and his annual painting workshops. These gatherings brought artists together to paint the surrounding high desert landscapes and the nearby Manzanar National Historic Site. In 2008, the property transitioned into a Comfort Inn franchise before eventually being rebranded under the Quality Inn banner, maintaining its status as a reliable base camp for travelers navigating the Eastern Sierra along Highway 395.
The low-rise, timber-accented building houses 58 guest rooms designed with straightforward, rustic comforts. Accommodations are split between king and double-queen configurations, with several rooms featuring essential road-trip amenities like mini-refrigerators, microwaves, flat-screen televisions, and coffee makers. For travelers seeking the most dramatic vistas, the rooms on the west side of the second floor offer unobstructed views of the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada, including Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States. Conversely, rooms on the east side look out over the dry expanses toward the Inyo Mountains. The property is highly regarded for its pet-friendly policy, specifically designating ground-floor rooms with direct outdoor access to accommodate guests traveling with dogs.
On-site amenities at the property are tailored for outdoor enthusiasts returning from long days of hiking, climbing, or sightseeing. A seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a heated spa tub provide a place to unwind, while a small fitness room and a business center cater to active travelers. Every morning, the hotel serves a complimentary hot breakfast featuring waffles, eggs, and fresh coffee in its dining area, helping guests fuel up before heading out. The inn's location is exceptionally convenient for regional exploration: it is situated directly adjacent to the Mount Whitney Golf Course and is just a mile north of the Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center at the junction of Route 395 and State Route 136, the main highway leading into Death Valley National Park.
Request a second-floor room on the west side for unobstructed views of Mount Whitney, or a ground-floor room if you are traveling with a dog.
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