Juniper Springs Resort

Opened in 2000, Juniper Springs is spread out among three buildings, with a central building that houses a bright and airy lobby with two floors of windows. It’s a cheerful and nicely decorated space, but not upscale by any measure. It has a large stone fireplace and lots of wood furniture and trim in a light finish. There are plenty of comfy places to relax, including a large patio surrounding the pool and tables at the Daily Grind coffee shop. It’s a quiet property with a relaxed, mountain lodge vibe, though expect to see many families here year-round, especially during ski season. Shoulder seasons tend to be very quiet. 

Juniper Springs is located next to the Eagle Lodge ski lift, near other condominium complexes. It’s quieter than hotels in the heart of the Village, which is seven minutes away by car, but it's a bit isolated, and there aren't any restaurants or shops within walking distance. (The resort operates a free evening shuttle to the Village, however.) Mammoth-Yosemite Airport is 17 minutes by car, and Yosemite National Park (via Tioga Pass Road) is about a 90-minute drive. 

These residential-style condos and townhouses are individually owned, so differences in their decor and upkeep exist. But generally, expect to see spacious units (Studio to Three-Bedroom) done in soft earth tones. Sleeper sofas and gas fireplaces framed by stone are standard, and most of the matching wood furniture we saw had a light finish. The major drawback here is that there's no air-conditioning, although fans are provided. 

All units have well-equipped kitchens, with granite or marble counter tops, full-size fridges, microwaves, dishwashers, ranges, coffeemakers, cookware, and utensils. Some units have modern, stainless steel appliances, while others have older models. 

Balconies with lovely mountain views are standard, as are flat-screen TVs and DVD players. In-room Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee. The bathrooms we saw were generally similar in style, with basic beige tiling, granite vanities, and shower/tub combos, although one of the two full bathrooms in the Two-Bedroom Condo we saw has a roomy walk-in shower with glass doors. All come with hairdryers and Aveda toiletries.

The units are mostly tidy and well-maintained, but some of the furniture we saw was showing obvious signs of wear, and bathroom caulking and grout needed better scrubbing.  

Skiers flock to this ski-in/ski-out property, where lessons and equipment rentals can be arranged, and the hotel offers free equipment storage. There's free evening shuttles to restaurants and shopping in the Village -- which is a much-needed perk, as there's no full-service restaurant or bar on-site. There is, however, the on-site Daily Grind coffee shop, which sells light to-go items, snacks, beer, wine, and limited supplies. 

The hotel charges a hefty daily resort fee (which covers Wi-Fi throughout), but features are solid. After long days on the slopes, two year-round heated outdoor pools and six outdoor whirlpools await guests. A small fitness center with four pieces of Precor cardio equipment and some weight-training equipment also is available. For kids, there’s a game room and bocce ball court near one of the pools. Gas grills also are on-site for guests, as are coin laundry facilities. Parking is free in a heated garage, and the hotel has a business center and two meeting rooms that can be combined. The front desk is staffed 24/7, and it has a library of free DVDs guests can borrow.