Tamarack Lodge and Resort

At an elevation of 8,500 feet, the Tamarack Lodge and Resort is a remote place that's ideal for couples and families looking for quiet time and a lakefront setting. Its isolation makes it inconvenient for tourists, and nearly every guest is here for boating, skiing, attending a wedding, or just having a peaceful retreat away from the crowds. It's a historically registered site, first established in 1924, and though it has Wi-Fi, there are still no TVs. Several brown- and green-painted outbuildings and cabins are scattered around the property, with a classic mountain lodge in the center. This main building houses the lobby bar, restaurant, and the lodge's 11 simple guest rooms. Inside, the lobby is timber-framed and covered in pine paneling with bark accents. A small reception window is just inside the door, and the rest of the space is devoted to cozy lounge with leather couches and log furniture. Fires blaze in an ancient-looking stone hearth at the far end of the room, and there's a wood-burning stove in the corner, opposite a baby grand piano.

Tamarack Lodge and Resort sits on an isolated road about a seven-minute drive from the Village at  Mammoth, where the closest restaurants and bars can be found. There's nothing in walking distance other than hiking trails and the shores of Twin Lakes. Eagle Lodge at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is roughly a 10-minute drive from the resort. Mammoth-Yosemite Airport is a 20-minute drive, and Yosemite National Park (via Tioga Road, which is closed in winter) is about 90 minutes by car. 

The main lodge has 11 carpeted and pine-paneled guest rooms with rustic wood furnishings. Sizes vary, with a mix of twin and double beds on antique metal frames. Some have seating areas with leather chairs, but there are no TVs. The small bathrooms have tiled walk-in showers and come stocked with Aveda products. Some guest rooms share bathrooms in common hallways, which are basic but tidy.

The 35 cabins come in two types -- truly rustic, historic cabins with timber and stone construction, most of which have wood-burning fireplaces, and slightly more modern cabins with country decor and gas fireplaces. Studio Cabins have king or queen beds, dining tables, and small kitchens equipped with ovens, stovetops, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. They also have small furnished decks with Adirondack chairs. Larger one- to- three-bedroom cabins have separate living rooms with sofa beds and fireplaces, along with full kitchens that include dishwashers, cookware, and plenty of counter space. Some cabins have multiple outdoor decks, and one has a lofted bedroom atop a spiral staircase. Bathrooms have either tiled walk-in showers, or average shower/tub combos, and also contain Aveda products. Free Wi-Fi is available, though the signal can be spotty. 

The lodge has direct access to Twin Lakes, where guests will find a few picturesque spots with Adirondack chairs and the quiet shoreline. Activities include seasonal boating, kayaking, and fishing (fee). In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available on-site, with rentals, lessons, trail passes, all for an extra charge, and guided tours from the lodge's ski center at a discount to guests. There's an outdoor picnic area with tables and a grill, along with several outdoor event spaces, including the pretty Forest Chapel, an open-air spot in the woods that's a popular place to get married in the area.

The Lakefront Restaurant offers rustic fine-dining with lake views, but the room is small enough that reservations are usually required. A free continental breakfast is included with standard rates. The lobby bar serves cocktails in a woodsy lounge with two fireplaces, accompanied by live piano music on weekends. Pets are allowed in cabins (for a fee).