6 Best Hotels in The Sierra Nevada, California

Every room here is impeccably styled with European antiques, sumptuous fabrics, fresh-cut flowers, and oversize soaking tubs. You'll feel pampered from the moment you drive through the wrought-iron gates. Fall asleep by the glow of a crackling fire amid goose-down pillows and Italian linens, then awaken to a hearty European breakfast in the dining room. Afterward, relax with a game of chess in the piano room beneath an exquisite ceiling mural, or indulge in a treatment at the on-site day spa.

Guests at Rio Sierra come for the river views, the sandy beach, and the proximity to Sequoia National Park (6 miles away), but invariably end up raving equally about the warm, laid-back hospitality of proprietress Mars Roberts. The charm of many Three Rivers establishments is their nod to family vacations of 1950s California—in some cases because the places actually haven't changed since then—but Roberts's shabby-not-trying-to-be-chic aesthetic lends her inn a contemporary, lived-in feel. And that beach! From May into October it beckons so compellingly you might have to remind yourself you came here to visit the park.

A stay at one of the region's largest hotels puts you amid the wilderness with all the creature comforts—from the striking lobby lounge, with its high windows and sturdy beams, to the ample lodge rooms where baths have granite countertops and brushed-bronze fixtures. An additional 19 buildings hold 53 cottage rooms with outdoor seating areas and gas fireplaces, and there are 50 deluxe, custom-built, creekside cabins as well. The resort restaurants offer everything from continental cuisine to burgers, pizzas, and pastas.

On a hill just steps from the Village at Mammoth, the Westin provides full-service comfort and amenities close to restaurants, entertainment, and free public transportation. Artwork and other details reflect local character, from a Devils Postpile sculpture at reception and the lobby's slate floors to the reclaimed boulders in the Whitebark restaurant. Choose from studio or one- and two-bedroom units—most are pet-friendly and have fireplaces and either kitchenettes or full kitchens; some units have balconies. Additional perks include a heated pool, underground parking, fitness center, two whirlpools, a ski valet, a free shuttle, and charging stations for electric cars.

Every room at this two-story motel has a patio facing a sun-dappled grassy lawn, right on the banks of the Kaweah River; individually decorated cottages and cabins across the river have private outdoor spaces with barbecue grills. Accommodations are simple and well kept, and the lodge sits a mere ¼ mile from the park gate. Book well in advance.

Amid the trees near Yosemite National Park's Hetch Hetchy entrance, this sprawling property is perfect for families. The cabin complex includes a recreation center, playground, amphitheater, large room with games for all ages, restaurant, gift shop, pool, and activities desk where you can sign up for more than 30 guided tours. The cabins are wood-paneled and cozy. The roadhouse-style restaurant serves everything from bean burgers to barbecued game and lobster risotto. The historic bar has a friendly feel, perhaps owing to the frequent live music. Multinight stays are required from April through October, as well as on holidays. You can also stay in two- to four-person tents in summer.