Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort

Personally, I think National Park Service lodging is overpriced. Its more about the location than the accommodations. I didn't stay here as I felt that spending $200 plus per night for the luxury of having a room with a bedspread and a bathrobe was just too much.

I did visit the property though, and it is pretty nice, especially as NPS lodging goes. Its a pretty structure set on a hill with great views of the sunrise (so I heard), a formal dining room and valet parking. So for those of you who want the luxury experiencing while visiting a national park, this is the place for you.

Unique Quality: The rooms do feature bedspreads and robes for your added comfort, there's a formal dining room, valet parking and a nice view.

Directions: Near intersection of US 190 and Badwater Road.

These two places are pretty much right next to each other and are under the same ownerhsip. As a result, if one rings up a bill at both places, they will end up on the same bill. This is very convenient for those who prefer somewhat nicer dining than the Ranch offers.

The Inn is in every respect much more expensive than the Ranch, but is is also quite a bit nicer. Nevertheless, the accommodations at the Ranch are fine so I thus prefer to stay there and save some money for the Inn's restaurant, since the Ranch's restaurants are far inferior.

Bit hazy the memory now, but one thing that struck me was how many retired people were working around the place & we spoke to a couple the next morning at breakfast (working there) who were doing that as a part of their round America trip.

Unique Quality: Good value as the cheaper option in Death Valley

There are 9 campsites in Death Valley N.P. We stayed at Furnace Creek campsite. Like all campsites in national parks, there are hardly any facilities compared to the commercial campsites outside the parks. If you're travelling by motorhome (like we did) you can hook up to any of the available water and electricity connections provided. Near the campground there is an (airconditioned!) bar and a swimming pool, of which the water has a dirty temperature of appr. 40 degrees (about 104 Fahrenheit)

Unique Quality: When camping out, you should realise that the night temperatures in summer will not drop lower than 24 to 30 degrees Celsius (75 -87 Fahrenheit). So be prepared for a hot and uncomfortable night!

Directions: Next to the Furnace Creek Visitor's Centre

Very beautiful, high class joint. Very Pricey but worth it. Try to get a room that faces out over Death Valley and relax on the deck while the sun sets fire to the sky as evening falls. Float in the spring- fed swimming pool and breathe in the fresh air.

Unique Quality: Historical Inn
Great Views
Beautiful Pool
Fantastic Food

Like an oasis the green area of the Furnace Creek Ranch is appearing at the vapouring horizon. Here one created even a green grassed golfcourse with many palmtrees and bushes surrounding the area. A swimmingpool and cabins with airco (necessary to sleep at all).

Unique Quality: The fact that this place is here, in this impossible place, is unique.

Originally built as a working ranch in the 1880s and later the home to the famous 20-mule teams, the Furnace Creek Ranch today offers a complete resort complex in the middle of Death Valley National Park. The 224 guest units are complemented by three restaurants, a saloon, a general store, the Borax Museum, and a 3,040-foot airstrip. Boundless recreational opportunities include a spring-fed swimming pool, the world's lowest golf course, tennis, horseback riding, hiking, touring,and horse-drawn carriage rides. The Ranch is 120 miles from Las Vegas. Open year round. Some services listed vary seasonally.