The Amargosa Hotel and Opera House is a spiritual pilgrimage more so than a place to stay. Yes, the carpet is musty. The plumbing is old. There is a faint odor lingering in the hallways (not guest rooms). The building is over 100 years old and decaying in certain sections. This is not the place to stay if you want room service, sparkling water, and luxury amenities. Journey to Death Valley Junction and stay a while if you need to experience awe and want to restore what you've lost in the hustle and bustle of life. Be inspired by Marta Beckett's murals--a dedicated artist who breathed new life into the walls. Even if you don't stay the night, take a tour and see it for yourself! Plus, this hotel is only 30 minutes from Furnace Creek and is a nice break from camping in the desert at a very affordable price point! The beds were comfortable and everyone at the hotel was extremely friendly. I would stay again. read more

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I stayed here in January and I can not say enough positive things about this magical place and the special people who work here. The natural beauty of the Amargosa Valley is stunning. The hotel is very close to the entrance of Death Valley park. The history of the town and the Opera House that Marta Becket brought to life is fascinating! Don't miss a tour - they are given daily at 9am and 6pm. The on site cafe is closed but the hotel provides coffee and tea and allows guests to use a fridge, microwave and toaster. The rooms are kept very clean and the area is so quiet - I slept so well! Last, the staff are exceptionally kind and conscientious. This is truly special place. read more

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Neat little ghost town near death valley and pahrump. If you have ever wanted to stay in a little desert ghost town right out of a movie setting this would be the place! It's actually still open! Did not get to stay but it was an amazing stop. So not sure what to rate the actual hotel but wanted to share this amazing little find! read more

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I was a friend of Marta Becket's for more than 30 years, and was completely enchanted by her magical world of the Amargosa Opera House & Hotel. I saw many caretakers over the years, some who done her wrong, and some who wrong was done to by others with so-called 'good intentions'. I visited frequently, typically several times a year, even flying in from the Middle East to visit her. I had seen every show, often many times, and they were positively exquisite. 'On With The Show' was deeply autobiographical, and I would cry every time during the final scene where the lights would go down and she would dance in a white tutu under black lights. The hotel rooms were sparsely appointed but I never minded that. I would stay in the rooms that she had painted, which were truly special. The opera house is a masterpiece as Marta painted them lovingly with renaissance style paintings, giving her an audience when no one would come in the beginning. The opera house is a national treasure. I encourage all to visit for a tour! The people, who I won't name, that ran the opera house when she passed away were mishandling the funds, and she was delivered to the morgue with no money to bury her. I started a GoFundMe for Marta's services, which inspired the folks in charge to scrape funds together to pay for her cremation. When I attended the funeral I was told I was not allowed to share my eulogy, and resorted to reading it to people gathered in front of the cafe after one of the 'caretakers' yelled at me for creating a problem by starting the GoFundMe. Once again, Marta's magical world was in the hands of the wrong kind of people. It is a shame, and as a result, I will never return. read more

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Just coming through for Death Valley? Stay at this place and experience a piece of history. The staff are wonderful and it was neat to check out a historical place. read more

Gayle and I passed through Amargosa twice during our recent visit to the Death Valley. We were on our way to the Shoshone Inn where we were staying. The Opera House and Hotel complex is basically what's left of the legacy of Marta Becket, an actress, dancer, choreographer and painter, whose murals can be seen inside the Opera House (during set tour times) and the Hotel Lobby, that would work for a certain Eagles tune. There's also a Marfa-Texas like NY-luxury store exterior across the street that features reproductions of some of her costumes. Martha passed in 2017 and there apparently was a reopening event for the Opera House in February 2022, but Gayle and I were left with the impression that this place died with her. You can stay at the Hotel of course, but with the cafe closed, food would be a bit of a hike. The architecture of the old Pacific Coast Borax complex looked cool, and we did spend some extra time exploring the exterior and trying to guess which parts were still occupied. Past that and all the peeling paint and building disrepair, we didn't find much reason to stay here for any length of time beyond the pass through "highlights" offered during these quiet times. I hope this review is a placeholder for a future visit. Like Gayle's obsession with Evita Peron when we stayed in Buenos Ares, I fully understand how the legacy of Marta Beckett and a proud historical opera house in the middle of nowhere could be more than enough incentive to explore further and again. read more

Amargosa Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Death Valley, California

Historic place. Worth a visit just for the history. Read about Marta Becket during the stay and could feel her legacy around, special through her paintings on the walls.. The beds were comfy. The shared kitchen was adequate - a microwave, a fridge, an ice maker and a coffee station. The place is old. Walls peeling. Pipes are old and warm water takes quite long to get to the faucet/shower. But my husband and I, we loved the charm and mistique of the place and would recommend it for anyone who can forgo a bit of luxury and comfort. read more

Shall I say that I was a tad obsessed with Amargosa Opera House and Hotel? Actually a very obsessed, ready to drive my husband crazy looking for it on the way back from visiting Death Valley National Park. Everything was closed when we stopped by but it didn't affect my admiration to this place. It's not for everyone but I love its history, beautiful decayed architecture and the feeling you have when you walk around. The place has a bit of a Mediterranean look with the blue doors and white paint, reminds me of a Greek village. Martha Becket, a dancer travelling through the desert fell in love with the place, bought it, restored it, turned it into a hotel, art gallery and an Opera House that functioned for years. Martha is no longer with us, but her spirit, love for art and the desert is around. She created an unique space that is hard to describe. I would have loved to stay here for a night (I know the hotel is open now, the cafe not yet) and watch a show, check out the opera house building. Maybe some other time. I know the place struggles financially during these time, but I hope it will survive. Where else do you have an Opera House in the desert? We need unique places on the road, not just chains. David Lynch shot "Lost Highway" across the way so the cast and crew stayed at Armagosa, a tad of trivia. I could have stayed here forever and wander around like in a Wim Wenders movies. One day I'll love to get back and explore some more. Or have the money to buy it and retreat there. Who knows? Armagosa is one of those fascinating places that stays with you! read more

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Ahhh! History -sigh- We happened to pass by the opera house on our way to Death Valley National Park. According to my photos it was around 7:30a. I forgot that I had bookmarked this place sometime ago to visit. The area was a ghost town except for two cars parked outside the rooms on the hotel side. The Amargosa Opera House and Hotel, located in Death Valley Junction, is a historic building built in 1924 by the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The outside of the buildings are rundown and many have fallen into a state of disrepair. I'm not sure if the hotel is still fully functioning. The town has no gas station and the cafe that is part of the complex was closed. There was a sign outside the opera house that read "Opera House Closed Indefinitely." And in smaller print it said that "... all opera house tours and performances have been suspended indefinitely" (not even an opportunity to peek inside for a quick photo op). Bummer. The Opera House presented the original works of Marta Becket (actress, dancer, choreographer and painter). I would've loved to see the inside of the Opera House... the entire theatre has been hand painted with murals by Marta herself. She has an impressive biography and after reading about her I became even more disappointed that I wasn't able to see the inside. A New York native ballerina, Marta was a dancer who built a theatre in the desert. There is a tribute built in front of the property that can be seen from the road in honor of her 90th birthday and of 50 years of devotion to Death Valley Junction. She died on January 30, 2017 in Death Valley Junction. Marta was 92. Gone but her legacy and her Opera House will live on. Marta was cremated and her ashes were spread over the property with wildflower seeds. I love stepping into history... Review #2122 read more

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This place is exactly what you'd expect for what you pay, and what you see is what you get. I enjoyed my stay here at the Amargosa Opera House, its rich with history and is perfectly located for a peaceful and quiet experience under the beautiful night sky. It really is what you'd expect for such an old building but nevertheless the beds were comfy and they provided a little space heater (which i did not need) for the just in case. When i arrived, we requested (for a small fee) a tour of the hotel, our concierge name was Tabitha, who also doubled as our docent. Kind and informative, we got the chance to hear a little about the artist and her life, a little about the miners and the property history. The only downside is the cafe has been closed down (i think permanently) and there is no television in the room. Which also doubles as a pro I would definitely recommend staying here at least once read more

Totally recommend, I enjoyed my stay even tho brief I would come back to explore more. read more

Amargosa Hotel - Amargosa Hotel entrance. - Hotels Near Me - Death Valley, California

When living in Pahrump we took a ride to Armagosa on our Moped one day. It was a nice ride on the back country road When we arrived here we walked into the hotel part to see what it was all about. Everything is very old, the floors are uneven and the decorations are old. There is a room you can go get a cup of coffee for a small donation. When asking to use the women's bathroom they said it was broke. Went back one other time after that to show some friends and the bathroom was still broke!! The men's was open though. When we asked to see a room they would show you from the door you were not allowed to walk in the room because it was "cleaned" for the next people who would rent it. The prices were high since they are on the way back from Death Valley or heading into Calif you could stay. Not a whole lot of competition close by! I thought I had posted a review and came across the pictures the other day. If your in the area it's worth to stop by and walk in if your close by it is a treat if you like to see old historical places The opera house is or was still playing certain times and days you just have to ask. And they will give you a tour for a fee as well. We did find the people working here we're not the friendliest as I seen someone else had posted They do have a small gift shop if you walk to the back past the men's bathroom they sell some memorabilia and some food & snack items. Also the prices were higher if your a tourist you may pay more to get something compared to other places. There is also a small cafe near the hotel that is open certain days and hours. Armagosa is small and if you blink you may miss it! read more

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Opera house tours are offered seasonally at 9:00am and 6:00pm. Ours lasted 40 minutes and was given by the hotel's front desk clerk. The site had the potential as a tourist trap given the run-down building exterior (granted, the harsh climate requires more frequent painting) and the unusually high $15 per person price tag. If not on a tight budget, the tour is worthwhile to see inside the buildings which included the opera house (not really an opera house but a community theater stage) and two of the hotel rooms along with hearing the background story. In impressive mural fashion, the opera house walls, ceiling, and scrims were painted by the former owner and dancer Marta Becket. The rooms were scantly painted by Becket. I considered staying here but glad I didn't after seeing the tiny and drafty rooms flanking a noisy hallway. Although better than barracks for an army private or stacked bunks for a swabbie, the rooms were originally built for borax miners - not comfort-driven tourists. If interested in staying here, book early because only half of the two dozen rooms are used. read more

We had an amazing time at this location. If you love history and quaint lodgings, this is a great alternative to the big casinos scene. Even if you do not stay at the hotel, I highly recommend seeing a show at the opera house. Make sure you take the tour, as there is a lot to learn, it's very interesting, and a wonderful story. Be sure to look up and all around as there are wonderfull murals that were lovingly hand done by the woman who restored the place. The rooms themselves are nothing exciting, although I hear that ghost hunters like staying there. We walked the grounds across the street, and found all kinds of fun things to investigate and photograph. Just up the road is one of those big casinos which includes a duck pond and petting zoo, so there's plenty to do for the kiddos, too. We had a very good cup of coffee at the cafe, although it is very expensive. The common room with the fireplace and Resident cats is a nice cozy touch. Overall, we're not talking to Hilton, but we are talking a one-of-a-kind experience that is totally worth the drive. read more

Amargosa Hotel - Lots of rustic all around. - Hotels Near Me - Death Valley, California

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My brother and I are on a road trip. We were staying in Arizona and he wanted to see some changes that had occurred because of the August 20th rain storm that flooded Death Valley. We've been to Death Valley a few times and have seen this hotel. We thought it was an old abandoned hotel until our last trip to Death Valley in March 2023. He made reservations after looking up the reviews for this hotel. The reviews were mixed of good and bad. He decided he wanted to see for himself. So, if you're looking for a resort or a fancy hotel with all the bells and whistles, this is not for you! It's a historical hotel that was built about 100 years ago for the men that worked in the borax mines. It's simple, cozy and clean. It's a non-profit business that works at keeping the dream of Marta Beckett, a ballerina who ran the Amargosa Opera House, alive. She rented this hotel and had the event center spruced up and she did shows regularly for several decades. There's a short tour you can go on to hear all the specifics about Marta and her dreams. Back to the hotel, when you first enter, there is a feeling and smell of history. The room is clean and comfortable. The water pressure for showers is great and the towels are fluffy. The desk staff are knowledgeable and very nice. We talked with Emilee and she was our tour guide one night and Sammie was our tour guide on the second tour. They both help manage the hotel, along with others. We love it so much, we're staying a few extra days as it's comfortable and close to Death Valley. If you want clean, comfortable and historic, you'll love this place. read more

Know before you go.... The pictures and reviews are a bit misleading. Some may find the old, rundown motel and theater charming, but we were unprepared for the unrefined nature of the place. Really old, musty carpets, missing bathroom tiles and flaking paint. And don't be surprised if it takes 20 minutes for the hot water to hit the bathroom faucet. No exaggeration. No coffee or tv in the room and the little in-wall heat pump could not beat the cold, desert evening. However, the location is great, if you enjoy quiet desolation, and the history of the place is intriguing. Also, the staff was very friendly and seemed to be genuinely proud of their little destination. We appreciated that. read more

Stopped here for lunch on our way into Nevada from Death Valley National Park, the food at the cafe is very organic, super hipster vibe inside and photogenic deco. Totally loved the food, freshness you can taste! We ordered a few items including an all day special; they have a lot if selections and everything is organic. While we waited for our food we looked through books in their mini shelf and signed their guest book which was neat. The prices are $-$$$ which is not bad for a decent sit down in the middle of the desert! We enjoyed ourselves very much and we hope to return someday. Totally recommend you check it out, it looks like an abandoned downtown but it is open and running as a hotel indeed. The BLT was off the chain!! Oh and the bathroom is clean inside, and it is located in the back of the cafe, ask for the key. Side note: love that all the dishes are diverse, you get plates and coffee mugs that make you feel like you're in someones home. read more

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This review is for the opera house which hosts a ballet recital on weekends. Tickets are $20 and purchased at the hotel. No advanced sales, there is always plenty of room. Show is about 40 minutes including a history lesson of the original ballarina. Hilda Vasquez, puts on a tremendous one woman show an homage to her mentor the late Marta Becket. Well worth making time for on Friday or Saturday night. The history of the opera house, its renovation and the murals inside is so interesting. The talented ballerina in the desert is so special. read more

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This place was an absolute delight. A desert treat, it holds so much history and so much art and charm in its very old sturdy walls. It's a phenomenal place to visit. Me and my dad stayed all day and spent the night. The room was quaint and suited our needs and although the modern benefits such as tv and central heat\air weren't included they weren't necessary. The space heater and extra blankets and a good book were all we needed to relax in the hotel. The opera house was breathtaking and I fell in love with Marta's story of how her and her husband stumbled across this place and fixed it up to this magnificent place that travelers either plan to visit or just stumble upon. I definitely recommend this place. It's off the grid but it's worth it if you want to go back in time to splendid simplicity read more

The only problem with Amargosa Hotel and Opera House is that a bunch of uppity, stuck up, tourists are driving through Death Valley, and they stop here without any knowledge of this place. Go to Furnace Creek and pay $200 for a tiny bungalow room. Drive OUT of the desert to Pahrump and stay at a crappy Motel 6. Thirty miles East? is Shoshone. They have small rooms for the same price as Amargosa. Amargosa Opera House and Hotel is a historic landmark. It can not be updated. It is what it is. It is a genuine, historic, Death Valley experience. It is a living ghost town and most of these mining junctions from the mining-boom era are long gone, but this one still stands. It is a blessing. The Opera House's walls are adorned with years of Marta Becket's blood, sweat and tears as are the walls of some of the hotel rooms, lobby, dining room, foyer, etc. It is an art gallery as much as it is a hotel and opera house. When there is a production in the opera house, do yourself and catch it. Seeing the opera house in use is a rare treat and it may be something that becomes even rarer. The place has no TVs- deal with it. It gives you a lot of time to get out and "social network" in front of the fire place in the lobby. Try it, it is fun. There's little to no cell reception, but there is a free phone in the lobby and WiFi. The hotel workers are all delightful, especially Bob. Bob is a character and watching him work is pure comedy. No matter what you say to Bob, he has a story to tell- a long story. I love Bob. I mean, this guy has a customer come in for a room, and Bob has a story for him for 15 minutes and goes to show him to the room and they leave. A second later Bob and the guy comes back in. Bob forgot to register and charge the guy. Come on now, pure comedy. The cafe is under new lease, new management, and the food there is pretty damn good. There's a very beautiful cemetery about 1/8 mile up he road. $3 a gallon gasoline is 25 miles away in Pahrump. Shoshone and Furnace Creek is $5-ish and both are about the same distance. And again, an amazing town called Shoshone is 30 miles away. So what if the hotel is dated. It is a historic landmark with a rich history and a beautiful history of Marta Becket. Take some time, rough it, and take it all in. While you are there, ask them to play the documentary Amargosa on the TV in the dining hall and you will appreciate the place more. read more

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Historical and haunted! The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful. Casino only 7 miles away as well. We stayed in room 15 and did a ghost hunt throughout the hotel, we got very interesting results. Would recommend this hotel to anyone. See our ghost hunt here http://youtu.be/yO2xd4-TDJw read more

Amargosa Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Death Valley, California

I have not stayed here, but i have visited a few times. If you are in DV, you should visit - it has a very intriguing history. It is true that it is a bit neglected these days, but understanding its story might help people who are harsh on the service or the structure. I hope that someday it will be restored to it's former glory. It has had more than one life already... why not another re-birth... Anyone who doesn't understand it... why it is the way it is.. and how it came to be both beautiful and frightening needs to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7PBObz9K9M The you can read a little more about what has been happening a little more recently here: http://pvtimes.com/news/amargosa-opera-house-the-subject-of-a-real-life-drama/ read more

HORRIBLE service! I would never book this hotel ever again! I was really looking forward to staying in this hotel for a Death Valley trip over the weekend. But I fell really ill the day before my reservation and I called in to see if there was any chance that I could get some refund. Yes they do have a 24-hr cancellation policy but I wanted to ask if I could maybe go at a different time etc. The point is the lady who answered the phone had a HORRIBLE attitude and she actually HUNG UP after simply telling me 'Nope you are not gonna get your money back', while I was still talking. I simply expected a respectful conversation and wanted to explore some potential solutions to my situation and I was very disappointed. On the other hand, Stovepipe Wells very gracefully accepted my cancellation and offered full refund after hearing my reasons - I am definitely going to stay there next time. People at Amargosa Opera House please learn some customer service philosophy to help with your business. You just lost one or more customers forever. read more

Very different, but in a really great way . . . employees are friendly and accommodating!

This review is for the Amargosa Hotel. My husband and I planned a trip to Death Valley, but didn't want to stay in one of the large resort-style hotels. We are outdoorsy, so when we found the Amargosa, I figured it would be one step above camping. I was wrong. This place is a true gem. It is clean, the bed is comfortable, and the bathroom has hot water. We had the best stay in one of the outdoor rooms, so we could easily come and go and sit outside and drink coffee. We played board games (provided) in the dining area, and we got some excellent pictures in the area. It's quiet, it's cozy, it's unique, and it provided us some wonderful memories. The cafe attached has great food also, and the opera house provided us some entertainment. The only tip I have is to get an outside facing room and to plan ahead with food - there is no nearby grocery store, the food inside Death Valley is overpriced and poor quality, and the restaurants around there are questionable. We brought lots of snacks with us, and ended up making meals off beef jerky and granola bars more than once. We will 100% be back to Death Valley to see the stars under the new moon, and we will 100% be staying here again. read more

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I stayed here for a night a few weeks on one of my non-camping trips to Death Valley. It is pretty interesting and full of history... but can't say it is really nice. That said, you are in the middle of no where . For about $90 (including tax) you get a relatively clean room with heat/aircon. I'd say this place is slightly nicer than the motel in Shoshone 25 miles south. I missed the performance in the Opera House so maybe that is why I left feeling a little eh... The cafe attached to the hotel is pretty good. I'd give that 4*. read more

What an adventure! Usually we stay at the Longstreet place down the road but we pass this place every time and decided to stay here instead on one of our weekend adventures in the desert looking for hidden secrets. A place on the edge of Death Valley with a wonderful history. You are stepping into the past. Yes, it is a bit run down but it is the experience you come here for. The Opera House itself is incredible. So happy they kept it. Rooms were clean and fairly comfortable. Better than I expected for this old holdover. Front desk gal was friendly and gave us a history of the place. Not far from the place was an area that had all kinds of shinny things on the ground near an abandon structure. We drove down the dirt road for about 200 yards to see what it was. It was an area littered with piles of broken glass covering about 1/4 acre. It turns out it was the dump back in it's hay day and everything that was degradable has long since blown away in the wind leaving old broken glass. Lots of stories I'll bet in all of those broken beer and liquor bottles. This is a place you come for the history and experience. Not for a 4 or 5 star resort. read more

"My most Excellent Trip of a Lifetime" The townsfolk are FAB! (all 5 or 6 of em) The hotelsfolk are just as fab (toss an extra 3-4 folk into this) The ambiance, the uniqueness, the historical value, and especially for the real reason I came..... every moment was EXCEPTIONAL & FABULOUS!!!! Just experiencing Marta's murals rank a 12+ on the 'must see' scale; especially the Opera House... oh my! My mother swears still that only Michelangelo could have painted that! On a 27 hour whirlwind of a trip --- I came, I saw, I chatted (Rich and the gang are just the best 'real people' and good-ole-fashioned-values-kind-of-folk. I just love that!), and every dream I could ever have otherwise came true here! I had a most fab xlnt time. The 'gang' even offered me ice cream birthday cake!!! hahahaaaa. I thank you for that! These folk rate A++++ with me! Perhaps one needs to treat people like good-old-fashioned-regular-real-people (spoken in regards to other traveler's comments). If you came with even a slight city attitude, then too bad for you. This place is 'down-to-earth-real-people' and for that Amargosa, I thank you and adore you for. On a secondary note: Yes Zak, there is an afterlife! And for that mr zak/mr nick/mr aaron.... I thank you for giving me my best birthday gift ever!!! You weren't there, but apparently you'd taught me tricks of the trade enough that I didn't need you. Friends, family, and self - are beyond amazed (and are still truly speechless) at what the Amargosa offered me during my stay. I shall say no more for this place is a treasured secret! Thank you! Thank you Marta, Rich, Kara, and everyone else! I'm already planning my return visit. You folks and this place rock! ****************** JUNE 2011 ***************** Big Brother vs. Alice in FilterLand Well, apparently I'm a fraud... a bad reviewer. I've been banished to the 'filter' Yep, yelp's version of some idiot deciding 'what is good or what is trustworthy' in a review. Let it be known to you MR/MS YELP that I don't have time to putz online and fall into some @#$ rabbithole or constantly b*tch about someplace or something sh*tty. I ONLY take the time to explode outwardly over what I consider to be an exemplary moment; and I've barely time for that! And just because I don't dribble all over your review pages with sentiments about here or there or he or she or, or, or...... you $@# banish me to Filterland?!?!?!?!?!?!!! SHAME ON YOU YELP!!!!! Just who the crap do you think you are to 'filter' some of us????!?!?!?! But to those who may have taken the time, or the curiosity to click on 'banished' aka "filtered reviews".... KUDOS to you !!! Perhaps you might consider us 'banished folk' the best of the best or the honest of the honest. You've a mind - and you've used it !!! Glory hallelujah !!! I'd like to think that most of us are capable of figuring out for ourselves what is or isn't worthy of reading. Whoops.... I just wasted 10 seconds reading something that no longer interests me.... so hey, let's move on to the next review. .... but apparently not --at least not according to Yelp. Quit thinking you're something you're not Yelp.... fudge off on the filtering thinking you're so high and mighty in your offerings!! You're not! Alice is tired of playing with you now Yelp. She's off to invest her time better elsewhere.... big brother got rather old rather quickly here. Signing off Yelp! ...the brave & the banished ....Windex, friend of the looking-glass .....banished & beautiful ......banishment for dummies .......filtered for no freason ........banished spanish, a travelers guide Let us pray lord for vanishing the banished. Our father ... ........ read more

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We have read about the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel for some time and thought it would be a great place to experience the past in this Historic Hotel. We recently visited Las Vegas to attend a convention and then drove 1 1/2 hours to Death Valley Junction and the Hotel. When you arrive and drive up to the Hotel Lobby, you must ask yourself, "What have I gotten myself into?" The buildings are old and show their wear and tear from the desert environment. Have no fear! Yes, the outside is dated as is the inside. But the experience is worth the trip. We checked into the Hotel and were greeted by Brook, who is a wealth of information about the Opera House and Hotel. She answered all our questions and give us a brief tour of the Hotel Lobby area and showed us to our room. All the rooms have a heater/air conditioner, so it is comfortable most of the time. I am sure they may have made upgrades to the rooms, but this is what it was like in the 1920's. A single ceiling light illuminates the room. The bathrooms are small with very dated tile work that looks good, even where they have had to make repairs to broken tiles. The staff has tried to maintain the look, feel and vision of Marta Becket who hand painted the walls of the Hotel and Opera House. During the winter months a variety of performers are on stage in the Opera House. While you are in the hotel lobby, be sure to look for Wilson, the Hotel Cat. What a nice and friendly cat who loves to be petted. After your restful night in the quaint rooms stop by the café for a great tasting breakfast. The food was delicious especially the homemade from scratch biscuits and the locally made jams. When you in the café, look for the woman on the computer and say "Hi" to Bobbi, the General Manager. who works hard to make your stay enjoyable. Worth the time Worth the drive Worth the experience Your visit will be an enduring memory that will last you a lifetime. read more

MOTEL The back story of this place is so unlikely, anyone passing nearby or thinking of staying here should check it out. Marta Becket, a dancer, has spent decades rebuilding this amazing piece of history. The Opera House has a Saturday eve show in season. Not what you might expect but quite interesting. The motel is a great bargain (about $70) compared to the digs at Furnace Creek Ranch ($170+) or Furnace Creek Inn ($320+), and a good site from which to explore Death Valley and area. Note that there is no cafe or groceries in DV Junction. There's morning coffee at the hotel but that's it. Eat at the Furnace Creek Ranch (27 mi west), State Line (7mi north) or Shoshone (23 mi south), etc.* Check their website. (Location is Death Valley Junction. Hwys 127 and 190) UPDATE: Mar 15, 2009, The T&T Cafe has lately opened at the Amargosa. So you MAY be able to find breakfast and lunch here. The week we were there they served dinner only on Saturday, and were closed Sunday and Monday. Check with hotel. read more

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This place is both absolutely wonderful and completely run down. I can see what it was/wants to be but it needs a lot of work. The grounds setup is quite nice but the cement is wrecked and the entire edifice has peeling paint. The rooms are small and have an odor to them (Sweet and sickly) probably some sort of air freshener to cover whatever else there is. The door to my room doesn't actually lock but there's a safety bolt and frankly who the hell is even here to break in. The air conditioner looks like it's just glued in place and the bed creaked like it is as old as the building. That being said - I get it. It's old, somewhat run down, totally clean, and absolutely full of charm. I LOVED my stay and recommend to anyone. For all the negative things I might say - this place has history! It has a sense of history and really is an oasis in a sea of nothing . It's reasonably priced as anything near death valley national park can be - and it allows dogs. The people running it were wonderful, cheerful, and they had their dogs with them too - I felt immediately relaxed. The term "no frills" was used previously by a reviewer and it is completely apt. But there's something charming about a place with a historical place in the region - versus another budget hotel chain like a motel 6. Highly recommended and they allow your dog, BAM! read more

This hotel is so much more than a place to stay while visiting Death Valley-it is a destination all its own. Originally an elite private hotel for potential investors in a 1920s Borax mine, it sat vacant for decades. Then, as fate would have it, Marta Beckett came to this crossroads in the dessert to get a tire repaired and changed both the hotel and her life. A dancer from New York, she and her husband left the crazy City for Amorgosa Junction to pursue an artistic life. Marta would spend six years painting the walls of the small theater, then performed in it for 40 years, three shows a day. Marta died at 92, still active in her now well known theater. I took the $5 tour of the theater, and was very moved by this person's devotion to craft and love of life. A must see for theater lovers, artists, and humans in general. read more

My kids are amateur ghost hunters, and we went 40 min out of our way to include this place for a tour. We were rushing in our very slow RV, trying to make the 2pm tour, we were late by 6 minutes. We went into the hotel lobby to see if we could still jump in. The lady in the lobby said "sorry I'm clocked out, but you can go knock on the opera house door and ask if you can go in late" We tried that, the older lady with long gray hair said "u need to go to the office ", we explained we had. She was nice enough to take my cash and kids anyway for what was literally 5 minutes, and then very rudely said to my kids "well are you done !" My kids got zero pictures! It's a waist of time, and the people are rude. I reccomend Goldfield or Virginia City anytime, but not this place. read more

What a fun place... we went into the hotel for a birthday getaway, under the stars. What we got was incredible hospitality, history, creativity and magic. Yes, you are stuck in time but what a gift it is to honor Marta. When it's time to take a tour, do it! The Opera House makes me want to sign away every penny I have to watch it come alive again. Everyone on staff was helpful and had a story as to why the Amargosa meant so much to them. Drop all the non essentials, remember the gifts of the world, many can be found here! read more

I checked in yesterday with Mars she was super happy and professional. I recommended this hotel for vacations and a wonderful history lesson about ballerina MARTA BECKET read more

I love Amargosa Opera House and Hotel. This was my second stay here, and I enjoyed it even more than the first. The beds and bathroom were clean, and the bathroom was pleasant and airy, with high ceilings and good and bright from the skylight. But more than that, I love the sense of history, the vibe, and the kindness of the staff in making sure that I was very comfortable. You are staying in a place with amazing paintings, especially in the Opera House, and a faded history, so yes, there is peeling paint, yes, things are worn, and yes, you will likely not get wifi in your room, and yes, there is no television. But there is a communal kitchen with a large refrigerator, microwave, extremely large toaster oven, and lots of comfortable tables with games. And there is a piano. Most motels and hotels encourage isolation; Amargosa encourages hanging out. Even all the rooms let out into the outside and have tables right outside. Some people say that the hotel gives them the creeps because, well, it has peeling paint and is worn and has this absurdly long hallway that lets the imagination run wild. And indeed, some say that the place is haunted. I don't know. I just know that I love staying here, and I love the Opera House. Also, the location is fantastic, as it is very close to Death Valley and numerous other areas that are of interest to desert explorers and photographers, such as Dublin Gulch miners' caves and hot springs as well as Death Valley. As a night photographer, the location could not have been more perfect for accessing these areas closeby. If you want tons of modern amenities, go up to the street to Longstreet Casino. You'll have your beer, wifi, bright lights, new paint, and live country bands. If you want history, vibe, and good conversation, and when in season, a fantastic live performance from someone who has taken the mantle from Marta Beckett, who passed away in January 2017, then Amargosa is for you. And if you are not going to stay here, it is still worthwhile stopping to have a look around, visit the Opera House, check out the amazing paintings on the walls, and visit the gift shop. Recommended. read more

Didn't stay at the hotel, but we took the tour of the opera house and it was phenomenal -- one of the absolute highlights of a week-long trip in Death Valley and surrounding areas. Best $5 we spent! read more

We just loved our stay. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for us, at this time, it was perfect. The hostess, Brooke, is so nice, and very accommodating, including seeking us out to let us know that the wild horses were visiting out back and taking the time to bring us around to see them. The place is what we think that many people would call " eccentric" - and the shutdown from the pandemic was not helpful. But our room was clean, the bed was very comfortable, Brooke was a delight, and we wish we'd been able to stay another day. Once the pandemic shutdown is over, we know the Amargosa Cafe will be back to up and running - we are so sorry we missed it at this time. But there was a fridge and microwave available for leftovers for our trip to Pahrump for dinner the previous night, and good coffee in the morning (thank you, Brooke!) The Amargosa Hotel is a treasure, an experience, a must do, and so good for the soul - we think there are gentle spirits there that understand when you are going through a rough time and quietly take care of you. We fervently hope that we will be able to visit again. read more

How the hell did we end up in Death Valley Junction? Well, first we drove from fabulous Oakland to mean Eureka to boring Crescent City through beautiful Oregon to cold Seattle back down to awesome Crater Lake to Reno. "Let's go to Death Valley before we go to Santa Monica!" In July. So we did. With no hotel reservations. Well, we got lucky and scored a room at the Crater Lake Lodge, so maybe we would get lucky here too? We drove to Death Valley. It was breathtakingly gorgeous and miserably hot. Like 119 degrees. There were no rooms available in any of the places we checked. Then we called this place. "Oh it sounds so historical and cute! I can't believe we got lucky again and got a room in this bed and breakfast!" Then we arrived. It was late, and there were only two cars parked outside. Strange. We walked into the creepy haunted looking place. "This is like some hotel in a horror movie." There are all these murals all over the place, the kind that look at you wherever you are. We were given a key to our room. We entered and laughed for 20 minutes straight. Blue felt looking nasty carpet with stains. Uncomfortable looking beds. Outdoor furniture inside the rooms. A bathtub with no shower, but not the kind of bathtub you really want to soak in. We ate a snack of Nutty Butters and Cheez its and got in bed. "There's no cell phone reception and there are no phones in our rooms. Someone could totally kill us. Good night!" Poor Sarah lay awake all night, and I slept, oblivious to the creepiness of my words and the place. In the morning, Sarah was brushing her teeth, and I noticed windows behind my bed. I was curious to see the view. I pulled back the curtains... And SCREAMED! There was a giant bug, the size of my hand, with RED WINGS! We took pictures and quickly got dressed. There was a sign that said Breakfast Served 6:30-9:30 in haunted calligraphy. We ventured out to see what the breakfast was all about. Instant coffee. Packaged pastries with moisture inside. What do you expect? It's the desert. As a hotel, it gets one star, but I gave it three because it was so memorable and has a pretty cool history. I think it's also better maintained and has events when it's not summer. read more

What an amazing place. I have been to Death Valley many times, but never took the time to visit Amargosa Opera House until this last week-long hiking trip taken with two of my grown children for the spring flowers. We stayed here for three nights while driving back and forth to the Park during the days, and were fortunate to catch a live Sat night performance in the Opera House of a show starring Sandy Scheller, who I understand is no longer performing. Marta Becket stopped performing herself many years ago, but currently does periodically attempt a sit-down "chair show." We were overwhelmed by the history in the place, and quite saddened to realize that Marta Becket's foundation, which owns and operates the hotel and Opera House, must be just about out of money. There clearly doesn't appear to be anyone with adequate financial resources involved any more, and the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities show this lack of attention. But the buildings were certainly well built initially, and the hotel is still comfortable for a shower and a good night's sleep after a day on the desert. The newly opened (in 2010) cafe serves great cafe food; don't leave without trying their chicken fried steak. I'm afraid that anyone who wants to get a glimpse of this eclectic piece of desert history --- where, for a time, the desert and dance were beautifully fused together in this wonderful place --- needs to visit quickly. I hope I'm wrong, and I can schedule another visit before it's gone. read more