Cancel

Open app

Search

Amargosa Hotel

3.6 (93 reviews)
ModerateHotels

Services - Amargosa Hotel

Hotels

Amargosa Hotel Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Amargosa Hotel

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Wearing my alien costume for Marta's debut of 'Masquerade'
Melanie G.

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.

Eric B.

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.

Jo S.

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!

02.13.21 Death Valley Junction is located at the intersection of SR 190 and SR 127, just east of Death Valley National Park
May A.

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

Amargosa Hotel entrance.

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

Sue G.

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!

Lots of rustic all around.
Melanie H.

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.

Carlos R.

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.

Hilda Vasquez
Trixie B.

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.

Jay C.

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.

See all

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Jake W.
6
546
2

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 1
Love this 5
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jo S.
666
2374
15210

5 years ago

Helpful 15
Thanks 1
Love this 13
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 65
Thanks 1
Love this 61
Oh no 1

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sue G.
1429
863
3726

5 years ago

Helpful 30
Thanks 0
Love this 23
Oh no 0
Photo of Brian U.
0
2129
128

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Jay C.
784
454
918

12 years ago

Helpful 16
Thanks 0
Love this 7
Oh no 0
Photo of Cheryl L.
30
37
10

11 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

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

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sarah H.
1
103
35

8 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Scott C.
10
297
0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Les C.
3
106
3

6 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Arnold W.
18
285
207

17 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Chris H.
6
512
155

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Talia B.
101
23
3

7 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Aaron K.
244
20
2

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of N L.
0
6
0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

17 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 0
Love this 11
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 3

Amargosa Hotel Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Amargosa Hotel

How much is a tour? And can I go in without paying for a sneak peak?

$5 per person. It’s well worth it to see this quirky masterpiece, hear the stories surrounding it, and to keep it all going.

View All 2 Questions

Review Highlights - Amargosa Hotel

The Opera House presented the original works of Marta Becket (actress, dancer, choreographer and painter).

Mentioned in 13 reviews

Read more highlights

Verify this business for free

Get access to customer & competitor insights.

Verify this business

Shoshone Inn

Shoshone Inn

(45 reviews)

$$

Camping/RV'ing would probably be the sensible way to go in this area but if that's not your thing,…read more$179/night is the price you will have to pay to stay at the Shoshone Inn as of Dec. 2023. Shoshone Inn (really a motel) is pretty much the only establishment in the area and was convenient for my planned expeditions, so I bit the bullet and made the reservation. Amenities: Hot shower (no tub), mini-fridge, microwave and Keurig coffee maker including coffee pods and creamer. Breakfast of bagels, yogurt and fruit also included. BTW the hot water was truly hot, which was nice (it's chilly here in winter). Lots of complimentary goodies (lotion, shampoo, bath gel, even eye gel and pillow spray to help you get a good night's sleep). Room: Very comfortable bed, large wardrobe for storage, and a nice desk with chair. NO CELL SERVICE OR LANDLINE phone here; but there is free Wi-Fi and a pay phone nearby for emergencies. Cleanliess was great. Service: Check-in ran a little late as my room was not ready when I arrived. Keeping in mind that the town of Shoshone has a population of 31, it must be hard to keep enough staff to get everything done. Everyone was very friendly and helpful about the process and answered all my questions. Just go with the flow. THE BEST THING: The Warm Springs Pool. Staying at the Inn gives you access to the Warm Spring Pool, which is heavenly. Shoshone is home to amazing natural hot springs (as well as their own species of pupfish adapted to live in the springs.) These springs feed the pool, which is a short hike from the hotel. Parking: Free in the lot. Tips: Bring food and supplies, there's a gas station market right next store to the motel but with limited provisions. Drive to Tecopa for more hot springs. And have dinner at Steaks and Beer (reservation highly suggested.)

An excellent place for my family to stay a few days. Recently renovated with new fixtures…read more Friendliest staff ever. Free breakfast was a nice cherry on top.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pahrump - Sofa bed, seating area and desk

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pahrump

(103 reviews)

$$

My booking SUCKED!!! HOWEVER the hotel staff quickly fixed the issue and even upgraded so my father…read morewas able to handle the distances. This will be a location I will use in the future!

I'm on the fence with this hotel. The staff are pleasant and very professional. The hotel was clean…read morewith a decent breakfast. It was on the higher medium in price. Here's what got me negatively- Things hotel can control - I had a room on the bottom floor. I opened the blinds to get some natural light in the room. There is no screen to prevent anyone from seeing in and of course someone with their dog walked by right then. One of the coffee machines was full of used grounds so quit working at breakfast. There is always a line of people to get coffee and this made it worse. They don't have coffee in the rooms for environmental purposes which I understand but they should have all coffee machines up and running and kept up with since there isn't coffee in the rooms. Things hotel can't control but made for a not so great experience. Went out and sat on a chair to enjoy the cooler evening weather after check in and a man walked by and relived himself on the wall. There was someone above me wearing hard soled shoes who kept walking back and forth that night and of course again the next morning and I got to listen to the neighbors bed next door to me hitting the wall for about 20 min. Overall not a bad hotel necessarily just a bad stay for me there. Easy on off road access and higher moderately priced.

Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort

Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort

(319 reviews)

$$$

We stayed in one of the cottages at The Oasis while we were in Death Valley this past week. And it…read morewas Awesome!!! It was our first time in DVNP, and the cottages looked super cute and convenient. (They were!) In our duplex cottage, we had our own porch area, and inside, a living room (with a sofa fold out bed), a kitchenette area (with a fridge and microwave and coffee maker), a bathroom with a shower, a little washer/dryer laundry machine, and a master bedroom with a closet. We had access to, and used, the 86 degree pool (great after hiking), and there were restaurants and a gift shop and an ice cream shop, and golf facilities. The Oasis is right next door to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center (which we didn't make it to) and the Furnace Creek campground. Super convenient, Super cute, Good food available at the Wild Rose Tavern (which we went to twice), and our cottage neighbors were great. We loved every minute! Staff are super friendly and helpful and we hope to be back.

We stayed here for 2 nights during our recent visit to Death Valley National Park, before…read moreThanksgiving. Room rates were average at $592 for 2 nights. We had the queen bed deluxe bedroom with balcony in building 800. Room was just ok, but it did the job to keep us cozy and allowed us to rest before each day. Eateries are limited but we ate dinner at the ice cream parlor and wild rose on 2 separate nights. The dinner buffet is $30 per person which we did not try. Last kind words for dinner was always so packed and we did not want to wait. Borax museum on site for us to explore. General store for us to buy some snacks for the kids. That's pretty much it. The spring-fed pool was warm but we only dipped our toes.

Amargosa Hotel - hotels - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...