Hello fellow Fodorites.

May I impose on your goodwill?

My wife and I are traveling from Ireland in September, and we are going to go to L.A and take in Las Vegas as well.

Now we are planning to hire a car for the trip.

Any suggestions on a Death Valley overnight stopover? as we are going to drive to Las Vegas.

Or should we go to the Mojave Desert instead?

Any thaughts or suggestions greatfully recieved.

Thanking you all.

M.

There are only two places in the park to stay, Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells.

There is a very upscale lodge called the Furnace Creek Inn and a less upscale motel called Furnace Creek Ranch. Both have to be booked through Xanterra.com
Depending on when you travel the Inn may be closed, the Ranch is open year round.

The motel at Stovepipe wells is the least nice and also has to be booked through the Xanterra web site.

There are no lodges in Mojave National Monument only camping.

DEFINITELY Death Valley. As mentioned, there are no lodging in Mojave but even besides that, Death Valley to me is just spectacular. Spend more than an overnight though. Death Valley is HUGE and it really is such a unique lanscape. We stayed at stovepipe wells for most of the time. We originally spent the first night in Furnace Creek but it felt too spooky there (very odd, hairs standing at the back of the neck feeling) that we decided to stay elsewhere. Maybe it was just us but nothing prompted that feeling and we both felt it about halfway through dinner and the rest of the night. We're not usually once to get freaked. In any case, do spend a few days at death valley in itself though, regardless where you stay.

oh my, so sorry i don't mean to hujack your post but your question reminded me of that stay we had. i had meant to look it up once we got back to vegas but completely forgot until now so I did a search and there are ghost stories - and it's in the dining room too! oi!

Thank you RBCAL and Maria for your prompt replies!

You can't beat local knowledge! I'll be booking one of the two places you've mentioned, and I know now that Mojave is off the menu!

Thank you so much!

M.