I use the hotels in Lone Pine simply as a place to sleep, before and/or after a hike.
Last year, I stayed at the Comfort Inn (used to be the Alabama Hills Inn) and the Best Western, both on the south side of town. Clean, simple, and the free continental breakfast was nice the morning after our day hikes, before driving to work.
This summer, I've been staying at the Whitney Portal Hostel and just love it! You can't beat the price ($60 for a room, as opposed to the $110-$130 at the Best Western and Comfort Inn) and the friendliness of the staff,
