Once A Crumbling Relic, This Nevada High Desert Resort Now Glows Again With Rustic Charm
A hotel built in 1907 was once the tallest building in Nevada. It has five stories of locally quarried stone.
It also has an electric elevator often called the first west of the Mississippi.
Then the hotel closed, and the building sat quiet for more than a decade. Who doesn’t love a good comeback story?
This one has chandeliers, stained glass, and a famous ghost in a red dress.
A restoration brought it back to life in 2011. Today you can sleep in a suite with a wagon bed or one decorated with boxing memorabilia.
Which room would you pick first? I can’t imagine a better reason to pull off a long desert highway in Nevada.
Ready to meet the Lady in Red?
A Silver Boom Giant Still Stands Tall
Mizpah Hotel was built in 1907 during Nevada’s silver mining boom. At five stories, it was the tallest building in the state for about 25 years.
Not bad for a hotel in the high desert.
Builders used locally quarried stone for the structure. It was among the first luxury hotels in Nevada.
Rooms came with steam heat, hot and cold running water, and private bathrooms, which were big news back then.
The hotel sits at 100 N Main St, Tonopah, NV 89049, right on the main street. Tonopah Historic Mining Park is a short walk away.
That makes parking once and wandering on foot an easy plan.
The name Mizpah comes from a Mine reference. It signifies coming back together with those you love.
That is a sweet idea for a hotel that has welcomed travelers for over a century.
Some sources say it opened in 1907 and others say 1908, so either date works for bragging rights. Either way, the stone walls have seen plenty of Nevada history.
Standing on the sidewalk, you can feel how important this building once was to the town.
The Comeback Nobody Expected
After a period of decline in the 1970s, the hotel closed around 1999 or 2000. A once-grand building sat empty in the desert.
That is a rough chapter for any landmark.
Then Fred and Nancy Cline, owners of Sonoma wineries, bought it in 2011. They carefully restored the hotel and reopened it that August.
The work kept many original details alive.
Stained-glass windows, lighting fixtures, and the historic elevator all stayed. Much of the lobby furniture and some claw-foot bathtubs were saved too.
Nothing about it feels like a theme park set.
Today the Mizpah belongs to the Cline Family Hospitality Collection. The group also includes the nearby Belvada Hotel and Tonopah Brewing Company.
It is a small family of Tonopah businesses all within reach.
The hotel is also a member of Historic Hotels of America. That is a respected title for a building with this much past.
A crumbling relic became a place people plan road trips around.
Chandeliers And Couches From 1907
Take a seat on a Victorian couch and look up. The lobby lounge at the Mizpah shows off preserved 1907 furnishings.
Era-authentic chandeliers hang overhead.
Antique cash registers add to the old-time mood. The lounge also has stained-glass windows and mahogany woodwork.
Velvet furnishings make it a cozy place to rest.
A small museum sits just off the lounge. It is a handy first stop to learn about the hotel’s past.
Take your time with it.
The Long Shot Bar is also in the lobby. It serves bar snacks and has a lively, old-fashioned feel.
Beside it, a saloon-style club has slot machines for those who like a little casino fun.
Plenty of people stop in just to look around. The lobby feels historic rather than staged.
That makes it a worthy detour even on a quick pass through town.
Rooms With Victorian Charm And Modern Comfort
Old-fashioned style meets today’s comforts in the 47 guest rooms. Premium mattresses and luxury linens help you sleep well.
Spa-quality toiletries wait in the private bathrooms.
You also get flat-screen TVs, complimentary WiFi, and a coffee maker. Some bathrooms feature claw-foot tubs.
That is a fun touch for a soak after a long drive.
The hotel is pet-friendly, though extra fees may apply. Free parking is available, and the property has accessible features.
A fitness center is on site as well.
A free airport shuttle and a 24-hour front desk round out the list. A gift shop is handy for souvenirs.
Travelers on a long Nevada road trip will appreciate the easy stop.
The decor is turn-of-the-century but the basics are modern. You get the look of 1907 without giving up comfort.
Sleep like a miner who struck it rich.
Suites With Stories To Tell
Some suites here come with a theme and a story. The Lady in Red Suite is known for its distinctive decor.
Its name nods to the hotel’s most famous ghost.
The Jim and Belle Butler Suite has a wagon bed. That is a cowboy-style sleep you won’t find at a chain hotel.
Wagon Wheel fans will love the Old West feel.
The Jack Dempsey Suite is decorated with boxing memorabilia. Dempsey is rumored to have worked at the hotel as a bartender or bouncer.
Whether true or not, it makes a great tale.
Suites also add unique antique furnishings. Some offer street views of Main Street.
Picking a room here is half the fun.
Book ahead if you have a favorite in mind. Each suite brings its own personality to the stay.
That makes a return trip tempting.
Dinner Fit For A Champion
Dinner at the Mizpah happens in the Jack Dempsey Room. It serves refined American cuisine.
Reservations are highly recommended.
The room is named for the boxing legend tied to the hotel’s lore. It is a cozy, elegant restaurant with an event room attached.
Dress comfortably and enjoy the setting.
For a more casual meal, the Pittman Cafe serves hearty breakfasts and comfort classics. It also opens for lunch.
The name honors Senator Key Pittman, a regular guest.
Across the street, the Belvada Coffee Shop offers craft coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go options. It is inside the Belvada Hotel.
That is perfect for a quick morning stop.
Tonopah Brewing Company is also in town and shares the same ownership group. Good food options matter in a remote Nevada town.
Here you can eat well without leaving the block.
Meet The Lady In Red
Few hotels are as famous for their ghosts as this one. The Lady in Red is the star of the haunted stories.
Tales also mention children’s spirits and spectral miners.
The Mizpah has earned recognition as a top haunted hotel. Guests love to compare spooky stories.
Some skip the fifth floor, while others seek it out.
Ghost tours are a popular add-on in the evening. Small groups wander the building and hear history mixed with legend.
It is a fun way to see the hotel after dark.
You do not have to believe in ghosts to enjoy it. The stories add flavor to an already charming building.
Think of them as a bonus feature.
Even skeptics tend to smile at the tales. Bring a friend and a flashlight app.
Just in case.
Packages Built For Curious Travelers
The hotel offers themed packages for different moods. The Belmont Adventure Package includes breakfast and a self-guided visit to nearby Belmont Ghost Town.
It is a fine pick for history fans.
Stars Over Tonopah comes with a stargazing kit and late checkout. Dark desert skies make that a smart idea.
Pack a jacket for chilly nights.
The Romance in the High Desert package features keepsake glasses and chocolates. It also includes Lady in Red Zinfandel.
Couples may enjoy the extras.
The Dempsey Dining Escape offers a dining credit for the Jack Dempsey Room. It turns dinner into part of the stay.
Food lovers will like that.
Packages can change, so check with the hotel before booking. Each one adds a reason to linger.
A single night can feel like a mini adventure.
Make Time For The Town Around It
The hotel makes a great base for exploring Tonopah. Tonopah Historic Mining Park is only a two-minute walk away.
The Central Nevada Museum is about a mile off.
Tonopah sits along U.S. 93 and is nicknamed the Queen of the Silver Camps. Long stretches of road separate it from other towns.
A comfortable bed here feels like a prize.
The Mizpah also hosts private events in indoor venues. They come with WiFi, projectors, and screens.
Planning and catering help is available for small gatherings or larger ones.
Free parking makes arriving simple. RVs can find space too.
Just look for the historic stone building on Main Street.
Stay one night or stay two. Either way, Mizpah Hotel gives Nevada travelers a story to bring home.
The Lady in Red might even wave goodbye.