White's City Cavern Inn

The Whites City Cavern Inn is the closest motel to the entrance of the Carlsbad Caverns (about 7 miles away). It is one of the only lodging options in the area outside of the city of Carlsbad (30 miles away). It is a two-story motel with exterior entrances and no elevator. It is near one restaurant The Cactus Cafe which is open with limited hours. It is across the street from a gas station and a small retail strip with a gift shop. There is free off-street parking at your door with plenty of turn around space. There is some noise due to the external doors but generally quiet throughout the night. We had a friendly, quick check in. Most other conveniences and restaurant require a drive to Carlsbad. We had a spacious room with comfortable double queen beds, table, 2 chairs, two drawer bureau. We had luggage racks, mini fridge with freezer section, microwave, coffee maker, and hairdryer but no ironing board/iron or safe., There was a separate vanity from a self-contained toilet, tub and shower with individual toiletries. The internet was free and reliable. There was an accessible free ice maker. The breakfast was very limited with primarily continental items. The grounds, facilities and room were clean. It does have a nice outdoor pool and waterpark, but it was closed in March when we were there. It was very competitively priced.

I stayed at the Inn a few months ago after coming to Carlsbad Caverns from LA specifically to see the bat flight and the Perseid meteor shower. I was pleasantly surprised by the state of the room, which was large, clean, and pleasant. I appreciate that the owners of Whites clearly put care into a property that could easily be allowed to be run down and thrive purely because of proximity to the caves. I was, however, disappointed by how bright the lighting is around the whole complex after dark. Whites has a unique opportunity to take advantage of the dark skies of southern New Mexico, encouraging guests to stargaze. I hope you will consider, if you have not already, either investing in dark sky lighting like you can find at the Caverns visitor center, or at the very least dimming/switching off unnecessary lights such as the fluorescent lights around the store once it closes or the water park at the hotel. Also the lights make the property very buggy at night.

Close to the caverns

Excellent location and staff was super friendly. They even proactively called to offer me a refund if I chose to change my plans due to the government shutdown. I really appreciated this offer and am glad I stayed there!

Very close to the Caverns. Staff was great. Room was clean. Breakfast was minimal.

Front desk staff very friendly and helpful. Only disappointment had nothing to do with hotel. Our trip was to go to Carlsbad Caverns and they were closed due to the government shutdown.

We tent camped and had the whole tent site area to ourselves. Great location literally right outside the Carlsbad caverns entrance road. Also drove to the Sitting Bull Falls for a quick half day hike. Staff was friendly and helpful, facilities were clean (flush toilets and showers), and it was so quiet and peaceful.

I think it's fine for the price. The only thing is that everything is a bit old and not at all up-to-date.

Room was very basic but clean. Lobby and outside areas of hotel need some work. When we arrived we were regretting our booking but once inside it was ok for one night. Beds were comfortable. Towels were very thin and the ice maker didn’t work. Breakfast was muffins, cereal and juice and coffee.

If you're going to Carlsbad Caverns, this is the only place to stay, literally and figuratively. It was clean and quiet. Breakfast was included, but there was no meat. Check in was fast and access to the room was easy. We were on a road trip and appreciated a fast in and out, no hassle experience at a reasonable price. We like the old school privately owned hotels that are well kept like White's. Back up to the door and haul your junk straight into the room. No dragging coolers through lobbies and elevators and hallways. After all, we didn't fly half way across the country to waste time looking at hotels, did we? Don't miss the evening bat flight. It was a highlight of our trip.