shotcaller47

I am visiting Yosemite in March for the first time. I want to stay in the park for immediate access. The only "nice" hotel appears to be the Ahwahnee. Has anyone stayed at this hotel lately? What do you think about? Any suggestions of where I might stay in the immediate area if the
Ahwahnee is is not a good choice ? Thanks

CalgirlSusan

The Ahwahnee is a fine old hotel with comfortable, suitably furnished rooms. The dining room is one of the most magnificent dining spaces in the United States. The hotel is probably one of the most overpriced and difficult to reserve hotels in the country, but I wouldn't stay anywhere else. Don't expect some palatial and grand hotel with huge rooms like you'd think you're paying for and you will be fine.

If you can still get in for March, do it so long as you can afford it. Otherwise stay at the Yosemite Lodge. In the summer you must book exactly one year plus one day ahead or you don't get in to the Ahwahnee, but I'm not sure about March.

Grasshopper

For me, the glory of Yosemite is outdoors. The Ahwahnee is beautiful, and there was a time I wanted to be married there. That said, the public areas are the most spectacular and they are free to anyone to explore and enjoy. The big fires in the sitting rooms are especially nice in winter (and at Christmas). The rooms themselves are not worth the money. And you most likely will not be spending a lot of time IN your room, I would hope.

Consider the Lodge. The rooms are clean, comfortable and much less expensive. They are NOT cushy. There are no phone or TV. But you can look out your window and see Yosemite Falls. Can't beat the view!

PamSF

The lodge should be fine but I would suggest(as someone else has) you check out the public spaces. Tea in the lobby is less than $5 and a nice thing to do especially in March when there is likely to still be some snow. The dining room is magnificent however, imho the food is much less spectacular.

martas

Do a search for "Ahwahnee" and you should come up with several threads to help. One in particular, "Is the Ahwahnee Stuffy?" may have some useful comments. IMHO, the Ahwahnee is extremely poor value - you pay because the location is superb and there is no competition. Do not expect good rooms, service, food or amenities, despite the high cost. Personally, I would stay at the Tenaya Lodge, just outside the park. Although it is a 45-minute drive to the floor, the Tenaya is very near the giant sequoias and other areas of Yosemite.

cd

Shotcaller47
please go to http://www.yosemitepark.com/asp/downtime_eventhandler.asp
It has information on all lodgings offered by the park, and you can check on line, to see if there is availability for the dates you will be there.

Bob1

Check out THE REDWOODS GUEST COTTAGES in Wawona. These are private cabins of various sizes that the owners rent through an agency. They are all different and come in different sizes. Some people live in the area full time and do not rent their homes.

We have used them a few times and enjoy the area. You have all the comfort of a cabin with kitchen, fireplace, etc.

Phone is 209.375.6666. Fax is 209.375.6400. Wawona is at one far end of the park so you have a drive to get to Half Dome area but the cabins were a great way to see this area.

NotMe

Shotcaller47
The problem with Yosemite is that like most National Parks, no new construction is allowed. Pricing of accomodations is based primarily on the lack of any competition. Your only real choices to stay in the Yosemite valley (which I heartily recommend as it is the part of the park most people associate with Yosemite) are the Ahwahnee and the Yosemite Lodge. The Ahwahnee is one of those historical landmark places that prides itself on maintaining its tradition as a 1st class hotel built in the 1920s. They keep it up, but do very little to modernize it. Personally, my wife and I absolutely love the place and always stay there on our trips to the park. Other, more value minded people don't like it, mainly because for the same price elsewhere you usually get something more akin to a modern Hyatt Resort. The Yosemite Lodge on the other hand is like an old Motel 6 without any amenities. While clean, it really only provides a place to sleep. It doesn't have a lot of character, but it is in the park, which is a prime consideration, especially for a first time visitor. Another place to stay, convenient to the valley, is the Yosemite View Lodge located in El Portal. This motel is quite nice and located just outside the park on its western boundry, a very easy drive into the valley. The Tenaya Lodge is located outside of the southern park entrance, and is a beautiful place to stay with great amenities. However, it is more of a destinatin resort as it is a bit of a drive to get into the valley each day from the Lodge. Good luck whichever you choose.

shotcaller47

Thanks for all of your help. I've booked the Ahwahnee. Now the other part of my diliema; what are the "must see areas"? and which is closer to the area that contains the must see sites, Ahwahnee or Yosemite Lodge? Where can we eat since the food at Ahwahnee has not received even palatable comments?

Suzie

The Ahwahnee and the Lodge are in close proximaty to one another, within 1 mile. The lodge is adjacent to Yosmite Falls and Creek. Tha Ahwahnee is near the village area where the store and visitor center are located. Both places are on the valley floor.

Go here and click on Yosemite Valley Map. You can view the valley, increase the size as necessary. http://www.yosemitepark.com/html/park_map.html

You should see the valley and the falls. Depending on your transportation method you should decide what interests you. Here's Yosemite National Park's web site: http://www.nps.gov/yose/home.htm

Patty

Yosemite isn't the place for fine dining. I would suggest that you simply lower your food expectations for your trip. The park concessionaire doesn't have any competition so there's no incentive to provide better food.

martas

Yes, just accept the inferior quality food. The Ahwahnee's food is certainly more than "palatable," just not worthy of the lofty prices or the hype. Do eat there at least one night since the dining room is worth the visit. Also, see the giant sequoias - they are magnificent, but about a 45-min. drive from the valley. Enjoy!

Patrick

I'll repeat what has just been said. I suppose if it weren't that the Ahwahnee dining room is so beautiful, it just makes you expect the food to be magnificent, which it isn't. But it is good, and certainly heads and shoulders above anything else you'll find inside Yosemite.

Grasshopper

You guys have clearly not eaten at the Mountain Room (near the Lodge) after 6 or 7 hours of cross country skiing! Those steaks and a glass of mulled wine.........mmmmmmmmm.

Calling the Awahnee's food "unpalatable" is out and out wrong! There is a decent buffet in the Awhanee bar for lunch. Get outside and hike, walk, bike, ski, snowshoe. I guarantee whatever you eat will taste wonderful.

MileKing

Any suggestions on particular rooms to request or avoid at the Ahwahnee?

kimamom

The Ahwahnee is a gorgeous place. Actually, the only place I would stay inside the park. ( I am totally NOT into camping in any way or form!!)

We had an excellent Easter brunch at the Ahwahnee a couple of years ago and was one of the best buffets I've had. Enjoy Yosemite!

We have also enjoyed the Wawona Hotel for nice dinners out on the porch in the summer. They make a really nice salmon bisque there.

The Tenaya Lodge and the Pines Resort are favorites outside of Yosemite for us. ***kim***

big69bob

I stayed at the Ahwahnee this past march and it was awesome. What a great place. The "basic" rooms are pretty expensive...but worth it. For only like $75 bucks more we got the El Dorado Diggins suite. Oh my God it was incredible. By all means spend just a little more and ask for it. By the way, I was glad to see the pool was heated...very refreshing.