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The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park
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The Ahwahnee

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1 Ahwahnee Road
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The Ahwahnee: Experience a Classic National Park Lodge    Check Rates
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    • karenincalifornia
  • Updated By karenincalifornia on January 7, 2004
    • The Ahwahnee - Yosemite National Park
    The Ahwahnee
    by karenincalifornia
    I love the Ahwahnee, with its old charm, huge rooms and fireplaces, high timbered ceilings, southwestern decor and beautiful surroundings.

    Now, having said that, I noticed a few more quirks this year with the hotel service (not to be confused with the restaurant service, which was impeccable, as always). However, if you remind yourself that this hotel is owned by the U.S. government, not a 5 star chain, and focus on the beauty of the hotel itself and its environs, you can completely overlook any the flaws.

    The hotel does believe in full disclosure! In the Guest Services book in the room, they tell you that the hotel has mice, but it is impossible to completely get rid of every single mouse - after all this is in the mountains. (We didn't see any mice in any part of the hotel, including our room.)

    The rooms are comfortable, nicely decorated, and had plenty of room for our rollaway bed. This hotel is one of the finest examples of the National Park lodges. Even if you are not staying here, you must drop by for a drink in the bar.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Website: http://www.yosemitepark.com
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    The Ahwahnee: For the big spenders    Check Rates
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    • acemj
  • Updated By acemj on June 16, 2004
    • The Ahwahnee - Yosemite National Park
    by acemj
    Got $350 to $400 per night to spend? If not, skip this tip and move on! If so, read on my rich friend (and email me about a great investment opportunity . . . the Acemj Dream Trip fund).

    This place is a true luxury hotel with concierge service to take care of all your needs, a five star restaurant and rooms with spectacular views. The setting in the Valley is convenient and breathtaking.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
  • Website: http://www.webportal.com/ahwahnee/
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    The Ahwahnee: A place of history and grandeur    Check Rates
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    • jessicadf
  • By jessicadf on August 31, 2004
    • The Ahwahnee - Yosemite National Park
    by jessicadf
    The Ahwahnee is a national historic landmark, and one beautiful building. Built to attract the wealthy to Yosemite National Park, in the hopes of getting them to support the fledgeling National Park System, this hotel still exudes elegence and rustic beauty.

    While looking like it's built of rock and wood, it is actually made of steel and cement, with plenty of rock on top. The exterior structure that looks like wood is actually cement that's been poured in to wooden frames and then stained to have a redwood color. The idea behind this being that the structure of the building is fireproof. So far, so good... much history has taken place here, and it's worth the expensive price for a night here.

    We got a standard room with a semi-obstructed view of Glacier Point. It was a pretty normal room, with nothing really special except for a neat view. It was definitely comfortable, and the bathroom was tiled nicely and had great light. The toiletries provided were top notch, too.

    When you're here, make sure to enjoy complementary afternoon tea and cookies in the Great Lounge, and grab your coffee in the first floor elevator lobby in the mornings.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
  • Directions: The far end of Yosemite Valley
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    The Ahwahnee: Ahwahnee Hotel    Check Rates
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    • Andraf
  • Updated By Andraf on May 18, 2005
    • Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite - Yosemite National Park
    Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite
    by Andraf
    If you're visiting Yosemite National Park and you want luxury lodging, then the Ahwahnee Hotel is the place for you. It is a grand hotel placed in a beautiful location. Even if you don't get a room here, it's worth the effort to come and have a look (and eat an icecream or drink a coffe on the outside patio). The Ahwahnee is designated as National Historic Landmark. It was completed and open to the public in 1927 and since then a lot of famous people have stayed here. The hotel has a total of 123 units but they are highly sought after so if you plan on staying here reserve well in advance. It's truly a distinctive hotel; the lounges at the ground floor are beautiful, many of them full of richly colored Native American artwork or being decorated with Native American patterns.

    The Ahwahnee offers a perfect balance of history, hospitality and elegance. You'll find here all the amenities that you can find in an upscale luxury hotel.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$120-180    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
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    The Ahwahnee: well, you don't HAVE to camp    Check Rates
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    • richiecdisc
  • Updated By richiecdisc on September 24, 2009
    • must say it was grand and cosy too - Yosemite National Park
    must say it was grand and cosy
    too
    by richiecdisc
    Yosemite has many non-camping accommodation options that vary in price and amenities. The park features not one but two rustic old inns steeped in history but the premier one is certainly The Ahwahnee Hotel Built in 1927 with lots of stone and wood, it was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1987. It incorporates some Native American aspects and the overall feel of the place is charmingly rustic but decidedly upscale. This is a more grand place than those you will find in Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon but like its cousins, it being part of the National Park system, even those not staying in the hotel are welcomed to use its common areas. Big fire places make this a homey place to sit around and write post cards.

    If interested in staying, you will pay dearly with lowered tiered rooms going for over $400 per night. Even at those prices, you will have to reserve in advance.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
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    The Ahwahnee: Yosemite's Best but still overpriced    Check Rates
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    • Robachu1
  • Updated By Robachu1 on August 6, 2004
    • Hidden by the trees - Yosemite National Park
    Hidden by the trees
    by Robachu1
    We only stayed for two short days but are glad we had the experience. That isn't to say that the experience was perfect or even what I was anticipating. Unfortunately the hotel chose to remodel during the time of our visit. They were kind enough to send me an email notifying me of the fact about two weeks prior however. When we arrived much of the hotel was surrounded by scaffolding (it really distracted from the beauty of the hotel).
    It also seemed as though the front desk staff had never heard of early check-in. One might think that a place which charged almost $400/night might allow their guests to enter their room a bit early.......
    Our room however was quite nice. The only thing available when I booked on the internet was a cottage room. It was large and surrounded by shade trees and quite comfortable. There was no air conditioner but even though we were there in the middle of summer (temp. 90 to 95), the ceiling fan was more than enough to keep us cool.

    The Ahwahnee is a beautiful hotel both inside and out. It is wonderful to just relax in the common areas surrounded by wood and stone and step back into a quieter more elegant time.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
  • Phone: (559) 253-5635
  • Directions: Yosemite Valley
  • Website: http://www.yosemitepark.com/content2col.cfm?SectionID=23&PageID=43
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    The Ahwahnee: A Grand Old Lodge in a Beautiful Setting    Check Rates
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    • mikelisaanna
  • By mikelisaanna on February 20, 2005
    • The Great Lounge in the Ahwahnee Hotel - Yosemite National Park
    The Great Lounge in the
    Ahwahnee Hotel
    by mikelisaanna
    We enjoyed the Ahwahnee. If you expect perfection (like a Ritz-Carlton or a Four Seasons), then you may find things about this hotel that annoy you, because it is not perfect. But that is part of its charm. It is unique - a grand old lodge in one of the most beautiful valleys on Earth. It is like stepping back into the past - men wear jackets to dinner and they have afternoon tea. We loved taking a dip in the pool after each day's sightseeing, then getting dressed up to go to a great dinner. Our daughter, who was 3 at the time, had fun as well, as there was plenty of space to run around in outside the hotel.

    The Ahwahnee is a grand old lodge that was built during the 1920's in an effort to lure wealthier travelers to Yosemite. While maybe not quite up to Ritz-Carlton standards, it is far and away the nicest place to stay in Yosemite National Park. It is very expensive (rooms are around $300 per night, and the restaurant is around $100 per person for dinner), but we loved it. The hotel has large lodge-style public areas with 25-foot ceilings and fireplaces. The surrounding views are magnificent, because the hotel sits in the valley right below the cliffs. The grounds were pleasant and there is a small swimming pool, which our daughter liked. The restaurant served excellent food and its staff was friendly. The only thing that was a little lacking was the bar, which was so-so, but most people don't come to Yosemite for drinks.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
  • Phone: 559-253-5635
  • Directions: In Yosemite Valley
  • Website: www.webportal.com/ahwahnee/
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    The Ahwahnee: My Dream Hotel    Check Rates
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    • jadedmuse
  • By jadedmuse on December 12, 2005
    • Courtesy of the Yosemite National Park website - Yosemite National Park
    Courtesy of the Yosemite
    National Park website
    by jadedmuse
    Yes, there are hotels and then there is The Ahwahnee. It is the hotel you WISH you could afford to stay at, but since you can't, you're glad you at least had the chance to see it.

    I fell in love with it.....it was everything I love in a hotel and then some. And it was where I wanted to be staying in the WORST WAY....I vowed to stay here on a return visit one day.

    As described in the website, The Ahwahnee was completed in 1927 and features a unique blend of design influences including Art Deco, Native American, Middle Eastern and Arts & Crafts Movement. It is a member of the National Historic Hotels of America, and rightly so.

    In a word: breathtaking.

    Both inside and outside. Actually when you come upon it as we did during a bike hike, you're awed at the stunning architecture and natural backdrop.

    Unfortunately, rates are out of this world, starting in the $400 a night. That puts a big boo-hoo on the future plans, but maybe I'll hit the lottery and splurge one day....

    The Ahwahnee will be worth it.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
  • Phone: 1-559-253-5635
  • Directions: Yosemite National Park
  • Website: http://www.yosemitepark.com/content2hdr.cfm?SectionID=23&PageID=42
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    The Ahwahnee: Ahwahnee Hotel    Check Rates
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    • Ischyros
  • Updated By Ischyros on September 2, 2003
    • One of the most lavish and luxurious hotels in any national park, the Ahwahnee is hard to beat! The first floor includes the Great Lounge, several walk-in fireplaces, and many other smaller lounges to explore! The hotel has 100 rooms inside the hotel building itself and 22 cottage rooms. Cottage rooms tend to have a homely feel to them but can be a pain when winter snows cover the paths. Rooms are spacious but expensive. The Ahwahnee retains its floor numbering system that was used when it was opened in 1927. The ground floor is not the first floor. The First floor is actually the second story. The second floor is the third story, and so on. The 6th floor is designated penthouse including 4 rooms, a library, and a sunroom. A key to one of these rooms is required to gain access to this floor by both elevator and stairwell. The penthouse suites have housed celebrities like Queen Elizabeth and Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

    Coffee and hot chocolate are available every morning to guests on the mezzanine level. Afternoon tea is served every day on the mezzanine level along with milk and cookies. Valet service is provided free of charges however a tip is obviously expected. For the best view of Half Dome, try to reserve rooms 323 or 423. Other rooms have an obstructed view of it. Beware of rooms with a Royal Arches view. These rooms look out on the back loading dock and can be noisy when trucks come in in the morning and throughout the day. NOTE: The hotel used to have tennis courts. They were destroyed in the great flood of 97-98 along with several valley campgrounds and much of the Yosemite Lodge. Although the tennis courts are no longer there, most guidebooks still mention them.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Price: US$180 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
  • Phone: 559-252-4848
  • Directions: Follow the signs to Yosemite Village in Yosemite Valley and then follow the signs to the Ahwahnee Hotel.
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    The Ahwahnee: Ahwahnee Hotel    Check Rates
    sunnywong
  • By sunnywong on November 11, 2002
    • The Ahwahnee - Yosemite National Park
    by sunnywong
    National Historical Landmark and one of the most distinctive resort hotels in North America. It's well known for its great granite façade, striking beamed ceilings, massive stone hearths, richly colored Native American appointments, and finely appointed rooms.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Directions: Located inside Yosemite Valley
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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