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Hotel Class: 
4 Stars - 16 Reviews and 545 Opinions
9005 Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite National Park, California, 95389, United States
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Andraf
- Reviews: 403
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Ahwahnee Hotel
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.
- Opinion of Price: most expensive
- Related to: National/State Park
The Ahwahnee Photo: Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite
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mht_in_la
- Reviews: 881
To be treated like a king
I never stayed here, so I can't comment on the price and satisfaction. I visited the Ahwahnee as a tourist attraction. Then I realized as long as I walk around like I live here I get to feel like a king too -- everybody greeted me, and the doorman held the door for me with a smile. I even did some high-society chit-chat with other guests.
The photo was taken in the main lobby, which is not always open due to the frequent evening events. Its high ceiling, fireplace, and the chandeliers reminded me of Hurst Castle and Death Valley's Scottys Castle. These old-fashioned California mansions seem to have the similar taste. Since I just finished a hike in the snow, I stayed by the fireplace until my socks were all dried.
- Opinion of Price: most expensive
- Related to: Luxury Travel, Castles and Palaces, National/State Park
The Ahwahnee Photo: Inside the Ahwahnee
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karenincalifornia
- Reviews: 1375
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Experience a Classic National Park Lodge
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.)
Unique Quality: 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.
- Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
- Related to: Family Travel, Luxury Travel, National/State Park
The Ahwahnee Photo: The Ahwahnee
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ChuckG
- Reviews: 412
Helpfulness
Superb hotel !
Very luxury, brings you back how the park felt like 50 years ago. Location is great close to all the hiking path and landparks. The place is not quiet though...lots of tourists.
Unique Quality: Great garden at the back with a little pool.
- Opinion of Price: most expensive
- Related to: Spa and Resort
The Ahwahnee
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sunnywong
- Reviews: 2410
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Ahwahnee Hotel
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.
- Opinion of Price: N/A
The Ahwahnee
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Ischyros
- Reviews: 204
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Ahwahnee Hotel
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.
Unique Quality: 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.
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Ahwahnee Reservations
I understand that you can make reservations for the Ahwahnee 1 year and 1 day before you intend to stay at the Ahwahnee. I also hear that is can be tough getting a room there in the summer. If your plan is to visit there in the summer, are there any suggestions for improving your chances for getting a reservation for your desired dates ? For example, is it better to make your reservations by phone, or is making a reservation online better ? Is it better to call first part of the week or latter part of the week. Just curious. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
Having booked at national parks before, I don't think it matters how you do it - just do it as soon as you are allowed to (like 1 year and 1 day in advance). If you are trying for THIS summer, just call them now - it doesn't matter what day of the week. You might be out of luck but you never know...
Does their website allow you to try and book online - with results that show you if they're already booked?
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
Yes, I just checked their website and it does allow you to place your requested dates and then shows you if those dates are open and what's available. Try that first - you'll at least see right away if you need to pursue different options.
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
....and do be agressive and get a room there, - it is a one of a kind hotel. I stayed there every two weeks for a whole summer season with my tours, and I loved it every time. The dining room is an amazing place to enjoy a leisurely dinner.
When you get there, - just for fun - asks them about the batcave. They will likely fall over as no one is supposed to know about that room. The tour managers often volunteered to stay in the bat cave as we know it is perfectly harmless. It is a room with the ceiling about three stories up and the ceiling is full of bats, but they never came down from there. ( It is possible that they eliminated this "problem" after they renovated the hotel, but it was fun back then....)
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
LOL!!! Only you would know about a thing like that, Erik!
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
....there is more to this kid than meets the VT eye........d:o)
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
You're killin' me here....
And back to the subject at hand:
Yes, do be aggressive, and check back - reservations DO cancel. Just don't hold out hope until the last minute as then closest surrounding accommodations are also likely to be full. You do need a bed somewhere and you'd prefer it to be decent rather than the only option left.
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
.....and if all else fails, - tell'em you'll take the bat cave.....d:o/
Re: Ahwahnee Reservations
Both the online booking engine and the telephone agents work off of the same inventory.
The benefit to using the online service is no waiting in queue for the next telephone agent.
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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.
6 members live in Yosemite National Park
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The Ahwahnee
We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
- Ahwahnee Yosemite National Park
- Ahwahnee Hotel Yosemite National Park
Address: 9005 Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite National Park, California, 95389, United States