Initially the vision of one of Yosemite's first park rangers, The Ahwahnee was designed to be a respite for the more-prosperous traveler. As a result, this 4-star-rated hotel is a stone and wood structure that mirrors the surrounding natural landscape. After enjoying a full day in the breathtaking outdoors, you can come back to the hotel to enjoy afternoon tea or to take a dip in the year-round heated pool. If you're able to stay at the hotel during December, consider taking part in the Bracebridge Dinner. Held annually since 1927, the dinner is a four-hour culinary experience that celebrates the sights and sounds of the Rennaissance era, complete with costumes and contemporary carols.
The Ahwahnee
Yosemite Valley Village
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
209-372-1489
yosemitepark.com
The famous Yosemite Falls are one of the primary draws to the park. As the hotel closest to the falls, the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls affords guests the opportunity to explore one of the park's favorite spots. You can hike the nearby area or take advantage of the bicycle rentals on property and cycle through miles of scenic park trails. For the environmentally conscious guest, the Yosemite Lodge has two prototype hotel rooms that have been designed for sustainability, proximity of manufacturing location, recycled content and that have achieved LEED and Energy Star standards. These two rooms are the beginning of a green redesign for the hotel.
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls
9006 Yosemite Lodge Drive
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
209-372-1274
yosemitepark.com
The Wawona Hotel is a national historic landmark and more than 100 years old. It's located about four miles from the park's south entrance and is nestled in a beautiful green meadow between the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Yosemite Valley. The Wawona Golf Course doubles as an Audobon-certified sanctuary, and if golfing isn't your thing, you can hike the nearby trails, go horseback riding or even ski the slopes at nearby Badger Pass.
Wawona Hotel
8308 Wawona Rd.
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
866-913-1280
yosemitepark.com
