did you read the site? "Featured" cottage rooms have fireplaces. And the cottage rooms are in cottages around the grounds, not all in the main hotel.
All the rooms have size categories - so it's not like cottage rooms are smaller or larger. the basic ones are comparable to the basic rooms in the main lodge, and the classic are like the classic etc.

Thanks.
Reset. I think my questions should have been something along the lines of, " Is there anyone who has stayed both at the rooms and the cottages at the Ahwahnee who could compare and contast the expereince?" What did you like about the cottages? What did you like about the rooms?
That's better. Thanks!

I would think the universe of people who have stayed in both types of rooms would be pretty small. You may be lucky and get an answer to your specific questions. But unless both stays were quite recent, probably not of much value since parts of the hotel have been refurbished in the last couple of years. I've stayed at the Ahwahnee twice (once not long ago and once 30+ years ago) and both times I just took what was available (rooms in the main bldg both times).

I've eaten at the Ahwahnee several times - I try to go once every visit to the park. But multiple stays in the hotel, no.

I can't answer your specific question because we could not afford to stay at the Ahwahnee, chosing the Lodge instead, but we had to eat at the Ahwahnee! The views from that restaurant in the daytime are awesome! You will love it!

We've stayed in both. I loved the cottage. It was bigger and had an extra small room off the bath and bedroom (designed for maybe a kid to sleep there). We were there last Christmas Day to attend the Bracebridge dinner that evening.

Josephine is describing one of the two categories of cottages ABOVE the "basic" as the "basic" cottage rooms are quite small.

Thanks josephine. I appreciate hearing from someone who has actually stayed in a cottage. The cottage with the sitting room is the one I will probably book. They call it a "featured cottage". Thanks again.

I loved our stay in one of the cottages a couple of years ago. I could step out our door into the morning mist, watch the deer stroll by and listen to the sound of the river. I'd book another stay if I were going back.

Thanks Birdie. It sounds great.

I just booked the "featured cottage" for our dates! Yay! Thanks for your help.

I'm jealous!

We've both been to Yosemite many times, but have never stayed at the Ahwahnee, so this will be a bit of a treat.

Sorry, I came late to this party, but I've stayed in both and recently posted a review in the Fodors' Destinations on this property. While I do not describe the cottages other than to mention they don't have air conditioning -- or it doesn't work, you might want to take a look at my review to get an impression of the property as a whole.

What I liked about the cottages -- they have the feel of little mountain cabins, nestled in the park, surrounded by wonderful smelling trees and -- for about one month a year -- in May -- the blooming dogwood. Each cabin has its own small patio area with a table and chairs. Great place if you have brought bikes and want to ride. Directly behind the cottages (keep walking to the end) is the Merced river and a little beach. Most people don't know that this great feature is directly behind the cottages! Being closer to nature, you're closer to the fauna that inhabits Yosemite -- the deer, the raccoons, the bears, and the squirrels.

What I did not like about the cottages: lack of properly working a/c; feeling a bit remote from the main hotel, having to walk from the cottage to the hotel for just about everything, and the maid service is frankly not as good as it is in the hotel itself.

I would be most likely to want to stay in the cottages in the fall or the spring. Winter or summer, I'd prefer the main hotel.