The Yosemite View Lodge's motel-like design aesthetic is ameliorated by its location right on the banks of the boulder-strewn Merced River and its proximity to the park entrance 2 mi east. Many rooms have whirlpool baths, fireplaces, kitchenettes, and balconies or decks. The motel complex is on the public bus route to the park, near fishing and river rafting. Ask for a river-view room. The lodge's sister property, the Cedar Lodge, sits 6 mi farther west and has similar-looking, less expensive rooms without river views. Pros: Huge spa baths, great views, friendly service. Cons: Air-conditioning is inconsistent, restaurant can get crowded, can be pricey.
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