mist, we just returned from a stay at the Pines Resort in Bass Lake for Valentine's Day. I would highly suggest you check this place out over the Shilo in Oakhurst.

We stayed in a lakeview spa suite, which was truly wonderful and our stay came with a meal at Ducey's on the Lake. (report on Chowhound.com) But if you want to save money, the Chalets are also very affordable and quite large. The property is beautiful and two restaurants there are very good with gorgeous views of Bass Lake.

If you book early, a stay in the Chalet could go as low as $89/night and will still have access to the beautiful pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, etc. ***kim***

I checked out the Pines Resort and it's really beautiful but the lowest we could find was at $129/night for our date. We ended up booking the Shilo Inn ($62) in Oakhurst for one night and the Mariposa Lodge ($65) in Mariposa for the second night.

We have the option of cancelling at no cost so if we find something better we might change our plans, but so far, this is the best value that we could find as close as posible to Yosemite.

Thanks to all of you

mist - remember cheapest is not always the best value. If you are on a very tight budget, those two places are fine - but you are giving up a LOT by staying outside of the Valley. $71 for a tent cabin on the valley floor vs $62 / $65 in Oakhurst/Mariposa -- even tho' the tent cabins are more basic, they would be the better value for me.

Thanks Janis,

I looked into the tent cabins. They are $69/night but not heated in May and there is no tv and no washroom in them. I like having a fridge to keep some cold juices and an icepack for the next day which is not available in those tent-cabins.

If a television is a priority for you in Yosemite - you'd be better off in a motel in Oakhurst . . . . . .

(Can't think of a single time I've been in Yosemite where I've wished we had a TV)

Goodness, mist, keep your reservations at the hotels! Are you planning on going to Yosemite from Oakhurst for a day, then staying back in Mariposa and touring Yosemite again the second day? Maripose isn't that far from Oakhurst, why don't you just stay two nights in Mariposa so you don't have to move around so much?

For $60/night more you could stay at a beautiful resort. Bass Lake is about 12 miles from Fish Camp. I have noticed that the Comfort Suties in Mariposa looked nice, have you tried them? ***kim***

Thanks Janis and Kim,

A television is not a priority but when the sun is down we like to be able to stay informed on what is going on in the world and see what the weather will be like.

Yes Kim, we will be staying in Oakhurst one night then drive thru and visit the southern part of the park then stop the second night in Mariposa then visit the remainder part of the park then off to San Francisco. I know that Mariposa is kind of far from the park but El Portal hotels were to expensive.

I have looked into the Comfort Suites and the Fairfield which looked very nice but the Fairfield did not have fridges in their rooms and the Comfort Suites was more expensive.

Have a great trip and let us know how it went and what you thought after you return.

mist, while in Oakhurst, you might want to check out the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. It's a gorgeous place with seven different restaurants there. We just saw the Cirque des Amis show and had an excellent dinner at the Vintage Steakhouse. www.chukchansigold.com There is a burger place there called Deuces Diner that looks really fun! ***kim***