Back From A Short Stay in Yosemite
 

Just wanted to make a few comments on our trip to Yosemite and thank those who gave us some great information. We left from San Jose and it took us exactly four hours. As we entered the park (we thought we were the only ones going in as there was NO traffic), it began to rain. My first thoughts were "if I had a laptop (to find lodging) I'd detour to Tahoe". But that thought lasted only seconds. Yosemite is breathtaking. <BR><BR>We stayed at the Lodge. I've heard it over and over again that if you can STAY IN THE PARK. So true. We were able to check in at 10AM. There was literally no one in the lobby. Our room was on the ground floor, large and comfortable. Nothing fancy. We found that the food in the cafeteria fitted our needs for dinner. Food from our coolers covered breakfast and dinner.<BR><BR>Words of advise that I did not heed was to book tours early. The art class and the photography tour was fully booked. We were able to book the Star Gaze Tour but it was cancelled due to cloud cover. We did take a ranger tour that was interesting and informative (and free).<BR><BR>Our second day was sunny and clear. We drove to Glacier Point and the Sequoias. It made for a full day. I'm glad we did not miss either. <BR><BR>All in all, it was a very pleasurable three day getaway.

Can I ask how much you had to pay to stay at the lodge? How expensive were the meals? Thanks!

Sounds like you had a great time. I bet that you wish you could have stayed longer. You were wise in staying inside the park.

The Lodge room with two double beds for three of us came to $162 a night including the tax. The meals were cafeteria style with some good pasta choices, fettachini with cream sauce was a favorite for $7.00. The Ceaser Salad was very good at $5.00. They had individual pizzs, hamburgers, etc. that ran around $5.00. There was a special coffee section, ice creams and smoothies, fruits, soups, etc. Also, when checking in they give you free coffee coupons so I was in heaven as I drink a lot of coffee.<BR><BR>They had a nicer restaurant right there on the site with entrees starting around $15.00. Looked nice but not for us on this trip.

Glad you enjoyed yourself.<BR>Now try Yosemite in each of the other seasons. It'll be like a new vacation each time.

I agree with Les - you must see Yosemite at all of the seasons, it changes each time (my favorite is in about February or March - I love snow covered mountains!)

$162 for a kind of shabby hotel seems to much for my pocketbook. I have no problem paying for a nice place in a great location, but this lodge just doesn't sound worth the price. Are there any other places in the park to stay? Any cabins that you can rent?

xxx, <BR><BR>Why do you think the Lodge room was shabby? The poster said it was nothing fancy not dilapidated.

I've also heard that the rooms are edging in on the shabby side. I guess they figure people will come to the park no matter how expensive the rooms become.

Yosemite has a variety of accommodations at a variety of prices. And the prices vary considerably by season and weekday vs. weekend. You can stay in a tent cabin, a cabin without bath, a cabin with bath, an assortment of lodge rooms or the Ahwanee. We used to go in December every year and I'll tell you there was NOTHING so comforting after a day of xcntry skiing as the heat and bed in our cabin without bath, which was a real bargain in those days!<BR><BR>The draw of Yosemite is NOT plush rooms and fancy accommodations. In my opinion, even the Ahwanee is a bit dowdy, other than the huge open common areas. The draw is nature and waking up to see Yosemite falls from a cabin window is pretty spectuclar.

How can you say the Lodge rooms are shabby, if you've never been there?<BR>That's where we stayed last September & they were very clean, big & not shabby at all. You aren't paying for a Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, etc. room, but the location, & it's worth every penny!

I didn't think the Lodge rooms were shabby at all. They were large and clean even though they were definitely done up in 60's style motor lodge-type architecture and furniture. I noticed that our room had been freshly repainted, the carpet was brand new (I could tell by the smell) and although the linens weren't the best quality, they were in very good condition. You could tell the furniture was not new, but all had been redone (whether it was refinished, repainted or repaired) to not show wear. The bathrooms were done up in commercial formica and tile, but were clean and neat. I had no complaints. <BR><BR>We paid $110/night in low season to stay there, but even at $160/night I think it's a fair price for a good, clean room in the Valley. The best part about it was when you walked outside, you could hear and see the falls. It's like paying a little more for that ocean front or view room. You don't get better rooms or amenities, just a more aesthetically pleasing environment or convenient location. So, instead of paying $120 for an okay room 15 minutes outside of the park, you pay $160 for an okay room (and parking spot I might add) smack dab in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in the U.S.

Ann, I think you hit the nail on the head. You don't stay at the Yosemite Lodge for the bath amenities or 400 count sheets but for the incredible location right in the park. If you want more upscale you can stay at the Ahwahnee, but any hotel room with a bathroom and comfy bed is luxurious to my mind in the middle of Yosemite Valley.<BR><BR>There are plenty of cheaper options too, the tent cabins, cabins and camping spaces.<BR><BR>It is so worth it to pay a little extra and be able to stay in the valley.

We went to Yosemite for the 1st time last November and stayed at Tenaya Lodge. On our next trip we will definitely stay in the valley. The drive from Tenaya to the valley was great, but it was long. Also, staying in the valley, you have the opportunity to wake up early and watch the morning unfold.

Ann is absolutely 100% correct! If we can't stay in the Valley, we don't go to Yosemite. Of course, living nearby we have that luxury, but those of you living farther away, please plan your vacations way ahead so you too can stay in the Valley. Nothing like Yosemite! Trust me!

Kam, do you have a preference of where you stay in the valley? I was also considering Yosemite View Lodge, with the understanding that it is closer to the valley than some of the places there in the park. Is that wrong?

I'm the original poster and I never said the rooms were shabby. Big, large and clean and the VIEW!! One poster said it well, you get to watch the morning unfold. And yes, we had two parking spots right in front of our door. I am a frugal, budget traveler and I didn't have a second thought about the price of the room. I'm looking forward to seeing Yosemite in all it's splendor in all seasons.

JJ, do you know what kind of smoking restrictions they have at Yosemite Lodge? I have heard that a lot of national parks are very strict on their smoking policies and that smoking areas are very limited.

To Shannon....I was in Yosemite in July, stayed at Yosemite Lodge. I am a smoker. There is no smoking in the Restaurants or Cocktail Lounge or on the Patio of the Cocktail Lounge. There are Smoke Pots placed in those areas for smokers. I smoked in my room, and when the tours would stop on the way. I bring my own ashtray to dispose of the cigarette when finished. I always walked away from the guests that were not smoking.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

In hopes that this will not become a bashing of smokers (I am not one and hate everything about it), here are my experiences with the smokers at Yosemite. First, non-smoking rooms are available and we may have been placed in a non-smoking building as I saw (smelled) no smoking anywhere in that area. There were tables outside the cafeteria dining room and I walked by a smoker once or twice. I observed no one smoking in any enclosed areas. We only had one (pipe) smoker on a tour but after one puff and a few glances from others, out it went. So, I'm unaware if there is a "policy" but it was a pleasure to breathe that wonderful, fresh air.