Iregeo

I'm very familiar with Yosemite, having stayed many times at Curry Village and once at the Ahwahnee. Last trip, I peeked into a room at the Lodge and thought it looked great, so I've booked one for the end of March. Just for yuks, I recently looked it up on Tripadvisor. The reviews, for the most part, are awful!

If you have been recently, say within the past year, would you mind sharing your thoughts about the accomodations at the Lodge? Greatly appreciated!

Iregeo

topping

Suzie

The people on Tripadvisor don't get that the Lodge is in the middle of a National Park that is located in CA therefore any updates to it would be perceived as, or portrayed by the environmentalists as, having a negative impact on the environment so the rooms/buildings stay largely as they have been for decades. On the other hand the rooms are always clean. You pay for the views you get first thing in the morning. I was surprised to see TVs in the rooms as they hadn't succumbed to that for a very long time. My very first reaction to staying in the Lodge years ago was how nice the rooms actually were considering the age of the buildings. Then this last time I thought how clean the rooms were considering the age. Also thought the bed was comfortable. These rooms are occupied 365 days a year. I think TA expects luxury for the price but you are paying for the convenience in this case.

KTtravel

Iregeo,

It's been several years since I've stayed at the Lodge but I remember being very satisfied with the experience. I remember the rooms being nice motel-type rooms - clean, large and comfortable. I never expect great accommodations in the National Parks (except perhaps at places like the Ahwahnee) but feel I am paying for the experience of staying in the park. I've also stayed at Curry Village (but that's been a while, too) and think the lodge rooms are probably nicer.

I hope someone who has been there more recently will be able to reply to your question.

Have a great trip!

Suzie

Well I was there recently and I responded.

enzian

And you responded very well, Suzie.

I get so irritated with those reviews from people who expect 4- or 5-star luxury amenities in the national parks. The lodge is quite attractive and "fits in" with the environment. There is no reason they should update the rugs and furniture every 2 or 3 years.

About the only legitimate complaint I saw reading through those reviews was about heat that didn't work. That is something that maintenance should take care of, or move the people to another room.

But complaining about shower gel in a dispenser instead of individual containers of toiletries (which create a huge amount of waste)? No. Or being upset because you can't check in until 5 pm, when their reservation clearly stated that this is the check-in time? No.

Yes, it does cost more than a highway motel of comparable quality. But you are in Yosemite, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Get out of your room and enjoy it.

Iregeo

Thanks for your replies. Yosemite is one of my favorite places on earth! Hey, I've always been thrilled with my crummy little Curry cabin...I'm sure I'll love the Lodge!

KTtravel

Sorry, Suzie. I didn't mean to imply that you hadn't responded nor did I mean to ignore your reply. I think I meant to say that I hoped others would also respond to further reassure Iregeo. Rereading my response, I see I didn't word it well at all and I apologize.

Your point about upgrades to the Lodge being possibly negatively perceived by environmentalists is a good one as there have been many efforts to get the park "back to nature" as much as possible. I know some cabins and camping areas have been removed which make the park accommodations even harder to come by. In fact, sometimes I think the goal might be to rid the valley of visitors completely!

Anyway, please know that I did not mean to offend.

elsiemoo

Iregeo, I stayed at Yosemite Lodge last March. The first room they offered us reeked of fresh paint, and the patio was literally in the edge of a briar patch. Complained ... The second one was nothing to write home about (very small & crowded, stains on bedspreads, pillows you hated to put your head on), supposedly their deluxe. Many people I know give them a pass because of their location ... I wouldn't stay there again. I don't care if it's a state park; it's expensive enough that they could do better. I prefer staying in Mariposa, and riding the YARTS shuttle.

janisj

I really love it when folks prefer staying outside the park and slogging in and out each day because YL isn't posh enough. Just means the rest of us who have more realistic expectations have a bit better chance to book a room.

You are in the middle of a NATIONAL PARK fer cryin out loud. If you need all mod cons - YNP is not the destination for you . . . . . . .

Irego: Yosemite Lodge is totally fine for a YNP visit. Much better than being 45 min to 1 hour outside the valley and commuting back and forth. How much time are you in the room anyway? Sleeping and showering is about it.

joethekay

Back when I was young, yes in the dinosaur age, I camped at Yosemite and other NP, I mean in a tent not a RV, and loved every minute of it, Boy, have times changed and we have all grown soft and demand so much luxury at a national park.

dishdelish

We stayed there two years ago and thought it was fine, if a bit old and musty. I gladly put up with the slightly sub-par room to be able to stumble out of bed and have my first cup of coffee every morning while gazing at the Falls and watching the dear grazing in the meadow. That is the kind of luxury I want when I'm at a National Park! You just don't get that when you're outside the park.

elsiemoo

I do not ask for luxury in a national park, but I do ask for CLEAN, and neither room at the Lodge was clean. The bedspreads were DIRTY and stained, and the pillows were a horror. I could not care less about toiletries as I take my own, but I do expect a clean room. If you and others like YL as is, janisj, good for you! I am not putting you down for your preferences so I'd appreciate the same consideration. If I want to stay 40 min. away, have a much nicer, cleaner room for the money, arrive early in the park and stay late, then ride a shuttle back to my hotel, why does that bother you?

Iregeo will have to decide what's best for her.

dishdelish

elsiemoo,

I don't believe I was putting you down by merely stating my opinion and I was not responding directly to anything you said. I am sorry that you think I was putting you down. I suggest a thicker skin. Tootles.

elsiemoo

dishdelish, I would suggest you take a nicer tone on a message board, and my skin is just fine, but thank you. I'm simply saying that we should all state our preferences but respect the opinions of others as well. Have a good evening.

isabellasu

My stay at the Yosemite Lodge in September 2001 was fine, in fact, from reviews I had read prior, I was expecting the place to be a dump and it was far from that. Room was clean and very big and yes, location, location, location made up for any so-called luxuries you may receive outside of the park.

sarge1

I will be staying outside of the park september 2008(we have never ventured to california before)I chose a secluded home with kitchen, fireplace, outside jacuzzi and 4 acreas of woods with streams. I chose this in lieu of the "inside" choices since this is our anniversary and honeymoon we have never been able to enjoy. We will "venture" into the park on the days that we choose (staying 6 days in Mariposa). As already mentioned by others it is a personal choice,now if I were going with my "buddies" may have very well chosen the lodge or tents for a camping experience. Will let you know when I return if it was the right or wrong choice, then again who is to say?