The B&B was Blackberry Inn www.blackberry-inn.com. We had a great experience there. The inn is about 20 minutes outside of the park boundaries so there is some driving to do but the drive is very scenic we didn't mind at all. The accomodations were nice, the innkeepers were very knowledgeable of the area and they served an incredible full breakfast each morning (inc. in rate) which was a perfect way to start a day of hiking.

We stayed at the Ahwahnee for a few nights when we visited Yosemite in early-June last year. Sure, in comparison to what you can get elsewhere for $400/night, it's not worth it. The only problem is you are not "elsewhere", you are in Yosemite and your alternatives are very limited. We saw Yosemite Lodge and don't think those rooms are worth the $170-190/night they are charging. Also saw Wawona Hotel and simply would not consider staying there. Staying outside the park is an option, but in most all cases you are talking about a 1/2 hour drive each way. That really isn't too bad, although I'm not sure I would want to make the drive at night.

As far as food goes, we dined at both the Ahwahnee (dinner and breakfast) as well as the Mountain Room (dinner) at Yosemite Lodge. In general, the food at the Ahwahnee is very good and the service excellent. Like the room prices, food prices are inflated for what you get, although I believe the food was a better value than the rooms. Food at the Mountain Room was much more ordinary (as was service), and prices only marginally less expensive than Ahwahnee.

One possibility to keep costs down if you plan on spending a few days in the park is to stay right outside one of the park's entrance's for a night, drive into the park the next morning, spend all day and a night (or two) in the park, continue seeing the park all the next day(s) and stay just outside the park entrance again that night. This maximizes daytime in the park, limits driving to/from the park, and lessens costs since you are spending first and last night just outside the park.

I've stayed in the tent cabins before and I have not found them to be disgusting. Basic and interesting, yes. You get some simple beds and a walk to the bathroom. You have to stow your toiletries and food in a locker because of bears. The food in the cafeterias is fairly decent. It's not deluxe but perfectly fine. Kind of a Motel 6 under canvas.

However, you wake up in the morning to one of the most beautiful vistas on Earth. It is a national park, not a resort. A night or 2 of "roughing it" just adds to the adventure. You feel the nature of the park in a way you can't get in a hotel room. Many interesting people visit the park and stay in the cabins. If you stay there, you can take advantage of the evening programs. The traffic into the park can be horrible. It's much easier to take the shuttles.

If you find $400+/night for the Alwahnee what you want to do, book it. Personally, I'd stay in the tent cabins and use the other $ to buy a great piece of Yosemite art from the shop.

No, its not worth it. You're there for the park, not the room. If you were at a resortish type location where you might spend more time in the room, then yes. But you're talking about one of the most stunning and interesting national parks. You won't want to apend much time in your room other than to shower and sleep.

Having said that, we're not campers so wouldn't stay in curry village either. We really enjoyed staying in the park at Yosemite Lodge so keep checking back daily for cancellations. It's truly the best of both worlds, moderately priced and right in the middle of the park.

We've also stayed in El Portal at yosemite view and it was fine. The ride into the park was offset by the simple fact that the more reasonable rate meant money saved, which we used to spend on more nights on the road.

N Purple, the Blackberry Inn looks great. Thanks for sharing.

Just got back form the Ahwahnee and LOVED it. Yes it was expensive, but I've wanted to stay there since I camped as a kid at Yosemite. Anyway, nice big room...husband and 3 kids all fit nicely..no problem fitting a roll away. We spent 9 days in CA. Stayed in lots of different places...Ahwahnee was favorite for all of us. When I visit the National Parks I always try to stay inside the park, whether camping or hotel. I just feel it's a better experience. You do have to make your plans way ahead though.

I appreciate everyone's input on the lodging situation at Yosemite. However, I remain confused about the layout of the park lodging and the varous entrances. I thought Wawona Hotelwas a convenient location then I read it is an hour to the valley floor...is it really worth it to stay IN the park? Does it compare to the Grand Canyon? We stayed inside there...the Bright Angel cabins. I do believe it really added to our experience by being inside. Absolutely loved it. Cabins were sparse (but affordable) and there we had questioned whether we should spend the $$ to stay at El Tovar; when we got there, we were so glad we chose the cabins. El Tovar was not our idea of "luxury". It smelled like an ol' dog bed to me! Dinner was enough; did not feel slighted not staying in the hotel. I understand they renovated just a year or so ago...so I'm sure its better now. Anyhow, if someone can try to clarify for me the layout, I'd very much appreciate it. Again, we will be coming from Monterey area for 2 nights; then drive to San Francisco. THANKS SO MUCH!

Tina, if you want to be close to the valley but you can't get a place in the valley then you next closest location is El Portal. It's a quick trip into the park via the west entrance on 140. Wawona is near the south entrance. You are in the park but not near the valley. The ppark i large and there are things to see in all the areas. Lots of travelers want to see the valley where most of the landmarks they have seen in books are located. Wawona is also very near the Mariposa Grove of Redwoods and south of the turn off to Glacier Point.

Here's a link to a map of sorts:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/now/pdfs/yt06-04.pdf

i just posted a reply to this but it did not get attached. type in Great Cabins at Yosemite - Foresta for my post if interested.
http://www.4yosemite.com/
225 night - lupin and sage cabins

tinamidon
re; Wawona
I have stayed there several times and I like the' turn of the century' atmosphere. If it was good enough for Teddy Roosevelt it is good enough for me.
It is not "4-star".
You could check into the Wawona and take the family to the nearby Pioneer History Center, a group of old cabins, which the kids would like ( a 10 minute walk from the hotel). Then you could take the free shuttle bus(about a 10 minute ride) to the nearby Mariposa grove of big trees.
There is an open air tram ( about $10 per person as I recall)that tours through the grove.
Or you could spend an hour or two on your own walking through the trees.
Have dinner in the hotel, you would have to as there aren't any other places to eat. For $5 you can obtain a second plate and split a meal.
There is a pool there so you can take a dip after your hike.
Next day have breakfast in the Wawona hotel and drive up to Glacier Point for the finest view in all the world Get there early as it will be crowded in July.
I would avoid the tent cabins at Camp Curry as the place will be full of screaming kids and the only place to eat would be in the crowded cafeteria unless your appetite is for pizza.
The shared showers would be somewhat less than desirable in July.
You could take the free valley shuttle bus to The Vernal Fall & Nevada Fall and let the kids climb the mist trail to the lower falls.


If you have any energy left you could rent rubber rafts and float down the Merced river from just below camp Curry for a placid hour on the river. You could then have dinner in the restaurant at the lodge by the Yosemite falls.
I don't know where you will be able to obtain accommodations within the valley in July so you would have to book outside the valley.If worst came to worst you could stay in the tent cabins for a second night. All the convential wood cabins with bath will be booked.

I often stay in either Mariposa or Oakhurst enroute to Yosemite Both of which are well out of Yosemite They are too far away to return to the valley.
If you drive through Mariposa in the morning try the Red Fox restaurant for breakfast as their thin crepe hotcakes are great. I plan to have breakfast there on May 18th on my way home. If Highway 140 is cleared of the landslide by that time that is.
Hope you enjoy your trip.
Don76(soon to be Don78)

Our experience is from a March 2006 trip to Yosemite. It was reasonably full then but not too crowded. We stayed at the Yosemite Lodge and were fine with it. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com Room was basic and you would spend much less for the same room out of the park but being in the park was the best.

I mainly want to comment on the food scene. We ate 2 nights at the Mountain View at Yosemite Lodge and were very pleased. They take reservations for half the tables and leave half the tables for walk-ins. Everyone in our party was happy with the food and surprised that it was such high quality since you are a captive audience.

We ate a late lunch at Ahwahnee our last day there. We'd been on a long hike to Mirror Lake and were very hungry. There were not many people in the restaurant at that time (which is a spectacular room as has been mentioned). Somehow our order got lost and food was delayed. The management was very sorry and gave us all free soup which I have to say was the best soup I have ever had. This is not an exaggeration. Then we had our ordered food which was also excellent. Then the management was still so sorry for the problem that we had free dessert for everyone. We all picked a different dessert so we could try a variety. Everything was fabulous. So I'd have to say that the service and the food at the Ahwahnee was very impressive and we left there very happy and sated.

Plus we got to see a wild bobcat stroll up outside the window by our table and it pounced on a mouse or something and ate it before us. Quite an experience.

Just back from Yosemite - 140 entrance closed due to rockslide. Alwahnee is certainly the place to be and may be worth it for one night. Yosemite Lodge is like a '60s motel and Wawona Hotel is a quaint firetrap. Curry Village is like a summer camp with cabins and canvas tents on platforms. I stayed at Tenaya Lodge just outside the SW entrance near Mariposa Grove & Wawona. The biggest issue with places outside the part is that it really is a 90 minute drive to the center of Yosemite Valley. And it is driving you may not want to do after dark. So consider the price of your time and driving angst in driving mountain roads. If I had the $, I'd stay at the Ahwahnee, otherwise, the Tenaya was excellent.

Its not a 90 min drive into the park from all sites outside - we stayed at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portel and it was maybe a 20 drive into the valley floor - but we had no waits at the gate as not peak season yet.
Yosemite View Lodge was a nice place to stay - room was fine- we only slept in it so cant imaginge paying $432 for a room I am seldom in.
We had drinks and appetizers at the Ahwahnee 2 nights after hiking which we enjoyed - it is a beautiful setting but not in my budget

I agree that the Ahwahnee is an incredible place and I'm glad we got the chance to stay there (we literally did a whirlwind tour and stayed one night at Yosemite Lodge, one night at the Wawona, and one night at the Awhahnee, in that order). The Yosemite Lodge was the most basic, naturally, but we were suprisingly pleased with the Mountain House restaurant.

The Ahwahnee was worth the one splurge night we spent there. However, be warned, last I knew men were required to wear a suit coat. We were outraged because my husband had a very tasteful dress shirt and tie but no coat. They insisted that he wear a borrowed coat. We cancelled our dinner reservation and ended up ordering room service (which was almost an identical menu to the restaurant's menu) and had a great dinner anyway. And we got to have breakfast in the famous dining room the next morning, so we didn't feel like we missed out on anything.

It is true, you are paying for the experience and the location, but the Ahwahnee is indeed incredible and our room was beautiful.

They have relaxed the dress for men at the Ahwahnee. They no longer require coats for dinner. Sorry you missed out by a year or two. I believe they changed this requirement in 2005.

Yes, the jacket and tie requirement is history. You can also wear shorts for breakfast and lunch. I think as long as you're not dressed in a t-shirt and shorts at dinner, you'll be fine.

Direct from the website, for the Ahwahnee attire: "We respectfully request gentlemen and ladies to be attired in long pants or skirt and a collared shirt or blouse. Athletic clothing and blue jeans are not appropriate for dinner. Breakfast and lunch are casual dress. For breakfast and lunch, casual attire such as shorts and t-shirts is acceptable"

No, tshirts and shorts will not get you into dinner.