The Ahwahnee Hotel

We payed $ 550/​night for two nights. Every experience in the hotel and restaurant was terrible. For this price, you expect to get some level of comfort and service. Not at the Ahwahnee/​Majestic! The room was musty and very outdated. The bathroom had mold on the walls and the sheets had holes! No microwave of coffeemaker. The front desk did not give us any instructions on coffee, dining hours or any instructions. The staff was rude and ignored our request for water.
Since there are very limited choices for food, we ate three meals at the hotel. It took about 1 hour for the food to arrive after we ordered. The toast was burnt and the dinner was sub par. $ 45 for steak and the steak for terrible. We will not be staying there again and will advise our friends to not stay there.
The staff was rude. No greetings, welcomes or goodbyes. Stay outside the park but not at the Ahwahnee

No, it has not closed. Operating as Majestic Yosemite Hotel until name change dispute is resolved. Hoping we can continue to call it the Ahwahnee Hotel to preserve its history. Had lunch there yesterday, wonderful as always.

Place looks wonderful, history of the hotel excellent, service helpful but our experience was not without it’s major disappointments. First, trying to make a reservation is miserable. I wanted two nights (I called well in advance, and was not during summer months) on the phone they told me we have one night, «make it now and call back to add next night», called back maybe another night in another room. So after getting vacation time off, plans now change, we adapted. Get there check in is 4pm (not very convient after traveling ⁴¹⁄₂ hrs) but ok they gave us a beeper so if room was available early they would let us know. We take a nice historical tour of the hotel come back to front desk (no beeper), room had been available but no notice to us. Concierge set us up with a tour the next day, not the most helpful service for a front man for the hotel. Room is fine, dinner nice, wonderful dining room. That night as us older folks often have to get up to go to the bathroom at 4am. Returned to bed. Toilet sounded ever 15 minutes filling tank (very loudly). Finally got up turned off water shutoff to toilet. Finally got back to sleep knowing I left a wake up call for 7am so no problem over sleeping, both of us wanted to get an early start, as we only had one night, NO WAKE UP CALL. Fortunately my wife usually wakes up early and rolled over at 7:30. So our day started off later and as checkout is 11am, we had breakfast, packed up and left the Ahwhanee. Not happy, no real apologies or something like a free tour. For $ 575 a night for a regular room at least service should be exceptional. Not here, so my warning come with open eyes and I guess lowered expectations, because we were VERY disapointed

This review is for the dining room. The room itself is beautiful with high ceilings and is worth checking out. There’s is a bar but it’s tiny. No seats. We had a late lunch here. Thought it was going to be a 45 minute wait but it ended up about 20 minutes. The initial wait for our waiter was long and we were starving. The crab dip appetizer was good. I wished it was warm. The little crostini things that came with it was delicious. My husbands ordered his burger medium and it came out very well done. It was dry and had no flavor. My cheesesteak was also very dry. The cheese sauce was good but it needed more of it. The fries weren’t crispy at all. Overall the food here was a huge disappointment especially considering the cost. Everything was really expensive and not worth it. The hotel itself is worth seeing for the history but the dining experience was terrible. The worst part is how long the waiter took in general. He never came to check back on us after we got our food and just getting the check took almost 30 minutes after we finished eating. In total we spent 2.5 hours for lunch.

We stayed at the Ahwahnee from 2÷28−3÷1 during the transition from DNC to Aramark. We have stayed here in the past and usually enjoyed ourselves. Not this time, the stress of the change created a hectic atmosphere, not to mention the rush to remove all things associated with the Ahwahnee name and emblem beginning ³⁄₁. The room had a strong musty odor and the dinners were lackluster. An employee had mentioned that purchasing had ended 2 wks prior to transition date (which made me regret ordering the fish the previous night). Staying here is usually a pleasant, relaxing time. Had I known what we’d encounter on this trip, I would have cancelled.

An incredible hotel of historic importance. Probably the most charming hotel in the country. The fact that it sits in the center of Yosemite Valley just puts it over the top.
I can’t help but laugh at some of the people who’re leaving negative reviews because an appliance didn’t work correctly or because the chairs seemed old. I wonder if these people might have been more comfortable at Holiday Inn on the side of a highway somewhere, one with a McDonald’s in walking distance. That sort of thing seems more their speed.
The hotel itself happens to be quite old, or at least much older than any of the Holiday Inns that they’re used to. If you can’t appreciate the architecture, the décor, or the setting, which is f*cking Yosemite Valley, then, yeah, you’re probably a moron for having spent this much money to stay here. And that does make me laugh.
The truth is, it’s a one of a kind hotel. If you’re Donald Trump, the service may leave something to be desired. However, if you’re capable of comprehending the fact that the hotel exists within the center of a National Park, ie wilderness, then you may have more of a chance to appreciate what makes it so special. Stanley Kubrick didn’t build a sound-​stage replica of it for nothing.

We stopped in to take a walk of the grounds and enjoy hot drinks near the fireplace. They have done a wonderful job restoring the original stenciling on the ceiling. It was used as a location shot for «The Shining,» how exciting. Great service. Comfortable seating.

This review is for the bar dining room and 1^st floor experience…
We came here on Christmas day just passing through and already could tell this would be a nice place to stay for a few nights during winter with the snow, festivities and all. The history of the place comes to light as you walk through the lobby and lounge area. There was a event gala going on and people were dressed to the nines that day. Given it was Christmas day you could feel the magic and spirit of the historic hotel. Since the main dining hall was booked we vouched for the bar dining room instead. $ 10 for a hot dog was a bit extreme but it was expected for a place like this. The customer service was great and accommodating as we accidentally broke a wine glass during our meal (kids…). Thank you Ahwahnee for the great holiday experience… just on the first floor ;-)
On another note… I feel sorry for those who gave bad reviews based on the rooms they stayed in. This is a «historic» building and I could imagine the room not being modern however enough to make your stay pleasant at the same time taking you back in time. The price is for the location in my opinion. The experience is what you make out of it. For those who travel often and seen many places may be critical to those who can travel 1 – 2 times a year.

Stayed here for the first time this November for the Annual Vintners Holiday.
Rooms are vintage, part of the charm, but would ask for more of a view next time. Great event, great food. Will come again.

Every winter, the Ahwahnee hosts an extravagant 4-​hour, 7-​course dinner event called the Bracebridge. The package includes 2 nights at 3 different lodges (priced accordingly) and with the Bracebridge dinner, you’re looking at close to $ 2,000 for a memorable getaway. Dinner alone is about $ 400 per person.
I was fortunate enough to be gifted this package for 2 people, including overnights at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. It is a formal affair, so you’ll find people dressed in everything from fancy cocktail attire to tuxes and sweeping ball gowns. A formal portrait shot (which we waited in line for more than an hour) comes with the ticket. In high heels, this was not pleasant, but on the other hand, we got to chat with a number of guests, all of whom were very excited for this event. It felt like a grown up prom night. You can arrange for a gluten-​free dinner option. If you are vegetarian, not even the fanciest potato can make up for the price tag, I’m sorry.
The event, which takes place inside the dining room, featured a charming and funny play with a cast of what seemed like thousands, and the storyline complements each one of the 7 plates served in between story breaks. It is a bit interactive — some guests were pulled from the tables and brought up on stage, with some hilarious results. The four hours literally flew by! In the meantime, many of the cast members visit the tables and interact with guests, which is a hoot. The costumes were exquisite. The food was divine — mostly hits, with the standouts being the salmon, duck and beef dishes.
So was it worth it? Definitely a splurge. Definitely a once in a lifetime event. If you have deep pockets, do it.

You couldn’t pay me to stay here again.
I could write a novel on how bad this place is so let me just break it down into bullet points.
*I travel roughly 200 days out of the year
*I have stayed in the best and worst hotels all over the world
*This hotel isn’t «historic» or «charming» it’s «what can we do to pass inspection»
*“But it’s so expensive! It must be nice!” NOPE. «Celebrities have stayed there though!» Celebrities make mistakes too.
*When asked why my heater wasn’t working (it’s currently lows of 30 degrees and highs of 60’s– it’s the end of October) they said that they haven’t turned on the heaters yet but that I’m more than welcome to use my space heater. 1 space heater was still very cold– it got the cottage up to about 65 – 68 degrees? So I asked for another which they happily brought but poof! Power out! They came to restart the power but said that two space heaters was just more than this little cottage can handle. Bring your mittens!
*This deserves another bullet point– my friends and I’s cabin don’t have heat and we are paying 5k total on this hotel to wear our coats to bed as this little heater doesn’t do much.
*NO PHONE RECEPTION– now, if I’m backpacking or camping– I’m not expecting much of anything but to stay here for 5k with no reception is KILLER. This goes for ALL phone services– not just AT&T or T-​Mobile. When I spoke with the hotel about it– they said the best bet is to go to the river. Yes– they said that.
*It’s amazing where you get reception in Yosemite. I’ve hiked about 80% of the most popular and have reception 50 ish percent of the time. There is absolutely no way to require reception at this hotel though and the staff here call the hotel the black hole of reception. If you leave the hotel by even a quarter mile in any direction you have perfect reception.
*They do not include free calls within the U.S.- nor would I expect them to however with no reception I would think they should definitely offer that with how much they bill to stay here.
*The wifi is extremely– extremely bad. Again– who cares about wifi if you’re camping right? Well– if you’re staying here– you’re not camping– you’re day hiking and paying for the luxury to go back to accommodations and again– for the price of this place– this wifi is worse than dial up if it even works at all. 40% of the time it just goes completely away.
*The food is just– okay. Really– it’s nothing special. It has a very typical chain restaurant taste to it all– which again– is fine– just not for this price.
*There’s never parking so you’re forced to valet (more money and time as they are not a quick bunch around here).
*The accommodations are SO mediocre at best.
My recommendation is to save your money and stay at one of the other hotels here– do they seem nice? No. But at least you’ll get what you’re paying for.
I feel so embarrassed that I brought my friends from Australia here– we did a 4 leg trip. Los Angeles, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas then to here. I am so ashamed I didn’t research this hotel better and have apologized profusely to them about it. I said to one of them– I just don’t get who stays here, and he said it best, «Stupid people.» Luckily I have the beautiful park to make it up to them.

Really sad to have to leave a negative review of this place. I stayed here with my family when I was really young and remember loving it.
It’s still a beautiful structure and the dining room is gorgeous. But the actual rooms are insanely overpriced and run down, and even more disappointing than that is the customer service.
I understand there are things you can’t change with a historic hotel– small rooms and bathrooms, thin walls, etc. These things are expected and are no big deal. But my sheets literally had holes in them they were so worn thin. The furniture isn’t just old, it is beat the hell up. The beds are extremely uncomfortable. Our sink didn’t drain. Paint was literally chipping off all thanks and the wall paper was coming off. It just felt grungy and dirty.
Housekeeping only made the beds. That was the extent of their housekeeping. They didn’t replace glasses, clean anything, or give us clean towels after we put them on the floor as they stated. They didn’t even hang the dirty ones back up.
We had 6 guests and 3 rooms. We were staying for three nights during the middle of the week.
Upon checking in there was no one around to direct us on where to park or to assist with our luggage. The front desk staff just gave us our keys and and had us sign forms but didn’t give us any standard hotel schpiel about restaurant hours or options or anything like that.
When we called to try and make reservations at the dining room for one of our nights, we couldn’t get anyone to pick up the phone. When we went back downstairs to talk to the concierge, she was «unavailable.» The front desk staff told us that since it was currently dinner time the dinner reservation person was busy and couldn’t deal with us right now. Ummm ok. We went into the village and got something to eat for night one.
The next morning when we tried again to make reservations we were told they had nothing available for the other two nights we were there. Seriously? We’re guests of the hotel, spending $ 1800 a night for three rooms and you can’t get us in for dinner at all? After asking to speak to the manager, they gave us reservations for that night. And the kicker… There were AT LEAST 5 tables empty the entire time we were there having dinner!!! So why the pretentious attitude and hassle?
I have no idea why the staff was so rude and pretentious to us or if that’s just how they operate.
Yosemite is a truly breathtaking location and the Ahwahnee is one of the only hotels available. That’s how they’re able to get away with astronomical room rates and terrible service.
It’s extremely sad and I don’t think that I’d ever stay here again after this experience.

One of the worst hotel stays ever. My family stayed here about 20 years ago and had a wonderful experience… clearly it has changed. I would not ever come back here. If I could give negative stars I would.
We went to the gift shop the first night 10 min before closing and were «barked» at by the attendant saying that they close at 8 PM and we have 10 min. There were at least 10 people in there… I have worked retail before and never would we basically kick out potentially paying customers.
When you are paying $ 600 a night for a hotel and have 3 rooms, one would think that the hotel could accommodate a dinner reservation for one of the 3 nights in October during weekdays. We had to get a manager to begrudgingly give us a 7:45 PM reservation and when we did have dinner, the dining room was at least 30% empty.
I have stayed in many historic hotels worldwide and the ahwahnee clearly just uses this as an excuse to not renovate, have terrible service, and charge exorbitant rates for what they provide. I have literally stayed at extended stay hotels for $ 89 a night that were better.
Cleaning service just remade beds — did not even give a clean glass or pick up trash. No amenities like a coffee maker or even a mini bar in the room. Robe not rehung, just draped over back of chair. Dirt and grunge on walls and ceilings, stains on furniture and carpets. Bed linens from 1980 including holes worn in sheets. Towels old and grungy looking.
TERRIBLE — SAVE YOUR MONEY!

This review is for their restaurant. Fine dinning at its best! Would have given more stars if possible :)
All items ordered were delicious, especially the flour less chocolate cake. Highly recommended.

I didn’t stay here, but popped by twice in a day. The hotel is charming and historic. We came earlier in the day to check it out. I parked my ass under a tree and read a John Irving novel. The grounds in the back of the hotel are lovely and feature a gorgeous, unbeatable view.
We then returned after hiking to lower Yosemite Falls, to hang out some more. We made it in time for teatime in the Winter Room, where we were picked up some cookies with Earl Gray tea. We ate these by a window and saw a deer chilling outside. After that, we made our way to the bar and had some beers by Mammoth Brewing. We sat on the patio and enjoyed drinks while again enjoying the scenery. I would highly recommend this as a stop to all visitors!

I have only visited the Ahwahnee. It was back in the 90s. Such a beautiful, historical structure.
I recently saw pictures and they painted some of the outside exterior in the popular aquamarine color.
I just could not believe it.
The rustic exterior and interior was beautiful, I just can’t believe the state or whomever made the decision to do this.

At $ 550 a night it is easy to get hung up on the price and expect more than an historic hotel can deliver so get over that right now and enjoy the wonder, majesty and rusticness of Yosemite. This is one of the most beautiful hotels in the world and easily the nicest in any national park. The rooms are small (that’s just the way they were built in 1927) but nicely appointed and the staff is friendly and wanting to serve.
We thought about having dinner in the main dining room and decided against it, in favor of the patio off the main lobby. We have the smoked salmon and smoked rainbow trout (which sounded weird to me) that was excellent to share and also shared the pastrami sandwich both were excellent.

Amazing place, historical hotel, which might lack some of the features desired from a four star hotel, but makes it up completely by location.
Driving into the hotel you’re surrounded by incredible sights and beauty. Once at the hotel you’ll have a great place to rest and recharge your batteries. Early morning walks and fine dining in the evening.

This was an amazing mammoth of luxury living in the middle of the nation’s greatest national park. The building is old in a good way — classic wilderness chic. The food is good (bar and grill plus a finer dining restaurant) and plenty of history to look at. The location is perfect for tourists and those who pretend to go to the great outdoors but don’t really (you know who you are, don’t pretend).
Staff is helpful and with it rooms are expensive but worth the stay (at least for a day or so).
Overall no complaints. I’d love to see what it looks like with snow on the ground — must be beautiful.

1. We made reservations 10 months in advance through a May 72 hour sale to ‘preferred’ members on the DNC e-​mail list at the
web site.
2. Saturday afternoon, all 140+ parking spaces taken. Line of cars waiting for free valet parking in the overflow dirt lot, amid the afternoon rain. Don’t want to get their Porsche SUVs dirty!
3. I leave my wife in the car in the waiting area to guard our packed food from bears! I walk 200 feet on the red carpet to registration. Friendly and efficient staff. Porters cart luggage for a nominal fee.
4. We get third floor room 340 at the 4pm check in time –5pm check in for the Lodge.
5. Openings in the parking lot, as non staying weekend visitors leave.
6. 1 slow, but lavishly decorated elevator on the lobby level serves 99 rooms in the main building, most on floors 1,2,3,4.
7. $ 499 Standard rooms view the parking lot/​delivery area in front of the hotel, or from the 1^st and 2^nd floors, the forests blocking Half Dome.
8. $ 549 Classic rooms view Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, or Half Dome. Rooms facing Half Dome have morning sun. Rooms facing Yosemite Falls have afternoon sun.
9. $ 649 Featured rooms 444,450,502,540 have shared rooftop decks. Four shared balconies in the main building.
10. 23 cottage rooms with shared walls and shared front entrance patios.
11. Rooms $ 100 less December through February, but we get a classic room for $ 268, breakfast included. Everyone I talked to got the same May 72 hour preferred member sale.
12. 602, 604 have a fireplace, and were the rooms that Queen Elizabeth II stayed. Only 5 rooms on the 5^th floor, and 5 rooms on the 6^th floor, mostly desirable corner rooms with two windows.
13. Our 12′ x 18′ room had an exceptionally comfortable king bed with 4 large pillows. Sheets changed every third day, or with a new guest.
14. Wall to wall carpeting, with 2 lighted marble top night stands, 2 padded sitting chairs around a tiled table, and a 42″ HD cable TV with ESPN, unlike the Lodge TV.
15 22″ mini refrigerator in an entertainment system cabinet. No microwave, nor coffee maker.
16. The furniture and the carpet are relatively new and of good quality-​comfortable to walk on the carpet barefoot. Scratched up old furniture moved out to the Lodge.
17. Spacious 6’x9’ bathroom came with a tub/​shower combination, with tiled walls, and 3 sets of thick towels. 2 sets of robes. No vent fan in the bathroom –so I could write my reviews at 5am without disturbing the wife!
18 No balcony, but our large window had two screened side slide windows. We could see Yosemite falls while lying in bed!
19. Room 324 across the hall had two double beds, a loveseat, with a view of the swimming pool and the trees below Half Dome.
20 We heard people talking in the hallway under the gap in the front door, and under the connecting door.
21. 2 quiet senior couples in the room with the connecting door. I did not hear any snoring from them, only from my wife!
22. Quiet and efficient modern AC/​heater operated by thermostat control. The Lodge has a more primitive noisy wall heater, and no AC –summer temperatures in the 90s common!
23. Extravagant 40′ cathedral ceiling dining hall opens at 7am for breakfast, and 530pm for dinner.
24. Bar area with $ 18 sandwiches and $ 10 salads for those wearing T-​shirts, tank tops, shorts, flip flops (me), or baseball caps banned from the dining hall dinner.
25. Waiting area next to the dining hall, with two leather sofas next to a fireplace. My wife loved it, and sat there every night. The sofa springs were shot.
26. Sign says ‘Please do not dry clothes by the fireplace’ Did somebody disrobe in front of the fireplace?! If it is a young lady, I’ll come right down!
27. Two more fireplaces roaring in the Grand hall, and additional sitting areas in the Game room the Mural Room, and the Sun room on the ground floor.
28. Tea and cookies served at 4pm in the main sitting room. Show your room key — day visitors free load on the cookies! Limit 2 cookies per guest after yours truly at the head of the line took too many chocolate chips!
29. Piano player in the Grand hall at 4pm and in the dining room for dinner.
30. Circular heated pool, open during our stay, despite daytime temperatures in the 40s.
31. Wi fi access as slow as molasses and as stable as the San Andreas earthquake fault!
32. Cell phone access, and land line phone in the room –yes they still have land line phones!
33. Free shuttle every 30 minutes, and stops by the Village, Yosemite Falls, the Lodge, Curry Village, Happy Isles, and Mirror Lake.
34. Housekeeping carts full of notepads/​and pens with Ahwahnee logo, and coffee table book of pictures of the hotel, to replace those stolen by guests.

35. After a 4 night stay, I pack the coffee book, but the wife says leave it –act with class in a classy hotel. She, not me, is the ‘preferred’ member. Now you know why!