Yosemite Lodge

Has anyone stayed at Yosemite Lodge? What was it like? And what was the Food Court Like? Any info greatfully received!

Yosemite Lodge

just an FYI - check out the Yosemite Forum and you%26#39;ll get more info!

Yosemite Lodge

When on the Yosemite Forum go to Yosemite Hotels menu and read reviews by past guests to Yosemite Lodge. What time of year are you planning to be in Yosemite?

Oh no, I%26#39;m very nervous now having read the reviews! It seems pot luck whether you get adecent remodelled room and the housekeeping seems bad whatever. We%26#39;re going in October, maybe I should cancel and stay outside the park.

Try Yosemite View Lodge at El Portal . It is a few miles from the valley but a nice drive.You can get a river room and have a small kitchen if catering for yourself appeals. Food choices again expensive for what you get and have not had had rave reviews really here

How many days are you planning to be there and where are you going to afterwards? If going south on 41, there are other options I can share with you on your last night.

First though I would contact Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and talk to a reservationist about getting the best rooms . The food court is okay for breakfast. You can try the Mountain Broiler at the Lodge for dinner and also go to the Ahwahnee Hotel (res and dress code for dinner) for lunch or even breakfast if you want a posher set up.

Take a look at Yosemite Peregrine B and B in Yosemite West off 41 in the park - a different experience and colorful innkeepers - he is a retired magistrate in Yosemite and she is an artist so their mountain home reflects their tastes. Still adrive to an from the Valley but okay for one night if leaving that direction.

In October it should be easier to get rooms.

Nothing beats being IN the Valley.

Hi juday, thanks for your advice.

Some friends of ours stayed at Yosemite View Lodge about 10 yrs ago but they thought the journey to Yosemite Valley was too far. Also, they felt a bit isolated choice wise for places to eat. We have considered staying there but we will be approaching Yosemite on Highway 41. We are staying for 2 nights and then heading off towards San Francisco.

You suggested I speak to the reservation clerk at Yosemite Lodge re getting the best room. I%26#39;ve never done anything like that before. Do the clerks generally mind or do they get annoyed at being asked? I wouldn%26#39;t want the reverse effect and get allocated the worst room! What is the best way to approach it ? Is Email OK or is it best to phone? I%26#39;m in the UK so email is easier for me.

Hello, Foss- I just repsonded to your other post, but I have to say that IMHO you should stick with your Lodge reservations. I have stayed at the Lodge many times and have always been happy there. The deluxe rooms are evennicer if you can swing it, but I%26#39;ve never stayed in a bad room. Some of them are just basic motel rooms, but still clean and comfortable. After all, you%26#39;re staying in a National Park, not a resort! Of course, Yosemite does have it%26#39;s resort accomodation- the Ahwahnee- but you%26#39;ll really pay premium there! We always like to go the Ahwahnee for a meal, however- it%26#39;s a beautiful place to eat.

Ifit makes you feel better, we have friends who are on the Board of the Yosemite Fund (they were the ones who just spearheaded the new Yosemite Falls Visitor Center remodel) When they go to the Valley for their meetings, they could easily get a room at the Ahwahnee but they always stay at the Lodge because the rooms are bigger.

When you wake up in the valley, you will be so glad you don%26#39;t have to spend your time driving there!

Hi macjack

Thanks for your advice, it has cheered me up again. I don%26#39;t expect anything plush, after all it is a motel at the end of the day. However, having read the reviews there does appear to be a problem with cleanliness on occasions and that%26#39;s what is really bothering me! I was hoping to contact them to see if I could request one of the better rooms but the only contact no. I could find is the central reservation no. not the Lodge itself so I%26#39;m stumped unless anyone knows an email address or direct tel no.

What was your opinion of the food at the lodge? Unfortunately, we can%26#39;t afford to eat at the Ahwahahnee as we are a family of 4 and also we won%26#39;t have the correct attire to wear in the dining room either.

Hi Foss and Macjack!

I just called the front desk at the Lodge.If you do want to ask questions about the different room categories they can do that if not busy but cannot make adjustments to actual reservation. Best time for them is mid evening if you can call them about 4-5am your time in UK! 209 372 1274

Here is what I have found out for you using my very old hotel layout map!

You can certainly REQUEST A PARTICULAR BUILDING through reservations but with no guarantee. Hope this helps

The LODGE ROOMS with 2 beds are $178.20 with a small like $11 charge extra for kids over 14 or if a rollaway is put in.(Maybe cheaper after summer) They are all named after trees and some are one storey ~ Elderberry, Cottonwood, Azalea, Birch between the road and two storey Manzanita and Willow..our favorites. Laurel, Juniper Hemlock and Maple and Alder are on the meadow side of the lodge with the access road to the Lodge behind them.

There are STANDARD ROOMS with different bed configurations and then FAMILY ROOMS. These two categories are only in CEDAR building which is between the swimming pool and the parking lot . No patios and no balconies but entirely adequate at a guess. What do you say MacJack? I, too, support the Yosemite Fund so called their special res. line and, of course, got through right away and got answers :%26gt; )

So Foss, go for it...the Lodge. You have chosen a much quieter time after the madness of summer crowds and may see some fall color changes, too.

When you drive up 41 be sure you turn off to Glacier Point for a marvellous vista of the high country from the Valley rim.

As you approach the Valley be prepared to be stunned by the view when you emerge from the tunnel so be ready to turn left into the parking area. Best viewed in later afternoon when light is shining on the ranges to the east.

As Macjack knows, we were married on the wooden bridge that is in the meadows by the bike path that runs along the meadows in front of the lodge to join South Side Drive. Stand on it and look back to Yosemite Falls - probably dry - and promise yourselves to come back in spring ...late May early June!

A Cambs and Lincs lass who came alone with $20 on Sept 1, 1964 and never looked back!

Juday, you are amazing!! Thanks for all the info%26#39;. I think I will contact reservations, request a particular building and keep my fingers crossed but I%26#39;m not sure which. Did you say that the 2 storey ones are your favourite - Manzanita %26amp; Willow? Why is that, is it the position they are in? Do you think some are in a nicer location than others i.e. are those on the meadow side better located than those near the road?

Macjack, which are your favourite buildings?

Sorry to keep asking so many questions!!