The Ahwahnee

The trip to Yosemite was special and the Ahwahnee is located perfectly. Hotel room and cabin were superb. Thanks Trip.com

Unconscionable that this hotel accepts reservations while undergoing construction. But it's only from 7 am to 5 pm....still charging full price w inconvenience of jack hammers, closed areas, including the pool. After a long and wonderful hike, just wanting a nap before dinner and impossible with the constant high decibal noise. We booked through a third party and were unable to cancel. Paying over $900 a night for this experience. Shame on the owners for continuing to take money when they should shut this place down until they can properly host their guests.

Our stay was so incredibly underwhelming! From the moment we stepped out to “Valet Only” our experience was less than enjoyable. The registration hosts were anything but welcoming. The rooms are just sad. The towels may have been white when the hotel was built in 1927, but they are grey and tiny. The carpeting is well beyond its use. We knew when we booked that the hotel was undergoing renovations. We had no idea there would be jack hammers going 9 hours a day. No adjustment in the room charge for continual noise heard in your room, but more importantly outside on the grounds of the hotel. The organic beauty in Yosemite is beyond words. The Ahwanee is just not.

This place is a dump! The most uncomfortable hotel I have ever stayed in. The room was 85 degrees with windows open despite it being 45 degrees outside. When I tried to get help all they told me was to turn down the thermostat-like I hadn’t already tried that! No one answers phones for help, the beds are uncomfortable and overall the place looks like it hasn’t been taken care of since it was built nearly 100 years ago. Awoke to loud noise at 6 am that continues through the day. And all this for $600/night! The food here was ok, but $100 / person for a buffet?! Really?! I definitely would NOT recommend this place! You would be better off being tour own tent and taking your chances with the wildlife.

So we came prepared with the valet and everything. Valet actually is pretty helpful when we checked in after getting super wet and cold from heavy snow. We also came prepared to make our own food since the receptionist is very honest with us that the Kitchen is still under renovation. The renovation also blocks the access to the backyard with the best view but you can still see the view actually. The view from our room is fantastic. Location cannot be beaten. Solid 4 stars if you think the location overweights the pretty steep price from a hotel perspective.

Lodge is lovely. Nicest furniture of any National Park lodge we've stayed in. Downside is that the hotel is currently undergoing renovations which meant that the only dinner option was a $63 per person buffet and I strongly dislike buffets so we opted for dinner in the bar which was fine but not the same views or ambiance.

Valet parking and delivery of luggage to room great … but expensive! Concierge was very stuffy … I might be in shorts, but please treat me with a little more respect after a 10 drive to get to the hotel! I’m very sorry I didn’t do the online check in! Just standing there with a check in queue building and not helping is not a great look. The receptionist who dealt with me was great however. Food options limited and expensive. Buffet had virtually no veggie options for my wife so we used the bar and she had the option of a salad and pretzels. Both very nice, but for the price paid to stay here I feel they should offer more variety. Waitress was lovely! Discovered that the toilet would not flush later in the evening. Went to reception at 6am as we had to use the reception toilets overnight! The receptionist did not sound surprised! Toilet was fixed, along with a non operational room safe, by 11am. But should we be getting this level of service at this cost? The general decor is very shabby in places (lift floor and lounge ceiling for example) and the outside areas under construction look awful. The construction may have contributed to the squirrel we saw running thought the large lounge into the kitchen! See picture! Yes a squirrel in the kitchen! Breakfast was in the bar. I feel sorry for the rude customers the girl working had to deal with on Saturday the 20th … she was great. Croissant was sweet … more like a brioche? Lovely tea and coffee. Overall the place is trading on former glory. No toilet and all I get is sorry. That’s ok though as I got a nice view in a historic building that is not as old as my terraced house in London!

The Ahwahnee has a grandeur unlike any I've seen elsewhere. It isn't dripping with luxury but with the high ceilings, enormous fireplaces, and understated beauty it is a fitting to tribute to the park in which it sits. Even if you don't stay here, you should spend time in one of the common rooms. Better still, dine in the restaurant!

Worse than a Border Patrol detention facility and nothing like what it used to be. We stayed in a cabin that literally is worse than a Border Patrol immigration detention facility. There was mold throughout the unit, a couch with a sketchy stain on it, poor heat, and a closet that holds nothing. Yes, literally, if these conditions were in a Border Patrol facility, it would fall within the definition of "cruel and unusual punishment" that is described in Doe v Mayorkas, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona Case Number CV-15-00250. Noncitizens held in detention get better treatment than what cost us more than $600 per night. It's a complete shame, because this hotel is nothing like what it used to be, and in no way should it be considered a four star location. The teenagers working at the front desk also were incredibly rude and dismissive. Cassidy in particular was noteworthy for being someone who hung up on my wife (who has experience working guest services at two different Forbes Five Star properties). My wife was appalled by the lack of customer service. One star is generous for what essentially is a run down shack in the woods.