Ahwahnee Room Tour with Stunning Balcony! Hotel Tour, What We Ate

We stayed in a Featured Hotel Room at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. You have to see our hotel room and amazing balcony with a view of Half Dome to believe it!
Plus, we share what the food and cocktails looked like during our meals, as well as an extensive property tour with the Great Lounge, pool and Cottage rooms.
See all of our National Parks Guides: kimandcarrie.c...
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[@clarkleakins879]

Mind the windows, keep them closed when not in the room. Rascally raccoons sometimes scale the outside stone and attempt entry. The Monte Cristo sandwich for lunch in the dinning room was excellent. Winter/fall there is often a fire in the huge great room fireplace. Sometimes there are special piano sing alongs by the afternoon fireplace. DEFINITELY sit at a writing desk in the great room and prepare a postcard to the grandparents or other significant friends. In the great room, relaxing at a window chair, and reading the daily newspaper, or book about the local history, or John Muir, is a highly recommended experience. Oh, the pool, in the partial forest, an experience to cherish

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

All great ideas! Very well said!

[@sandinaiman1156]

We stayed at the beginning of July, 2022. We arrived on July 6 and were booked for 6 nights in a featured room, similar to yours. We had a small private balcony with 2 chairs and a small table. We had a clear view of Half Dome like you. Unfortunately, the fire broke out on our second day. During that night, I couldn’t breathe or sleep due to my asthma. The next morning, the air was unbreathable. We went to the desk downstairs and told them we needed to leave, because of my asthma. They were wonderful, and refunded us for 4 nights. The southern entrance/exit was closed due to the fire, so we had to exit via the eastern exit.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Wow, I’m so glad to hear that they refunded your money. Yes, that might’ve been the fire that started and was still continuing when we were there the next month. We had a similar situation after we moved from the Ahwahnee to the Yosemite Valley hotel. The smoke was really making us sick, and seemed to be worse during the days that we were at the other hotel in the valley. We too had to leave early because of our health and the smoke issues. It was hard to breathe, even without asthma. Thankfully they were able to refund us the part of the reservation fee that we didn’t stay for.

[@MOAB-UT]

Very nice property to walk daily and the buffet in the AM and dinner was excellent. We stayed nearby at the Cable Mountain lodge. In my opinion, it is the very best place to stay. You will certainly save money over the Ahwahnee. You can walk there to the property in a few short minutes.

[@williampatrick2971]

A tremendous sense of isolation can occur if you get stranded their in the winter months.

[@MOAB-UT]

I bet. Not so much in the summer though. It is usually very crowded...but gorgeous area.

[@SpAgHeTtIssAuCe]

Might make one break down the door of the bathroom with an axe

[@Jaye2U]

Red Rum Red Rum

[@MOAB-UT]

@@Jaye2U I've been to this place and yes, it did give me those Shinning vibes. I wondered upstairs and looked down on the dining area. It very much looked like the same hotel in the movie. It felt like it to. The old stone, huge fireplaces, etc. There was also a death near the grounds when we were there. A hiker fell off of a trail we had just done called Half Dome. R.I.P. Danielle.

[@richardelliott8352]

blueberry pancakes at the Ahwahnee dining room are highly recommended.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Good to know!

[@snjktd8155]

real overlook hotel !

[@melaniefostersnavely]

Oh my goodness! What a beautiful room. And that view!! With that balcony? Sign me up!!

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Right?!

[@californiahiker9616]

Thanks for the tour! I used to live fairly close to Yosemite and visited the Ahwahnee dozens of times. While I’ve never stayed a night at the Ahwahnee, my friends and I would visit the dining room in winter. Hiking opportunities in Yosemite in winter are very limited. So we’d just take the YARTS bus from Merced, have lunch at the Ahwahnee, walk to the Yosemite Lodge for pictures on Cooks Meadow, and take the bus home again. Especially beautiful during Christmas time and if there is snow on the ground. The Christmas decorations at the hotel are superb!

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

It would be so magical at Christmas! That sounds like a great way to enjoy the area and see the decorations!!!

[@craigsmith6446]

Thanks for this! I was able to snag a room at the Ahwahnee the night before my hike in August this year and did not know what "Featured Room" meant. I am now more excited than ever to stay, thanks!

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

We’re excited for you!!! Enjoy!

[@escenthi]

thanks for the video. i now live in hawai’i, so it was great to see the ahwahnee. i not only stayed at the hotel, only in the cottages which are fantastic, but i had once work in the ahwahnee dining hall as a wine steward for a summer. one of the best experiences, both as a guest, but as a worker who could wander around during the day, and meet some impressive people dining at the hotel. thanks again for updating the memories. i hope one day to return; however, i went online and noticed the costs of the rooms. it was definitely cheaper when i was there, so many years ago.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

That sounds so awesome to have worked in such a beautiful place! Yes, the rooms are definitely expensive now. What a joy it would have been to stay there when they were affordable. Hope you find even more lovely places to enjoy in Hawaii!!!

[@RenzoStefanoPontexRuiz]

Wow, What am I looking at here? I don't believe what I'm seeing, I'm impressed as hell and I don't know what to say. I mean, This is a beautiful place in the world and I like this place very much. Yeah, There are big mountains, There are big meadows, There are beautiful trees, There are big waterfalls and There are so many forests. Wow, This house is in the middle of nature and This house has a beautiful view of nature. Thank you very much for this video, This is so relaxing and This video is definitely worth watching because I feel like I'm in this place. Yeah, I want to be in this place. Greetings from Lima, Peru. 🇵🇪🦙🇵🇪🦙🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸🗽🏞️🌳🏞️🌳🙂👏👏👏👍

[@MOAB-UT]

Cable Mountain Lodge is better in my opinion.

[@Tis1223]

I want to stay there on a future trip. Thanks for the video. Very informative.

[@sandrahayworth218]

Nicely done video! I've always wanted to see a tour of The Ahwahnee. Your voice is very calm and soothing.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Thank you so much, Sandra! I really appreciate that!

[@carolinegodden4364]

That was fabulous, thank you. I'm watching in Australia.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Awesome! Thank you! Glad you are enjoying it!

[@bfoz]

Lovely place

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

It really is!

[@brettwitzel]

I hope to afford to stay there one day

[@swithinbarclay4797]

Would you happen to know what the concierge services may offer? If my party would like to do a Half Dome summiting, it would be nice if someone of the hotel staff, could run us over to the Happy Isles trailhead, no later than 4:30AM. Post-hike, I'd imagine that we could catch the scheduled shuttle to run us back to the hotel quickly enough, as the shuttles run up to 10:00PM; is that correct? Otherwise, if my party and myself booked tent cabins at Curry, we'd be tacking on about 20 minutes either end of that hike. And the supper dress code still remains jackets and ties for men--if not full suits, then skirts/dresses for women, correct? It could be interesting of you did a piece about Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, as a contrast. A very long time ago, late '50's to early '60's, my Grandmother stayed there in one of their tent cabins, and there was no electricity in those--a potbellied stove and kerosene lamps.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

We do not know what the concierge services would be offering this year. The dress code was not full suits for men. I would check on their website, because it will tell you. While there is a dress code, it isn't quite as strict as you might be imagining.

[@mustafatarzy6525]

Awesome video ❤

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Thanks!!!!

[@JK-xl7un]

"I want to go to there."

[@MOAB-UT]

Go.

[@ricob948]

Thanks for Posting we are at Yosemite now and this Place is from Heaven rocks and trees older then most people some water falls ,trails nice people Heaven on earth a most see

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

It is special! Enjoy your time there!

[@TITANMAN251]

The Shining

[@MOAB-UT]

Not really- only a little bit.

[@wowreally594]

great video, now the downside. You cannot book on the website because the hotel allows places like Travelocity and competitors to buy up all the rooms so the price gouging that goes on will cost you with food over $1000 a night....yup my thoughts exactly, NOT WORTH IT!!! is it nice, yup. Is it really cool, yup. Is it worth you taking a mortgage on your house to stay there....HELL NO!

[@MOAB-UT]

You are right and the bathrooms in the main area were filthy- screws missing from the stall doors too. I talked to other guests who felt a bit ripped off. Nice overall, sure but we stayed at the very nearby Cable Mountain Lodge. Far better value and more modern, cleaner, also very nice property- better pool, etc.

[@JamesCrane]

Sadly the Ahwahnee has gone so far downhill form it's former glory. It's dirty, poorly run, and the food is simply awful now. What happened to you Ahwahnee?????? Stayed Aug. 2024

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

That is sad to hear. A few other people have reported the same in comments.

[@aznsushi41]

$600+/night

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

It ain’t inexpensive.

[@greentourkh]

Hello you 🤗🤗💓💞

[@insmart_ua]

Great video! I wish you lots of subscribers. Danny? Wendy? Where are you? Here's Johnny!

[@oneflyinggirl]

I stayed one magical night in the summer of 1993.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Sounds wonderful!

[@robertsander-caceres5986]

I was a front desk manager at the Ahwahnee from 2001 to 2001. Loved working there and miss it so much.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

What a wonderful job! And a great place to work! We understand why you’d miss it!

[@SnidgetAsphodel]

I was raised there until I was 19. In 2001 I would have been around 10 years old. Maybe we crossed paths, because I often would go there after school and knew several of the staff.

[@ciscogirl6914]

I wish you were still there. Sadly, the front desk staff was not very professional, friendly or helpful when we were there recently. Of course, the hotel was BEAUTIFUL!!

[@papagen00]

9:42 I had dinner there last month, 2nd table from the big picture window. Amazing ambience, OK buffet food.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

We didn't have the buffet. Dinner was amazing and yes, the ambience is everything!!

[@ciscogirl6914]

I agree, the dining room is gorgeous but I was disappointed that the buffet food was not that impressive for $200 plus dinner. Our wait staff was fabulous, though.

[@eyezickf.4785]

Holy crap, the overlook hotel!?

[@MOAB-UT]

It's really nice though and the area is incredible. Been there.

[@amittankpro]

Room 507 Tour 2:55

[@lilijakuzina3156]

How I dream to visit it at once!❤

[@MOAB-UT]

Life is too short to dream- just go.

[@Andrew-jh5uv]

Looks relaxing...as they say all work and no play...... 🤔

[@MOAB-UT]

It is.

[@GrumpyOldMan9]

Stayed two nights as part of a tour of the Southwest I booked with my travel agent in Belgium. Apparently, for Americans it's really hard to book a night.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Glad you got to stay!

[@riga_tony]

I hear they have great parties.

[@williampatrick2971]

Ball room?

[@ciscogirl6914]

I was just there for a big birthday with a friend and had a Classic room but had a great view of Half Dome. I wish I had seen this video first. The next time I go, I am going to get a Featured Room!!!

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

So glad you got to have a great day with the view! Do you happen to remember your room number that had a view of Half Dome?

[@LoneVocalist]

Stayed there a few months back. It's super expensive, there's no wifi, no cell phone signals, no smart TV, tiny bathrooms with motel quality, cardboard walls so you can hear the neighbors, and a mandatory valet parking service whose employees are rude and aggressive. It does have a nice view from the window and a great but expensive buffet. Will never stay here again.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

No mandatory valet when we were there. We had no problems connecting to the internet.

[@MOAB-UT]

Yep. Cable Mountain Lodge is better.

[@howardnielsen6220]

We with our son and daughter in law hade the full coarse Christmas dinner there. What a treat

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

I bet that was a treat! Christmas at Ahwahnee sounds magical.

[@howardnielsen6220]

It was Magic. Interesting side story. I did not know at the time you put in your name to a lottery your name is pulled Our name came up the same year I had sent in our requests. In talking to others some had waited years for their name to be pulled As they say Luck of the Draw for us Put your name in It’s a bucket list event

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

@@howardnielsen6220 Good to know!

[@howardnielsen6220]

You are welcome. Put in your name. When your name is pulled. Put on your finest the dinner is very formal

[@howardnielsen6220]

Theirs a small book that was published years ago explaining the history of the dinner I borrowed it through our local library. Sorry I don’t recall the title of the book

[@RockyRoadCreationsbyDiana]

Also, a noted architect Julia Morgan designed a lot of that beautiful hotel. Very nice video.

[@WanderfulWorldofTravel]

Thank you!!!