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Fodor’s Choice | Ahwahnee Hotel.
$$$$ | HOTEL | A National Historic Landmark, the hotel is constructed of sugar-pine logs and features Native American design motifs; public spaces are enlivened with art deco flourishes, oriental rugs, and elaborate iron- and woodwork. Luxury hotel amenities, including turndown service and guest bathrobes, are standard here. The impressive dining room is one of the most beautiful rooms in California. The lounge, with its tiered ceiling, has big, comfortable chairs and a quiet, contemplative air. Even if you cannot afford to stay here, take the time to stroll about the public spaces and have a drink on the patio shortly before sunset, when the view of Half Dome is spectacular. Reservations are made through Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts. Pros: best lodge in Yosemite; helpful concierge. Cons: expensive rates; some reports that service has slipped in recent years. | Rooms from: $471 | Ahwahnee Rd., about ¾ miles east of Yosemite Valley Visitor Center | Yosemite Village | 801/559–4884 | www.yosemitepark.com | 95 lodge rooms, 6 suites, 24 cottage rooms | No meals.
Curry Village.
$$ | HOTEL | Opened in 1899 as a place for budget-conscious travelers, Curry Village has plain accommodations: standard motel rooms, simple cabins with either private or shared baths, and tent cabins with shared baths. The tent cabins are a step up from camping, with linens and blankets provided; some even have heat. The guest lounge and reservations buildings underwent a recent multimillion-dollar renovation. Happy Isles and the popular Mist Trail are a few minutes’ walk away. Pros: close to many activities; family-friendly atmosphere. Cons: not that economical after a recent price surge; can be crowded; sometimes a bit noisy. | Rooms from: $124 | South side of Southside Dr. | 801/559–4884 | www.yosemitepark.com | 18 rooms, 485 cabins | No meals.
Wawona Hotel.
$$$ | HOTEL | This 1879 National Historic Landmark at Yosemite’s southern end is an old-fashioned New England–style estate, with whitewashed buildings, wraparound verandas, and pleasant, no-frills rooms decorated with period pieces. About half the rooms share bathrooms; those that do come equipped with robes. The romantic, candlelit dining room lies across the lobby from the cozy Victorian parlor, which has a fireplace, board games, and a piano, where a pianist plays most evenings. Reservations are made through Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts. Pros: lovely building; peaceful atmosphere. Cons: few modern amenities, such as phones and TVs; an hour’s drive from Yosemite Valley. | Rooms from: $159 | 8308 Wawona Rd. | Wawona | 801/559–4884 | www.yosemitepark.com | 104 rooms, 50 with bath | Closed Dec.–Mar., except mid-Dec.–Jan. 2 | Breakfast.
White Wolf Lodge.
$$ | HOTEL | Set in a subalpine meadow, the rustic accommodations at White Wolf Lodge make it an excellent base camp for hiking the backcountry. Breakfast and dinner are served home-style in the snug main building. Reservations for the lodge’s cozy cabins and canvas tent cabins are made through Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts. Pros: quiet location; near some of Yosemite’s most beautiful, less crowded hikes; good restaurant. Cons: far from the valley. | Rooms from: $124 | Off Tioga Rd. (Rte. 120), 25 miles west of Tuolumne Meadows and 15 miles east of Crane Flat | 801/559–4884 | 24 tent cabins, 4 cabins | Closed mid-Sept.–mid-June | No meals.
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.
$$$$ | HOTEL | This 1915 lodge near Yosemite Falls more closely resembles a 1960s resort with its numerous two-story structures tucked beneath the trees, and it doesn’t help that the brown buildings are surrounded by large parking lots. Motel-style rooms have two double beds; larger rooms also have dressing areas and patios or balconies. A few have views of the falls. Of the lodge’s eateries, the Mountain Room Restaurant is the most formal. The cafeteria-style Food Court serves three meals a day. Many park tours depart from the main building. Reservations are made through Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts. Pros: centrally located; dependably clean rooms; lots of tours leave from out front. Cons: can feel impersonal; appearance is a little dated; prices recently skyrocketed. | Rooms from: $250 | 9006 Yosemite Lodge Dr. | Yosemite Village | 801/559–4884 | www.yosemitepark.com/yosemite-lodge.aspx | 245 rooms | No meals.