Ahwahnee Hotel & Library Suite in Yosemite Valley
This week Nate & I are celebrating the holidays in one of our favorite local spots, Yosemite National Park, and we’re treating ourselves to a special stay in the Library Suite at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. One of the most asked questions I receive about my Yosemite adventures is “where do I stay?”…so this week I’m sharing one of the most historic national park accommodations with you. Join me below for a virtual visit at the Ahwahnee.
Ahwahnee Library Suite in Yosemite Valley
Outside the Solarium at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite
Ahwahnee History
Current day Yosemite is the ancestral homeland of several traditionally associated American Indian tribes. For centuries the beautiful meadow area where the Ahwahnee Hotel now stands was a home village for the local Ahwahneechee native tribe who occupied the valley and thrived here long before the national park existed. In 1916, the newly formed National Park Service began a concerted effort to attract visitors to Yosemite, but some of the more prominent tourists were hesitant to stay in the park due to the primitive conditions of the facilities here. As a result, Daniel Tresidder, the President of Yosemite Park and Curry Company, oversaw the building of the grand Ahwahnee Hotel.
The hotel was designed by famed architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who also designed several other national park lodges. This site was chosen for the hotel due to its exposure to the sun, allowing for natural heating, as well as for its incredible views of many iconic Yosemite formations, including the Royal Arches, Glacier Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. The building was constructed from 5,000 tons of granite, 1,000 tons of steel, and 30,000 feet of timber. Construction lasted 11 months, and the Ahwahnee opened its doors in July 1927.
Originally the hotel was slated to be called the “Yosemite All Year Round Hotel” because of its ability to welcome guests year-round, particularly in the winter months. The name, however, was changed just prior to the opening to reflect the native name the local Ahwahneechee people called this valley, “Ahwahnee,” meaning “place of the gaping mouth” for the valley views surrounded by grand mountains.
Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park
Winter Club Room at the Ahwahnee Hotel
More History!
Many famous guests have stayed here over the years, including golden age Hollywood icons like Lucille Ball and Judy Garland, along with multiple US Presidents like John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. Queen Elizabeth II even stayed here on her US tour in 1983, and the Mary Curry Tresidder Suite has even been dubbed the Queen’s Room as a result. Walt Disney and his wife fell in love with Yosemite here during their stay, and the Ahwahnee was an inspiration for Disneyland’s The Grand Californian Hotel. In fact, the Great Hall that’s often considered the centerpiece of this Disney hotel takes a page directly from Ahwahnee’s Great Lounge.
In the 1940s this hotel was briefly transformed into the “Yosemite Special Hospital” during World War II. The Navy leased the building and almost 900 hospital beds were set up for recovering patients. In later years, interiors of the Ahwahnee hotel were adapted for the Stanley Kubrick film The Shining, and the classic movie The Caine Mutiny has several scenes shot on location here with sequences centered around a wounded sailor at the Yosemite Hospital.
Along with holding AAA Four Diamond status and being a member of the Historic Hotels of America, the Ahwahnee was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. After nearly a century of welcoming guests from around the world, the Ahwahnee Hotel will be closing its doors in January for two months as it undergoes a $31 million renovation to better equip the hotel for possible future earthquakes and to properly restore the 100 year old structure.
Christmas decor over the Ahwahnee Great Lounge fireplace
Ahwahnee Hotel Christmas decor at the main entrance
Christmas tree in the Ahwahnee Hotel lobby
Yosemite Valley Chapel ginger bread house in the Mural Room
Ahwahnee at Christmas-time
The holidays have been a cherished time here since the Ahwahnee opened its doors in 1927. In fact, entertainment was proposed to keep the hotel filled throughout Christmas, and a themed 18th Century English Christmas banquet was planned — the annual Bracebridge Dinners. This lavish celebration spans four hours and features nearly 100 performers, beautiful music, traditional yuletide decorations, and plentiful food (a seven-course feast). Unfortunately the event is not happening this year in preparation for January’s massive hotel renovation, but the hotel is still filled with Christmas spirit. A historic sleigh welcomes guests at the hotel’s entrance and beautifully decorated Christmas trees can be found throughout the hotel. A highlight of the season are the giant hotel fireplaces adorned with twinkling lights and lush garland – the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the season.
Other winter highlights include the Vintners' Holidays and Chefs' Holidays. Vintners' Holidays is a toast to winemakers’ fall harvests with two-day sessions of wine tastings, seminars, and a gala dinner held in November and December. At Chefs' Holidays in January, California's finest chefs dazzle guests with an hour long skills demonstration and then prepare a magnificent dinner. The New Year’s Eve Gala, which features a six course meal, live music, and dancing, is also a guest favorite activity. Unfortunately all of the above mentioned highlights are paused during the 2022 holiday season as the hotel begins major renovations…but you can still enjoy the beautiful holiday decor, Christmas music, and even a giant gingerbread display featuring the historic Yosemite Valley Chapel and Half Dome.
Ahwahnee Hotel fireplace in the lobby
The Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Hall in Yosemite National Park
Dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite
Dining
A destination dining spot, the Ahwahnee Dining Room is known to offer some of the finest dining in all of Yosemite National Park. Towering 34 foot high ceilings, massive pine trestles, granite pillars, and grand windows are a highlight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served year round, and reservations are highly recommended. Breakfast and lunch are casual, but for dinner dress attire is required and the chandelier-lit Ahwahnee Dining Room is both spectacularly romantic and inviting with the grand piano playing gently in the background as tables are glowing by candlelight. Make sure to ask your server for recommendations and never skip dessert here - trust me! 😉
At the other end of the hotel, the Ahwahnee Bar is also open for lunch and dinner (I always order the charcuterie board with 100 year old sourdough). The atmosphere here is relaxed and comfortable with wonderful views of Yosemite National Park. You can also head to the bar and grab a hot cocoa or coffee to go as you head out on a Yosemite Valley adventure. Just across from the bar is the hotel’s Sweet Shop…here you can grab snacks to go, as well as local goodies. My go-to’s are caramels and cake pops.
Great Lounge at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite
Ahwahnee Hotel Solarium in the morning
Mural Room in the Ahwahnee Hotel
Hotel Highlights
Often considered a masterpiece in “park-atecture” and made to reflect its beautiful natural surroundings, the Ahwahnee has many noteworthy spaces to explore. The Great Lounge is one of the main public spaces in the hotel. Anyone can come and experience this grand space, which spans nearly the full width of the first floor wing. Native artifacts, including baskets and tapestries, can be seen here…and a special highlight is the two oversized wood burning fireplaces that bookend the room made from cut sand stone. There’s also a series of stunning floor to ceiling picture windows adorned with stained glass at the top and magnificent hand stenciled beams.
The Winter Club Room was named for the Yosemite Winter Club, which was formed in 1928 and was dedicated to promoting winter sports in Yosemite. This room is filled with displays featuring vintage photos of Yosemite’s many winter activities.
The Mural Room (also known as the writing room) is home to a rustic hammered copper fireplace, dark wood paneling, and a stunning mural spanning the top of the wall that depicts the park’s native flora and wildlife. The mural is a toile pente (painted linen) created by Robert Boardman Howard for the hotel’s opening in 1927.
The Solarium is a beautiful spot to sit and take in the Ahwahnee Meadow and Glacier Point views. The Solarium also has a fountain made from local jasper with beautiful plants that thrive as they soak up the sunlight streaming through the windows.
Library Suite at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite
Ahwahnee Library Suite in Yosemite Valley
Fireplace and seating areas in the Ahwahnee Library Suite
Dining and seating area in the Ahwahnee Library Suite
Adjoining Underwood Guest Bedroom
Reading by the fireplace in the Ahwahnee Library Suite
Library Suite & Guest Rooms
The Ahwahnee Hotel features 121 rooms, including 97 hotel rooms and 24 cottages. These accommodations range from standard and classic rooms (with one king or two double beds) to multi room suites…and each room holds a special bit of Yosemite history. This hotel is 6 stories tall, and when the Ahwahnee originally opened in 1927, the entire 6th floor was a large ballroom. Then a few years later it was converted into the private residence of Donald Tresidder and his wife Mary Curry Tresidder. In the 1970s the 6th floor was remodeled into guest suites. Stepping off the elevator onto the 6th floor, you’re greeted with photos sharing the history of the park and hotel.
Located on 6th floor is the Library Suite, which consists of two adjoining rooms, the Underwood Room and the Tresidder Library. The Underwood Room is comfortable with one king sized bed, television, and leaded glass windows which open to stunning views of Yosemite Falls and the West Valley. The connecting Tresidder Library parlor is a large sitting room with two sofas, lounging chairs, a dining room table, and rich wood paneling that contributes to a feeling of elegance and grandeur. Beautiful art can be found on the walls, and it’s not difficult to see where the Library Suite got it’s name…you have your very own floor-to-ceiling shelved library filled with a wide array of books to peruse. Another highlight of this room is the wood burning fireplace. In the winter months this is the perfect place to cozy up after a day exploring the snowy valley below. Due to the size and layout of this room, not only do you get a great view of Yosemite Falls, you can also enjoy direct views of Glacier Point out the windows above the Great Lounge roof.
Upper Yosemite Falls view from the Ahwahnee Library Suite
Glacier Point view from the Ahwahnee Library Suite
Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Falls in Winter
Nearby Hiking & Park Attractions
Thanks to the Ahwahnee’s central location, you can easily walk to multiple famous park features year round. Lower Yosemite Falls, the Yosemite Museum, Ansel Adams Gallery, Sentinel Bridge, Yosemite Chapel, and the Curry Village Ice Rink are all less than a mile and a half walk from the hotel. Even closer, you can walk to the historic Ahwahnee Bridge and the Sugar Pine Bridge, which are both located just a few hundred yards away along the valley bike path. The famous Valley Loop Trail passes right by the hotel as well, meaning you can head out the door and begin an adventure on one of the best Yosemite Valley hikes.
Ahwahnee Bridge over the Merced River
Fallen sugar pine tree at the Sugar Pine Bridge
Know Before You Go
• The Ahwahnee, the National Historic Landmark hotel in Yosemite Valley, will be temporarily closed January 2, 2023 – March 2, 2023. Make sure to check the official Travel Yosemite hotel website for closure updates and to make reservations.
• The Ahwahnee is also serviced by the valley-wide shuttle (stop #3).
• Smoking is strictly prohibited at all buildings in Yosemite.
• There are no pets allowed on property.
• Valet parking is available, and designated accessible parking spaces are located in the parking lot.
• Although the hotel offers wifi to its guests, it is extremely spotty. Cell reception throughout the park is minimal as well, so plan on being disconnected during your stay.
• Please remember the Leave No Trace Principles, preserving this historic structure and surrounding environment for future generations.
Top 10 Yosemite Valley Winter Attractions
Yosemite Valley Chapel
Sentinel Bridge
Curry Village Ice Rink
Bridalveil Fall
Ahwahnee Hotel Solarium in Yosemite
Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week for a Winter stay in Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of the historic Ahwahnee Hotel and the Library Suite, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post or check it out on YouTube here. Until next week I hope you find adventure encouragement wherever you go.
Half Dome views over the Merced River
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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