Yosemite Lodging

<p>I am thinking about going to Yosemite in late April. I was wondering if any of you have any experience with any of the following motels : Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, Best Owls Nest also in Fish Camp,and Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. <br />Other suggestions would also be appreciated.</p>

<p>Jim,<br>

Greetings from El Portal. The Yosemite View Lodge is a typical large motel located right on the Merced River. It is only 16 miles from Yosemite Valley. Also look at the Yosemite Blue Butterfly Inn. It is essentially located at the Yosemite View Lodge, but it is much nicer and owned by different people. It may be a bit late, but the Merced River Canyon is famous for its wildflowers and redbud. Also you should know that Yosemite has received very little rain/snow this year. However, there is still time for more to come to make the falls look spectacular. I hope this helps. <br>

Hugh</p>

 

<p>Hi Jim,<br>

I'm very familar with the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal as I often use it as a base for my workshops. It's a nice enough place to stay however they're one of the few options in the area (the other being Indian Flat Campground and RV park and the Cedar Lodge which are both owned by the same company that owns Yosemite View) and they know it. The rooms are over priced and they don't offer basic things like in-room internet access, however you can use it in the lobby for $12 a day. <br>

As I mentioned the Cedar lodge is owned by the same company and located about 8 miles down the road, still over priced but cheaper than the Yosemite View Lodge. <br>

Other options in the park include Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, a typical motel however lacking things like a TV in the room, at least that was the case back in 2004 or so. The Ahwahnee is the high end option within the Valley, it's a beautiful place to stay but can certainly feel as though it's 100 years old sometimes. Curry Village has a large selection of Tent cabins and a couple standard motel rooms.<br>

Good luck and enjoy the trip. </p>

<p>#1 tip, make your reservations early. The popular hotels fill up way in advance.</p>

<p>Jim,<br>

Curry Village tent camps are ok, but bathrooms are not attached. They do have cabins with bath that are "reasonable". At least in comparison to anything else in the valley. The Ahwahnee, while a beautiful hotel, is in my opinion, way overpriced for what you get. The Yosemite lodge, also in the valley, is somewhere in between the two of them. Depending upon what you are planning to do, staying in the valley can certainly save you time even if it is a little more expensive. <br>

Regards,<br>

mike</p>

<p>I haven't stayed at any of those listed - last April I stayed 3 nights at Evergreen Lodge, which is about 45 minutes from the valley floor off route 120 , and on the road to Hetch Hetchy which is a bonus, actually. Really enjoyed it - comfortable and good food. It was expensive, but comparable to other options in the area.</p>

<p>I agree with Matthew - you may already be late for many of these places, so decide quickly and nail something down soon.</p>

<p>The Tenaya Lodge is relatively new and high end. The other Fish Camp location isn't going to compare when it comes to amenities. They are about an hour or so drive from the valley. Last time I went on a family trip we stayed in Mariposa and the rates can be much less expensive. But it's another substantial drive, also about an hour, perhaps more, from the valley (map sites can give mileage and times). You're less a captive audience if you stay there. But if you drag in late from a sunset at Glacier Point, there still won't be a lot of dining options, it's not a very large town.</p>

<p>While it's unlikely to be a serious travel problem, our trip in late April did have some snow and we did for a short period need chains one day on the Wawona road. And by the time the family got up and to Yosemite, any valley snow was gone after the drive from Mariposa. Although there was still a fair amount of snow on the cliff walls and Half dome. There was also a fair display of wildflowers in the foothills and along the Merced River although it was too early for much in the way of flowers in most of the park. </p>

<p>Thank you to all who responded!<br>

jim</p>

 

<p>I just returned from a week in Yosemite last week. Stayed one night in Yosemite View, only because it was the only room I could get for a Saturday. I couldn't have stayed there for a week. It's clean enough, but needs a renovation. Big and crowded. I can only imagine what it will be later in Spring and Summer. The rest of the time we stayed at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. It's OK. Had problems with wi-fi in my room. Your basic motel room. Also in need of a renovation. The Food Court serves basic foods, but has fairly efficient throughput. Again, I can only imagine what it will be like later. The Mountain restaurant served a nice meal and offered good service. But there will be a wait. One night they didn't even use all the tables although there was a 30 minute wait. Drinks in the bar across from the restaurant are expensive...$14 for a martini. It is, however, centrally located to everything. We didn't see a snow flake all week..actually it was close to 60 degrees one day in the valley. The flow in the Falls was way below normal. We photographed what we could, but didn't get the best Yosemite can offer. the valley is beautiful, and the surrounding peaks impressive. I will return when I am assured of a real winter.</p>