We just returned from 4 days at the Ahwahnee and it could not have been better. The service was incredible. A couple of examples: we asked for a vase to put some flowers in when we checked in, as we arrived at our room it was delivered. I could not locate the ice machine (it's not a noisy/cheesy ice machine but rather a tastefully decorated wooden box with an insulated interior that is refilled constantly. It sits next to the elevator and was so unobtrusive I had walked past it a dozen times) so I called the front desk, they explained where it was and by the time I walked to the end of the hall one of the staff was there to meet me to show it to me! A dozen instances of that kind of treatment were the norm during our stay. Where else can you sit on your sofa and look out at Half Dome sitting outside your window? The dining room was excellent and they do a very good job with making each meal a treat. The bell captain at curb side remembered our names and every time we walked past he said hello and called us by name. whoever is running the Ahwahnee has them right on track. What truly is amazing is it is very difficult for a hotel in the location they are in to be supplied and serviced so anything they do takes much more effort than a four star hotel in a large city. As a side light, we were married while in Yosemite and it snowed all one day, what could be better?

I'm glad I read previous reviews of this hotel, or I might have been disappointed with our stay. I'd like to reiterate that, while you might expect Four Seasons-like rooms, service & food, you're staying at a National Park hotel, not the 4S. You're paying for location, location, location and you also happen to get a beautiful, historic hotel. The rooms are small, and the hallways smell musty and like cigarette smoke, but the rooms have terrific views. The food in the Dining Room for lunch & dinner is great, so it's hard to understand how the food in the bar area can be so bad. We went in March and avoided big crowds. We were rewarded with warm fires in the lobby and incredible views in the dining room of the fresh coat of snow on the trees (try to sit in the nook area for breakfast -- it's breathtaking).
On a side note, I highly recommend the photography walk at the Ansel Adams center on Saturday morning.

My boyfriend and I stayed here summer of 2005. We stayed for 2 nights and paid about $800 total + taxes, which it seems everyone paid about the same price to stay in this hotel . First of all, DO NOT expect the Ritz Carlton with that price. The rooms are a bit dated and small. It's not a modern hotel, but it is one of America's historic landmarks. You are staying in a National Park and inside one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the world. That means no cellphone reception, not many tv channels available and no fancy furniture, baths, or beds. You're here to enjoy the natural beauty around you. We've been to many cities all over the world, and nothing can compare to the experiences of Yosemite. So, don't expect and compare it to be a 5 star hotel when you're staying in a major city. Otherwise, you can save your money and reserve a camp site or stay at one of the motels outside the park. We truly loved our experiences at the Ahwahnee. The service from all the staff members were extraordinary, nothing was too much trouble.

My husband and I stayed at The Ahwahnee for 2 nights in January 2006 for our 10th anniversary and we were very pleased with our visit. For those who say it isn't like the Four Seasons, I would say if you want to stay at the Four Seasons, go ahead, this is a totally different type of experience. The rustic elegance in the gorgeous setting of Yosemite was like a little piece of heaven for us. For those who have rate squabbles by making the reservation through Expedia or others, I would have to say that making our reservation directly through the National Park reservation system worked just fine. January is a beautiful time of the year to visit the park. The hotel wasn't crowded, though there were plenty of people there. Our room on the second floor was spotless and beautiful, and had a lovely view of Yosemite Falls. The linens and furniture were not worn at all, so for those who said it looks shabby, the hotel must have done some renovations. The beds and pillows were extremely comfortable. The desk staff were very friendly and rejoiced with us when our UT Longhorns won the Rose Bowl - we watched the game in our room and were so excited afterwards, we went down to the front desk to chat. The staff in the dining room were very friendly and we were given the best table at the picture window 3 times out of the 4 that we dined there. The food was marvelous - we loved our breakfast both times (once the apple crepes and once the buffet). We didn't have time for a tour of the hotel, but we wandered around ourselves and enjoyed seeing it. The Great Lounge is such a beautiful room. Because the public spaces of the hotel are on a large scale, it was a bit drafty at times, but hey, it was January and I just wore a sweater. The heating in our room was perfectly soundless - it was central air, so for those who complained about noisy heating, the hotel must have renovated that, too. The bathroom was beautiful and the amenities were very nice. Both gift shops were lovely and we enjoyed the wine we bought there. We hope to go back some day for another special occasion. It's more than we usually pay for a vacation hotel, but it was worth every penny.