Which hotel/accomodation in Yosemite?

[tracyh]

We are wondering where to stay in or near Yosemite National Park, California on our trip next year. We have been looking through tripadvisor at the different accomodations and dont know whether to stay in a hotel, lodge or campsite within the park. Or whether to stay outside the park and travel in, as I am a little anxious about the bears!!

Anybody that has stayed, what would you advise?

[ju_itfc]

A lot of Dibb people like to stay outside the park but I really think there is nothing like waking up and setting foot outside into that amazing scenery every day without the need for a car journey in the first instance.

Curry Village is a (very) rustic option which we loved. It was basic down to earth accommodation with 2 double beds and a heater and that was about it. The room itself was much bigger than it looked from the outside. It was a real throwback to old times, with no TV and you basically had to make your own entertainment, although the Village itself does put on a number of activities during the year.

The food options were suprisingly good. The buffet in the evening was plentiful and whilst not up to Vegas standards, was certainly better than some I have had in Orlando. There is also a seasonal Pizza hut (not the chain) which you can eat outside on the patio area.

Also in Curry Village you have other options, cabin without heating and static tent which are both only feasible in Summer I would guess.

Don't worry about bears. There is a huge effort to clamp down on people leaving food in cars etc and there are bear proof lockers which you can put food in etc. No doubt bears are around the area, but on two visits and 6 solid days of sightseeing in the park I have yet to see one. Just follow the rules, and read up on safety tips.

Aside from Curry Village you do have more upmarket options which get pricier as you would imagine. I think we paid about $90 for our cabin, which wasn't that great value but the other options at the time were $200+ a night.

Yosemite is awesome, you will love it.

[sue.o]

We stayed at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls in May of this year and it was fantastic! I too would recommend staying in the park itself! There is nothing quite like getting up in the morning and opening your door to the beautiful scenery and the sound of the waterfalls! It is an amazing place!

[tracyh]

We have been looking around again and Yosemite Lodge looks to be favourite, as we will only be stopping 1 night in Yosemite I think that a hotel with facilities would be more useful to us. Curry Village looks good but we prefer the hotel option more.

I see that you can hire bikes from Yosemite Lodge, did you notice them Sue?

[sue.o]

I'm so sorry but I've just seen you asked me a question about bikes! Yes there is a place to hire bikes - its next to the car park and near the swimming pool! I didn't see how much they cost though! Hope this helps! It is a lovely place to stay!

[galaxy]

We have just done Yosemite and would definately recommend staying in the park at the valley floor. We stayed at Yosemite Lodge and it truly is a stunning setting. Im not much of a camper so didnt fancy the canvas cabins much...although some have their own facilities.

If you are in the planning stages I would suggest you think about staying 1 night just outside the park...then get up early and go into the park and stay for a minmum of 2 nights in the park. We stayed at Oakhurst for 1 night then 1 night in the oark and wished we had stayed longer as we didnt really get time to do many activities available on the valley floor.

Check out this site fo lots of useful info

http://www.yosemitefun.com/index.htm

we followed this plan and it worked at treat

http://www.yosemitefun.com/images/yosemite_park.htm


Hope this helps, oh and remember to book early those hotel rooms fill up fast.


Janie
:smile:

[tracyh]

I'm so sorry but I've just seen you asked me a question about bikes! Yes there is a place to hire bikes - its next to the car park and near the swimming pool! I didn't see how much they cost though! Hope this helps! It is a lovely place to stay!

Thanks for your reply Sue, were thinking that hiring bikes would be a lovely way to see the park.

Tracy

[Cyclospora]

I agree that you have to book early!!! We had big problems trying to get anywhere near the park - but finally managed to get a room in Cedar Lodge in El Portal.

[tracyh]

If you are in the planning stages I would suggest you think about staying 1 night just outside the park...then get up early and go into the park and stay for a minmum of 2 nights in the park. We stayed at Oakhurst for 1 night then 1 night in the oark and wished we had stayed longer as we didnt really get time to do many activities available on the valley floor.

Hope this helps, oh and remember to book early those hotel rooms fill up fast.


Janie
:smile:

We would love to stay for more days in the park, but we will be sticking to a 3 week schedule with visits to many different places and unfortunately can't spare another day. We have allowed most nights for San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles/Hollywood.

We will be booking early but wont have our holidays from work confirmed until at least around Christmas time maybe Jan, so cant book anything yet. We are planning our trip for September next year, so hopefully there will be accomodation left somewhere. Thanks.

[ajmaggs]

We stayed at Cedar Lodge last year. It's about a 15 minute drive from the park entrance, and although a bit basic, the room was clear and comfortable. We had an suite, which had 1 queen bedroom, and a pull down bed in the living room. We also had a full kitchen as well.

The hotel has a swimming pool (indoor and outdoor), bar, restaurant, cafe/takeaway and small shop. The restaurant served basic, but good food - steaks and prime rib type of thing. The hotel also has a private "beach", on the bank of the river, which depending on the time of year, you can swim in.

I'd definately recommend staying there - it's pretty good value, considering the limited accomodation around Yosemite, and a easy journey to the park entrance.

[eeyore88]

We've stayed in Mammoth Mountain both times we've been, we stayed at the Jagerhof Inn, it's a beautiful village. We done both coach tours round Yosemite, one lasts for 4 hours and the other 8 hours, this shows you how big the Park is, they were so informative,some of the people took the coach up to the top then walked down, it's about 4 miles but amazing. Have a great time.

[Cyclospora]

We stayed at Cedar Lodge last year. It's about a 15 minute drive from the park entrance, and although a bit basic, the room was clear and comfortable. We had an suite, which had 1 queen bedroom, and a pull down bed in the living room. We also had a full kitchen as well.

The hotel has a swimming pool (indoor and outdoor), bar, restaurant, cafe/takeaway and small shop. The restaurant served basic, but good food - steaks and prime rib type of thing. The hotel also has a private "beach", on the bank of the river, which depending on the time of year, you can swim in.

I'd definately recommend staying there - it's pretty good value, considering the limited accomodation around Yosemite, and a easy journey to the park entrance.

Thanks for that!!! We'll be there in less than 4 weeks! :D:D:D