The Ahwahnee, at Yosemite National Park

Each morning there was a beautiful fire to sit next to and enjoy coffee. 

On my bucket list was a stay at one of the premier lodges in a top National Park. I bought a book on National Park Lodges so I would be certain of getting that feel of a traditional lodge-style accommodation. The Awhwahnee fits this description to a tee. Constructed in 1927, it tucks beautifully into a corner of Yosemite Valley as though it's as much a part of the landscape as the soaring granite cliffs and waterfalls in the backyard.

The Ahwahnee, named for a Native American tribe who once populated the area, was built to resemble a country home and furnished in a Native American theme.  I was immediately captivated by it's charm, but it impresses both in and out and is absolutely top-notch.  The design features and period furnishings throughout beautifully reflect the  rustic theme of the property.  The photo below does not do justice to the massive dining room but it's the perfect example of how The Ahwahnee converts voluminous space into cozy approachability.  Our meals here were first-class in service, quality and variety.  Their specialty for almost 100 years is Boysenberry Pie.  I ordered it twice.

Rear-view of The Ahwahnee

The 6000 square foot dining hall was originally slated to receive a flat roof so that a dance
 pavilion could be placed above it.  However, it was soon determined that typical snowfall
 could cause serious damage or worse and it was converted to the 34 foot height shown here.

In the guest room I found a book about the history of the lodge.  Queen Elizabeth and her staff of 44 stayed here in 1983.  The entire lodge was cleared out beforehand.

The only public ladies room is on the mezzanine, which seemed inconvenient.  I later read that this area was once the ladies lounge.  Now tea and cookies are served every afternoon at 4 pm.

 Two weddings were being held outdoors while we were staying at the Ahwahnee.   We were watching from a distance.  One of the guests, a woman in her 20's, was late.  She was flustered and kept asking us, "What should I do?  What should I do?"  We helped her time her dash to the last row after the bride entered and before the service began. I can understand how one could be late to a wedding at the Ahwahnee.  It took us two hours to drive in from the nearest town outside Yosemite.  Traffic was thick and parking scarce.  We thought April would be a quiet time to see Yosemite.  However, we didn't know that Earth Day and spring waterfalls attract big crowds.

Here's a link to a blog on the Ahwahnee which contains vastly superior photos and good historical information:
http://www.thedistractedwanderer.com/2012/03/ahwahnee-yosemite-national-parks.html

The Ahwahnee has three grand pianos original to the lodge (one shown draped with an Indian blanket).  In the 50's when Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were filming a movie here, they stayed in the dining room well past 10 pm entertaining themselves at one of the pianos and laughing loudly.  They were "miffed" when asked to break up the party and retire to their lodge room.

Enjoying dinner and a great bottle of wine, while listening to piano and watching deer out our window.

One of the common rooms complete with a fireplace the size of a bedroom.