This Historic Hotel In Yosemite Known For It's Grand Dining Room Featuring 34-Foot Ceilings Is A Charming Winter Escape

large dining room in Yosemite
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Yosemite National Park is known for its incredible natural wonders, from massive cliff faces and incredible hikes, it’s easy to see why the park draws thousands of visitors from around the world. While the park is known for its scenic camping, there are some incredible historic lodges in the park, and one is beautiful during the winter.

The Ahwahnee Hotel is one of the most iconic lodges in the park, due to its vaulted ceilings, massive fireplaces, and historic charm. The hotel opened almost 100 years ago, in July of 1927, and has since become a staple for visitors. The hotel is best known for its grand dining room, which features 34-foot ceilings, soaring wood beams, and massive windows. Despite the high ceilings, the dining room is still cozy, complete with iron chandeliers and many white clothed tables.

The dining room is also known for hosting some beloved holiday events, including the Bracebridge Dinner. The hotel hosts a grand dinner inspired by author Washington Irving’s Squire Bracebridge, complete with costumes, actors, and an incredible meal. The event has been a Christmas tradition at the hotel since it first opened in 1927, and continues to be a popular event for guests.

hotel in the snow in Yosemite Tangent Images on Shutterstock

The rest of the hotel is equally impressive, complete with a pool, classic cottages, and more. Located right in the park, the hotel offers beautiful cliff views and is a short distance from some of the park’s popular hiking trails and viewpoints.

The hotel was the vision of Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the National Park Service. He wanted to attract more tourists to Yosemite and figured that a year-round, high-end hotel would attract more people and help support the park. Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood was tasked with designing the hotel after his work on similar lodges in Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. The hotel was named Ahwahnee, which was the name indigenous people in the area gave to Yosemite Valley, meaning “land of the gaping mouth.” The Ahwahnechee were the first residents of Yosemite, and lived in the valley for centuries before being evicted by the federal government.

You can learn more about the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite here.