Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL

Historic Treasure in Yosemite National Park

By Bonnie Carroll

 

The Ahwahnee Hotel is located in majestic Yosemite National Park. The hotel was built in 1927 and is a National Historical Landmark and one of the most distinctive resort hotels in North America. It is located in the center of the Yosemite Valley, and is the ideal location to view the Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point.

           

 

It was completed in 1927, and features a unique blend of design styles including Art Deco, Native American, Middle Eastern and Arts & Crafts movement. These various elements can be seen in every aspect of the hotel including stenciling, woodwork, lighting fixtures and china patterns. Every room is designed for comfort and visual delight and reflects the natural surroundings and Native American influence of Yosemite. Some of the most well loved aspects of The Ahwahnee are its grand public spaces featuring giant stone fireplaces, massive hand-stenciled beams, rich tapestries and elegant stained glass.

 

Accommodations at the Ahwahnee feature 123 rooms including 99 hotel rooms with one king or two double beds, as well as 24 cottages. The Ahwahnee is proud to host annual events and offer specials such as the Vintners Holiday, Bracebridge Dinner, and Romantic Getaways. Yosemite is a popular national park so make sure to reserve your room at the Ahwahnee well in advance of your trip.

                                  

 

The Bracebridge Dinner is the highlight of the winter season in Yosemite. The 17th century inspired English Christmas dinner in the beautifully decorated Ahwahnee Grand Dining Room. The inspiration for this ceremony was Washington Irving’s Sketch Book that described Squire Bracebridge and English Christmas traditions of that period. Chef Percy and his staff prepare a four hour feast that is sumptuous, and over 100 players recreate the roles of the Squire and his family, servants, and minstrels in elaborate costumes.

          

 

Additional holiday programs include a Vintners’ Holiday that brings together connoisseurs of fine wine or wine novices for tastings from 32 acclaimed California wineries. The Chefs’ Holiday at the Ahwahnee is held in January and February and features some of the world’s most innovative and acclaimed chefs. The also present a beautiful New Year’s Ever Dinner Dance Celebration at the historic hotel.

 

Executive Chef Percy Whatley was selected as one of eight semi-finalists for the Bocus d’Or USA competition and has been invited to prepare dinner at the James Beard House in New York. The imaginative menu of The Ahwahnee is based on Californian cuisine, and includes organic and sustainably-harvested, locally-grown ingredients. A full selection of domestic and imported wines is available for pairing. Chef Whatley and his able staff oversee and orchestrate the Bracebridge Dinner with true panache and precision.

 

Some wonderful menu items include sautéed mountain trout Amandine, grilled Angus flat iron Steak “Au Poivre”, baked vegan flan, grilled steelhead salmon, seared pacific cod or slow roasted prime rib of beef, with delicious side dishes including twice fried Brussels sprouts or toasted cauliflower and a variety of outstanding salads and desserts. The home style soups and stews here are perfect after a long walk in the snow.


Relax on a bus tour and enjoy the sites of Yosemite National Park while your driver and guide share their great knowledge of the park. Bus tours are an opportunity to really see the sites of Yosemite without the distraction of driving yourself. A great benefit of bus tours is that the driver is well informed on the history, geology and main attractions of Yosemite. Enjoy the sights of this amazing park by taking a train ride. If you don't have enough time during the day, try the Moonlight special. Thrill to the sights and sounds of steam powered railroading. Join in on these one hour narrated excursion over tracks once used for logging trains at the turn of the century.

 

Standing in the foot steps of Ansel Adams to view the places he made famous on film during his life is thrilling, and no true Californian should miss a visit to this historic hotel, where nature lovers from around the world converge to admire the wonders of Yosemite all year long.

 

Ahwahnee Hotel

1 Ahwahnee Drive

Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

(209) 372-1407

 


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | May 09 | June 09 | July 09 | August 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | March | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | September | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | April 12 | May 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | March 13 | February 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | November 13 | December 13 | January 14 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | February 16 | March 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | September 16 | October 16 | November 16 | February 17 | December 16 | March 17 | January 17 | April 17 | May 17 | July 17 | August 17 | June 17 | September 17 | November 17 | October 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | August | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | October 21 | December 20 | November 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | April 22 | May 22 | March 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | May 23 | June 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
Dember 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06 | March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05 | March 05 | February 05 | January 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved