In the early 1920's, Stephen Mather, the National Park Service Director,
realized that the Park needed accommodations to suit the affluent and
influential traveler. The concept of a hotel such as The Ahwahnee became the
impetus to draw such a visitor.
The site for The Ahwahnee, once a village of the native
Miwoks, was chosen because of its exposure to the sun and
stunning views of Yosemite's icons – Half Dome, Yosemite
Falls and Glacier Point.
In July 1925, Gilbert Stanley Underwood was selected as the
architect for Yosemite's new luxury hotel. Due to its remote
location, the construction of The Ahwahnee was the most
complex trucking endeavor of its day. Over 5,000 tons of
stone, 1,000 tons of steel, and 30,000 feet of timber were
hauled over the challenging mountain roads. To protect The
Ahwahnee from fire, a fate of many of the Park's earlier
hotels, its wood-like facade is actually concrete, poured
into rough-hewn wooden forms and stained to look like
redwood.
 
Today, The Ahwahnee is a major attraction to visitors to
Yosemite as they explore this unique relationship of
architecture and nature.
Ahwahnee accommodations include 123 handsomely appointed
guest rooms, including 99 hotel rooms, parlors and suites
and 24 cottages.
Information
Yosemite National Park, California 95389
Reservations: (559) 253-5636
Website:
www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_TheAhwahnee.aspx
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