Yosemite draws travelers from around the world to bask in the wonder of its iconic cliffs and waterfalls. Then when the sun sets, these selective guests settle into luxury hotels and cabins in Yosemite Mariposa County that provide a perfect complement to the majesty of the natural world.
Whether you're looking for historic elegance, finely appointed rooms or remarkable service and amenities, here are our tips for the best luxury hotels and luxury cabins in Yosemite Mariposa County.
The Ahwahnee: Yosemite's historic grand hotel.
Due to its location and historic prominence, the world-renowned Ahwahnee tops any list of luxury hotels in the Yosemite area.
The Ahwahnee, built in 1923, was designed from the start to cater to those seeking a high-minded elegance suitable for royalty, the affluent, and influential. An overnight stay puts you in the company of presidents like John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama as well as other celebrities. The list ranges from Charlton Heston, Judy Garland, and Lucille Ball to Brad Pitt, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs and so many more. Even Queen Elizabeth II spent the night at The Ahwahnee when she and Prince Philip visited in 1983.
The foundations of the building itself highlights its location in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Surrounded by views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point, you barely need to leave the grounds to immerse yourself in the essence of Yosemite.
Inside, the expansive public areas like The Ahwahnee Dining Room and Great Lounge are destinations in and of themselves, with soaring ceilings, wide stone fireplaces, and hand-stenciled beams and stained glass windows. Stories of The Ahwahnee hotel's illustrious past also fill each room with thousands of details great and small. It's easy to see why this exceptional hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark.
If you love being a part of Yosemite's history and spending time in the most iconic region of the park, you'll love your stay at The Ahwahnee. The hotel offers both rooms and deluxe suites within the main hotel, as well as private cottages located nearby on the grounds.
Local Pro-Tip: Getting an overnight reservation at the hotel is very difficult, however breakfast in The Ahwahnee dining room is an amazing experience, with the sun streamlining in the floor to ceiling windows and views Yosemite Falls flowing into the valley floor.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite: luxury hotel rooms, suites, and private cabins
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite rests peacefully just south of Yosemite National Park - just two miles from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. This Resort luxury boasts an upscale ambiance, extensive dining, high-end spa, and amenities including extensive activities and services on site.
After a day in the park enjoying nature feel free to wander down to one of four swimming pools "“ three outdoor and one year-round indoor pool "“ or soak in your choice of four hot tubs, including two that are adults only. Relax and unwind at the 10,000 square foot Ascent Spa where you can reserve a massage and spa treatment in one of 16 treatment rooms, or simply enjoy a sauna.
Take advantage of the full-concierge service to plan your trip. It's easy to reserve a guided tour of Yosemite National Park in a Mercedes convertible van. Plus, you can enjoy archery, rock climbing, mountain biking and horseback riding activities all within minutes of the hotel.
In addition to their hotel rooms, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite also offers cottages, and magnificent modern suites, as well as the new, two-bedroom Explorer Cabins.
Local Pro-Tip: The resort is one of several pet-friendly hotels near Yosemite, so you and Fido can be pampered in style!
Luxury Rental Cabins
For the independent-minded, there are also countless options for luxurious cabin rentals in Yosemite Mariposa County. Although each home is unique and has its own personality, it's easy to find the perfect fit for you and your group.
Simply use the Advanced Filter on Yosemite.com to search for specific amenities, and you'll quickly find yourself lounging poolside at your own private swimming pool or cooking up amazing meals in expansive fully-equipped kitchens. Search for luxury cabins with a hot tub or Jacuzzi to soak away stress, or plan quiet evenings curled up next to the fireplace. You can find sprawling estates as well as cozy studios located inside Yosemite. It's up to you what your vision of cabin luxury might be, but here are a few ideas to get you started.
The Luxury Collection at The Redwoods In Yosemite
The Redwoods In Yosemite manages the largest collection of vacation rental cabins inside the Yosemite National Park gates, and they have made finding outstanding accommodation easy by creating a luxury collection of the gold - and platinum-rated rental homes in their care. Throughout this collection, you'll find the best quality furnishings and appliances, and many cabins will include amenities like spa tubs, game rooms, and more.
As one example, take a look at a gorgeous log cabin that is spacious enough to earn its name "“ El Capitan. Like all of The Redwoods In Yosemite properties, it is located in the charming town of Wawona, inside Yosemite National Park and just minutes from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Featured in Log Home Living magazine, this Yosemite luxury cabin showcases handcrafted log ceilings and walls with carved archways. A towering rock fireplace is the focal point of the great room. There are jetted tubs in two of the bathrooms, and two of the master suites each have their own gas fireplaces. Professional caterers love the lavish kitchen facilities, and families love the game room.
The Trabucco House in the town of Mariposa
With all there is to do at the Trabucco House, you may have a hard time leaving. This gorgeous Spanish Colonial style home has its own swimming pool, hot tub, basketball and volleyball court, lush gardens, and spacious outdoor patios including one with a Spanish style water fountain and ping pong tables.
Originally built in 1932, this property retains the elegance of a bygone era, while also boasting modern amenities like air conditioning and a beautifully renovated kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and Sub-Zero refrigerator. Guests of the Trabucco House rave about all of the thoughtful touches and the generous and attentive management.
The estate grounds are filled with a variety of trees, including plum, olive, and almond that create a deliciously private setting. And yet, this personal paradise is within walking distance of the shops and activities in the town of Mariposa. This puts it 2.5 hours from San Francisco, 4 hours from LA, and 35 minutes from the western entrance to Yosemite National Park (along Highway 140).
Local Pro-Tip: Plan a longer stay to truly settle into your home away from home and get to know the area. You can even look for rental cabins with adequate WiFi to incorporate a few hours of work or school as needed so you can take advantage of this beautiful, wide-open region in the off hours.