This past weekend I had the opportunity to stay as a guest at the Tenaya Lodge, just outside the crown jewel of national parks at Yosemite. From the outset, I was absolutely stunned with the resort as you drive up. From the outside, the Tenaya Lodge is extremely inviting and the inside was equally so. It's the kind of place with a roaring fire and comfortable furniture where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or cocoa and really soak in the space. The atmosphere perfectly accentuates what you would expect visiting one of the most iconic parks in the world.
The room that we stayed in also reflected that same amount of detail. Quiet and relaxing, we enjoyed a room with a balcony that was perfect for watching the sunset in the late afternoon with a glass of wine.
One of the things that I particularly noticed was the staff. In the interactions that I had with them, from the check-in staff to the folks at the restaurant, I really felt like they put their guests at the top of their priority list.
I absolutely must talk about the amenities though at the resort! There is a full spa available that delivers all the possible relaxation that anyone could expect. Also, one of the features that my boys loved the most was the game room. Playing air hockey with dad was one of the highlights of the weekend, and there's also a pool table and some other games. But one of the key features of the resort is their pools. They have both outdoor and indoor pools, with several spas to melt away the day's hikes or bike rides. On top of all that, they even had an ice skating rink! For those who would rather enjoy some quiet time to reflect on the grandness of Yosemite, you can get some marshmallow smores kits in the shop to sit along one of the multiple fire pits that they have. Last, they even have bikes and snowshoes if you'd like to explore on your own.
But if you'd like something a little more arranged, they also have guided activities. On the days that we were there, there was guided night hike with snowshoes, sledding and snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and even horse-drawn sleigh rides (on weekends). Just about anything you could possibly do to really enjoy all the beauty of Yosemite. In the summer, there are activities for white water rafting, gold panning, horseback riding, golf and even a steam train ride. There are also the guided Yosemite Valley tours which make it really convenient to explore the park.
We also had the opportunity to visit the restaurants in the lodge as well. There are several restaurants to choose from, and we ate at both Sierra Restaurant as well as Jackalopes Bar and Grill. Harvest and Grounds Deli is another place I stopped, and if you buy a cup of coffee it can be refilled all day for free! The staff as a whole was attentive, and the food delicious. The Cowboy burger I had at dinner was hands down the best burger I've ever eaten! Being able to have fine dining in such a beautiful place where all the amenities are at your fingertips was amazing.
Altogether, my family and I had an awesome experience at Tenaya Resort and have made lasting impressions with all of us. I'd like to give a special thank you to the staff at Tenaya for making this stay special with all the hospitality they've shown us. I would absolutely encourage all of my readers to stay at Tenaya Lodge for their next family vacation - it'll be something you'll never forget.
Accommodations, meals, and excursions were complimentary. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are that of this author.
