Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

Went over NYE and the amenities were mostly amazing: an incredible indoor pool area, smores everyday by the fire which they provided for, fun ice rink, and enchanting lobby area. We had kind of noisy neighbors on the first floor and people would talk outside of our rooms, and sometimes our door wouldn't fully lock so we'd have to pull it but otherwise a great experience. Most customer service people went above and beyond with general requests. We supposedly had a "balcony" premium room which didn't have any chairs on it (it was raining though, but still would have been nice for the other days ). It's a great place to spend a whole rainy day by the fire, or just spend a few hours at while embarking on a big adventure elsewhere. Only complaints are the inconsistent dog policies, food, and distance from Yosemite itself. The theme of our trip seemed to be incorrect or inaccurate info regarding pet stuff. We booked online through Chase where it said it all rooms were dog friendly, but only upon calling the resort did they confirm that only some rooms were dog friendly. We booked then the "pet package" which was supposed to include a swath of dog amenities including a bed and treads. We were then told by staff that the dog package really only covers the dog fee, no amenities, but then they later gave us a bowl, tennis ball, and poo bags, but none of the other items. Tenaya also offers dog daycare services. We were told by one concierge person we just needed to show up at 8 am to drop our dog off with vaccination records, nothing else was needed. But when dropping off at 8 am, a second concierge person said we needed to have made a reservation 48 hours in advance. That second concierge person charged us $20 per hour and said we'd need to be there right at our end time to pick our dog up, but a third concierge person said that we could just come back whenever, no biggie, kind of negating the need to pay that $20 per hour fee for the amount we booked in the first place. They said the dogs are taken to a kennel on the property and are walked once an hour but I don't fully believe that. They also advertised in-room pet-sitting services but those apparently weren't available the day we were there. Food itself at the restaurants is kind of lackluster. It's not awful, but not great, especially for what you're paying. Bring a cooler with pre-packed food or head somewhere else nearby. Also keep in mind that this is about a 5 minute drive from the Yosemite National Park Entrance, NOT the Yosemite Valley entrance which is about an hour away. You will still need to drive a long way and back up and down windy roads each day if you want to access the Yosemite Valley where El Capitan, Half Dome, and the other key sights are. It's a lovely drive, but if you don't do well at night driving, bad weather driving, or get carsick during windy road driving, that is worth taking into account. If you want to experience truly waking up and going to sleep in Yosemite Valley each day, this is not your resort. Still had a great time, but dog owners should be extra cautious and careful to make sure that any dog amenities or services they're hoping for are fully booked and acknowledged as there is inconsistent info across websites and among the people at the resort itself.

A very good trip, a disappointing New Year’s Eve party. Prior years, live bands, this year, DJ. Prior years, no kids until closer to ball drop. This year, kids everywhere. Our last year of this New Years tradition.

I have been going up to Tenaya Lodge for over 30 years. I love going up to the lodge both in the summer and in the winter time.My favorite time is around Christmas, especially when there is snow. It is so beautiful! It is a great place to unwind and relax. There are many activities to enjoy, and plenty to keep you occupied if you wish to be more active. I have never used the spa but my friend that went with me did and she said that it was wonderful. Food options are overall good but you are limited because you would have to drive back down the hill to find other food options. The food options are good if you are staying for one or two nights.

Tenaya had tons of kids, and dogs everywhere with a Disney vibe. There are freebies like s’mores and hot chocolate, and Milk Bones for dogs. Must have seen 30+ dogs and they are everywhere inside and out. There are a ton of cool decorations and activities. If your goal is Yosemite hiking then you probably won’t have time or energy to partake in activities! It’s a 10 minute drive to Mariposa Grove hike parking and an hour to Yosemite Valley. The cottages are hella far from the lodge. Be self sufficient because it’s a pain getting there and/or parking. Always bring your phone, water and a flashlight like you are in the wilderness! You have to be an Eagle Scout to efficiently make your way to the lodge from the confusing cottage area! I once circled twice walking but both times literally ended up at the street. The signage pointing to the lodge is in weird places. A worker who rescued me on this fantastic voyage said to me, “Hey didn’t you know they can shuttle you to the lodge?” I said, no. That’s not in my instructions. It’s hard to get a live person in the phone. I saw no shuttle and no one getting shuttled.

This was my second visit to Tenaya Lodge for the Christmas holiday. Everyone there goes over the top to provide a magical experience throughout, with attention to the little details that help create Christmas wonder in little kids (and big ones, too). It's warm, comfortable, and full of the energy of excited families ... with so many things offered to keep the kids busy and happy.