Wawona Hotel, National Historic Landmark
Wawona Hotel, National Historic Landmark
Wawona Hotel, National Historic Landmark
4.5
About
This Victorian style lodge features beautiful white buildings, classic verandas and lush natural surroundings. At Big Trees Lodge, there’s something for everyone—including golf, tennis, horseback riding, or fishing. In the evening, wind down your fun filled day by gathering around the piano for musical performances in the lounge.
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4.5
91 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
43
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
1
PaPu40
Espoo, Southern Finland, Finland29 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
We stayed in Redwoods holiday cottages, but visited Big Tree lodge for their outside BBQ. The Victorian hotel is beautiful, really worth of a visit just because it is like from the movies. I wish we had stayed in this hotel, but it is quickly fully booked for summer months. But we did try their Saturday BBQ evening which was a huge disappointment. It is not worth the money at all. The event itself could be nice, but the food is not good quality - at least not for Europeans. I am not a meat eater, so I can't tell about the beef or chicken. Usually in America chicken is not real chicken, but broiler and often hormone mass-produced (=do not eat). The overall quality of the dinner was our school food level - cheap and low what comes to nutrition (break, potatos, salads). The salmon that I ate was small and quite tasteless. But there was one guy playing guitar which was nice (though they charge $5 extra from everyone for that). The price was $28 for one person. For that price you can have really nice main course in any good level restaurant.
Written 3 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunfl0wer3
Mill Valley, California79 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Staying here you feel as you have stepped back into the past. The pacing, setting and rooms all are a catalyst for this magic!
Written 27 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda H
Redding, CT, USA124 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
I was told by my guide book that this historic landmark was worth a visit. It was. I arrived just after 5pm after a day in Yosemite. That was the start of cocktail time in the lobby. They had just started a roaring fire. The place was so inviting. I sat in front of the fire on a comfy sofa and ordered a very lovely glass of red wine. I see the dining room is popular. Quite a line had formed by 5:30pm - opening time for those eating here.
Written 22 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C_n_H_Pure
Corona del Mar, CA78,191 contributions
Sept 2011 • Family
The Wawona Hotel has all kinds of quirks and eccentricities, but then so does your great aunt and you love her don't you?
To stay at the Wawona Hotel is to step back in time, 50, no 100 years. You expect to see Teddy Roosevelt at breakfast and have him answer, "bully!", when you ask how his vacation is going.
Staying at the Wawona lets you experience a simpler time and it is an opportunity to admire the simplicity of the hotel and reflect on what it meant to stay here 100 years ago, what it took to even get here 100 years ago.
That isn't to say they don't have modern amenities, they do, but no one will mistakes this for an Ian Schraeger hotel.
The dining here is first class all the way.
During summer the swimming "tank" is a blast. It truly is a tank, not a pool and it was one of the first of its kind. I remember swimming in it back the 1970's and it is just as much fun now.
Wawona is a great place to relax and the Wawona Hotels and The Redwoods are two great options for the area and to experience Yosemite in a different way.
To stay at the Wawona Hotel is to step back in time, 50, no 100 years. You expect to see Teddy Roosevelt at breakfast and have him answer, "bully!", when you ask how his vacation is going.
Staying at the Wawona lets you experience a simpler time and it is an opportunity to admire the simplicity of the hotel and reflect on what it meant to stay here 100 years ago, what it took to even get here 100 years ago.
That isn't to say they don't have modern amenities, they do, but no one will mistakes this for an Ian Schraeger hotel.
The dining here is first class all the way.
During summer the swimming "tank" is a blast. It truly is a tank, not a pool and it was one of the first of its kind. I remember swimming in it back the 1970's and it is just as much fun now.
Wawona is a great place to relax and the Wawona Hotels and The Redwoods are two great options for the area and to experience Yosemite in a different way.
Written 19 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigH Z
Delray Beach, FL156 contributions
Jul 2019
We took a whole day tour from Yosemite Valley visiting many sites on our way down to see the Sequoia Redwoods. We stopped here for lunch.Just to warn you there is no air conditioning, but the way it was built the temperature was very cool inside. The grounds are wonderful and peaceful. Rocking chairs and table around porch. They have a visitor center if you want to souvenirs. It was a good spot to relax efore heading to see other sites on our journey.
Written 13 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manalindas
San Diego, CA4 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Amazing!!!
We were there the day that the name was restored to the Wawona Hotel!!😍
Beautiful grounds, wonderful, helpful staff.
We were there the day that the name was restored to the Wawona Hotel!!😍
Beautiful grounds, wonderful, helpful staff.
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ThomasTCat
St. Louis, MO758 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
We noticed this charming lodge on our way to Yosemite Valley Lodge, and although it isn't in the heart of Yosemite Valley, it has a lot of history and Southern style charm. We intended to have lunch here on the way to Sequoia and Kings Canyon, but we thought the prices were a little expensive, so we decided to get a sandwich at their little store, but they didn't really have anything there either. We did tour the Pioneer Village with its wonderful covered bridge and spent time exploring Thomas Hills Studio, a 19th century landscape artist which was located on the lodge property. While we were walking around, we noticed the hotel guests sitting out in the middle of the front lawn relaxing and enjoying the quiet and the sunshine. It looked so peaceful.
Written 21 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glenda G
Coarsegold, CA42 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
A grand old hotel originally built by the Washburn brothers. Take sometime and wander through the Pioneer center first and you'll appreciate the history of the hotel that much more. I'm a local and take people there often. The dining room is such a step back in time with gracious dining. It's truly a treat.
Written 12 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig M
6 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Call what you will but I will always refer to this as the Wawona Hotel. Never disappoints and if you're hungry this is a must on the list of places to eat in Yosemite. Once the snow melts make sure to hit the golf course whether you play or not. This location will take your breath away and you'll want to return.
Written 27 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A C R
Smyrna, GA557 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
This is a very pretty property with stunning meadow views and a large grounds for exploring. The mule deer come into the meadow in the evenings.
Written 6 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to get to mariposa grove? Is the MP parking lot closer to the MP park or is the hotel closer? Is it a hard hike? I have back issues. Thank you.
Written 17 August 2017
The Mariposa Grove was about a 10 minute drive from Big Trees Lodge. However, it was closed in July 2017 due to a controlled burn. Not sure when it reopens.
Written 24 August 2017
Why they say the hotel is closed?
It changed its name to Big Trees but it's the same Wawona under a new name.
Written 4 July 2016
This listing does not say the hotel is closed. This is an Attraction Review page, not a hotel review page.
There is a different review page for the hotel / accommodations and another review page for the dining room.
I sent a message to TripAdvisor via the Help Center and asked them to reopen this listing. It took about 5 weeks for them to reopen this historic building attraction review page.
Written 15 August 2016
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