Whether you’re planning a visit to Yosemite National Park or just looking for a nice mountain getaway, Tenaya Lodge is the perfect place for your stay. With a prime location, packages ranging from spa days to Yosemite tours, and seasonal specials, it’s no wonder that Tenaya Lodge is the destination for many tourists and locals alike. In fact, there’s even a new 75-acre adventure course for kids! However, when planning any vacation, it is imperative that you weigh all of your options before booking any reservations. That’s why we’re providing you with a complete review of Tenaya Lodge is and how it compares to other resorts in the area. We’re always happy to help you plan the perfect vacation.
Comparison Table
| Resort | Image | Website |
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Tenaya Lodge |
Image Source: Pixabay |
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Yosemite Big Creek Inn |
Image Source: Pixabay |
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Narrow Gauge Inn |
Image Source: Pixabay |
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Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn |
Image Source: Pixabay |
What Is Tenaya Lodge?
Image Source: Pixabay
Tenaya Lodge is an award-winning resort situated just a short drive away from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park. Regardless of which season your visit is planned for, there is guaranteed to be some sort of adventure waiting for you at the Lodge. Whether you’re looking forward to a relaxing day at the spa or seeking the best rock climbing, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. Tenaya Lodge has received awards from TripAdvisor, Sunset Magazine, and AAA, just to name a few. But why just trust the hype? Come and experience it for yourself!
Specs
With a pool, archery range, climbing wall, skating rink, and sledding hills, the resort promises a fun time all year round. It’s also located right next to Yosemite’s historic Sugar Pine Railroad. Tenaya Lodge offers pet-friendly rooms, adults-only suites, and areas for kids and families. There are two onsite restaurants, an outside seating area, and plenty of things to do to keep the kids busy!
Pricing
Tenaya Lodge offers some of the most competitive rates in the area all year long, even during peak season. They also offer various packages, such as a Yosemite Adventure package, Autumn Savings package, and special event packages. You can check all of these out on their website.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar resorts in the area to see how they compare.
- Yosemite Big Creek Inn
- Narrow Gauge Inn
- Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn
Tenaya Lodge
Image Source: Pixabay
Price
$180, $250, $300
Rooms (5 out of 5 stars)
Tenaya Lodge has a few different options as far as actual lodging goes. Lodge rooms are (obviously) situated in the Lodge itself and offer everything you would expect from a top-quality resort: plush bedding, a flatscreen television, and a luxurious bathroom. However, for ultimate luxury, you might consider upgrading to a Lodge suite. Suites come with more room, sometimes an extra bed, and some custom amenities. For a more secluded retreat, the Lodge offers cottage rooms and suites, which are sprinkled throughout the surrounding forest. All the rooms are very clean and up-to-date.
Service (5 out of 5 stars)
Service at the Tenaya Lodge is top-notch, whether it be at one of the two on-site restaurants or room service. It’s very clear that the Lodge makes a point of hiring only the most helpful and friendly staff. Not only that, but they’re also extremely efficient and accommodating.
Amenities (4.5 out of 5 stars)
When it comes to Amenities, Tenaya Lodge has no shortage. They provide high-speed Wi-Fi, overnight parking, eight charging stations for Teslas, and two complimentary bottles of drinking water per day. They also provide daily newspapers in the lobby and give their guests access to pools, spas, dry saunas, a gym, and a business center.
Value (5 out of 5 stars)
Tenaya Lodge undeniably provides the most “bang for your buck” out of all of the resorts in the greater Fish Camp/ Southern Yosemite area. The facilities have been recently updated and are well-kept and they provide many different opportunities for adventure all year.
Cleanliness(5 out of 5 stars)
The rooms and the entire facility are regularly cleaned and maintained. Many of the amenities look new. The cleaning staff is very efficient.
PROS
- Prime location
- Clean and up-to-date
- Two on-site restaurants
CONS
- It’s a short drive to Yosemite
- Could have more outdoor seating
Yosemite Big Creek Inn
Image Source: Pixabay
Price
$300, $350
Rooms (4 out of 5 stars)
The Big Creek Inn is a little bit closer to the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park, and it offers a similar experience to what Tenaya Lodge offers, year-round. It is also located in Fish Camp, but it’s situated right on the bank of Big Creek, which provides a soothing and peaceful ambiance. They are dedicated to accommodating their guests to the best of their abilities.
The Big Creek Inn offers various rooms, all of which are cozy and clean. Rooms come with access to a porch and beautiful scenery. However, some of the décors is noticeably old and out of style. This does give the Inn a more “vintage” feel, but it doesn’t take away from the experience. If anything, it adds to the coziness of the room.
Service (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Considering that it is a bed and breakfast, the Big Creek Inn provides excellent service. The staff is very accommodating and efficient.
Amenities (4 out of 5 stars)
The Inn has a few key amenities, such as free parking and high-speed Wi-Fi. However, they do not have a pool and they do not provide beachfront access to the creek. Breakfast is included (and delicious) and there is a private balcony.
Value (4 out of 5 stars)
Overall, the Big Creek Inn is a close runner-up to the Tenaya Lodge. A little update of the facilities and perhaps some more amenities might change this. However, it’s still a cozy, clean, and safe place to stay, with easy access to Yosemite. It’s a great place to stay while visiting the park.
Cleanliness(4.5 out of 5 stars)
Although some of the facilities may appear to be outdated, everything is very clean. The staff is quick and efficient at cleaning the rooms and the food is delicious and well-prepared.
PROS
- Close to the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park
- Cozy, bed-and-breakfast vibe
CONS
- Some facilities could be upgraded
- Amenities are minimal
Narrow Gauge Inn
Image Source: Pixabay
Price
$75, $100, $150
Rooms (3.5 out of 5 stars)
The Narrow Gauge Inn is a pet-friendly hotel which is also located in Fish Camp. This means that it is also in very close proximity to Yosemite National Park. It is more affordable than the other options, but that does come with some trade-offs.
The rooms are comfortable and cozy, but slightly outdated. Also, there are some noticeable reminders that the Inn is a pet-friendly hotel, which may be slightly off-putting to the customers who don’t own pets. There are also only 26 rooms at the Inn, which means it books up pretty quickly during peak season.
Service (4.5 out of 5 stars)
All of the staff at the Narrow Gauge Inn are very friendly and accommodating. Room service is efficient and the hotel is fairly well-maintained, especially for being so pet-friendly.
Amenities (4 out of 5 stars)
The Inn does have quite a few amenities, especially when compared to other hotels in the area. For example, there is a bar and restaurant on-site, in addition to a swimming pool, free parking and free Wi-Fi. However, there is no spa or room service, so those searching for an extra touch of luxury may be out of luck.
Value (4 out of 5 stars)
Overall, the Narrow Gauge Inn is a great place to stay, especially if you are bringing your pets with you. Although it may not be a 5-star resort, it does offer many basic and comfortable features, as well as a prime location for those who are visiting Yosemite.
Cleanliness(4 out of 5 stars)
The Inn is extremely well-kept, especially considering that it is pet-friendly. The rooms are cozy and up-to-date, although some of the facilities may appear to be slightly outdated.
PROS
- Close proximity to Yosemite National Park
- Pet-friendly
CONS
- Slightly outdated
- No room service offered
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn
Image Source: Pixabay
Price
$110, $125
Rooms (3 out of 5 stars)
The Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn is, contradictory to its name, slightly farther away from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park than the other resorts in Fish Camp are. It’s situated in Oakhurst, which adds about 20 minutes to your drive into Yosemite if that’s your plan. They provide beautiful mountain and garden views.
The rooms definitely aren’t as cozy as those at some of the other resorts around Yosemite’s southern entrance. However, they are still comfortable and reasonably clean, especially when considering that they are some of the most affordable around.
Service (3.5 out of 5 stars)
The staff at the Inn are very courteous, friendly, and accommodating. They are quick and thorough when cleaning the rooms and attentive to all of their guests.
Amenities (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Unlike many other hotels in the area, the Best Western Plus provides a complimentary buffet-style breakfast to their guests every morning. There is a bar and a restaurant on the property, as well as a heated pool and hot tub. There is also a gym and the hotel offers some pet-friendly rooms.
Value (3.5 out of 5 stars)
This hotel is one of the more affordable lodging options around Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately, that means that it isn’t as well-kept or as up-to-date as some of the other options. However, it still provides cozy rooms in a peaceful setting and is a short drive from the entrance to the park.
Cleanliness(3.5 out of 5 stars)
The staff is all very friendly and attentive, but the hotel itself could use an update. It’s been around for a while and it shows. However, the cleaning service is quick and efficient when cleaning individual rooms.
PROS
- One of the most affordable options
- Pet-friendly
CONS
- Could use an update
- Farther away from Yosemite
Conclusion
Image Source: Pixabay
In conclusion, with an overall rating of 5 stars, Tenaya Lodge undeniably provides the best value out of all the resorts at the southern entrance of Yosemite. It is one of the closest resorts to the park and it has the most amenities by far. Whereas the other hotels are definitely great if you are visiting the park, Tenaya Lodge provides you with more than one reason to book your stay. From romantic suites to rock climbing and sledding activities, the Lodge offers something for everyone, regardless of what season it may be.
Book your trip for the summer and schedule in some mountain biking or book your trip for the winter and enjoy the slopes. Not many resorts, especially in Fish Camp, can offer such amenities. In fact, it’s even possible to spend your entire stay at the resort and to remain completely entertained.
Tenaya Lodge also offers some of the most affordable and competitive rates in the area. Starting at under $200 per night, it’s incredible that they can offer rooms at such rates and provide the services that they do. If one of the other pet-friendly resorts has your eye, remember that Tenaya Lodge also offers some pet-friendly rooms and cabins. They also offer many special rates which you may inquire about.
Their facilities are so up-to-date that the Lodge looks like it was built within the past decade. The two on-site restaurants also mean that you don’t have to leave the grounds to eat dinner or excite your palate. Although the Lodge could use some more outdoor seating areas, you won’t be able to believe just how beautiful the surrounding area is. In the winter, it’s often painted a faint, frosty white, while in the winter, it’s full of deep, lush greens. Regardless of what season you visit, Tenaya Lodge, Fish Camp, and Yosemite are all gorgeous.
Although they are already one of the best resorts in the area, they have shown time and time again that they will go to whatever lengths possible in order to accommodate their guests. So make your reservations now, because rooms will be booked soon!