Visitors to Yosemite either stay within the park or come for the day from locations outside the park. For peak times, staying within the park is the way to go. Hiking trails like Vernal Falls and Yosemite Falls get busy mid-morning, so those who stay within the park have a head start. We've also stayed at Curry Village and the Ahwahnee Hotel. Yosemite Valley Lodge is a great middle ground option - not as fancy (aka expensive) as Ahwahnee but definitely better than glorified camping. We've also stayed at the Rush Creek Lodge, which is much newer and nicer, but much further from the valley and currently not accessible to Yosemite Valley.

We stayed at Yosemite Valley Lodge in April and Loved it! They let us check in early and recommended a room with a better view. We stayed in the Azalea Building which was perfect as it was more in a quiet area and you can see Yosemite Falls on our back porch (with of course a glass of wine and cheese and crackers) The room was clean and National Park Rustic which was perfect for our needs. Staying inside the park is the only way to go with trails and shuttles just minutes away. To walk right outside your door to see the tallest waterfall in North America is just breathtaking! The staff were very helpful and courteous. The food was excellent both at the Mountain Room and the Mountain Room Lounge. Be sure to make early reservations with a falls window view before you come to Yosemite.

We stayed here one night in mid May 2023, when the waterfalls were spectacular. You need to book a year ahead, early on the first eligible day. Location is excellent with a shuttle stop here and the lower Yosemite Falls visible from the parking lot. The room was only ok, you are paying a lot for the great location. Wi-Fi only in the reception bldg and restaurants. TV worked well. No AC and no good window ventilation either. Food court was nearby, very expensive and not very good. It’s great to be able to stay one or more nights right in the valley of the park, saves a lot of time and frustration with traffic.

I know it’s Yosemite and you pay for the location but still, can’t get over how dismal and depressing the room is. Hoping I have the worst one on the property. Dark, light bulbs out…tired is not a strong enough word. TV doesn’t work, wifi doesn’t work, window blinds are black with dirt, there’s a generator right outside so too noisy to open the windows. Everything needs updated. Food - Mountain Lodge food limited and not great, Mountain Room (think that’s the fine dining) was pretty good (the burger anyway), Base Camp probably best choice and hits the spot if you’re starving after a long hike (fast food / less expensive). Unfortunately there’s limited bed and hot water options in Yosemite Valley (the Awanhee is better but even more expensive and very tired so relatively just as bad). All you’re getting at the Lodge is something marginally better than a tent. Have stayed in better glamping tents. Had to write this cause I can’t understand all the reviews that give it a high score just because it’s Yosemite. Set your expectations to zero and you won’t be disappointed.

We really loved the Yosemite Valley Lodge. It is not by any means a luxury resort, it is very basic, but the rooms are clean, spacious, good water, pressure, comfortable beds, well located right at the center of the park and has everything. There is a pool, bike, rental, several restaurants. You need a reservation at the main restaurant, which is very nice, but books up very quickly, so I would recommend calling them directly to get a reservation. Also, dealing with the national park service reservation center, while the people are extremely nice, is expensive. They charge 10% nonrefundable fee, with no changes seven days or less from the date of arrival. They are very strict. I could not find a room on one of the nights I wanted, so I called the hotel, directly, which was tricky to find the number, and they found a room for me. If there is any way to directly go through the hotel or not the reservation service, I would recommend that. It doesn’t room really matter what kind of room you stay in, they’re all in 10 to 12 Unit Lodge buildings spread out across the campus of the hotel. There’s a fast food restaurant on site which is very convenient. The bike rental was awesome, highly recommended to ride the bike and ride through the valley. The view of the Yosemite Falls was gorgeous. I highly recommend that you stay at one of the three properties in Yosemite Valley, and not stay outside of the valley. It is a long way in from any hotel outside the park, and there could be a lot of traffic. It is totally worth the expensive prices they charge to be in the center of the park for your stay. For a once in a lifetime visit, it makes no sense to stay outside the park. Parking was very easy, and free. Despite the rustic nature of the accommodations, I was very comfortable and very delighted with her stay.