With Valentine's Day this Sunday, it seems only appropriate that this week's question revolve around romance. So tell us, would your beau/significant other prefer a national park getaway spent in a lodge, or in a tent?
Reader Participation Day, Valentine's Edition: For That Romantic National Park Getaway, Lodge or Tent?
Published Date
February 10, 2010
Which is it, folks? Does national park romance blossom in a lodge, or a tent? NPT file photos.
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Comments
I had dinner there once in December 2005 the week after Christmas. I was really, really hungry and was either going to eat there or find a place in Oakhurst (Erna's Elderberry House would have been nice ;) ). The lobby was a happening place, with lots of people staying warm with hot beverages like mulled cider and Irish coffee.
I tried coming back there in Feb 2007 on a Monday for lunch. Unfortunately the Wawona Hotel wasn't open. I found out that they cut back their operations during winter. They only operated for two weeks around Christmas, and then weekends (open Fri/Sat nights) only until spring.
And nice CAPTCHA phrase - "traffic clear". Certainly doesn't sound like Yosemite.
We like lodges for special occasions. Tents would be good if we could still sleep on the ground, but those days have passed.
I tried coming back there in Feb 2007 on a Monday for lunch. Unfortunately the Wawona Hotel wasn't open. I found out that they cut back their operations during winter. They only operated for two weeks around Christmas, and then weekends (open Fri/Sat nights) only until spring. YPW
Good to know! We have been there as early as April as well as summer. We have stayed at the Washburn Cottage (bathooms in the room itself) as well as the main house (bathrooms outside of the rooms). The breakfasts in the dining room are wonderful! During our visit in the summer of 2006 an antique car club was meeting there and my husband (amateur photographer) took some wonderful sepia photos of the old cars in front of the hotel! It feels like I have been on a time machine every time I look at them!
"Traffic clear"? certainly not in the summertime!
Connie
At least in 2007 they were open winter weekends. I looked up their current schedule, and it looks like they're completely shutting down during the winter.
http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_WawonaHotel.aspx
Curry Village Tent Cabins are the worst camping experince I have ever had in a National Park. The tent cabins are very close to one another so you can hear your neighbors every word. Curry Village security was a no-show for hours after quiet time. On our first night a couple of tents down from our tent it sounded like a celebration in Iraq going on for hours. Cell phones don't work there so there was no way to call the Park Rangers. On the second night some folks thought it would be fun to bring a small baby camping in 40 degree weather. The baby cried most of the night. If you don't need to sleep and enjoy hearing all sorts of loud, rude people then Curry Village will be like going to heaven for you.