Yosemite resorts are few and far between as most travelers who visit this iconic national park located in California choose to camp. Well, I am here to tell you they are doing Yosemite ALL WRONG!
Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite is one of the most luxurious family-friendly resorts I have come across. This beautiful lodge in Yosemite offers world-class spa treatments, a plethora of family activities and is pet-friendly too!
This resort is a huge reason why Yosemite is one of the best national parks for kids.
Yosemite Resorts Review: Tenaya Lodge
As I pulled off the snow-capped evergreen bordered highway and into the driveway of the elegant, Four-Diamond Tenaya Lodge, one of the BEST Yosemite resorts, I knew this trip to Yosemite would be unlike any Yosemite experience I had ever had before.
I stepped out of my car and took my first deep breath of the cool, crisp alpine air and I knew right then this was a vacation I would never forget.
I am not new to Yosemite’s beauty. As a child, I spent my summers camping here with my family. But, this was my first time back in 15 years and this time the park was covered in powdery white snow.
I was thrilled to bring my father and one of my sons (Owen) with me too! We quickly learned that staying at Tenaya Lodge is one of the BEST choices you can make when choosing which of the Yosemite resorts you should book for your family vacation.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, is located just outside the South Gate of Yosemite National Park. This award winning resort is nestled in the heart of the Sierra National Forest, offering breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere.
Service
Friendly, cheerful, and always ready to help. That is how I would describe my interactions with every single staff member I came in contact with at Tenaya Lodge, from the bellman to the General Manager.
It was like every single worker was on a mission to ensure my family had the best possible stay. This is what extraordinary service looks like.
And, to be honest it can be a rare find in the luxury family travel genre.
The only other resort that offers this level of service for both adults and kids, that I have experienced, is Disney’s Aulani. So, you can expect to be well cared for should you choose to stay at Tenaya Lodge.
We were fortunate to visit Tenaya Lodge during December when the resort transforms into a winter wonderland. I mean, how gorgeous is the 30+ foot tall REAL Christmas Tree? It made the whole lobby smell incredible!!!
The staff hosts a bunch of fun activities for families during the holidays like the Gingerbread Workshop hosted by the resort’s culinary team. That is their creation (above). Looks like we need a little more practice when you compare our gingerbread house (below)- ha!
But, this was by far the best way to do gingerbread houses with kids. More candy than the kids could have ever dreamed of lined the tables and no clean up for me. Woot! Woot!
Tenaya Lodge Activities
Ice Skating
There is also an outdoor ice skating rink on the property.
The staff there helped fit our skates, showed us where the hot cocoa and s’mores-making kits were, and also let us know if we wanted to order food the hotel’s restaurants would deliver it to the rink. See what I mean about the staff going out of their way. Love it!!
The BEST S’MORES EVER!
I don’t know if it was the chill in the air or maybe the fresh mountain smell but the s’mores we made at Tenaya Lodge were the BEST S’MORES I have EVER had.
The Tenaya Lodge Pools
The staff also encouraged us to check out the pools. The resort boasts multiple swimming pools, a splash area, and 5 hot tubs during the summer months.
During the winter, when we visited, the outdoor pools were closed. However, you can still enjoy the hot tubs and the indoor heated pool which Owen thought was pretty spectacular. I highly recommend booking an extra day or two just to spend at the resort. There is SO much to do there!!!
Additional Tenaya Lodge Adventure
For the more adventurous members of our family, the resort offers a variety of outdoor activities, including a climbing wall and rock climbing in the nearby Yosemite Valley.
The climbing wall is a great way to get the kids active and teach them the basics of climbing, while the more advanced climbers in the family can venture out into the park for a more challenging climb.
Rooms
Tenaya Lodge recently went under a $5 million dollar remodel which included refreshing 240 of the Yosemite resorts main rooms and suites.
The update included enhancements like granite countertops in the bathrooms, new sofa sleepers, all new luxurious bedding, fresh paint, and carpet. How beautiful is the suite below?? I want them to come decorate my home, not kidding!
Since we visited on a press trip we were gifted with some amazing Tenaya goodies upon arrival. I was super impressed with the quality of all of their products.
So, definitely check out the gift shop while you are there. And, get your kids some of the bear poop candy- they will get a kick out of it 😉
Families will love the various accommodation options available at Tenaya Lodge as they have everything from plush multi-room suites and cottages to multiple bed configurations in their standard rooms.
*TIP- One room type I think is extremely family & budget friendly is their extended double queen room. As it has an extra living space with a pull out sofa.
There are also suites with separate bedroom and living space areas. And, the cottages are going to be remodeled into gorgeous villas later this year (2017).
Villas are by far my favorite way to stay with a family as big as mine, or when traveling with a group so I CANNOT WAIT for those to open.
The rustic mountain vibes, plush bedding, sweeping mountain views, beautiful tiled bathrooms, and tons of storage space provided in the rooms made Tenaya Lodge a lovely place to call home during our trip.
I was in a standard double queen room and the mini fridge and coffee maker with individual k-cups were also very handy. Not to mention the fantastic high-speed internet connection, who would think, in the mountains?
Explorer Cabins
If you’re looking for a more unique experience, the resort also offers Explorer Cabins, which are perfect for families.
These cabins are located in a secluded area of the resort and offer all the amenities of a hotel room, with the added bonus of a kitchenette and living area. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring the park.