Further Upgrades for Yosemite Digs

by Christine Delsol
San Francisco Chronicle - January 9, 2005

In contrast to its seemingly unalterable granite walls, giant Sequoias and waterfalls, Yosemite National Park's manmade features saw major changes in 2004, with more coming this year.

The grand Ahwahnee Hotel's flurry of remodeling, from carpets to bedding to coffee-makers, continues in 2005 with renovation of the costly Mary Curry Tresidder and Library suites. The Yosemite Lodge, located at Yosemite Falls, got a new name, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, along with new paint, carpets, drapes and mattresses. Work continues on 122 more guest rooms.

Many cabins at Curry Village have been redecorated, including poster art and bedside lanterns; the rest get makeovers this year, along with the Stoneman House motel rooms. Southern Yosemite's 125-year-old Wawona Hotel is scheduled for a face lift that will include a new foundation as well as amplified Victorian elegance for the guest rooms.

Even the Sierra High Camps are getting a remodel of sorts, in the form of revegetation and soil restoration. With the Merced Lake camp completed, attention turns this year to the other four.

For visitors who find the park's scenic splendor a snooze, the Ahwahnee now provides wireless Internet access in meeting rooms and public spaces. Yosemite Lodge at the Falls guests will find hot spots in meeting spaces, the lounge, outdoor amphitheater and, soon, the front desk lobby. Those who have yet to get with the Wi-Fi program can use two Internet kiosks. And guests weary of the view of the Falls can turn their gazes to their rooms' new 19-inch TV screens; cable service is due this winter.