The hype
It's like stepping back into 1900—charming and peaceful, but the walls are paper-thin and the facilities are ancient.
Wawona Hotel
$150-280/ night
Book this if You are a time-traveling history buff willing to wait indefinitely for its reopening (currently closed for major repairs).
Why People Love It
- Authentic Victorian era immersion (1876 origins)
- Tom Bopp's legendary piano singalongs in the lounge
- Sprawling verandas with white wicker chairs
Quick Take: A charming, creaky Victorian relic that is currently closed indefinitely because it was literally falling apart.
Reviewed by @a_latte_beate: I honestly fell in love with the spooky charm here. Listening to Tom Bob play piano while we ate dinner was the highlight of my trip. The whole place feels alive with history, and yes, the hallways are definitely eerie at night! A total bucket list stay.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'rustic charm' often crosses the line into 'structural neglect' with warping floors and peeling paint.
- You want to disconnect completely (no TVs, no phones)
- You love history more than modern comfort
- You plan to spend all day hiking Mariposa Grove
Cleanliness & Maintenance
5
- Housekeeping: Diligent staff doing their best with a crumbling building. Daily service is standard.
- Bathroom hygiene: Shared baths are kept surprisingly clean ('dorm style'), but grout and fixtures are ancient.
- Maintenance: CRITICAL FAIL. Peeling paint, warping wood, and rotted railings led to the current closure.
- Linens & towels: Basic, industrial hotel quality. Clean but worn.
- Odors & scents: Distinct 'old building' smell—musty wood, dust, and occasionally smoke from the fireplace.
Sleepability™
4MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Lobby piano sessions (audible in rooms above)
- Creaky floorboards and hallway footsteps
- Old radiator pipes clanking
Before you book
Good to know
- WiFi is virtually non-existent in rooms; only works in the Sun Room/Golf Shop
- There are no elevators; be ready to haul luggage up stairs
- Dining requires reservations well in advance
What to pack
- Earplugs (mandatory for sleep)
- Flip-flops (for the shared shower walk)
- Portable fan (rooms get stuffy)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Clark Cottage (quieter, feels more secluded)
- Rooms with private baths (book months in advance, they are rare)
Rooms to avoid
- Main building rooms near the lobby staircase (noise central)
- Rooms without bath if you aren't comfortable with 'dorm-style' living
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a room in the Clark Cottage if available, or a room in the Main Building as far from the lobby staircase/piano as possible. Private bath preferred.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the Wawona Hotel open?
No. It closed indefinitely on Dec 2, 2024, for critical structural assessments.
Do all rooms have bathrooms?
No. About half the rooms rely on shared community bathrooms down the hall.
Is there air conditioning?
No. Rooms have ceiling fans, but summer nights can be warm.
Is it pet friendly?
No. Pets are not allowed at the Wawona Hotel.
Is there a pool?
Yes, a seasonal outdoor tank (unheated) usually open June-September.
How far is it from Yosemite Valley?
About a 45-minute drive (27 miles) on winding mountain roads.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'spillover' parking lot on the east side is often empty when the main lot is full.
- ✨
Tom Bopp (the pianist) is a historian; ask him about the hotel's ghost stories.
- ✨
The 9-hole golf course is the only one in a National Park in California.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'comprehensive condition assessment' closure was triggered because a guest literally fell off a porch due to rot.
💡Mushrooms were once found growing in the employee ice machine (per 2024 NPS report).
💡The heating system is an all-or-nothing affair; you might roast in winter.
💡The floor slope in some rooms is severe enough that marbles would roll.
💡You can hear your neighbor's entire conversation through the walls.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Wawona Hotel is located and what's nearby.