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AHWAHNEE FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

12.12.10

By Carolyn Burns Bass

Say Yosemite and images of Half Dome and camping along the Merced River fill the minds of most people. The concept of comfort and luxury rarely combine when discussing California’s spectacular National Park to the north.

Yet tucked away in Yosemite Valley, just down the lane from the rustic cabins of Camp Curry, is the Ahwahnee Hotel. An eclectic mix of Arts & Crafts/Craftsman, Art Deco and Native American design, the Ahwahnee is palatial both in scope and soul.

The Miwok people who once flourished in Yosemite Valley called the site where the hotel now sits ahwahnee or“land of the gaping mouth.” Situated for its sunny exposure and views, the hotel shines without dominating.

The Spectacular Ahwahnee Hotel
The Ahwahnee Hotel opened in 1927 to resounding praise for its spectacular location, synergetic design and sumptuous luxury. With views of Yosemite’s holy trinity of landmarks outside its windows, this crown jewel of America’s destination hotels nourishes the soul of the traveler while pampering the physical demands of the adventurer.

Its six floors stretch across a footprint dwarfed by the backdrop of towering granite cliffs and giant sequoia trees. Because of the fire dangers within a forest, architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed the hotel exteriors with fireproof materials, concrete poured into molds to simulate wood planks, then stained to resemble redwood. The effect is stunning, with natural granite rock columns and dark green enhancements that blend the structure esthetically into the environment.

From the ground flooring painted with Native American motifs, to the rich wood paneling, murals, stenciling and leaded windows, the Ahwahnee reigns alongside the finest luxury hotels anywhere in the world. Even in the remote location where staff lives in rustic cabins within the valley or miles away down the mountain, Ahwahnee’s service is first class.

Rooms and The Great Lounge
Standard rooms are spacious, with either a king or a two doubles and limited views of the area. Deluxe rooms step up with impressive views of Half Dome, Glacier Point or Yosemite Falls. Bands of Native American motif border the walls with matching motif on bedding and drapes. Wireless internet within all guest rooms is complimentary.

Those seeking privacy and luxury can rent one of the 24 private cottages scattered across the Ahwahnee resort grounds. Renovated in 2008 with design influences of Native American and rustic early American, the cottages include refrigerators, as well as television and telephones.

The public areas of Ahwahnee reflect the grandeur of the location with immense windows framing the spectacular views. The Great Lounge features ten floor-to-ceiling windows topped with hand-stained glass panels depicting Native American motifs. Two massive rock fireplaces warm the ground floor areas of the Great Lodge and the Solarium. More hand stenciling lines the heavy sugar pine beams, along with Native American tapestries, baskets and other artifacts from the area. Many of original Persian rugs and carpet fragments that once lined the floors now hang on walls, adding to the eclectic mix of design influences.

Things to Do and Eat
Location is the golden foundation from which the Ahwahnee Hotel gleams. Most of the guest rooms have views of either Half Dome, Yosemite Falls or Glacier Point. No matter which way a person looks, there is an icon of American landscape within view.

Trails marked with directions and distance begin just outside the hotel offering easy walks for those who prefer a leisurely meander through the woods or challenging climbs for experienced hikers. Deer grace the trails, not-quite-tame, but friendly to humans, they pose like royalty on a carpet of leaves while tourists snap pictures like paparazzi.

A short walk from the Ahwahnee is Yosemite Village, where shops and a food court offer the necessities as well as the niceties of life.

By day, guests can enjoy casual meals and snacks in the Ahwahnee Bar overlooking the charming round pool that is heated year around. By night, the Ahwahneee Bar becomes a center of conviviality with flowing libations and a friendly atmosphere.

Room service is prompt and attentive, available 24 hours a day. Complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate are served every morning for hotel guests in the mezzanine, along with tea and cookies in the afternoon.

A meal in the Ahwahnee Dining room is not to be missed. A massive room resembling the great hall of a castle, the ceiling soars 34 ft. high supported with sugar oak trestles and beams. More floor-to-ceiling windows with stained glass inserts bring the outdoors in. World-class cuisine is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the service expected of a high caliber dining establishment.

Sunday brunch is an event unto itself, drawing people up the mountain to experience the synthesis of food and beauty.

Holidays at The Ahwahnee
Every December, the Ahwahnee hosts its famous Braceridge Dinner. This annual event transforms the dining room into a 17th century English manor hall, complete with the Lord of Misrule and a host of minstrels. A four-hour spectacle featuring music, comedy, dancing , drama and food, the event is the centerpiece of Ahwahnee special events.

Dates for this year’s Braceridge dinners run selected nights from December 13 through Christmas Day.

In addition, wine enthusiasts rave about the Vintner’s Holidays packages held every fall. Featuring two days of wine tasting seminars led by a hand-picked selection of California winemakers, the event includes a “meet the winemakers” reception with free-flowing wines and hors d’oeuvres.

Chef’s Holidays, a similar special package held over weekends in January and February, brings acclaimed chefs in from around the world for cooking classes and demonstrations, kitchen tours and a “meet the chefs” reception.

The pinnacle of the Vintner’s and Chef’s Holiday packages are the gala dinner in the Ahwahnee dining room that concludes each event. Five sumptuous courses with such choices as scallop ravioli, slow cooked California quail, and roasted antelope loin, enjoin with wine pairings for a dinner to be savored in the moment and remembered for years.

Author Carolyn Burns Bass is a California native who recently moved to Hillsborough, North Carolina to experience the seasons. She writes a travel blog, Inland Traveler, for the Riverside Press-Enterprise and is the LA Luxury Travel Examiner for Examiner.com. Visit her website at [url=http://www.carolynburnsbass.com]http://www.carolynburnsbass.com[/url] to read more of her work.

GET AWAY 2 GIVE!

12.08.10

By Sheryll Alexander

Want to give your friends and family a cool seaside vacation for the holidays AND give to others? With the “Getaway 2 Give” package from Orange County’s OCeanfront resort properties, you can give and give again!

Here’s how it works. Book a “Getaway 2 Give” package through Mar. 31, 2011, at one of the OCeanfront’s seven fabulous resorts and 10 percent of your purchase goes directly to four major charities (Lupus LA, Make-A-Wish Orange County and Inland Empire, Oceana and Special Olympics Southern California).

Packages start at $205 per night (rates vary by property) and include a two-night stay with breakfast and VIP perks at South Coast Plaza, which include a free valet parking pass and access to the mall’s exclusive Access Lounge where guests enjoy complimentary food, champagne and other drinks.

Participating OCeanfront resorts include The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Montage Laguna Beach, Surf & Sand Resort, The Balboa Bay Club, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort and The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.

For more information, visit: [url=http://www.theoceanfrontca.com/Getaway2Give.php]http://www.theoceanfrontca.com/Getaway2Give.php[/url].

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa.

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