And that’s how I truly feel, but being a writer you kind of have to put things into words, don’t you! The beauty of this place is unbelievable – it’s like being on another planet. From awe-inspiring granite outcroppings to amazing giant sequoia trees to lush green forests and the waterfalls…raw, natural beauty everywhere you turn.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite sits on a cozy and secluded expanse of the Sierra National Forest just a few minutes from the south gate of Yosemite National Park. From here, it’s easy to access the Mariposa Grove to see the incredible giant sequoia trees and it’s also close to Glacier Point if you want to explore that area. If you’re looking to hike during the day and be pampered at night, Tenaya Lodge is the place for you. With luxurious rooms, an amazing spa, five seasonal dining options, indoor/outdoor pools, a fitness center and loads of activities that your personal concierge can plan for you – you will be hard pressed to find better lodging than Tenaya near the park. The words to describe Tenaya and Yosemite… escape, play, feel, learn, wonder.
And you can feel good about staying there as their list of ecofriendly initiatives goes on and on, from water-saving fixtures to biodegradable laundry detergents to sustainable food products and reducing the use of disposable products. Their awards are numerous including: double Silver LEED certification, TripAdvisor® GreenLeaders™ Program, Gold Level and Environmentalist Level in the California Green Lodging Program.
When you first walk through the entryway to the lobby you’ll notice the smell of their roaring, rock-hewn fireplace and the soaring, open-beam ceilings with classic lodge furniture – so cozy you could stay in the lobby all day. We stayed in one of their spa suites with 550 square feet of living space that included a luxurious king size bed, private balcony overlooking the forest, full wet bar and refrigerator, extra-large bath and large whirlpool tub separate from the shower.
If you can bear to leave your room, you’ll find poolside cabanas and the Bearfoot bar that provide the perfect place to relax after the day’s adventures or you can unwind in one of the four spa hot tubs situated throughout the mountain resort property. There is also an arcade on property to keep the kids entertained.
Need some pampering after those day long hikes? The Ascent Spa features 12 treatment rooms and offers signature organic treatments, men’s and women’s steam rooms and saunas, relaxation rooms, a fitness center, and a spa boutique with local and organic product lines. A Silver LEED-certified spa, Ascent Spa is recognized for its green building design and sustainable operations.
In addition to hiking, biking, climbing, and sightseeing in Yosemite National Park, the resort features plenty of on-site seasonal activities like archery, rock wall climbing, swimming, a kids’ camp, sledding, ice skating, and guided hikes. You’ll also find world-class golf, horseback riding, fishing, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Don’t miss the flashlight hike which they do every night and will give you a completely different experience of being in the Sierra forest. We saw amazing constellations, bats that flew effortlessly around our group all night and a couple of tarantulas!
With all this activity, you’ll certainly work up an appetite – and Tenaya Lodge has no shortage of dining options. They have a partnership with Greener Fields Together which demonstrates the dedication to sustainability in the food service supply chain. Offering stylish regional cuisine under the direction of award-winning Executive Chef Frederick Clabaugh CCC, Tenaya’s Embers Restaurant leads the lineup of resort restaurants ranging from casual and family-friendly to upscale and candle-lit. Tenaya Lodge is proud to serve Double R Ranch® Beef which has a commitment built on sustainability, total quality, animal well-being, and responsibility. Fish cuts are fresh, “never frozen,” and are source approved by the Monterey Bay Aquarium sustainable seafood program. If you’re looking for something casual, don’t miss Jackalope’s Bar & Grill which offers pub fare, delicious local beers, and features made-to-order grilled burgers.
With only a few days in Yosemite, our time to explore the park was limited as it can take close to 2 hours to get to certain trails. We were lucky enough to hike the Panaroma trail which had unbelievable views of Half Dome. We traveled into Yosemite valley and hiked the Inspiration Point trail – 1.3 miles pretty much straight uphill, but you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of El Capitan and Half Dome amongst others. The last day we explored Mariposa Grove and the beauty of the Giant Sequoias.
I could say so much more, but I’ll just let you look at the pictures! For more information, visit www.tenayalodge.com.