Yosemite View Lodge at El Portal
A great review of the Yosemite View Lodge at El Portal, including details on rooms, facilities, amenities, services, restaurants and bars.
Located on Highway 140 (El Portal Road), just a couple of miles from the Arch Rock entrance of Yosemite National Park, Yosemite View Lodge at El Portal is a massive motor inn with extensive facilities. There are 335 rooms at the View, with ample parking and access to the park provided by the YART shuttle bus (the park’s bus). Staying outside of the park is no problem as you only pay the entry fee one time and validity lasts a whole week. Prices for the hotel range from around $100 to $500.
The hotel itself is the closest accommodation outside Yosemite to any entrance. It has the Merced River running right past; an impressive sight just after it has rained. The hotel is a fairly modern affair, with twin-storey structure and hundreds of balconied rooms which are stocked to the gills with amenities. Many of the rooms at Yosemite View Lodge at El Portal have recently been refurbished and there are several different types to choose from.
Yosemite View Lodge room types
All rooms at the View Lodge are large units that come with phone, cable TV and many other amenities. Some rooms have fireplaces, others spa-tubs, and most have kitchenettes.
Mountain View Two Queen: A standard room with kitchenette, two queen beds, ensuite bathrooms, cable TV, and phone with data port. A balcony or patio (depending on level) affords views of the Merced Canyon. Room sleeps four.
River View Two Queen: A deluxe room with two queen beds that comes complete with a kitchenette, large spa tub, cable TV, telephone with data port, and a balcony or patio that overlooks the Merced River. Room sleeps four.
Mountain View Family Suite: Featuring a bedroom with two queen beds along with a parlor with queen sofa sleeper. Amenities include a fully-fitted kitchen, spa tub, cable TV and phone (with data port), and views of the Merced Canyon from the balcony. Room sleeps six.
River View King Spa: A luxury room with a quality king bed, fully outfitted kitchenette, a fireplace, large spa tub, dual walk-in shower, telephone with data port, and cable TV. The balcony has views over the Merced River. Room sleeps two.
River View Family Suite: A two-bedroom deluxe suite with four queen beds, a fireplace, kitchenette, two bathrooms (one with dual shower and spa tub), telephone and cable TV, and a balcony overlooking the river. Room sleeps eight.
Majestic Suite: A quality suite with one king bed, a living room with fireplace, sofas and plasma TVs, a full kitchen with marble tops, and a spa tub and steam shower. The balcony overlooks the Merced. Room sleeps two
The Loft Room: Good for families at Yosemite View Lodge, the loft room has a king bed in the downstairs bedroom, which also comes with a kitchenette, a private bathroom, and television. The loft bedroom upstairs has a queen bed and is accessed by spiral staircase. There is another TV and telephone up here as well as views of the canyon.
Yosemite View Lodge at a glance
- 335 double queen and king rooms and suites
- Private balconies/patios with river/canyon views
- Some disabled access rooms
- Non-smoking rooms available
- Dog friendly
- Two restaurants (one with banquet rooms)
- Cocktail lounge
- Indoor pool
- Indoor whirlpool
- Three outdoor pools
- Five outdoor whirlpools
- Gift shop
- Convenience store
- Laundry service
- ATM
- Internet connectivity
- Visitor center
- YARTS bus access
- Nearby activities, including fishing, rafting, kayaking, and gold panning
Distances
Yosemite View Lodge at El Portal is one mile east of town and just over two miles from the park entrance. In addition, it is 12 miles from Bridal Veil Falls/El Capitan; 14 miles from Lower Yosemite Falls/Upper Yosemite Falls; 15 miles from Yosemite Village and Glacier Point; 16 miles from Nevada Falls and Half Dome; and 20 miles from the Badger Pass ski area.
