Here's Travel for Kids list of best family hotels in and around Yosemite, all styles and price ranges, near to fun things to do with kids.
Hotels are selected for their amenities for families, such as proximity to Yosemite National Park, rooms with refrigerators and microwaves, swimming pools and jacuzzis, complimentary breakfast, children's' programs, coin-operated laundry and more. Hotel policies can change, however, so be sure to check with the hotel at the time you make your reservation to be sure your desired family amenities are still available.
Tip: Yosemite Village is located inside the national park in Yosemite Valley, and is open year round. If you stay at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, or Curry Village, no day-use reservation is required (during times when this is required).
- Ahwahnee Hotel – Historic hotel with stellar views of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley in all seasons; rooms with two double beds or king bed plus sofa bed (sleep 4), suites are available; mini fridges in all rooms; outdoor swimming pool; room service; on-site restaurants serving breakfast lunch and dinner with children's menu (be sure to have a meal in the dining for a memorable treat); tea and cookies every afternoon in the Great Lounge; babysitting for kids 3 and older; stories and activities for kids 6 and under once a week.
- Housekeeping Camp – Housekeeping Camp is in the trees along the Merced River; canvas tent cabins with double bed and two bunk beds (sleep up 4 - 6); sheets, blankets, pillows are extra, can be rented when you check in; hot showers; covered patio area with picnic table, cooking area; food storage containers (don't store food in your tent); coffee shop serving breakfast, lunch and dinner next door; coin-operated laundry; camp is a short distance from Half Dome Village, with restaurants, grocery store and ice cream; car parking.
- Yosemite Valley Lodge – Lodge is located close to Yosemite Falls: rooms with one queen bed and twin bed (sleep 3), two double or queen beds (sleep 4), family rooms (sleep 6); outdoor swimming pool (seasonal); on-site restaurant and food court serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus picnics to go, ice cream in summer; car parking; free shuttle bus stop.
- Curry Village – Rustic cottages with or without bath - one double and one single (sleep 3), two double beds (sleep 4); canvas tent cabins (sleep up to 5), some tent cabins are heated, bedding provided, showers and restrooms close by; outdoor swimming pool (seasonal); restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with kid-friendly food; grocery, ice cream and pizza in the village; shuttle
El Portal
Tip: El Portal is close to the west park entrance on highway 140, and convenient to Yosemite Valley.
- Yosemite View Lodge – Outdoor and indoor swimming pools and jacuzzis; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4), connecting rooms are available; mini-fridge in rooms; some rooms have kitchenettes (refrigerator, microwave oven, two burner stove and cookware); coin-operated laundry; coin-operated laundry; on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, pizza delivery; convenience store; free car parking; hotel is located right next to the Merced River.
- Cedar Lodge – Private access to the Merced River; outdoor picnic tables and barbeques; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); mini-fridge in rooms; rollaway bed or crib available upon request; on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with family-friendly food; access to coin-operated laundry (up the road); car parking; indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and jacuzzi.
Mariposa
Tip: If accommodations in Yosemite Valley are booked up, stay in the town of Mariposa. It's about a 30 mile drive to Yosemite Valley on scenic highway 140, so plan on extra drive time to go to and from the park.
- Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station – Outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; rooms with two queen beds or king bed plus sofa bed (sleep 4), king bed, double bed plus sofa bed (sleep 6); crib or rollaway bed available upon request; continental breakfast included in the room rate.
- Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway – Continental breakfast is included in the room rate; outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; rooms or suites with two queen beds or king plus sofa bed (sleep 4), with extra bed (sleep 5); suites have living area and kitchen; restaurants close by.
- 5th Street Inn – Double room with two double beds and sofa bed or queen studio with two queen beds and sofa bed (sleep 6), queen rooms with two queen beds, or studio with queen bed and sofa bed (sleep 4); queen studio has a kitchenette, double room has mini- fridge and microwave.
- Miners Inn – Outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; queen rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); microwave and mini-fridge in rooms; breakfast is included in the room rate.
- River Rock Inn – Queen suites with two queen beds (sleep 4); continental breakfast is included in the room rate; outdoor terrace.
Wawona
- Wawona Hotel – Historic 19th century hotel; outdoor swimming pool; rooms with queen bed and twin bed (sleep 3), two double beds (sleep 4), connecting rooms are available to make suites; rooms with private or shared bath; on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with children's menu; car parking.
Fish Camp
Tip: Fish Camp is located just outside the south entrance to Yosemite, convenient to Wawona and Badger Pass skiing in winter.
- Tenaya Lodge – Indoor and outdoor swimming pools; double deluxe rooms (sleep 4); rollaway bed or crib available upon request; babysitting services; room service; on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with children's menu, plus outdoor barbeques and deli to get lunches to go; convenience store; car parking; gold panning and campfires; adventure club kid's half day programs with rock climbing, fishing and movies; horseback rides for little kids around the corral; open air ice skating rink in winter.
- White Chief Mountain Lodge – Family rooms with two double beds (sleep 4), triples with double bed plus twin bed (sleep 3), interconnecting rooms available; extra bed available upon request; mini-fridge and microwave in rooms.
Oakhurst
Tip: Oakhurst is convenient to Wawona and Mariposa Grove in Yosemite, about 15 miles away. However, drive time from Oakhurst to Yosemite Valley typically takes an hour and a half.
- Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn – Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, jacuzzi, rooms with two king or queen beds (sleep 4), queen suite with three queen beds (sleep 6); breakfast is included in the room rate; mini-fridge and microwaves in rooms; on-site restaurant serving dinner; air conditioning; picnic tables, outdoor barbeque, children's playground; restaurants, cafes, bakery, deli, supermarket in the neighborhood.
- Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite – Indoor swimming pool (seasonal); rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); continental breakfast included in room rate; microwave and mini-fridge in rooms; air conditioning; coin-operated laundry; convenience store on-site.
- Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites – Family suites with two queen beds, or king bed mini-suites with sofa bed (sleep 4); mini-fridge and microwaves in rooms; air conditioning; cafes, restaurants, deli, supermarket in the neighborhood.
- Fairfield Inn and Suites – Outdoor swimming pool; rooms with two queen beds or suites with king bed plus sofa bed (sleep 4); microwave and mini-fridge in rooms; continental breakfast included in room rate; air conditioning; coin-operated laundry.
- Queen's Inn by the River – Room with two double beds (sleep 4), rooms with king or queen bed (sleep 2), extra bed available upon request (to sleep 3); air conditioning; continental breakfast included in the room rate; mini-fridge in rooms; quiet location next to the river.