If you’ve ever been to Yosemite National Park, you’ll know all about the Ahwahnee as it’s one of the most famous hotels in the area. Known for nearly a century as a luxurious retreat for presidents, royalty, and generations of park visitors, the Ahwahnee is now grappling for survival among a mountain of problems. Will this once-infamous hotel ever recover the luxury status they once held so high?
Visitor Experience and Infrastructure Decay
Starting with some of the lighter issues, visitor experience at the Ahwahnee has steeply declined in recent years. Guests continue to be drawn by the hotel’s historic charm and unparalleled views of Yosemite’s iconic landmarks. However, many report that the grandeur is increasingly overshadowed by outdated rooms, inconsistent service, and amenities that fall short of expectations.
Visitors have started to question whether this hotel is truly worth its price. The building needs serious renovations and lacks general maintenance. While they might be working on restoring the hotel to its former glory, they are risking their reputation by continuing service while these renovations are underway.
A Rodent Infestation
When scrolling the web, looking for a place to stay, you don’t want to see the words “rat infestation” anywhere close to the reviews. Health inspectors documented repeated incidents of rodent activity in the hotel’s bar and kitchen, prompting multiple temporary closures throughout the past year. Employees reported contamination from rodents in food preparation areas, and the bar was shut down on at least three occasions due to ongoing infestations, with one closure following reports of staff illness linked to chemical exposure during cleanup efforts.
Not only is the hotel aware of the ongoing problem, but they have requested staff to remove dead rats and roaches without proper training or protective equipment, further exposing staff to different health hazards.
The Growing Hantavirus Problem
The virus, primarily carried by deer mice, can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe and sometimes fatal respiratory illness transmitted to humans through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. The hotel’s ongoing rat problem can be a serious health concern for guests planning a trip in the near future.
Yosemite has a troubling history with hantavirus, most notably the 2012 outbreak that infected at least ten people and resulted in three deaths, traced to rodent nests and tunnels found in the insulation of signature tent cabins. This year, hantavirus killed three people in Mammoth Lakes, just 40 miles from the park’s entrance.
Environmental Hazards To Look Out For
If you didn’t already have to watch out for rodents and ignore outdated areas that aren’t being maintained, you now have to consider environmental hazards, too. In recent years, employees have reported exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals without proper protective equipment, especially during efforts to sanitize areas contaminated by rodents. In 2022, employees spilled 500 gallons of glycol near the Merced River, raising concerns about water contamination.
The hotel has battled mold issues from persistent water leaks and poor maintenance. At least one documented case required remediation after a ceiling leak in a guest room. To top it all off, mushrooms were found growing behind ice machines in staff areas.
Aramark’s Troubled Tenure
Aramark, operating as Yosemite Hospitality, took over park concessions nearly a decade ago. Since taking over the lucrative multi-billion-dollar contract in 2016, Aramark has repeatedly received poor performance evaluations from the National Park Service, culminating in an “unsatisfactory” rating in 2024, the lowest possible grade.
Despite these ongoing issues, Aramark has retained its position, partly due to the logistical challenges of finding a replacement for such a complex and demanding operation. These issues constitute grounds for contract termination, but they have yet to close their doors.
Impact on Yosemite’s Wildlife
Improper food storage, overflowing trash cans, and neglected facilities have allowed rodents, squirrels, and even bears to access human food sources, increasing wildlife intrusions and food safety risks. “In 2021, several bears had to be euthanized after repeatedly breaking into a food cooler and then wandering into a park hotel,” according to investigative reports.
Incidents of squirrels and ringtails ransacking stores and bears being lured by unsecured garbage have become more frequent, undermining long-standing efforts to keep wildlife wild and minimize dangerous encounters between animals and visitors.
Repeated Environmental Audits
The National Park Service (NPS) mandates regular environmental audits for all concessioners, with baseline assessments followed by routine audits at least every five years—or more frequently if risk or performance issues are warranted. “That park officials are doing another audit just two years after the most recent one, in 2022, is a sign they’re taking the company’s previous failures seriously,” said Jon Jarvis, former NPS director.
These audits are designed to ensure compliance with environmental laws and contractual obligations. Recent reports have highlighted deficiencies in maintenance and training and lapses in timely reporting of hazards to park officials.
Seismic Upgrades and Federal Investment
Recognizing the hotel’s location within a high-risk earthquake zone, the National Park Service has launched a comprehensive, multi-year rehabilitation effort funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, with federal allocations totaling approximately $31.6 million. “The Ahwahnee is a crown jewel of national park lodges,” said Cicely Muldoon, Yosemite National Park superintendent. “This much-needed work will ensure the Ahwahnee is seismically safe for present and future generations of Yosemite visitors.”
These seismic retrofits are designed to bring the historic structure into compliance with modern safety standards. They include bracing chimneys and support walls, replacing window frames and dining room glass, upgrading HVAC systems, and reinforcing key architectural features.
The Future of Yosemite’s Iconic Hotel
This historic hotel has found itself at the center of an emergency that has cast a shadow over its storied legacy. There is a dire need for intervention to protect the staff and their visitors from any unwanted hazards. Being set so beautifully in a national park also calls for strict protocols to protect the wildlife in the area.
Whether this hotel will ever recover from these shocking issues is a story in itself. One can only hope that it will live up to its former glory soon.
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