In the heart of one of California's most famous valleys lies a hotel so magnificent and robust that it was recreated for one of the world's scariest movies.
Welcome to the Ahwahnee Hotel, which opened its doors in 1927.
Timberline Lodge is known for appearing as Overlook Hotel's exterior in the famous The Shining movie. However, Kubrick's inspiration was the Ahwahnee Hotel when designing the interior of the Torrance family's winter residence.
Trees, grass, and rocks. Ahwahnee Hotel almost looks like a part of nature, where it towers in the Yosemite National Park at the edge of the North Dome.
In the evening sun, the mountain peak of Half Dome can be seen, whose sheer granite face is up for a climbing challenge if you receive the necessary permits.
The Ahwahnee Hotel's architectural importance was acknowledged when it got listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. It's also one of California's most unique buildings.
Ahwahnechee is an Indian tribe that, according to history, has lived in the Yosemite Valley for many thousands of years, and their heritage should be visible throughout the national park.
The Great Lounge features two large fireplaces cut from sandstone on either end and impressive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Art deco, Native American, and Middle Eastern cultures influenced the hotel interiors.
The hotel's most astonishing part, the dining room, features windows over 30 feet (9 meters) high.
Famous guests to the hotel include the star couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis and many royalties from around the world. Oh, and Steve Jobs got married here.
The rooms range from the classic standard ones to cozy yet plush cottages with roaring fireplaces.
If you are ready to go out for an adventure, rocky mountain areas surround the deep forests, and the national park stretches as far as the eye can see.
The heated outdoor swimming pool overlooks Yosemite's iconic sights.
The Ahwahnee is a short walk from Ahwahnee Meadow - Yosemite Valley's tranquil and picturesque area - and a 15-minute walk from the Merced River.
The Ahwahnee during construction in the 1920s - Photo from the NPS Archives.
Yosemite National Park, 1 Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, United States
