Earlier this year, we got the chance to stay at the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn during a visit to Yosemite National Park.
Well, as you know, we can never get enough of Yosemite.
In just a couple months, we found our way back to Oakhurst to visit Yosemite again, however this time we’d be staying at the Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites.
Review: Yosemite Southgate Hotel And Suites
Full Disclosure: We visited this hotel during the pandemic (when resort services were limited).Â
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Arrival & Parking
Finding the Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites was a breeze, it was practically right next door to the Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn.
The Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites had plenty of parking, and appeared to share their parking lot with the town’s Denny’s restaurant.
The entrance to the lobby
The Lobby
One side of the lobby had a sleek, modern feel to it – which stood in contrast to the rugged, forested feel of the other side of the lobby with the front desk. Somehow, it worked just fine.
The Front Desk & Check-In
I was warmly greeted at the front desk and quickly checked-in to a room on the 1st floor.
Your eyes do not deceive you, that is a huge mural of Yosemite Valley above the front desk
The Room Key
The Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites also has a couple sister properties
Entrance To The Bedroom
We arrived to find the room pleasantly decorated with black-stained wood panels, furniture, and floors, and accented with teal, gold, and white.
One strange (but welcome) feature of the room was that the bathroom sink was literally located at the entrance to the room.
I’m a fan of having a sink outside of the bathroom, as this usually cuts down time spent getting ready in the morning (and every minute counts at Yosemite), but I can’t recall seeing one this close to the entranceway.
Strange, but in a good way: the bathroom sink at the room entrance
The Bedroom Area
The bedroom was clean and cozy, appearing to have been renovated semi-recently.
The Office Desk
Dinner Table
Another unusual feature of the room was the dinner table.
Most rooms at “vanilla hotels” don’t usually have one, but they really are practical (we ordered in).
The Wet Bar
There was a large wet bar with a large [empty] mini-fridge.
Room Amenities
The Bathroom Sink Area
Another look at that sink
I had never heard of the PAYA brand of toiletries, but they actually weren’t half-bad
The Bathroom Shower Area
Breakfast Area
As I mentioned, services were limited during the pandemic, so we didn’t get to try out the breakfast spread.
Gift Shop Area
Around back from the front desk was little gift shop case area that actually had some cool “Yosemite stuff” for sale (or to just check out).
The Swimming Pool Area
The Bottom-Review: Yosemite Southgate Hotel And Suites
Overall, we enjoyed our stay at the Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites.
The room had its quirks, but they made sense. I liked that room seemed newly renovated, and I liked the functionality and decor.
The location was great, as we were basically just a short drive to anywhere in Oakhurst – and just a short walk to the Oakhurst Grill and Whiskey 41 Lounge (one of my favorite spots).
Bang-for-the-buck, we’d easily stay here again.
Final Rating: 7.25 out of 10.
