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The iconic 99-year-old Ahwahnee Hotel is stirring up its dinner scene, and longtime guests are not exactly raising a toast to the changes.

The grand dining room inside Yosemite National Park — a spot that’s hosted the likes of John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and Queen Elizabeth II — is ditching its à la carte dinner service and going prix fixe-only, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.


  The iconic 99-year-old Ahwahnee Hotel is stirring up its dinner scene, and longtime guests are not exactly raising a toast to the changes. Getty Images The iconic 99-year-old Ahwahnee Hotel is stirring up its dinner scene, and longtime guests are not exactly raising a toast to the changes. Getty Images

  By April 23, guests must choose between a five-course feast at $95 or a seven-course culinary journey at $125. TNS By April 23, guests must choose between a five-course feast at $95 or a seven-course culinary journey at $125. TNS

  The grand dining room inside Yosemite National Park—is known for hosting the likes of John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and Queen Elizabeth II. Getty Images The grand dining room inside Yosemite National Park—is known for hosting the likes of John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and Queen Elizabeth II. Getty Images

By April 23, guests must choose between a five-course feast at $95 or a seven-course culinary journey at $125. Add wine pairings, and the tab climbs to $135 or $165.

A vegan menu will be available, and children can still order on their own, but for most, dinner now means the full multi-course experience.


  A vegan menu will be available, and children can still order on their own, but for most, dinner now means the full multi-course experience. Getty Images A vegan menu will be available, and children can still order on their own, but for most, dinner now means the full multi-course experience. Getty Images

  The dining room has faced criticism in recent years over whether the food lived up to the price, and the hotel itself lost its AAA four-star rating in 2019. Getty Images The dining room has faced criticism in recent years over whether the food lived up to the price, and the hotel itself lost its AAA four-star rating in 2019. Getty Images

  This Yosemite Valley treasure, once known for its flexibility, is transforming into a pricier, set-menu affair with fewer choices San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images This Yosemite Valley treasure, once known for its flexibility, is transforming into a pricier, set-menu affair with fewer choices San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Dinner will also require a reservation, and seats are limited, so those spontaneous post-hike meals may be a thing of the past.

The change comes under concessionaire Aramark — which operates the hotel — following a roughly $35 million renovation that included kitchen upgrades and seismic work, per the outlet.

The dining room has faced criticism in recent years over whether the food lived up to the price, and the hotel itself lost its AAA four-star rating in 2019.

Now, this Yosemite Valley treasure, once known for its flexibility, is transforming into a pricier, set-menu affair with fewer choices at one of its most famous restaurants.

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