Stanley Kubrick’s Inspiration for “The Shining” Is This Historic Hotel in Yosemite Valley

The Ahwahnee Hotel, California

Every national park lodge has a story, but the Ahwahnee’s reads like a Hollywood script. FDR slept here. So did Queen Elizabeth and JFK. During World War II, it became a naval hospital.

The Hollywood part is literal too: its dining room inspired the hotel in The Shining.

And those are just the headlines from this granite and concrete masterpiece in Yosemite Valley. Here are details.

It Once Served as a Naval Hospital During WWII

When America entered World War II, The Ahwahnee underwent a dramatic transformation.

From 1943 to 1945, the U.S. Navy leased the hotel and converted it into a special hospital for treating mentally traumatized sailors and marines.

The Navy believed the remote location, gorgeous scenery, and tranquility would be perfect for neuro-psychiatric rehabilitation.

The Original Name Almost Wasn’t “The Ahwahnee”

Donald Tresidder, president of the Yosemite Park and Curry Company who oversaw the hotel’s construction, initially selected “Yosemite All-Year-Round Hotel” as the name.

However, he changed it just before opening to “The Ahwahnee” to reflect the site’s Native American heritage.

It Inspired the Creepy Hotel in “The Shining”

While Stephen King’s novel “The Shining” was inspired by Colorado’s Stanley Hotel, director Stanley Kubrick had different ideas for his film adaptation.

The interior sets of the movie’s Overlook Hotel were heavily influenced by The Ahwahnee’s grand design.

The Ahwahnee’s distinctive interior elements, including the Great Lounge and those iconic red elevator doors, were recreated for some of cinema’s most unsettling scenes.

It Required Extraordinary Construction Efforts

More than 5,000 tons of stone, 1,000 tons of steel, and 30,000 feet of lumber had to be transported through the mountains to create the hotel.

The Ahwahnee Hosts a Century-Old Christmas Tradition

The Bracebridge Dinner, a Yuletide celebration, was first held in December 1927, just months after the hotel opened.

The event was created to attract visitors during winter months and has since become a world-renowned Christmas tradition.

This elaborate Christmas pageant includes a seven-course feast performed with Tudor-style costumes, music, and theatrical elements.

It Nearly Closed Shortly After Opening

After The Ahwahnee was built, Tresidder faced financial obstacles.

The cost was nearly double the original estimate, and as fall approached, guest numbers dwindled.

Park officials suggested closing for winter, but Tresidder saved the hotel by centering it around skiing and winter activities.

It Has Hosted Countless Celebrities and Royalty

The hotel has welcomed many notable figures throughout its history, including Queen Elizabeth II, Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, business moguls Walt Disney and Steve Jobs, and entertainers like Charlie Chaplin and Judy Garland.

Built to Attract Wealthy Visitors to the Park

The Ahwahnee was specifically designed and built in the 1920s with the goal of attracting well-to-do clientele to Yosemite Valley. The strategy worked—over the following century, the hotel fulfilled that ambition by hosting presidents, royalty, and famous personalities.

Walk With Wildlife Like It’s No Biggie

Early risers at The Ahwahnee often find themselves sharing the garden paths with wildlife, especially in late April and early May.

One pair of twin fawns, nicknamed “Maple” and “Juniper” by staff, returned daily in 2023 for over a month.

Mule deer often graze just 30 feet from the dining room windows. Rangers say bobcats have been spotted crossing the upper trail around 5:50 AM.

There’s a Special “Queen’s Room” Named After Elizabeth II

The Mary Curry Tresidder Suite is known as the “Queen’s Room” since Queen Elizabeth II stayed there during her visit to Yosemite in the 1980s. This romantic suite features a four-poster canopy bed and grand bathroom, making it perfect for honeymooners.

Blue Jays Will Sing On Your Porch

Blue jays are frequently spotted near the eastern garden paths, especially during spring.

Guests often see them perched on the stone railing or diving between the sugar pines near the Great Lounge terrace.

The Hotel Almost Hosted the Winter Olympics

After visiting the 1928 Olympics, then-park concessionaire Don Tresidder thought it would be a great idea for Yosemite to host the 1932 Winter Olympics. The bid was unsuccessful, with Lake Placid ultimately winning the honor.

Visiting The Ahwahnee Hotel in 2025

Address: 1 Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite Valley, Inside Yosemite National Park

General Information:

• Open year-round
• Check-in: 4:00 PM
• Check-out: 11:00 AM

Room Rates: Prices range from $425 to $1,550 per night