The Ahwanhee Hotel is an incredibly beautiful hotel nestled against the side of the valley wall. Built in the 1920s, it has gorgeous arts-and-crafts architecture on a huge scale. Sumptuous antique rugs decorate some of the walls. Huge stone fireplaces invite lingering on a cold night.
The dining rooms is large, with a very tall ceiling with exposed beams. Huge windows look over the adjacent meadow.
My husband and I have had both lunch and dinner at the Ahwanhee. Lunch is less formal - you can eat in hiking gear. Dinner is very formal - definitely no jeans, shorts, etc. Make sure you bring at least one set of dress-up clothes!
The prices are not cheap, but the ambience is incredible. The food is not on par with a world-class restaurant but is quite good - you're paying for the experience as much as the actual food. The continental menu includes poultry, steak, and fish dishes. Save room for dessert.
Plan on at least one meal at the Ahwanhee just to visit and experience it.