W orld-class luxury is now within Mariposa County’s

borders with the introduction

of Tenaya Lodge’s latest renovations and rebuilds.

Tenaya Lodge is anything but a sleepy little motel, but in fact a “true California destination resort,” says Jonathan Farrington, regional director of sales and marketing for Delaware North Companies. Located just minutes out of Yosemite National Park’s south entrance gate Tenaya Lodge lets guests take full advantage of the stunning resort property at the convenience of being so exceptionally close to the Park’s most alluring attractions.

This coming summer Tenaya Lodge will celebrate its 20th year anniversary and what better present than a complete facelift. In late June, Tenaya Lodge will be unveiling the expansion of the conference facilities and full service, top of the line luxury spa.

Tenaya Lodge has always attracted a significant amount of groups. Making up 25 to 30 percent of the yearly occupants in its resort business groups have continued to book Tenaya for gatherings, conferences and team building types of venues. With the renovation a expanded conference area will include an addition 4,000 square feet added to the ballroom, six new meeting rooms, a 15,000-foot indoor gathering place, and an added 4,500 square feet to the pre-function space reserved for exhibits and receptions.

Walking directly out of the conference area, guests will find the stunning newly-added Signature Grand Terrace, an enjoyable patio area overlooking the stunning views of Yosemite National Park. Groups will also be able to take advantage of the 3,000 square-foot outdoor pavilion, which can easily accommodate up to 300 occupants either enclosed or left open to enjoy a gentle mountain breeze. These facilities are ideal for all kinds of settings including: wedding ceremonies, receptions, special events, outdoor dinning and much more.

According to a DNC press release, “This new conference center will take advantage of our incredible natural landscape and also offer guests a state-of-the-art meeting experience,” said Tom McCann, general manager. “There’s no doubt that this expansion project makes Tenaya Lodge an ideal

place to host groups of all sizes for corporate meetings, social gathering and special events.”

Tenaya Lodge works at its upmost best to surpass guest expectations providing services to accommodate any type of event to handling transportation needs, technology requirements and its culinary offerings highlight local produce.

Along with the additional group setting another very important and exquisite feature has been added. This month, Tenaya Lodge will increase the AAA four-diamond resort’s wellness center. The Ascent Spa will be available for guests to bask in the natural splendor of Yosemite National Park. Just an elevator ride down to the spa visitors are immediately treated with a serene and peaceful three-tier waterfall that welcomes them into tranquility. Twelve rooms will host many more guests in order to enjoy massages, facial and body treatments along with another four rooms solely for the romantic couples massages. Top of the line men’s and women’s relaxation rooms each equipped with their own steam room and dry sauna will also help guest relax.

Guests will also now have the opportunity to enhance their exercising capability on sight in the new fitness room, which include free weights, Nautilus machines, and other cardio equipment. Located right next door will be the exercise room, free of machines in order to serve as a stretch, yoga or class area for guests.

The Ascent Spa will offer Kimberly Parry Organics in treatments such as facials, along with Benedetta Holistic Skin Care. Kimberly Parry Organics has also blended a unique product using botanicals, which are indigenous to the surrounding area exclusively for Ascent Spa. Guests may find the same products used in the spa, along with shelves stocked with the highest quality true organic products including la Bella Donna mineral make-up, Soleo sunscreen and Shea Terra body butter for sale in the new retail portion located at the spa entrance.

“The scope of Ascent is to be a wellness spa, where our therapists will use the finest products and specifically created treatments to support the guests' journey back in to balance. We will be having multi-day workshops where participants will luxuriate in the atmosphere of Tenaya and Ascent and have classes in wellness, healthful cooking and healthy living,” said Kate Riley, spa director of Ascent.

Tenaya Lodge has been working hard the last few years to ease into a beautiful transformation which is already causing excitement. Tenaya now features five restaurants for families local, or visiting may come and enjoy right in the remotely exclusive atmosphere. The Pavilion can be easily transformed in under a day to accommodate a full ice rink, during the winter season, for families to come and enjoy.

Tenaya Lodge has done well despite the economic downturn, and it’s no wonder due to its beautiful landscape of the evergreens and breathtaking mountains. With all the expansion, Tenaya Lodge has hired 70 new staff members and managers, yet still has 30 openings for career opportunities. Being one of the county’s largest employers most of its staff is hired locally. Tenaya will be looking to hire not just seasonally or temporarily, but also full-time career seekers. In that case the expansion not only is beneficial for a weekend get-a -way, but a great opportunity for the community to really check out what great opportunities Tenaya Lodge has in store for local residents as well.

For more information, visit www.TenayaLodge.com.