Ahwahnee Hotel dining room photo via Facebook

The world-famous Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National park announced its dining room will reopen next week after a nearly yearlong closure.

But some commenters on social media aren’t too happy with one aspect of the plans.

The dining room has been closed since January as part of a $31.6 million seismic retrofit that was complicated by spring flooding and other setbacks. The Dec. 14 reopening for buffet-style service was announced on social media Thursday.

The historic hotel itself was closed for the first two months of 2023 as part of the renovation that included bracing for chimneys and support walls, new window frames and glass and an updated HVAC system.

The Ahwahnee opened in 1927 at the urging of Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service. Mather envisioned a grand, rustic lodge to encourage visits to the park and promotion of the national park idea, according to a National Park Service news release. 

The Ahwahnee was designed with large public spaces, such as the Great Lounge, to welcome all park visitors whether or not they were staying at the hotel. There are 97 guest rooms and 24 cottages at the Ahwahnee. 

Famous visitors to the hotel have included President John F Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and President Barack Obama and his family.

Despite the long-awaited reopening, comments on social media are calling for The Ahwahnee to return to its traditional table service, moving away from the buffets it has served since the dining room’s closures.

“Buffet????? This had better be temporary!” posted one user on Facebook.

Others questioned the selection, buffet food temperatures and lack of alternate dietary options.

“No more Buffett. Yuck! Also never been able to find much to eat there being a vegetarian.” another comment reads.

Reservations are available now and can be found here.