Among the more affordable ways to stay in Yosemite Valley, Curry Camp is my top choice. I have stayed there several times over the last five years and can testify that even though Curry Camp has flaws (see other reviews), the tent cabins have a charming look, creating a rustic, woodsy feel that takes me right back to summer camp and really adds to my experience of Yosemite.
Within Curry Camp, there are several types of accomodations: tent cabins, hard cabins (aka wood cabins), and Stoneman House. Having stayed in both tent cabins and hard cabins, I recommend the tent cabins because as the other reviews indicate, hard cabins do not deliver value commensurate with the jump in price. (I have not stayed in Stoneman House but it looks promising.)
Insider Tip #1: If you take the trouble to bring extra niceties for your cabin, you can make it a LOT more comfortable and attractive! Suggested "brings": floor rugs, attractive quilts, votive candles, Christmas lights, flowers & vase, box of Kleenex, small net hammock for storage, extension cords, battery-operated reading lamp. Definitely bring sleeping bag, plus your own pillows if you're the least bit picky, because the bedding they provide has a rough, institutional feel. Also definitely bring folding camp chairs for indoor/outdoor seating options; otherwise you're sitting on boulders. Board games are another good bring: they're fun at night and can be played in front of the fireplace in the perfectly lovely common room.
Regarding food & drink, the Curry cafeteria is not bad at all, and your assigned bear box plus your own ice chest gives you the opportunity to pack picnic lunches; bring a lock for security. Good foods to bring include hard boiled eggs, peanut butter & jelly, cream cheese & celery, etc.--stuff that's compact and delivers a lot of calories for the volume.
Insider Tip #2: If you drink, bring a couple bottles of wine or even a portable cocktail setup for extra fun: imagine cocktails outdoors in front of your cabin before dinner! Very nice after a day of hiking.
Insider Tip #3: if you bring just ONE nice outfit ( (jacket for men, decent outfit for women), you can vary the routine by going to the Ahwanee for dinner once or twice.
If you are going with a group, request cabins that are next to each other and remind them of this request at check-in. Every time I have stayed here, the check-in person did their absolute best to put my group together.
Regarding the showers, yeah, okay, they can be crowded during peak hours. That said, I have to also say I am normally a rather picky traveller and I found the showers perfectly FINE. When I've used them, they've been pretty clean, and they just got redone a couple years ago, so they have a fresh modern look on the inside. I really had no problem with the shower facilities whatsoever.
In short, if you are on a budget, and especially if you are driving from home and are willing to bring extra niceties, Curry Camp is a great way to go. Even though it is rough and rustic, it is charmin and beats the hell out of the tacky, modern, totally charmless Yosemite Lodge. It also compares favorably with Housekeeping Camp, because I believe there is no cafeteria at Housekeeping, so you pretty much HAVE to cook all your own food. Unless you are truly a "camper" and want to stay in your own tent, or you want to do all your own cooking, I say Go Curry!