Yellowstone National Park Hotel Tips by Krumel

Mammoth Hot Springs Cabins Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins Review

The cabins are located right next to the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces, and were very nice and cosy. They were not ensuite, but had a sink, with a few common bathrooms scattered over the grounds so that there is always one just around the corner, wherever your cabin may be located.

The mineral terraces are only a short walk away, for meals you have the choice between the restaurant or a fast-food outlet, and there is also a very good visitor centre in the village.

I had read that you can sometimes see elk on the terraces, so I was hoping to find some there around dusk, but as somebody informed me the next day, while I was searching for them on the terraces, they were right down in the village, grazing on one of the green areas there!

Comparison: about average

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.travelyellowstone.com/lodging-71.html

Old Faithful Inn

My room was in the old house of the Old Faithful Inn, and it was a gorgeous log-cabin style room with charming features like an antique-looking sink and taps. Bathrobes were also provided. The room was not ensuite, and the bathrooms were on the floor above, but they were nice, and I didn't mind.

The lobby is stunning, with a massive fireplace in the middle of the huge rustic room, rising up to four stories high, with galleries running along it at every level, but only the first two are accessible. On the first level you can sit at the bar and also access the terrace, from which you get a clear view at the Old Faithful geyser. The galleries are full of nooks and crannies to explore, where you can go and find a quiet corner to settle down in with a book. I love puzzles and was surprised to see one table in a corner with a partially finished puzzle on it, and kept myself entertained with that for a while.

With Old Faithful being Yellowstone's main attraction, this was also the busiest place that I stayed in during my trip. It was the only place where there was already a queue outside the restaurant for the 6.30am breakfast, although I think that this was partially due to the system they operated there, whereby you had to register for breakfast first, were given a number and then had to wait for your number to be called in order to be taken to your table.

Comparison: about average

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Inn

Website: http://www.travelyellowstone.com/lodging-71.html

Lake Lodge Cabins

This was my favourite accommodation in Yellowstone, mainly because of its quiet and peaceful lakeside location. The cabins didn't look like much from the outside, and they didn't have a porch like the ones at Mammoth Hot Springs, but they were very cute, and it even was ensuite!

The lobby in the main house looked lovely and had a comfy fireplace where you can settle down with a book in one of the armchairs. Or sit outside on the terrace and enjoy a lovely view over the lake and the mountains on the other side - which by the way were snow-covered when I got up in the morning. In mid-August!!!

The restaurant was very busy in the evening though, and I had to queue for quite some time for my dinner.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Drive past the Lake Yellowstone Hotel (huge yellow building on your right), follow the road to the left along the lake shore, and you'll soon see the Lake Lodge on your left.

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.travelyellowstone.com/lodging-71.html