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After landing at West Yellow Stone airport, and picking up our rental car, we proceeded to drive to the Old Faithful Inn to check into our room. After leaving the airport you make a right and drive five minutes to the small town of West Yellowstone. This small town directly boarders the national park, and after grabbing some bottled waters and light supplies we turned left onto Hwy 191 and drove half a block to the park’s check-in entrance.
Introduction: Yellowstone for Labor Day
Review: Delta Regional Short-haul Coach Salt Lake City to West Yellow Stone
Review: Old Faithful Inn Suite
Review: Delta Regional Short-haul Coach West Yellow Stone to Salt Lake City
Additional Thoughts: Yellowstone National Park
There was no wait or other cars when we checked in, which we thought was great for the Friday of Labor Day weekend. The park fee is $30 for private vehicles and it’s good for a week. After paying the entrance fee, we drove into Yellowstone National Park. It took about 30 minutes to from landing at the airport to driving into the park itself, which included rental car pickup and a quick trip to the grocery store. Not bad at all.
The drive to the lodge is about 45 minutes long without heavy traffic. With traffic longer. The scenery is naturally beautiful, and it’s easy to get distracted as you meander about Hwy 191. Once we arrived at Old Faithful Inn we parked in the main parking area in front of the hotel and carried our luggage to the lodge reception desk. The lodge was built at the turn of the 20th century in 1904 with natural timbers and stone, and this design ascetic is carried throughout the main structure (called the Old House).
Another angle of this majestic lodge
Looking straight up when walking in the front
Front entry door to Old Faithful Inn
Front registration desk
Looking at registration to the front
Check in was simple and quick. There was no line when we entered the lodge, and we had our 2 room keys (for an Old Faithful Inn Suite) promptly. After giving us some direction we made our way to suite 3002. The front lobby is wonderful, and I’ll cover it with the rest of the lodge later.
From the reception area we walked upstairs to the second level. On the second floor you walk through an access corridor encased in timbers. It’s dark and rustic. The suites are in the East Wing newer portion of the lodge (1927) and it requires crossing a connecting breezeway between the original and newer section. Once you cross the second story breezeway you immediately ascend a second staircase to the third floor. This section of the lodge is light, bright and less rustic – almost Victorian. It’s quite a contrast. Suite 3002 is at the end of a longer corridor.
Second floor main lodge
Lodge 2nd floor hall
Connecting breezeway 2nd floor
3rd floor hallway
Suite 3002 way at the hall end – 2 doors
Entry in
We entered the suite from the first door which puts you into the bedroom. This bedroom is connected to the sitting room by dual doors into a connected bathroom, and then another door on the outside wall. The room is finished in the simple plain Victorian style, with modern maple furniture. It’s very different than the “Old House” section of the lodge – but also makes a comfortable space. There are 2 queen beds, both located in the one bedroom.
Additional bedroom furniture includes two nightstands, a dresser, two ottoman benches (for the beds), and a free standing armoire that acts as a small closet. There are 2 older traditional sized windows and with curtains. The furniture is a mix with some western in style (which fits with the sensibilities of the lodge) and some more contemporary.
Beds with ottoman bench
Single bed
Buffalo toy on bed
Freestanding armoire
Storage inside
Bedroom dresser
The sitting room was about the same size as the bedroom. It was furnished with a pull out sleeper love seat, a sitting chair, console table and coffee table. The room style was similar to the bedroom but with some of the furniture having more of a western feel; this makes for an eclectic collection of furniture in a more or less simple layout. Our daughter used the pullout sleeper for her bed which she said was comfortable enough.
In the common room wall there is a recessed space with shelves and a small refrigerator. On the shelves is a coffee machine with coffee and tea packs. The suite comes with an assortment of drinks in the fridge including soft drinks and juice that are refreshed each day. Oddly water is not included with this and I recommend stocking up before getting to the lodge (the local store does have plenty). There is also a snack basket on the coffee table that gets refreshed daily. The east facing windows have a clear view of Old Faithful which goes off every 90 minutes – location and view are of course is a highlight of the room.
Pull out sleeper love seat
Food and beverage center
Caffeine setup
Small fridge stocked with beverages (cream is ours)
Snack basket
Sitting chair with console table
Sitting room outside wall
Views of Old Faithful from the East Wing of the Lodge
A joining the one bedroom and living room is a joint access bathroom. The bathroom main entry is a sink and vanity area with a mirror. Connected to it is a shower room with commode. Basics such as soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash are included. Also included are two terry cloth robes and a basic complement of towels. Water pressure is acceptable and although being dated, the bathroom facilities were fine for a three night stay.
Bathroom sink and vanity
Soap bear
Glass sink shelve
Another pic of the sink area
Tub / Shower combo
Another shower pic
Shower amenities
Commode
Towel rack
Terry cloth robes
One of the most wonderful aspects of staying at the historic Old Faithful Inn is being able to enjoy the architecture of the lodge. The building is steeped in history, and it is really special to take some lazy time and wonder around the site and structure. The main entrance and lobby is breathtaking. The master interior space, called “The Great Hall”, rises several stories up to the “Crow’s Nest”, a high perch where musicians would perform before and after dinner service. In the 1950’s there was a significant earthquake and the structure was closed the public – what a shame because above the Crow’s Nest is a rooftop deck with great views of the park.
Directly off the second story area is outdoor viewing deck. From here you can see several of the geysers (including Old Faithful) around the lodge and enjoy a relaxing open environment. Just inside from the deck is a standard bar and coffee counter where you can get your beverage of choice. There are several benches lined up and it’s enjoyable socializing and meeting different people who are visiting the lodge.
Lodge backside view
Love the rustic construction of the lodge
Open lobby from second floor
What you see looking up from lobby main floor
Super interesting architecture
Another angle of second story
Close up of writing tables on second floor
Outdoor seating area from 2nd story
Master fireplace on first floor of main lobby
Morning fire time
Main lobby fireplace chimney looking up to clock
View from 2nd story
Close-up of clock
Access gate to Crow’s Nest
Sign into Crow’s Nest
Main dining room
View from 2nd floor
Morning breakfast view
Another angle
The Old Faithful Inn is located in a very interesting and geologically active area of Yellowstone Park. Directly behind the lodge is the famous Old Faithful geyser which goes off every 90 minutes. In addition to that are dozens of other geysers and beautiful sights. There are several raised walking paths and also standard trails that a person can spend hours exploring and learning about the natural beauty of the park – without even the need to drive somewhere.
Map of surrounding area
Firehole river
Grotto geyser
Beauty pool geyser
Group waiting for giant geyser
Visitor center next door
In Summary:
Old Faithful Inn may not be high end luxury on a far remote island; but it is very special and stately resort in its own way. It is so different from all the other hotels we have stayed with. The old rustic architecture is beautiful and grand, and very much Western American. Our suite room was well provisioned, roomy and very comfortable for 3 people to stay in. The lodge building itself and surrounding sights make the advanced planning and nightly rate of $572.00 (for the suite) worth the cost. There are a number of other properties you can stay at in the park, and we’ll probably try a couple of them, but Old Faithful Inn is unique and wonderful. We look forward to returning to this majestic lodge someday.
