Yellowstone National Park was made a nationally protected area by Ulysses S. Grant in the 1800's. About a decade after the park was protected the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins was built. The hotel was completed and opened in 1891. In the 20's the hotel was updated to accommodate modern amenities, also offering the decor of the 1920's frontier Wyoming appearance. A century later the hotel was restored to its 1920's looks. Today visitors to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming can stay in the natural wood lodge that looks like a grand cabin with triangle eaves, rounded front for the restaurant, and natural wood roof.
The hotel sits on the edge of Lake Yellowstone in the eastern section of the park. Lake Yellowstone is closest to the southern Jackson park entrance near Grant Village and West Thumb Geyser Basin. This hotel is before one reaches the Old Faithful loop and other lodges.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel is considered a summer lodge, as opposed to the winter lodgings the park has like Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins. Lake Yellowstone has been listed in the Register of Historic Places due to its age and spectacular appearance. The "Sun Room'' which is the rounded area on the front of the building that also has restaurant seating is a place for daydreams and the string quartet.
An adjacent annex and cabins are also part of Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The entire property reflects the 1920's decor, but the cabins are more basic and economical. There is no smoking on the property. Television, radios, internet, and air conditioning are not available at the hotel. It lacks in technology to bring visitors back to nature and the earth. They do have wheelchair access rooms if required, though they are limited. Reservations are required to ensure a room during the busy season.
The presidential suite has the most room with two bedrooms and queen sized beds. There is also a large parlor, telephone, and two full bathrooms. Premium rooms are in the main hotel in which double beds or single beds are options. Full bathrooms are also part of the premium hotel rooms. The High Range Rooms in the annex have private full baths and are located in a two story building near the main hotel.
The frontier cabins were remodeled in 2003 and 2004 to update the 1920's interior. They are duplex like units with showers, toilet, and sinks rather than a full bath. Rates are per night and based on double occupancy. At most the rooms can handle four people. Rates are $135 to $599 for the frontier cabin up to the suite. The rates can change each season and are based on park ranger approval.
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is open from mid May to the first week in September. There is a restaurant on site, but there are other options in Grant Village and near Old Faithful for eating. The hotel is close for lake recreation and hikes around West Thumb for visitors wishing to check out the area.
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