We scheduled a weekend stay at the National Park Inn in early November for a relaxing getaway. I found the Inn a little too quiet for my own preferences. No tv, no phone, no internet and outside held the chill of twenty degree days and wet ground kept us primarily inside. We tried hanging out in the fireplace area of the lodge, playing cards and even attempted a puzzle. I should have brought some dvds. The food was ok, breakfast was really yummy but the dinner lacked creativity - my steak was over-done and my partners stew was rather mushy. I did enjoy bringing dessert back to our room. The beds were comfy but they skimped on the pillows. The in-room shower was teeny and the fixtures out-dated. Maybe I am just not the demographic they target:).

We were originally scheduled to stay at the Paraidse Inn at the base of mt. Ranier but we had to change our schedule and ended up staying at the National Park Inn and are we glad we did! First of all, even in late July, the area at the base of the mountain (including the Paradise Inn) still had several feet of snow. In contrast, the National park inn, several thousand feet lower in altitude was in a beautiful forest. It has a porch with rocking chairs that faces the mountain and we would watch the sunset there every evening (and were lucky enough to have it clear up each evening). Across the street is a nice walk around a pond where we saw a beaver dam and a beaver. The rooms, while not the Ritz, were really comfortable and quiet and clean. Restaurant had delicious food (make sure you save room for the berry cobbler) and the staff is one of the best, nicest, friendliest, most helpful. They will even bring you drinks and dessert while you're on the terrace watching the sunset - it just does't get better than that.
Even though the trail to Panorama Pt. was snowed in we drove all the way through the park, stopping at each vista, hiking to each waterfall and had a great time. When we got back to the visitor center it cleared up, and we walked partway up and played in the snow.

The staff at this inn was extremely friendly and accommodating. We felt at ease and relaxed during our stay. Room had bathtub, but shower was down the hall. The restaurant aimed to please our every request. The location is close to Paradise and is surrounded by many great trails for hiking. We would choose this inn for a return visit to Rainier.

Staying at the National Park Inn was a big surprise. My expectations for this particular lodging were below average. I expected a small room with outdated bathroom, dripping water, squeaking doors, metal beds, old sheets and heavy old blankets. We remember staying a few years ago in one hotel in Glacier National Park with gorgeous setting but quality of accommodations were below average. Yet, we were happy there because of all hiking possibilities and this is what we wanted to do in the Mount Rainier NP during our first and a very brief visit. Hence we prepared ourselves for nothing special.

Instead an old worn-out room we (my husband and I) got a nice room size room with a view of the mountain on the second floor. We reached the hotel around 1 pm and checked the weather forecast posted right at the front desk. Our room was not ready as we expected but were able to take care of all paper work. It was a beautiful clear day with a blue sky so we headed to Paradise.

Anyway, our room was a nice size, very comfortable and clean. Two beds had nostalgic log headboards and heavenly bedding consisted of down comforters, good quality of sheets, comfortable mattresses. A large fan was placed in the window but of course we did not need it. The bathroom with a shower/tub had nice towels, was well lit and there was plenty of hot water. There was also a clean coffee maker placed on shelf next to a small bathroom counter. I want to emphasize a clean coffee carafe because we sometimes in some lodgings find coffee pots not cleaned or worse sometimes there is leftover coffee. We are not brave enough to use coffee makers there but without hesitation we boiled water for our hot chocolate we brought with us. When we returned late in the evening we still had a view of the mountain.

In the morning we got up to a rain and low clouds. At one moment the clouds moved away and we were able to see a whole mountain for a few minutes. Because it began to rain again we couldn't take advantage of nearby hiking trails. We stopped at the museum which is located next to the inn. The park ranger answered all our many questions; we spent some time looking at interesting exibits, got free maps of trails and bought a wildflower book. In conclusion, the National Park Inn was a pleasant surprise and we would definitely stay again at this small more intimate inn.