If you're going to Yellowstone, you obviously want to see Old Faithful. If you're not camping, this is clearly the place to stay. It sits literally right next to the gyser, so close that they have a huge viewing porch on the second floor that you can sit on and watch it erupt. It is also very close to gyser hill and all the other things to see in the area. The hotel's public areas are amazing and you definitely get a sense of history staying here. The lobby is spectacular and the exterior is really cool looking.

However . . . as a hotel, it is seriously lacking, hence the average rating. In fact, were it not for all the positives mentioned above, I would rate this "poor" and let me tell you why. First off, like many National Park hotels, this is run by a consessionaire to the Park Service. To my knowledge this company runs all the hotels in the entire park and thus there is absolutely no competition whatsoever. Hence, like any monopoly, there is no incentive for improvement. So, the rooms are just your basic tiny hotel rooms. We stayed in two different rooms and both were small with very dated and worn furniture. The sheets in one room were torn and the radiator banged so loudly all night I barely slept. Did I complain? Well, the answer is no because there was no point.

I would basically describe staff here as delivering terrible service with a smile. Everyone there was very, very nice, but no one seemed to have any clue how to run a hotel. I'm not sure if this is because everyone there is a seasonal worker and thus this is not their career, or what it is. But I can tell you that to a person everyone was just out to lunch in one way or another on basic issues. For example, I asked for extra towels one night. It literally took an hour for them to arrive and rather than the three big and three small towels I asked for, I was offered one big towel. Again, why complain. I was going to be in bed before it was remedied.

And the restaurant, while very cool looking and historic, serves absolutely awful and overpriced food. I had the elk medallions and they arrived 40 minutes after I ordered them, cold. My 7 year old simply ate nothing, telling me his pasta was "worse than school lunch" which is clearly saying something. And the service? Forgetaboutit! Our waiter took 15 minutes to come to the table the first time, then proceeded to disappear from the dining room for 40 more minutes until the food arrived. It took another 15 minutes after we were finished to get the check and while we waited and waited, the plates just sat there on the table, despite many bussers passing us empty handed.

I could go on and on but I think you get my point. Now, would I stay there again? Absolutely because this is the best option you have. But, don't get yourself all excited thinking that because this is THE historic hotel in the park you're going to have some kind of 5 star experience. You're just not. But, to be right next to the gysers and be able to come and go as you want, it's still worth it in the end.

The reason we stayed here was because of the location. Old Faithful was erupting when we arrived and when we left, and we enjoyed it every time we saw it. The second floor veranda in the front of the Inn is a perfect spot for geyser (and people) watching, with adjacent cocktail and coffee bars. The side veranda on the east wing has an even better view and fewer visitors.

But the east wing - our room looked out the back, supposedly on the parking lot, but for this summer it's a huge and noisy construction site with workmen on the roof right at bathroom-window height. We saved a few bucks skipping the geyser-view rooms, but for this summer they're probably worth it. Room was otherwise pleasant and clean, and amenities included cute litle bear soaps.

The reception area was chaotic - pleasant but completely clueless staffers. We arrived after 5 pm after 7 hours on the road and were told that our room wasn't ready yet. After 20 minutes or so we were allowed to check in, but it wasn't much of a welcome.

I was a little disappointed by the room we were given at first. It was in the new wing: very basic and not as charming as some rooms I've seen in other national parks lodges. Because of a loud noise coming from the roof that made it hard to fall asleep, we asked if it was possible to have another room. The kind lady at the reception found us a room in the old wing. This room was much nicer and cozier, exactly what you expect from an historical inn such as this one. The shared bathroom was spotless clean. The location is probably the best for those who have just a couple of days in the park as we did. The restaurant of the inn has a very convenient buffet, which is a little pricey (same as in other parks) but good.

The charm and historical experience is what makes this a "must stay"! We were in a double queen room with a shared bathroom. The room was small but charming with all wood walls, the bathroom was clean, updated, and serviveable. We had problems getting our room cleaned. Twice we had to ask to get the tows replaced and the trash taken out. Front desk personelle were very friendly and helpful.