Lake Yellowstone Hotel

Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins: A Visit and Dining Experience

I've visited Yellowstone National Park numerous times, and Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins always fascinated me with its Colonial Revival style and grand size. Opening its doors for the first time in 1891, this massive and elegant hotel intrigued me, but I never had the time to explore it until recently. I decided to dedicate a whole weekend to this area of the park, finding a great deal for a cabin at the nearby Lake Lodge Cabins (I'll review that too). As I've often said, the Lake area is my favorite spot in the park, so I was excited to explore it more thoroughly.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins

Arriving earlier than my check-in time, I took a stroll around the hotel, admiring the interior, and decided to have lunch. At around 1:30 pm, I was seated without any problems and ordered a blackened halibut sandwich with truffle fries. The sandwich was delicious.

Sun Room

After lunch, I walked along the lake, which was a bit stormy with big waves. It was interesting to see the lake in a different mood, as I usually see it calm. Surprisingly, there were no people around, perhaps due to the weather or my early arrival. I had the beach to myself, which is exactly why we go to nature—to get a "wyld reset."

Later, I checked into my hotel/cabin and returned for an excursion at Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The free excursion starts daily at 4:45 pm at the concierge desk next to the fireplace and lasts about an hour. It was informative and entertaining, providing a lot of history about the hotel. Without Wi-Fi or cell service in the area, this tour was a great way to learn.

Earlier, I made a dinner reservation, with the only available time being 9:15 pm, which was a bit late. After the excursion, I put my name on the waiting list for dinner and spent the wait in the Sun Room, which offers amazing lake views. The front desk gave me a buzzer and warned me of at least a two-hour wait. I used this time for self-reflection and journaling, enjoying the serene environment and piano music in the background. There's also a bar service, and I opted for a mocktail called E.C. Waters, made with soda, lime, and cucumber—my new favorite summer drink.

Dinning Room

Exactly two hours later, my buzzer went off, and I was seated for dinner. I had soup and vegetable crepes, which were delicious. The prices were reasonable, comparable to those in Cody, with alcohol being slightly more expensive due to a different wine selection. The service was excellent, and the dining experience was well-organized and smooth despite the busy setting.

After dinner, I returned to the Lake Lodge, enjoying the fireplace in its cozy log cabin-style lobby with two fireplaces and a bar. The next morning, I went back to the Lake Hotel for their breakfast buffet, which I enjoyed, especially the smoked salmon. They also have a breakfast menu, and they kindly made me a soy milk latte upon request. The buffet cost a little over $20, plus tips.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and want to commend the hotel staff for their excellent service. Lake Yellowstone Hotel is definitely worth visiting, and the dining experience was the best I've had in Yellowstone so far.

If you need help planning your visit to Yellowstone, contact us at Wyld Reset. We'll be happy to create a tailor-made itinerary for you and your group based on your interests, or you can purchase our ready-to-go itinerary from our store. If you prefer planning it yourself, visit the Yellowstone website for all the information you need to book your trip.

Thank you for reading my review. I hope it helps you plan an unforgettable journey to the world's oldest national park.