The Old Faithful Inn is a marvel of early 19th century architecture as well as being one of the most famous national park lodges still standing. This superstar Yellowstone National Park lodge also heralds as being the biggest log hotel on the planet. The Old Faithful Inn might even be the biggest log building in the world. This behemoth Yellowstone National Park lodge structure has seven stories, an open 65 foot high lobby and features an 85 foot rhyolite stone fireplace. Designed by the 29 year old Robert C. Reamer, who modeled this Yellowstone National Park lodge after nature’s asymmetrical chaos. It stands as one of the single-most influential architectural influences of national park service rustic style as well as American architecture. The Old Faithful Inn is the heart of the Old Faithful Historic District which includes many side buildings and structures, but none so grand as the Old Faithful Inn.
The first season the Old Faithful Inn was open for business was in 1904. At that time, steam heat and electric lights were considered advanced technology. Today, the ambiance is rustic and historic with much of the original fixtures and décor of it’s early beginnings. A craggy log staircase from the lobby invites guests to ascend to the upper, interior balcony where the structural feats are at eye level. What look like twigs from the lobby floor are realized to be mature logs, bound and bolted together in a assemblage of strength and wonder. It’s no surprise that the Old Faithful Inn is now a National Historic Landmark and the most requested Yellowstone National Park lodge.
Old Faithful Inn Photo by jinxmcc on Flickr
After a handful of wing additions and modifications, the Old Faithful Inn offers 327 rooms. Room types range from suites, semi-suites and premium rooms all with private bathrooms to Old House rooms with shared bathroom accommodations. Old Faithful Inn suites have comfortable renovated sitting rooms, refrigerators as well as two queen beds in a separate bedroom and a full private bathroom. Semi-suites at the Old Faithful Inn are over-sized rooms with two queen beds, sitting area, fridge and a full private bathroom. The east and west wings offer premium rooms with either one or two queens and a full private bathroom. Old House rooms refer to the original Old Faithful Inn rooms in the main building. Some of the Old House rooms have private bathrooms and some do not. These rooms have rustic ambiance yet offer the standard conveniences of a comfortable room. The Old House rooms that do not offer private bathrooms have sinks and access to shared bathrooms with individual private showers down the hall. All of these Yellowstone National Park lodge rooms are non-smoking and do not offer TV, AC, internet service or radios.
The Old Faithful Inn is a Yellowstone National Park lodge that non-guests often come have a meal in the famous Old Faithful Inn dining room. For those who are interested in seeing the splendor of this iconic Yellowstone National Park lodge, but are unable to stay here, a meal in the great dining room of the Old Faithful Inn is a great choice. The Old Faithful Inn dining room is a very popular place so reservations are suggested as far in advance as you know you want to eat there. Many people choose to make their dinner reservations when they book their Yellowstone National Park lodge rooms. Guests to the Old Faithful Inn also enjoy the on-site deli restaurant and the gift store. Interpretive tours are available on location as well.
The Old Faithful Inn is the first Yellowstone National Park lodge you come to from the west or south entrances within the park: 30 miles from the western entrance and 40 miles from the south gate. This makes the Old Faithful Inn a highly sought after and popular Yellowstone National Park lodge. Make your reservations for the Old Faithful Inn as soon as possible. This Yellowstone National Park lodge books up to a year in advance. Call up the professionals at US Park Lodging today to stay at the Old Faithful Inn.
