6 Best Hotels in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
The Mount Rainier area is remarkably bereft of quality lodging. Rainier's two national park lodges, at Longmire and Paradise, are attractive and well maintained. They exude considerable history and charm, especially Paradise Inn, but unless you've made summer reservations a year in advance, getting a room can be a challenge. Dozens of motels, cabin complexes, and private vacation-home rentals are near the park entrances; while they can be pricey, the latter are convenient for longer stays.
Stormking Spa and Cabins
In a forest setting a mile from the Nisqually entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park, Stormking features four luxury cabins for adults; all are shaped like yurts and have cozy gas fireplaces, hot tubs, private outdoor seating areas, and natural finishes of wood and stone. The on-site spa offers massage and treatments for individuals and couples.
Alta Crystal Resort
This small resort with family-friendly amenities feels remote yet is very close to Mt. Rainier's Sunrise entrance and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort; suites feature fireplaces and full kitchens, and the property has a year-round outdoor pool and hot tub, sports field, and a recreation center. The 23 suites are in three chalet-style buildings. Each has a bedroom on the main floor and a fireplace; larger suites also have an open loft accessed by ladder stairs, with a bed and additional bathroom. Three stand-alone cabins on site offer more privacy—the Hawthorne log cabin overlooks a creek and sleeps two adults and two kids on sofabed; the Tahoma is the largest cabin on the resort property, with two bedrooms, and sleeps four adults and two kids; and the Creekside has its own private hot tub. For even more privacy, the River View and White River Bend cabins are off-site by the White River and have their own hot tubs, plenty of sleeping options, and full access to resort amenities. The resort has a mini-grocery store, extensive rental movie library, snowshoe and bike rentals, and limited Wi-Fi throughout. In summer, nightly activities include bonfires, barbecues, movie nights, wilderness bingo games, and even karaoke.
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National Park Inn
A large stone fireplace warms the common room, and wrought-iron lamps and antique bentwood headboards adorn the small bedrooms of this country inn, the only one of the park's two inns that's open year-round. Simple American fare is served in the restaurant. Off-season packages include full American breakfasts and deep rate discounts.
Nisqually Lodge
Crackling flames from the massive stone fireplace lend warmth and cheer to the great room of this hotel, a few miles west of Mt. Rainier National Park. Newly remodeled rooms have modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and Wi-Fi. The decor is standard for a motel, but two king rooms have balconies.
Silver Skis Condominiums
With rooms overlooking Crystal Mountain Resort, Silver Skis Condominiums provide convenient slopeside family-friendly lodging, with well-equipped one- and two-bedroom condos featuring kitchens or kitchenettes, Wi-Fi, DVD players, and satellite TV (some have fireplaces, too). The complex features a heated pool (open year-round), family activities, and direct access to the chairlifts and gondola. Reservations fill up fast in winter, so reserve a few months out if possible.