National Park Inn

We’ve visited the Inn’s Mother’s Day buffet in years past. It's always outstanding. Except for this year. The buffet was open from noon to 6:00 p.m. Anticipating large crowds, we made reservations for 5:00 p.m. There were just two other tables in use when we arrived. We enjoyed an uncrowded, quiet dining room. But the meal itself was a major disappointment. The roast beef and salmon were cold. So were the vegetables. The asparagus was over-cooked and limp. I don’t know how long the food had been sitting out on the buffet table, but it was obviously too long. And not exactly appetizing. Especially when you’re shelling out $30 a plate. Although friendly and polite, the restaurant staff seemed in a hurry to clock out. They tore down the buffet table a half hour early. Maybe they figured that since ours was apparently the last reservation of the day, they’d just serve up whatever dregs were available and call it good. Not! We’ve dined at the National Park Inn dining room several times over the last 15 years or so. This was the first time the food was markedly sub-standard. We’ve had better meals at Denny’s – for a lot less. Read less

We went up to Mt. Rainier with friends visiting from Virginia.We were in awe of the beautiful views and the weather was perfect. Evelyn and Merilena checked us in.They were welcoming and answered all our questions. They gave us a room with a perfect view of Mt. Rainier! This is a lodge that has a dining room and nice sitting area with a fireplace.Rooms were quaint and clean. We also enjoyed the porch with all the seating areas.This was the perfect spot to take pictures of the mountain. We ate in their dining room and enjoyed our meal.We also tried the Copper Kettle,just outside park entrance for breakfast.I would recommend it for breakfast. We all took a walk to the suspension bridge being lodge to star gaze.Amazing!!! Read less

I was invited up for an interview in Mt. Rainier National Park. I have never been so blown away by a parks beauty and energy. I was fortunate to stay at the National Park Lodge. It was very historic and clean. The staff are top notch and go out of their way to answer any questions and have a conversation when they are not busy. The restaurant was so delicious, from a filling breakfast to exotic dinner choices. I would go here with family or a romantic escape Read less

When I and my husband stopped there to book a night, we clearly expressed to the gentlewoman that we wanted to surprise my 90 year old mother in law who wanted to see the mountain one more time. Room was booked, we were foolish enough to ask no questions. I do have to say they were nice enough to say if something happens and we have to cancel in the last minute, they won't charge us being that she is 90. My mother in law has dementia so our idea was to spend just one night, get her to experience the place and see the mountain in the morning and leave by lunch time or something. Well on a snowy February evening, we got there by 6.15. It was snowing and slippery for our car but the entrance kiosk was not open so we did not even know where it is safe to stop and put our snow chains. We drove slow and careful to get there. We carried a small shovel. My husband shoveled from the car to the door while I carefully walked my mother in law. We check in and find out all rooms are upstairs. I ask the concierge "Oh! So where is the elevator?" "We don't have an elevator?" How come the gentlewoman never warned me about it when I booked? Luckily we had been walking the stairs with my mother in law as an exercise for over 2 years although she has not done much of climbing stairs in the last 5 months. We decided we will go up after dinner and will come down once in the morning this way she does not need to do it more that once up or down. The dinner was too expensive and less than desirable. We already knew there will be minimum choices but it did not taste freshly prepared, portion did not match the price or quality. The Harvest plate is what we got and the rice tasted stale as if the lunch was warmed and served to us. After the terrible dinner, we sat in the library room and played a game or two and went to our room number 6. We had run back down to beg them to give us a step to get mom into bed. She is 5'5 but there was no way she could get in that bed without a lift and everytime she had to step on the small stool, it was very stressful. She is a strong woman and thank God for regular exercise!!!!! It was nightmare to help mom on to the very low toilet without a bar on the wall to hold on to. Very congested space to get in and out of the bathroom. We were however pleasantly surprised by the beauuuuutiful view from the window at sunrise and we sat mom at the window to watch it for an hour before Mt. Rainier disappeared behind clouds. Breakfast was as undesirable as the dinner. People are friendly and I do understand it is a Inn in the winter but I would never go there with an elderly person and stress out. The website announces ADA rooms on first floor but we were told all rooms are upstairs on the day we checked in. Read less