monpetit

For the "Glacierites".
Concessionnaire changes in GNP and Xanterra would be in charge of Apgar Village inn, Lk Mc Donald Lodge, Rising sun, Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent motor inn.
Glacier Pk inc conserves Glacier Pk Lodge, Hotel Prince of Wales, St Mary's complex, Grouse resort in Whitefish and some rooms near Lk Mc Donald lodge.
I don't know how the tarif will go, but certainly not down...
Attention, Apgar village inn and Swiftcurent are for a lot sold out...
Making reservation for 2014 we didn't have rooms at Swiftcurrent in August(we had in MG hotel and hope some cancellations as we preferr Swiftcurrent atmosphere...).
Apgar VInn was sold out also...
So make reservation as soon as possible and hope about cancellation...
Erik

spirobulldog

The prices are set by NPS not by the concessionaire.

monpetit

It seemed to me, exploring the regulation on NPS site that the concessionnaire proposes and the NPS agree or not.
As the new contract include refurbishing, modernising some rooms in different lodges and improving food service, I think there will be a change in the "up" direction...
And I think for the Red bus tour that Glacier Park inc will request some additional fees to authorize visit in GP lodge and Prince of Wales hotel...
I agree about necessity of actualisation , but hope that this new contract will not be consequence of a too high augmentation of the actual rates(which are somewhat expensive for what you get in some rooms...).
Erik

spirobulldog

Most National Park Lodging is expensive for what you get. At the same time, the facilities are old and would be super expensive to maintain. I've been to just about every one of them now(either stayed there or at least a meal there). Oddly, having been to the Grand Canyon 4 times, I have yet to stay or eat at any of the lodges there. I have spent the night there, just not in lodges. I have not been to the the Chalets in Glacier. Probably the most "off the beaten track" lodge I've been in would be Oregon Caves Chateau-A real GEM.

I agree that pricing will go up, but it would go up anyway. Certainly isn't going to go down. When I book a year in advance(I've done this for about the last 7 years) at a national park, usually the email confirmation will say "subject to NPS approval of increases". This is usually about 3 or 4%, from what I've experienced.

monpetit

I agree that lodges are old but sometimes it's part of their "charm"...
This year we have overnighted at Sperry Chalet : no heat, no electricity, no water in room, but unforgettable atmosphere...
What is sometimes difficult to admitt : old mattress, old carpet,shower with no change of system since 15 years+,...
The thin walls are there and change in the structure would certainly change the atmosphere...and it's not a problem if people respect a "quite" policy between 10pm and 7 am...
But too much times concessionnaire didn't do all they have to do with the "furniture"...
Yes being in the park is part of the experience but without modernising and loss the "feeling", a good bed, with a decent shower in a 100 years old building is all what we need...
In our case, Swiftcurrent has "more" charm than Many Glacier hotel and it's a motel, not a "magnificient" lodge...
But sleeping at the trailheads, that's fantastic...
Erik