Old Faithful Inn
 

Anybody stayed at Old Faithful Inn lately? Trying to book for Sept 2012. Not sure I'm willing to pay for geyser view (read where they don't provide good view). I saw an older post that recommended the east side rooms in the east wing. What is the real difference in east vs west vs geyser view.

We did not have geyser view, but must admit, that would be great while getting ready in the mornings and right before bedtime. However, there is a large patio on the second floor and we would take a bottle of wine and sit and talk and view Old Faithful. There is a bar there where you can buy it right before you go ourside, but we always just took our own. The patio has benches and tables. We always took a table for four and sat in the shade.

There are two different areas--the "Old House' is the central and original inn. The rooms have a sink but no toilet or shower. You have to go to a central bathroom. The rooms are more rustic and cheaper. The other section are the wings of Old Faithful Inn and they have their own bathrooms.

My two suggestions from our experience is to absolutely NOT stay on the ground floor unless you just have to. Old Faithful Inn is the most visited attraction in Yellowstone and people tend to forget people are actually staying there. There will be large crowds who are loud in the halls, even late at night. I came back to my room from the shower (2nd level) and couldn't get to my room because a tour group of about 30 people were blocking the hall in front of my door.

My other suggestion is to not stay on the west side during warm months. I'm not sure about the wings but the Old House (central) section) is not air conditioned and it really gets hot in the room in the afternoon on the west side.

A neat thing to do is to go out really late (after dark) to watch Old Faithful, especially if you have a good moon. You'll practically have the place to yourself (there are hundreds there during the day).

cd: Do you know if all the geyser view rooms actually have a view?

Connie: Do you know if all the geyser view rooms actually have a view?

I'm sorry--I don't.

Hello DebinTN :)

We've stayed at the Old Faithful Inn a couple years ago in mid-September. Our "eastside front facing" room was on the ground floor, and it was very quiet. Looking out the window, we had a perfect view of the geyser area (never saw the eruption from the room as we preferred being outside). Some of the rooms on this front facing side were pretty obscured by trees.

If you're interested in dining in their dining hall, make sure to secure a reservation as soon as you get your room settled.

Happy travels!

On what I believe is the second floor, there's a lovely large outside deck with a great view of the geyser area as well. Nice for mornings or evenings, quiet and away from the crowds. Lots of chairs for relaxation.

My husband and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone this September. I have not made any reservations yet because I don't know where to begin. Could someone give me information on how large Yellowstone is, and could we stay in one location and drive? Or should we stay at a couple of locations? We will have six days in Yellowstone.

We loved the OFI. Stayed in the historic wing on the second floor. Negative thing was we were near the staircase and that was a little noisy. My wife wasn't crazy about not having a bathroom.

Spend an entire day geyser gazing near OFI. Old Faith is great, but we liked Castle and Riverside even more.

Deb, sorry, do not personally know of the geyser room views.

I did want to commit on the above poster that suggested you make reservations in the Dining Room of Old Faithful...I agree. Breakfast was really good.

That is an interesting Hotel name

The geyser view rooms have views of Old Faithful. Hence the name.

I stayed in one for the first time several years ago. I was in a ground floor room and at the time there was Trex decking creating a boardwalk. It was the only thing between me and the geyser. I'm a very heavy sleeper and I found myself awake in the middle of the night. It took me a few seconds to realize it was the geyser! We were there in October on the last weekend the inn was open for the season. The room was beautifully appointed with private bath and those fun little bear soaps :-)

I was back there last year (actually exactly a year ago). We were in a second floor room. Our party of four had two rooms and there were direct views of OF from the windows. I was amazed how much the pine trees in between had grown. Our room had a good view but there were some pine trees in between the window and the geyser. The adjacent room had a completely clear view of the geyser. The rooms can get hot in the summer (no A/C) and they have fans in the rooms. Therefore, the windows were open but the geyser didn't wake me up this time.

We took a free tour of the inn and we saw the old rooms without bathrooms. I loved the geyser view rooms we stayed in (with bathroom). They are very different in decor and size.

We stayed in two sections of the park as it is so large.

Last year, we stayed in a room with a view of the geyser but I'll have to look for the room number, it's burried in a box somewhere. It was a worthwhile experience, going to sleep and waking up to OF spewing. There are no crowds. Very few, if any, people by dawn and dusk and to simply watch and hear that geyser from our room was a neat experience. Yes, there was a tree outside our window but it did not detract from the experience and the geyser was easily seen and heard. I'll look for that room number and post back. Our room was small but comfortable; the bathroom was squeeky clean, roomy and very nicely appointed.

So I found the trip folder but the receipt showing which room we were in is not in there. Ah, moving. The confirmation sheet, after room type, reads "Premium Frontside East Wing". Reservation was made 1 year in advance. Good luck and happy trip planning!

Although not with a view of the geyser, We enjoyed the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins. Good price, moderately secluded from the bustle of the Inn.

big, are those the cabins directly in front of OF Inn, kinda off to the side? What do they look like inside?

Photogirl: We were there several years ago, and since my husband hates changing hotels, we stayed in one place in West Yellowstone for the entire week. It did require daily backtracking but the route took us past a bald eagle nest, tons of elk and buffalo, and river otters so we didn't mind too much.

AnnMarie: Thanks. That's very helpful.

The cabins are to the side. They look like a typical motel room

I was in Yellowstone the beginning of Aug last year.

I stayed in an Old Faithful Lodge cabin. Some have shared bathroom. I selected a cabin with a private in-cabin bathroom (a bit more expensive).

Most of the cabins are closer to Old faithful than the Inn. Though few if any have a view. Why care?

The cabin I was in was about a minute from the OF viewing deck. Couldn't be more convenient. Also, instead of parking in a lot and walking to the Inn, I just parked beside the cabin. Couldn't be more convenient.

Unless you have a balcony (or there's one in the inn) and you like to sit and sip wine in the evening, I'd pick the cabins over the Inn. Easy choice for me.

From the Inn you won't have a good view of OF in the morning as the sun will probably be in you eyes.

I have to admit the Inn is a lot more charming than a cabin. At least the lobby was when we went in once.

I'm not saying anything negative about the cabins, but it's pretty wondrous watching Old Faithful from one's bed. It's a splurge price-wise, but one that's been worth it twice (2 visits) for me.

I strongly agree with a meal at the dining room. Our dinner there was one of the best on the trip.

"Like" :-)

starrs: DH reminded me that the whole point of staying inside the park is to stay at OFI. I was trying to save a few bucks. Guess I'll cut back somewhere else. Although, Myer's description of the cabins sound like a great plan B.
Guess I'll see what's available. Thanks, all!

I guess these posts highlight the differences in travelling styles.

Neither is wrong. It's a matter of style and goal.

I was truly impressed with Old Faithful. I didn't think I would be.

Since it erupts about every 90 minutes it was easy to see multiple times, various locations and different times of day: The view deck early morning, mid-morning morning and after dark, Observation Point in the morning and from Plume Geyser on Geyser Hill from mid- to late-afternoon.

While OF is a sight to see it's far from the only worthwhile sight.

So, if you select the Inn for the luxury (not sure) and ambiance then fine. But if you select it for its views of the park's sights, be aware that OF alone is a very, very small percentage of the sights in these (YNP & GTNP) amazing parks.

"But if you select it for its views of the park's sights, be aware that OF alone is a very, very small percentage of the sights in these (YNP & GTNP) amazing parks."

I don't think anyone would argue that point.


But...it's OLD FAITHFUL!!!

OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW!!!

AND YOU GET TO SEE IT FROM YOUR BED!!! In the middle of the night. All night long :-)


"I guess these posts highlight the differences in travelling styles"
I've tent-camped in Yellowstone.
I've stayed in a simple cabin in Island Park, Idaho and driven in for days in Yellowstone.
I've stayed in "just a motel room" (in various towns) and driven into Yellowstone.
I've been in Yellowstone in every season, except winter. Although it did snow on us the last weekend the Inn was open in October.

So, the same person (me) can enjoy a variety of "traveling styles".

BUT, the OP asked input re this question - "Anybody stayed at Old Faithful Inn lately? Trying to book for Sept 2012. Not sure I'm willing to pay for geyser view (read where they don't provide good view)."


So, some of us were giving some input whether we thought it was worth {paying for a geyser view".

I don't think ANYONE said one MUST have a geyser view to enjoy the geyser or Yellowstone Park. I was trying to share my feelings on a room with a geyser view.

I'll repeat an earlier post - "I'm not saying anything negative about the cabins, but it's pretty wondrous watching Old Faithful from one's bed. It's a splurge price-wise, but one that's been worth it twice (2 visits) for me."

starrs,
While it might have appeared I was critical of your post I was not.

I've seen posts where people half my age feel the only way to see a specific sight is to go canyoneering or rock climbing.

My style (age probably has a lot to do with it) is to only do "easy" but I can be non-stop all day.

I went to Yellowstone with a friend (had just come back from another trip with my wife) so lying in bed watching OF all night wasn't what I had in mind.

While I'm not really interested in camping I'm sure you had a great time. I just came back from taking my daughter and granddaughter to Yosemite and while out early saw a number of cars with people sleeping in them. Well, at least they were able to spend some time in the park.

My style is to do "easy", stop when I want for as long as I want but I can be non-stop.

I know the lodging around OF can be confusing: Inn, Lodge (private and share bathroom), Snow Lodge, etc.

I just wanted the OP to understand (if she didn't already) there are choices and that they should attempt to select what they need for what they want to do.

Sounds good.

I'm still a bit confused with - "so lying in bed watching OF all night wasn't what I had in mind. "

Where do you sleep if it's not in bed all night? :-)

The cool thing about a geyser-view room is that your view is OF. It's a pretty cool thing. The OP wanted info as to whether it was worth the splurge. With varied input (you = no, me = yes) she has info that may help her make up her mind. ;)

I forgot I stayed in Snow Lodge once. Don't quite remember which trip...

starrs,
I think I'll drop the part about rooms with a view. With the pace I keep I'm asleep the minute my head hits the pillow. The next thing I know the sun is coming up and I'm out with my camera. Any more than a basic, comfortable room would be a waste for me.

Although my trip to Yellowstone was only a year ago, it's funny the things that stand out.

I expected OF and the Lower Falls to be "consumer sights". After seeing them I decided they were all they could be. I felt the viewing deck early in the morning showed OF at it's best and while the "consumer views" of the Lower Falls were fine, Red Rock Point showed the best of the Falls. Rainbow and all.

I thought the colors of Grand Prismatic Spring (and the much smaller Morning Glory) were a highlight and hiking a mile to an unoffical trail that gave a helicoptor view of GPS was amazing.

Another highlight was the crowd reaction at Grand Geyser (it had just started to erupt) when I announced my wife had just called to tell me our third granddaughter had just beem born. Too bad her middle name is not Grand.

I envy the number of times you've been there. I could easily go back again.

"...had just called to tell me our third granddaughter had just beem born. Too bad her middle name is not Grand"

I was flying over Denali National Park when my niece was born. I still think "Denali" or "McKinley" would have been good choices. Darn that Southern tradition of family names ;)

Deb, we stayed at OFI in early June,2011. If I ever stay there again I am going to ask for rooms 150 thru 154. They do not have a view of old Faithful, but they are in a quiet hall right next to the semi-secret claw foot bathtub rooms, and since the rooms have a shared bathroom, they are the cheapest in the hotel. Stay in the Inn, it is an unforgetable place to sleep.

Thanks, ziggy

Made our reservation. Had to take a West Wing Frontside room. Will keep checking back for a geyser view room. I know how they become available, especially during the month or so before. Thanks, all.

Thanks,everyone for ALL of your wonderful input,and even the entertainment between Myer and Starrs! You've all helped me so much with my many questions on where to stay...Definitely OFI, and what to see. Now,I have a few questions for Myer.... How do I find the secret unofficial trail that gives the helicopter view of Grand Prismatic Pool????? That is one of the shots I'd like to get! My husband is going to mutiny if I drag him all over for days to get my pictures. Any, and all,photo helps would keep my hubby from making me hitchhike home with my camera and gear!!! Wildlife shots,geysers,etc!This is our anniversary trip,so have to save some time for hubby!!

Photogirl,
For the unofficial trail to see Grand Prismatic Spring from above. It may be unofficial but not secret.

The Fairy Falls trailhead is about a mile from GSP back towards Old Faithful. So, if you're coming from OF stop at the trailhead a little before reaching GPS.

Then hike the first mile of the Fairy Falls hike (actually, it's more of a dirt road). When you reach GPS (it will be on your right) look to the left. There will be a hill and you will either see some others climbing up or you should see enough of a path to make it out.

A little steep but nothing really difficult or very high. It takes about 10 minutes to go up.

When we went there about half a dozen people were there before us and about half a dozen cam after.

It looks like you're looking for good photo locations. You can do a search on my name for my report and see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

For Old Faithful, I think the best view is early in the morning from the viewing deck with the Lodge (not the Inn) behind you. The sun will be behind you glistening off OF and hopefully no wind.

I would walk the whole basin and Geyser Hill at least a couple of times. In the morning and late in the afternoon.

I walked up to Observation Point to see OF erupt but from high up it lost something. Late in the afternoon you're better to watch it from the west. Go to Plume Geyser and be one of a few people watching it from there.

At Canyon the two best views of the Lower Falls are at Artist Point on the south side and Red Rock Point on the north side. Artist Point is a bit far but your also get the canyon in. Red Rock Point will have few people as most will stay at the viewpoint above (I forget which one but read my report). This requires a bit of a hike down (and then of course back up).

Great angle of view at a perfect distance. We even saw a great rainbow at about 9AM in early August.

It's hard to predict where you'll see wildlife. There could be a moose in a gulley beside a road.

I went to Hayden Valley early in the morning and got some very good shots of some deer and bison. There are always bison there. Lamar Valley is also good but it was far from us.

In general, the farther you go from the parking lots the fewer the people you'll see. And that start at about 100 yards.

Great tips, Myer. Thanks.

Old Faithful Lodge is beautiful, but I regret to report that when we visited it last year the magnificent lobby was overrun with people eating big tubs of ice cream. They were clogging the hallway, sitting on the floors, sitting on the stairs--it was quite an incongruous sight.

HTTY

Myer, Your photo tips are just what I am looking for! Thanks so much! I now have an idea of what areas to photograph and will start the reservation process. I think we will stay at either OFI or somewhere nearby for a couple of nights. From what all of you are telling me the extra cost of staying near OF is offset by the incredible memories experienced. We just added Glacier to our plans and will probably go there first because of a possibility of snow on the road between Glacier and Yellowstone. The Tetons will be at the end of our trip and if anyone has highlights, or photo tips for Tetons,I welcome them!!! Again, thanks so much for all of your help, everyone! I've never been to this site before and will definitely return!

Photogirl: We are combining Yellowstone & Glacier on this trip, too. This will be our second trip to each. The first time in Yellowstone, I had shot about 25 rolls of film, only to get home and find out that my camera had mal-functioned & I only had 6 pictures! When they called me from the place where I have my pics developed and I went and saw that even the 6 were crappy, I didn't know whether I was going to cry or throw up right there in the store. I bought a digital camera the next month. Last time at Glacier we were travelling with another couple and didn't get to do much more than drive GTTS Road. We are SO looking forward to next September.