We arrived at the beginning of the tourist season and the staff was not fully trained. The younger housekeeping staff engaged in rowdy play and disrupted the arrival at the Old Faithful Inn location. A discussion with a supervisor alleviated the problem.

It is a fabulous old hotel in the national park tradition.

They have a lot of staff available at all hours.

Our stay was as enjoyable as always, even though the hotel was understaffed because our stay was at the end of the season. It is not cheap, but it is worth the money. Anyone who expects pool, gym, television, large beds and other normal amenities will be severely disappointed. For the rest of us, it is a great treat to be in the Yellowstone's best hotel.

A family vacation to Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World Christmas of 2003 inspired me to learn more about the great lodges of the National Park System, and of course that journey carried me right to the front doors of the Old Faithful Inn.

From the moment you walk into the towering lobby, you are captivated by the atmosphere, of course to trip getting there and the sights all around set the tone. The lobby really is the centerpiece of this hotel; it draws you at all times of the day and night.

The amenities of the hotel are somewhat primitive compared to today's ultra-luxury resorts, but that is part of the charm of this experience. Some of the rooms have shared facilities, and are pretty spare in their furnishings, however there are rooms which provide more features. The restaurant is superb, with wild game offerings as well as other premium fare. The snack bar is also a good bet, and its hours are better.

Take note, though, this hotel is almost always full during its season, and reservations are best made early in your planning - and this includes the restaurant. If you want to eat there, you should plan ahead.

Our experience at Old Faithful Inn was all and more than we expected. Go, and be prepared to enjoy all it has to offer.

This lodge is Queen of the Park with the best possible location – right beside Old Faithful geyser. The moment you walk into the towering lobby of this massive, 100-year-old "log cabin," its old-world ambience embraces you and jettisons you back to an earlier, more gracious era.

The lofty ceiling and mezzanines, the smooth lodgepole beams, the enormous stone fireplace all help introduce you to a very special experience. Notice the leaded glass windows, designed to filter the sunlight and make it look dappled, as if you are really in a forest. The second-floor viewing porch offers great views of the geyser. The rooms are extremely simple and basic – especially the “high-range” and lower, though spotless.

The cheapest rooms have shared baths. No TV in the rooms, no air conditioning, no pool. The room numbers can be extremely confusing. Get clear directions from the front desk or you’ll be lost awhile. The dining room is fabulous (be prepared to wait). Try the buffalo prime rib or elk tenderloin for a pure Yellowstone experience, then finish with a “caldera,” their signature dessert, sinfully rich with molten chocolate. Have a brandy in the bar or sip hot cocoa in front of the fireplace while live piano music wafts down from the mezzanine.

For lighter fare, there’s a decent snack bar just off the lobby, an espresso bar on the second floor mezzanine and a grocery store a few minutes walk away. Hotel service is sometimes a little harried, since they are always full. Reserve your stay well in advance. To eat in the dining room, reserve your table when you book your room. The Inn is a two-minute walk from Old Faithful and a fine Visitor Information Center. Follow the boardwalk for a fascinating loop walk around the entire geyser basin., it’s currently undergoing a multi-year renovation but it’s still open.