Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins

Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins is historic lodging at Lake Village, on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. The park’s oldest operating hotel is also a National Historic Landmark. I’d choose it for the lake setting and the main hotel’s public rooms: the lobby, Sun Room and veranda look toward the water, while the cabins sit behind the main building.

The hotel opened in 1891. In 1903, architect Robert Reamer gave it the look people recognize now: massive white columns, an extended roofline and 15 false balconies. For years it was known as the Lake Colonial Hotel. A 1929 renovation added the dining room, porte-cochère and Sun Room, tying the building more closely to the lakeside stay it offers today.

The hotel has a full-service Dining Room with contemporary American dishes, including fresh fish and wild game among its offerings. The deli serves specialty sandwiches, soups, desserts and drinks; there’s also a bar and gift shop. Menus and meal arrangements can change with the season, so check current details before planning around a particular meal.

Lodging here is seasonal, generally running from mid-May into early October; confirm dates with the operator. Guest rooms have no internet service, air conditioning or TVs. That suits a quieter, old-school stay, but it’s a real drawback if you need reliable connectivity or a cool room.

For a photo, step back far enough to fit the yellow exterior and its white-columned portico together. The Sun Room and veranda offer a lake-facing view without leaving the hotel’s public spaces.