Alexander's Lodge At Mt Rainier — Hotel in Graham

There’s not enough info about staying in yurt, so I’ll leave one for everyone 😉 I enjoyed staying here A LOT, but should indicate a bit of inconvenience must follow when you decide not to settle in the main lodge. I had to deduct one star for that, but overall experience was just nice as much as I expected.

Location: This was the name of the game. It takes only 3 min to get to Nisqually entrance by car! As we decided to visit Mt. Rainier only 3 weeks ago and didn’t get a timed entry pass (which was started from this summer, so you’ll want to check it out), we must have arrived BEFORE 7 am. And my choice was absolutely worth it.

Structure and direction: It was little confusing to figure out our room as we arrived after dark. There is a key-pickup room as you turn to the lodge after parking. There’s no sign on the door indicating that you’re allowed to enter after checking-in time, so we went up to the parlor and was eventually guided by a manager. I attached a pic for everyone’s convenience.

Also, the direction to the yurt can feel like you’re heading in a trail (in the night!) But no worries, the yurt is right at the end of it once you find a blue bench and keep going. A lantern is provided with the room key (I brought my own just in case, but it was a nice surprise)

Yurt: It was far cozier than I expected! Inside was bright, warm, and spacious. Honestly better than a cabin at Yosemite I stayed before 😂 The owner should get pics updated — Feel free to use mine. I felt sorry I used here only for a crash pad. Outlets and switches are on both sides within reach, Additional blankets, shams, and a heater were prepared.

Service: They serve complimentary breakfast, which is just perfect for hiking Skyline trail at Paradise in the VERY early morning! Generally it is prepared by 7:30-8:00 but you can ask earlier time than that. Ours weren’t set in the fridge yet upon our arrival, but a manager on the spot immediately fixed it for us.

Bathroom: Probably the only and obvious downside of staying in a yurt, specifically when you have a tight time window. It takes like 7-8 min to travel to the bathroom and unlock the side door (pic was shaken) and there is only one shower booth. It is supposed to be used by 4 people, though, so a careful planning is needed before use. We prioritized a good amount of sleep so skipped shower.

Yet plenty of amenities were provided in a basket. Thick and fluffy shower towels, travel size shampoo and conditioner, shower caps, etc. Although space was small, it was very clean and well cared.

Misc: There is a really pretty pond back side of the main lodge! It’s a pity we didn’t have time to sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery! Also, the parlor room is very cozy and authentic. A table is reserved for each yurt guests, probably good for a breakfast. There’s a microwave, too — I would bring some frozen food if I knew that. Now you know that, too.😉

Overall, I could see the lodge and yurts are very well managed. Communication is easy and fast. The location is amazing and complimentary breakfast is essential for a long hike in the morning.

There are a few rules and policies, but I feel those are understandable considering the difficulty to manage such a big place in the (almost) out of nowhere. As long as you keep it in mind, there’s no problem. I would love to stay in the main...

I recently stayed at Alexander’s Lodge at Mount Rainier with my mother and our dog for a Mother’s Day getaway, and it was a lovely experience. We stayed in Room 15, one of their pet-friendly options, located right off the pond. The view was beautiful, with the sound of a distant waterfall adding to the peaceful atmosphere. The grounds were very well maintained, and the entire setting felt calm and relaxing.

The lodge keeper was exceptional—kind, attentive, and even offered to help with our bags when he saw my mom using a walker and oxygen. That level of personal care really stood out.

Our room was very clean and comfortable, though a bit sparsely furnished. Still, it met our needs well and felt like a cozy retreat. From the outside, the inn could use a bit of a refresh, but inside, everything was clean and functional.

The location is a major plus—just minutes from the Mount Rainier National Park entrance, which made getting into the park quick and easy. There are several restaurant options nearby, though most close early, so it’s a good idea to plan meals in advance. There’s also a small market just six minutes away if you need any essentials during your stay.

Each morning, they offer what they call a “breakfast basket,” though ours wasn’t in an actual basket—more of a breakfast selection. The items were already in our room when we arrived, which was very convenient since we didn’t have to worry about a delivery or being up at a certain time. We chose egg sandwiches, oatmeal, raisins, string cheese, and both tomato and orange juice. It wasn’t fancy, but it was satisfying and very much appreciated.

Check-in takes place inside a small gift shop, which was charming. I didn’t explore the full property, but from what I saw, there are a mix of internal and external rooms, a few detached cabins, and some yurts tucked into the woods. Our external room was very peaceful. Although I didn’t run into other guests, the cars in the lot (and the Tesla chargers) indicated we weren’t the only ones there.

Overall, Alexander’s Lodge provided a quiet, comfortable stay in a beautiful setting. It was a memorable and meaningful way to celebrate Mother’s Day, and I would absolutely...

The 5 stars are for the employees, the waterwheel, the stained glass, the architectural beauty of room 11, and the birds only!! Okay. Heidi, at check in, was 5 star!! I was reserved in room 17, but it's a dump! Small, mismatched furnishings, and dusty. I went to the front desk to talk with Heidi. She was very helpful. She upgraded me into a much bigger room, with a separate bedroom with no ifs ands or buts. The room itself was beautiful with a wood ceiling and wood lined walls unlike I have ever seen. So pretty! I loved the windows...they were the tower windows, bottom floor, circling around the room. The stained glass window 3/4 of the way up the wall separates the bedroom and the living room...beautiful. The private patio was lovely, and I slept comfortably on the bed. The negatives of the room are why I won't stay there again. Dirt stained carpet, didn't want to walk on it barefoot so I didn't. The shower and sink in the bathroom were dirty. The furnishings were mismatched...ghetto looking almost. I walked around the property. On the East side of the Lodge the paint is peeling and there is a ramshackle shed. The grass was mostly weeds cut down and it was not maintained regularly. The fish pond was pretty with the little waterfall at the end of it, but the algae was awfully green. There was a unsightly pipe connecting the ground to the pond also, that looked neglected. In the morning I had the discomfort of taking a lukewarm shower because they obviously don't have a big enough water heater. That was very very disappointing. I put towels on the sofa from the 70s because it was dark brown so I couldn't see if its stained. Probably is. Yuck. Okay. Went to check out and that went well. I had a small breakfast which went very well. Rocko, my server, went above and beyond!! I watched birds eat from the bird feeder and the water wheel, which is maintained well. This is a mixed review. The people that work there are great! No complaints! The owners, new ones now, need to mend, clean, and upgrade the place! For these reasons I won't stay there again. There are 5 star employees at other hotels that care...