Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [288]
Stone Creek Lodge
38624 Wash. 706, Ashford, WA 98304. ☎ 800/819-3942 or 360/569-2355. www. destination-rainier.com. 10 cabins. $90–$135 double. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Located only 200 yards from the park's Nisqually Entrance, these cabins sit on green lawns that attract deer throughout the year. These are not the most atmospheric of the cabins right outside the park entrance, but they are the cleanest and most up-to-date. Big picture windows let in plenty of light. Larger cabins have kitchens and fireplaces and sleep up to four people; some smaller ones have microwaves and refrigerators; and all have gas-log fireplaces and hot tubs. Some cabins have one queen bed, and some have one queen plus two singles. All cabins are nonsmoking.
Stormking
37311 Wash. 706, East. (P.O. Box 126), Ashford, WA 98304. ☎ 360/569-2964. www.stormkingspa.com. 3 cabins. Cabin $155–$175 double (2-night minimum) or $195 (1 night) double. Rates include continental breakfast. MC, V.
Especially appealing for active, outdoorsy adult couples, the Stormking started out as a popular hot tub and massage facility. But people enjoyed the setting and experience so much that they kept telling co-owner Deborah Sample that she should build cabins and take overnight guests. That's just what she and her co-owner, Steven Brown, did. Two of the gorgeous cabins have private hot tubs, two have two-person showers, and all three have gas fireplaces. Spa treatments are offered. Breakfasts are "mountain vegetarian style." The Stormking is nonsmoking.
OUTSIDE THE NORTHEAST (WHITE RIVER) ENTRANCE
Alta Crystal Resort at Mount Rainier
68317 Wash. 410 E., Greenwater, WA 98022. ☎ 800/277-6475 or 360/663-2500. Fax 360/663-2556. www.altacrystalresort.com. 24 units. TV TEL. $179–$279 unit for 1–6 people. AE, MC, V.
This is the closest lodging to the northeast (White River) park entrance and the Sunrise area. The resort has wooded grounds and makes a good base in winter when skiers flock to the slopes of Crystal Mountain, just minutes away, but it is most popular from late spring through early fall. The resort features suites in chalets and a log honeymoon cabin, all with a mountain-lodge atmosphere and lots of homey touches, such as dried flowers. Accommodations are in one-bedroom units, with a queen bed in the bedroom plus a futon in the living/dining area; and loft chalets, which have vaulted ceilings, skylights, and two bathrooms. Chalets can sleep up to four adults and two children under 12. No matter what size suite you choose, you'll find a full kitchen, fireplace or wood stove, phone with dataport, and TV with DVD player and VCR. The honeymoon cabin (for two adults only; no children), set apart from the other buildings, is done in an extremely attractive mountain-lodge style, with a gas fireplace, brass bed with down comforter, lots of large windows, a full kitchen, and a TV with DVD player and VCR. Also available are a rustic log lodge for recreation and groups, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and horseback riding, hiking, and mountain-bike trails from your door.
OUTSIDE THE SOUTHEAST (STEVENS CANYON) ENTRANCE
Cowlitz River Lodge
13069 U.S. 12 (P.O. Box 488), Packwood, WA 98361. ☎ 888/305-2185 or 360/494-4444. www.escapetothemountains.com. 32 units. A/C TV TEL. $55–$85 double. AE, DC, MC, V.
With easy access to Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and White Pass skiing, this lodge offers comfortable accommodations with many amenities. Owned by the same company as the Nisqually Lodge (see above), rooms here are typical of modern American motel style—average size, with wood-toned furnishings, upholstered chairs, and a few homey touches. There's an outdoor hot tub, coin-op laundry, and a waxing room for cross-country skiers. You may see deer or elk on the lawn, and you can laze