Yellowstone Adventure Starts Here: Gardiner's BEST Travelodge!
Yellowstone Adventure Starts Here: Gardiner's BEST Travelodge? – A Rambling Review from a Weary Traveler
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I just crawled out of… well, let's just call it a situation in Yellowstone. My sanity's hanging by a thread, and my phone's been through more dust storms than a tumbleweed. But I promised myself I'd give you the lowdown on this Travelodge in Gardiner, Montana, which, they claim, is the beginning of your Yellowstone adventure. So, here we go. Let's unpack this beast, shall we?
First Impressions (and the Jet Lag Haze)
Finding the place was easy enough. It’s right there in Gardiner, practically the gateway to the park. The exterior? Fine. Standard motel-y. Nothing that screams "WOW!", but hey, by this point, I was just praying for a bed. I was absolutely wrecked from a long drive and the ever-present feeling of being slightly lost, you know?
Accessibility – Bless Their Hearts (Mostly)
Okay, so, HUGE props to the Travelodge for trying. They advertised wheelchair accessibility, which is a big win. I didn't personally need it, but I checked it out for you, dear readers. The lobby and common areas seemed pretty good, with ramps and elevators. I'm not an expert, so I can't 100% vouch, but it looked like they were putting in the effort. (Note: This is based on observation, not personal experience). My heart goes out to those who need it, and the fact they are putting in the effort, is fantastic in my eyes.
The Room – My Tiny, Temporary Fortress
Here’s where it gets interesting. I specifically booked a non-smoking room (because, ew, cigarette smoke). The room itself? Clean. Noticeably clean. Now, this is HUGE for someone who's been traipsing around a national park. They had those anti-viral cleaning products, (thank god!), and the whole place smelled of… well, clean, maybe a touch of lemon-scented. A definite win. My room had…
- Air Conditioning: YES! Especially welcome after those grueling days of heat.
- Free Wi-Fi: Essential for the Insta-obsessed like myself, and for, I guess, work.
- Mini-bar: Nope, but who needs one when you’re surrounded by stunning vistas?
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Bless. This. Tiny. Appliance. I was running on caffeine and sheer will, and this was my salvation.
- Internet Access – Wireless (Free): Okay, yes! Worked perfectly.
- Blackout Curtains: Thank GOODNESS. Needed them.
The "A-Frame" of Pain (aka The Bed)
The bed: not exactly heavenly, but it did the job. The biggest drawback? The pillows! Flat as pancakes. I'm a pillow snob, which I guess is weird, but I NEED support. The bathroom was fine. Water pressure was reasonable, but the drain gurgled a bit. (Minor annoyance, honestly, after the day I'd had.)
Bathroom Essentials - My Checklist:
- Hair Dryer: Check. (Always a lifesaver.)
- Toiletries: Basic. Bring your good stuff.
- Plenty of Towels: Yes, you will be using a lot of these after a mud bath.
The Breakfast Situation – The Buffet Battlefield
Breakfast. Let's be honest, I'm not a buffet person, but I was hungry! So, here’s the deal: They had the standard fare. Cereal, bagels, some sad-looking fruit, and the holy grail of any budget hotel: a waffle maker. The waffle maker saved my morning. Crispy deliciousness. I devoured two. There was an asian option on some days. The breakfast buffet was ok, nothing too fancy.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Beyond the Buffet)
Okay, this is where the location REALLY shines. Right outside are local restaurants… a good thing. The Travelodge doesn't have a restaurant proper, but there is a Snack bar. I didn't try it, but a 24-hour Room service would have been nice.
Things to Do – The Yellowstone Goldmine
Okay, this is the reason you're HERE, right? This Travelodge is ideally located. You're literally steps from the North Entrance of Yellowstone. Within a few minutes of the park, you could actually be doing things!
Ways to Relax (Yeah, Right!)
- Swimming Pool (Outdoor): Didn't try it. Yellowstone kept me busy.
- Fitness Center: Nope. This place seems to be all about adventure.
- Spa/Sauna: Lol, no. Not this place, unless you count soaking in the hot springs (illegally, of course… kidding! Mostly).
Cleanliness and Safety – Did They Survive the Pandemic??
YES! They clearly took things seriously. I'm talking:
- Hand Sanitizer EVERYWHERE.
- Daily Disinfection in Common Areas.
- Rooms Sanitized Between Stays.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol.
- Cashless Payment Service. (Thank God, I hate fumbling with cash).
They were on it. Truly. This made a huge difference in my comfort level, and it's worth a lot, right now.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things that Matter
- Free Car Parking: A MUST. Yellowstone is driving territory.
- Elevator: YES! My legs were begging the elevator to make a comeback.
- 24-hour Front Desk: Reassuring.
- Laundry Service: I didn’t use it, but it’s there for those who want to do more than just wash with river water.
Internet – The Lifeline
Wi-Fi worked flawlessly. I had no issues streaming, connecting, or posting about my adventures.
Getting Around – Freedom on Wheels
- Car Park [free of charge]: Essential.
- Airport Transfer: Not that I could see but Yellowstone doesn't have a close airport.
- Taxi service: probably.
For The Kids – The Young Explorers
- Family/child friendly: Yes, I saw families everywhere.
- Babysitting service: Not to my knowledge
My Emotional Rollercoaster
Okay, look. This isn't the Four Seasons. It's a Travelodge, and it delivers what it promises: a clean, reasonably priced base camp from which to explore Yellowstone. The location is UNBEATABLE. That fact alone is enough to make me recommend it. Yes, the pillows are tragic, and the breakfast is so-so. But after a day of hiking, geysers, and close encounters with bison (more on that later, maybe), all I wanted was a hot shower and a place to crash. And this Travelodge delivered. I would stay again (even if it's just to demolish those waffles). Verdict: Go. Stay. Explore.
Escape to the Lake District: Your Ambleside Adventure Starts Here!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your average, pristine travel itinerary. This is ME in Gardiner, Montana, trying to wrestle a vacation out of the claws of…well, mostly myself, and the occasional rogue bison. We're at the Travelodge by Wyndham, the Gateway to Yellowstone, they say. We'll see about that…
Day 1: The Big Yellowstone Tease & The Existential Breakfast Crisis
- 8:00 AM (ish): Wake up. Okay, "wake up" is generous. More like "drag myself out of the surprisingly comfortable, slightly lumpy, Travelodge bed." The coffee situation? Tragic. Think lukewarm dishwater with a hint of desperation. Debating whether to risk the continental "breakfast" (air quotes galore!) or go for the gas station donut. The donut is winning. Already.
- 9:00 AM: Finally, fueled by processed sugar and the faint scent of hope, we’re out the door! First mission: Get into Yellowstone. Easy, right? I'd like to think so.
- 9:30 AM: The North Entrance gate. Boom! Look at me go. Oh, and the park ranger? Super nice. Gave us maps. Real maps. Not those phone ones that always have me lost in a wheat field. Score.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Driving into Yellowstone. Oh my GOD. The landscape… it’s real. It’s…massive. I’m constantly yelling things like, “WOOOOW!” and “HOLY CRAP!” out the window. My travel companion (bless his/her/their heart) is filming me. Probably for blackmail purposes later. We saw the Roosevelt Arch, which is beautiful and reminded me of a John Wayne film. We tried to spot the elusive bison, but only found a few (those majestic beasts!). A bit of a traffic jam near the Tower Fall. This is the "I need a bathroom" moment, of course. Finding a suitable place near the falls? A challenge.
- 1:00 PM: Okay, quick lunch. Not sure what that was, but it involved a questionable sandwich from a deli and a slightly melted ice cream cone.
- 1:30 PM - 4:00PM: More driving, more "WOW!" moments, and a growing sense of awe. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone? Jaw = officially dropped. I spent a solid hour just staring. Lost in the beauty of it. And the smell! Ah, that sulfur smell. It’s…unique. Kind of like rotten eggs and the promise of adventure. I’m becoming a park regular.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Travelodge. (Reluctantly.)
- 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: The hotel is fine. Clean. Quiet. The TV has a remote. That's about all I need right now. I will try to organize my receipts.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Okay, this is where it gets…complicated. Gardiner is a small town, you know? Choices are limited. We end up at a diner that claims to have the "best burgers in town." Well, they were…burgers. Edible, at least. The waitress, bless her, seems to have been working there since the dawn of time. "You folks enjoying your vacation?" she asks with a world-weary smile. "Trying," I reply, and we both laugh. It’s the kind of laughter that understands the existential weight of ordering a burger in the middle of Montana.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the room. Attempting to plan tomorrow, which I'm sure will go perfectly according to plan (hah!). The view is "meh." But I’ll take it.
Day 2: Geysers, Ghosts, and the Great Bison Hunt (Sort Of)
- 8:00 AM: Repeat the coffee crisis. Fail again.
- 9:00 AM: Back into Yellowstone. Determined to tackle the geysers. Old Faithful is calling my name.
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Okay, Old Faithful. Worth the wait. Really. Like, it’s a dang geyser. That shoots water into the air! It's mesmerising. I’m taking a ton of pictures. Probably too many.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the Old Faithful cafeteria. Surprisingly decent chili. Feeling recharged.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Fountain Paint Pot. Okay, maybe it’s because of the chili, but I find myself becoming very…interested…in the bubbling mud pots. It’s like the earth is burping. I was also on a mission. THE mission. To find the bison. I spent hours driving around, peering into meadows, holding my breath and whispering "Bison, bison, where are you?" Finally, we saw them. A whole herd. Huge. Majestic. And…surprisingly indifferent to my presence.
- 4:00 PM: Back to Gardiner. I swear, I think I saw a ghost in the gift shop. Or maybe it was just the price tags.
- 6:00 PM Dinner. Ok, the burger place is out. I'm craving something different. Found a place that's a little further from the hotel. Decent food and a good atmosphere. I think the ghost is behind me.
Day 3: (Almost) Leaving & The Aftermath
- 8:00AM: Repeat the coffee crisis. The donut won this round again.
- 9:00 AM: One last trip into Yellowstone. Okay, I admit it. I’m sad to leave.
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Final exploration. Quick visits to some of the spots we missed.
- 12:00 PM: Last lunch.
- 1:00PM: Check out of the hotel.
- 2:00 PM: Drive away. I'm already planning my return.
The Verdict:
This trip wasn’t perfect. There were bad coffees, questionable meals, and moments when I just wanted to curl up and cry. But there were also moments of pure, unadulterated joy. Seeing the geysers, staring at the landscape, tracking the bison! It was all a messy, imperfect, and beautiful experience. And you know what? That’s exactly what I wanted. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I'm off to Google "how to make good coffee in a Travelodge." Wish me luck.
Escape to Paradise: Wyndham Garden Playa del Carmen Awaits!
1. Is this REALLY the "BEST" Travelodge in Gardiner? Like, seriously?
Okay, let's be real. "BEST" is a strong word. Especially after a week of hiking and getting eaten alive by mosquitos. Look, it's Gardiner. Your expectations should be managed. I'm gonna level with you: it's not the Ritz. BUT, and this is a BIG but, it's solid. It's clean (mostly – I'll get to that later), the staff are genuinely friendly (and that counts A LOT after a long day), and the location? GOLDEN. You're practically falling into Yellowstone's North Entrance. So, "best" in the sense that it's the most convenient launchpad for all the amazingness? Yeah, probably. "Best" in terms of luxury? Nah. Bring your own pillow. And maybe some extra-strength bug spray.
2. What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it edible?
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. Let's just say it's…functional. Think: pre-packaged pastries that may or may not have been introduced to sunlight recently, watery instant coffee that vaguely resembles coffee (but not in a good way), and those little individual cereal boxes that always seem to have the same three kinds of cereal: Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, and something suspiciously generic. BUT! And here's the saving grace: there's always a waffle maker! And you, my friend, *can* make a damn good waffle. Embrace the carb overload, slap on some syrup, and tell yourself you deserve it. You DO. You're about to wrangle Yellowstone, that's hard work! Plus, the breakfast area is usually packed with other folks heading into the park, so you can swap stories with your fellow adventurers. That's a win, even if the eggs are… questionable.
3. How close *is* it to the entrance? Because I saw some pictures...
Okay, here's a confession. I, in my infinite wisdom, booked a room at another place *slightly* further away the first time I went. I had no idea how much of a time saver the Travelodge would be. The North Entrance is practically across the street. I'm talkin' a two-minute drive, maybe five if you're caught behind a herd of bison or a slow-moving RV. And let me tell you, those extra minutes *matter* when you're trying to snag that coveted parking spot at Old Faithful. This location is a game-changer. You can be in the park, smelling the geysers, before other folks are even finished their complimentary breakfast! The pictures don't lie. They *understate* it. Seriously, if you're thinking about Gardiner, stay here. Trust me, you'll thank me later. You'll be the one waving smugly from your perfect parking spot while everyone else is circling the parking lot like vultures.
4. Were there any... *issues* with the room? Did the bed… collapse? Did you see a ghost? (Be honest.)
Alright, alright, I'll be brutally honest. Okay, so there was *one* time. I'm not going to name names, but let's just say that housekeeping might have missed a spot under the bed. Let's just say it was... dusty. REALLY dusty. And I'm not talking “a light coating of dust” kinda dusty. I'm talking “archaeological dig site with a rogue dust bunny the size of a small dog” dusty. I'm usually not one to complain, but… well, I had allergies going into overdrive. I politely asked for a quick sweep-up, and the staff were on it immediately. They were apologetic, and it was fixed in a flash. Honestly a total random fluke. As for the bed collapsing? No. No ghosts either, thankfully. Although, after a day of chasing bison and dodging selfie sticks, you start to feel like you've seen some pretty otherworldly stuff anyway. No bed collapse. Good sheets.
5. Okay, so, the wifi… is it a joke? Will I be able to upload my Insta-worthy sunset shots?
Ugh, wifi. The bane of every modern traveler's existence. Look, it's… serviceable. Don't expect lightning-fast speeds that will make you forget about what you are there for. You can probably upload those photos. Probably. Sometimes. It's like having a cranky old uncle: you love him, but he can be a little unreliable. Prepare for some buffering. Embrace the digital detox. You're in Yellowstone! Look up from your phone, for crying out loud! See a buffalo. That's my advice. But yes. You *should* be able to share some pictures, eventually. Just be patient. And maybe download a few episodes of your favorite show before you arrive, just in case. I always am. Okay, I'm addicted. I failed. I used the wifi.
6. What about the pool? Is there a pool? Is it any good?
There is indeed a pool. And, honestly? It's kind of a lifesaver after a long day of hiking. It's not Olympic-sized. It's not particularly fancy. It's a bit… standard. But it's clean, it's refreshing, and it's a great place to soak your weary muscles. Kids are usually running around. It's good for a quick dip. More than that and you might be bored. But yes, it IS a great option. But I wouldn't go expecting a spa. Think of it as a giant bathtub. A delightful, chlorinated bathtub. The real value in it, the kids love it. You can get some peace and quiet while they waste extra energy, and you get a good night's sleep.
7. What's the best piece of advice you can give someone staying at this Travelodge?
Manage your expectations. Pack snacks. (Seriously, the in-room coffee isn't going to cut it.) Take advantage of the location. Get to the park early. Be patient with the wifi (and embrace the digital detox!). And remember, you're not there for a luxury vacation. You're there for Yellowstone! Embrace the adventure. Embrace the weirdness. Embrace the bison-jams. Oh, and one more thing: Tip the housekeeping staff. They work HARD. And they deserve it because it's a decent place to launch your adventure. Now go have one!
