YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, March 30, 2015 – When the National Park Service celebrates its 100th birthday in 2016, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel will be celebrating its 125th. And after the completion last year of a $28 million renovation, this grand hotel has never looked better.

A member of Historic Hotels of America, Lake Yellowstone Hotel opened in 1891 after two years of construction at a cost of $46,000. When the project started in 1889, Yellowstone was still the country’s only national park and the National Park Service had not been created. The original hotel was a simple three-story clapboard structure with 80 guest rooms.

In 1903 and 1904 famed architect Robert Reamer was a multi-tasker extraordinaire as he oversaw several major park projects, including construction of the Old Faithful Inn and a $60,000 renovation and expansion project to the Lake Yellowstone Hotel that increased the room count to 210. At that time Reamer added three gables supported by 50-foot Ionic columns, dormer windows on the roof, false balconies to windows and decorative oval windows.

In 1919 a port cochere was added to the front of the hotel to accommodate automobiles which were allowed into the park beginning in 1915. In 1922 and 1923 Reamer oversaw the addition of the hotel’s East Wing featuring 113 rooms and 59 bathrooms. In 1923 the tile fireplace and drinking fountain were constructed. One of the hotel’s most dramatic developments occurred in 1928 when the Sun Room – called the “Reamer Lounge” by some people – was built facing Yellowstone Lake.

The Lake Yellowstone Hotel closed for extended periods three times in its history – 1918-19 during World War I, in 1932 during the Great Depression and 1942-46 during World War II. During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s the concession operators at the time neglected the hotel and other park buildings. As a result, the National Park Service in 1979 purchased all assets in the park that belonged to the former Yellowstone Park Company, canceled concessioner General Host’s contract and issued a new contract to TWA Services.

TWA Services – later renamed TW Services and then TW Recreational Services – spent $12.5 million over the next 10 years upgrading guest areas, back-of-the-house facilities, fire and safety systems, the foundation and other structural components.

In 1995 Xanterra Parks & Resorts – then called Amfac Parks & Resorts – acquired TW Recreational Services.

During the winters of 2012-13 and 2013-14 when the hotel was closed for the season, Xanterra embarked upon a renovation which brought Lake Yellowstone Hotel to its current condition.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel features characteristics of Colonial Revival architecture such as elaborate front doors, symmetrical windows flanking the front entrance and columned porches.

While conducting the renovations, the construction contractors placed an emphasis on retaining the historic character of the hotel with authentic touches, including restoration of the original windows, public spaces and rooms as detailed in the construction drawings by the historic preservation architects. Workers removing wood trim and windows that were more than a century old kept careful track of each piece. Great care went into reassembling the hotel’s historic fabric, and the workers were committed to salvaging as much of the material as possible in a sustainable way for reuse.

Notable improvements include:

  • Major structural enhancements and renovations to the public areas.
  • Achieving Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance.
  • Renovation of the lobby, Sun Room and dining room; installing new hardwood floors, colors, period lighting and compatible furnishings of the period.
  • Renovation of the registration desk, bell desk and addition of a new “centerpiece” bar.
  • Addition of a concierge desk.
  • Renovations of 153 rooms which included new furniture, finishes, lighting and carpeting that reflect the period.
  • Restoration or replacement of windows and doors.
  • Addition of four suites.
  • Renovation of the presidential suite.
  • Addition of a business center.
  • Renovation of corridors.
  • Renovation and expansion of the delicatessen.
  • Relocations of hotel offices.

The hotel features a range of room types including king and queen lakeside and superior room types as well as lakeside suites and the presidential suite once used by President Calvin Coolidge.

The Lake Yellowstone Hotel opens for the season in mid-May and closes in early October.

Xanterra’s Yellowstone National Park Lodges operates nine in-park lodging facilities, four campgrounds and an RV park along with restaurants, activities and gift shops.

Reservations and complete details about packages, accommodations, restaurants, tours and activities in Yellowstone can be found by calling (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free 866-GEYSERLAND (866-439-7375), or visiting the web site www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com.