Gateway Inn

The bed was awful, with blood spots from bed bugs. Wi-Fi didn’t work. We were told the signal was weak, but we were told CenturyLink service had been suspended over an unpaid $589.56 bill. Water pressure was so poor that even brushing my teeth felt like a chore. The Gateway Inn is right by the national forest entrance, so I expected a charming, iconic lodge. Instead, the motel seemed badly managed. Staff were unaccommodating and unapologetic, and didn’t seem interested in helping. They took our money and gave us nothing in return. The stay was a waste of money and patience. If bugs, lies, and no amenities are what you’re after, this is the place. Otherwise, book somewhere else.

Being just outside Mount Rainier National Park made getting into the park easy. The stay itself was disappointing. The floors left dirt or crumbs on my feet, and there was dust and cobwebs in the corners. Everything felt grimy, so I didn’t want to put my things down. There was dirt in every corner, the sink clogged easily, and the water was lukewarm. During daily cleaning, the maid refilled the soap, but the rest felt like bare minimum effort. When she made the bed, the comforters were just tossed over pillows left out of order. The Wi-Fi never worked. With no cell service in the area, it was hard to check weather or look up directions for hikes. I know it’s remote, but nearby inns had working Wi-Fi, which made it frustrating that we picked the wrong one. The electrical setup was frustrating too. Whenever I tried charging something or turning on a light, something else would shut off. Plugging in the coffee pot, for example, made the bathroom light go out. With bugs probably nearby, it was hard to relax.

We booked cabin #4 from Friday to Sunday, but it was horrible. The toilet backed up into the sink, and there were only four channels to watch. There was nobody around to help. We left Saturday morning and were never offered a refund.

We got into Mount Rainier National Park early, with no wait, since the entrance is less than 50 yards from the inn. The cabins were nice, though they could've been a bit cleaner. It's a very rustic, historic motel, and we'd stay again.