Crater Lake Lodge - Inside the Park

The lodge is right at the crater’s edge, and the staff were so friendly and welcoming. We liked the food, found the room and beds comfortable, and had steady, pleasantly warm shower water. My main issue was the bathroom mold. There was mold on several tiles and a lot on the shower liner. Disgusting. Afterward, a lodge representative contacted me and we discussed it by email. The housekeeper assigned to our room was retrained, and they gave me an account credit. That’s customer service!

The dining room was lovely, and I really liked the duck wings. They were delicious! We came with family in the fall and were surprised by snow. One entrance was closed because of it, and from the lodge we could barely see the lake. I’d suggest coming in summer unless a wintry getaway is what you want.

We watched a lightning storm move across the lake from our room at night, and I’d love to come back for a long weekend. The downstairs spaces and exterior are gorgeous, with a huge fireplace and a lovely deck for looking at the lake and stars. It feels romantic, woodsy, warm, and inviting inside. The restaurant next door has great drinks, but it gets crowded, so book dinner ahead. Just know there are no TVs. The hallways and rooms look old-fashioned, though not in a trendy way. Since downstairs and outside are so beautifully done, the room design felt a bit like an afterthought. Still, we loved our stay.

I’ve stayed here twice. The first time was just after it reopened, and it was great. On my later visit, during a hot spell in September, the room was stifling. They brought us a fan, but it didn’t do much. I haven’t been back since 2012, so I can’t say whether the rooms have had any climate control changes. Everything else is great, including the restaurant, the lounge, and the views outside.