Historic Yellowstone Hotel Now Offers More Wheelchair-Accessible Rooms
After a two-year renovation project and a bill in excess of $28.5 million, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel (www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com) has completed a major restoration project. Built in 1889, this colonial revival property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. And although the renovation wasn’t an easy task, the contractors managed to preserve the historic nature of the property, while adding modern access features.
The access upgrades include the installation of a wheelchair-accessible elevator, as well as the addition of a variety of accessible rooms. Here’s a brief rundown on what you can expect to find access-wise at this newly renovated property.
Room 126 is located on the second floor, and includes a wide doorway and good pathway access. It’s furnished with two 27-inch high queen-sized beds with wheelchair access on both sides, and includes a barrier-free pathway to the bathroom.
The bathroom has a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower bench. The toilet has grab bars on the right and back walls (as seated), and the spacious room also has a roll-under sink. The access features are nicely incorporated into the historic design of the room, and they even remembered to lower the soap dish in the shower.
Room 226, which is located one floor up, has the exact same access features, except that it has a tub/shower combination instead of a roll-in shower.
Down at the end of the hall, Room 202 features a 27-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair-access on both sides. There’s plenty of room to roll around this large corner room, which boasts a great view of the lake.
The bathroom is equipped with a tub/shower combination with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a toilet with grab bars on the left and back walls (as seated), and a roll-under sink. Round it out with a portable shower chair and you have a nicely accessible room.
Access to the public areas is equally good, with plenty of room to wheel around the magnificent first-floor sun room and the lobby bar. And for a real treat enjoy a meal at the Lake Hotel Dining Room, which features a healthy menu filled with fresh ingredients. There’s a barrier-free pathway to the restaurant, and the tables are spaced far enough apart so there’s good access to just about every seat in the house.
And if you’d like to enjoy the lake, there’s ramp access to a paved pathway down to the lakeshore, just outside the back door. Alternatively you can enjoy the view from the roomy back porch. No matter what you choose, it’s a gorgeous setting for this lovely old building, which is now accessible to everyone.
