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    Hobo Inn

    3.2 (28 reviews)
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    The Hobo In cars!
    Ryan F.

    I enjoyed my stay here although we arrived late and every business nearby was closed. The Hobo Inn is very quirky as they provide you with random DVD movies you can watch. Overall the experience was fun and worthwhile. Its a short drive to rainier national park.

    Caboose 4
    Michelle R.

    This place is a little over 1/2 hour away from Tacoma area, yet its in rural part of Washington, at the east end of Alder Lake, about 20 miles from Mt. Rainier. Technology is not their strong point, as you have to call to make a reservation. You don't get an email confirmation but a verbal one, so you just hope that the confirmation code they give you is legit (it was). And there's no WiFi here. Verizon users have about 2 bars LTE, but T-Mobile users get zero service. Fortunately Stephen was able to tether off my iPhone and used it as a hotspot. We arrived at 7:30 pm, and the sun was just starting to set. When you drive to the caboose, there's a sign that says the registration is n the Dining Car a block behind you. It was walkable, but we drove to the "first' dining car, and sure enough, you sign in at the bar. Word to the wise: get here when the sun is up. There is a gas station / convenience store and espresso stand across the road. When we got there at 7:30, I don't recall it if was open. When I peeked outside around 9:00, the place was dark. Arriving with the sun still up will help you find your caboose. At 7:30, it was hard to find our caboose, because the number is posted on the door, and not all the doors are facing the same way. We had caboose #4, which was the yellow one. I wish the gal who checked us in told us the color, instead of us blindly looking. The caboose share a wooden platform staircase, which should help you determine where the front door is. Caboose #4 had a hot tub, and was more spacious than I was expecting it to be. The room had a queen size bed (although lumpy), a tv that had no reception, but they did provide you with a fridge, a variety of VCR tapes with movies ranging from comedy to horror to drama. If you have VCR tapes at home, bring one! On a table, they provided a coffee machine, packets of Maxwell House coffee, 2 non caffeinated teas, and a bucket for ice... only there's no instructions where to find ice. We went to the Pizza car, where they told Stephen to go to the Dining car. The car was empty but luckily a worker came out, and got him a bucket with ice. The bathroom was spacious, and had a decent size hot tub. The water took a while to fill up and you really had to read the instructions on where to find the knob to turn on the timer, where to start the hot tub, and which dial to increase the pressure of the jets. Once you figure that out, it was a nice relaxing hot tub. The Hobo Inn provided us with 2 bath towels, 4 washcloths, and 2 hand towels. We got 3 dinky bar of soap (so BYO if you want soap) and 2 tubes of shampoo and lotion.. except one of my bottle of lotion looked used as the cap had lotion smeared inside. The place was clean, but its definitely no frills. Its a motel for sure. One Yelp review said they got breakfast included with their rate. I was told in check in that information was wrong. I could not find any information on their web site which proved it did or did not come with breakfast. Overall not a bad stay. They charge your room upon arrival and they do take credit cards. Aside from the no breakfast included miscommunication, I can't really find anything bad. Oh, the Dining Car does not open until 9:00 am, so don't try to check out beforehand. We were lucky that a "kitchen help" found us wandering the area at 8:30 and took the key from us.

    CD G.

    This was the coolest thing I've done in a long time. This quirky little hotel has it's niche. Old train caboose cars lined up on a detached track. Converted into hotel rooms. Figuring out where to check in can be confusing.. (Check in at the dinning car next door) I hear they even have a jacuzzi in one of them. The scenery is postcard worthy with a cozy feel. I loved it.. We are going back!!!

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Clean room, Nice young man who checked us in! Confirmation of your reservation recommend, they failed to have ours!

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    10 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Accommodations were fabulous, the train cabins were cute and very spacious and had everything we needed. We loved the history binder too!

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    18 years ago

    This Awesome!!! a hotel made from old railroad cars. Who wouldn't want to spend the night in that!!!

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    Ask the Community - Hobo Inn

    Review Highlights - Hobo Inn

    We stayed in the red caboose car and you can sit in little couches in the top of the caboose and look out!

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    Stone Creek Lodge - Mountain Cabin |  1-2 adults, private bath with shower, kitchenette, and shared outdoor hot tub. No Smoking - No Pets.

    Stone Creek Lodge

    (50 reviews)

    $$

    In April 2026, we traveled to Seattle to see the three national parks in the area. While visiting…read moreMt. Rainier, we stayed at Stone Creek Lodge. The lodge is maybe a quarter mile from the Mt. Rainier National Park entrance. As soon as we parked to check-in, Bob and Joe (Owners/Managers) made us feel welcome. The cabin we had was great. It was spacious, clean, and very comfortable. The views were wonderful. It was so peaceful and quiet. A great place to relax and re-energize. While there, Bob and Joe shared their knowledge of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding area. Telling us the best places to eat, all about the mountain, where to go for pictures, trails to walk, best places to see wildlife, and so much more. They had a campfire one night and provided everything we needed to make Smores. Many of the guests came out to the campfire, enjoying the smores, the conversation, and the stars. It turned out that one couple had stayed there several times before. At the time we were there, the park required vehicles to carry snow chains. They rent chains at the lodge for half the price of the places you can rent them in town. Unfortunately, they didn't have our tire size but immediately offered to go purchase a set for us to rent. By far, Stone Creek lodge was the best place we stayed during our trip. If headed to the National Park or the Ashford area, we highly recommend Stone Creek Lodge.

    Our time at Stone Creek Lodge was more than just a place to sleep, but was an entire experience! If…read moreyou are looking for the perfect getaway from city life or visiting Mount Rainier for the first time like us, Stone Creek Lodge is the place to be! Stone Creek Lodge is located on a beautiful property with an amazing central fire pit with surrounding grass and trees. The property is well-maintained, including the beautiful garden that livens up the area. We had the chance to stay in the mountain cabin as well as the double queen suite. Both offer various amenities with the mountain cabin offering an amazing hot tub. These cabins also include WiFi, AC/heat, heater in the bathroom, microwave, fridge, toaster, dishware, kettle, coffee pot (coffee grounds included) and snacks. Housekeeping and cleanliness is impeccable! As a former housekeeper myself, I was blown away with the standards that Bob and Joe kept the cabins in as well as the property! Bob and Joe host nightly campfires where everyone is invited, and creates a sense of community with everyone who stays here. You are sure to make acquaintances here and even get informed on everyone's experience while on the mountain. To conclude, our time spent on the mountain was one of the best trips we've had and Stone Creek Lodge contributed very much to that. Will be returning! - George & Leila

    Wellspring Spa - Tieton Cabin

    Wellspring Spa

    (54 reviews)

    $$$

    A magical, soul-soothing escape…read more I can't say enough good things about my stay at Wellspring Spa. From the moment I arrived, I felt like I'd stepped into a hidden forest sanctuary. The land itself is breathtaking--towering trees, soft mossy trails, and peaceful stillness that invites you to breathe deeper and slow down. I spent hours wandering the hiking paths and felt like I was in another world. I stayed in the Tahoma cabin, and wow--it was cozy, peaceful, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. (They must have updated them based on what I have read from previous posts!) Every detail in the space felt intentional and grounding. After a day of exploring, soaking in the outdoor hot tub with that stunning view of the trees was exactly what my body and mind needed. And the lofted sauna? Absolutely the coolest (and warmest!) little gem--such a unique and relaxing experience. What really made this place special, though, was the warmth and kindness of the staff. They were so welcoming, thoughtful, and genuinely cared about creating a healing experience for guests. Also: there's a sweet dog who wanders the grounds and melts your heart--truly the cherry on top. Wellspring isn't just a place to stay--it's a place to remember. I already can't wait to come back.

    I had a wonderful experience at Wellspring, there has clearly been so much love and whimsy put into…read morethis place. It's the perfect place to come back to after hiking all day at Mount Rainer and lovely as a couple's getaway. My boyfriend and I loved the privacy and thought the cabin was beautiful. It has a well stocked kitchen where we cooked a nice meal and enjoyed the free standing hot tub. We also appreciated their commitment to being environmentally friendly. Thanks for everything Sunny, you're a gem!

    Alexander's Lodge - Mt Rainier national park: the view from Paradise

    Alexander's Lodge

    (91 reviews)

    $$

    Recently stayed here with my family while visiting Mount Rainier. I would recommend this property…read morefor anyone doing the same. It's very close to the park entrance. The communication from the hotel from booking to checkin was on point. We reached late in the evening and were able to find the room keys in an envelope with my name on it. It had all the information and instructions related to the room and hotel. The room was clean and was as described. Also, the room had more than enough supplies (towels, shampoo, blankets, pillows etc). The area around the hotel is also good. There is a fish pond near the rooms. One of the managers saw my kids watching the fish and generously offered some fish food for them to feed the fish. Will definitely stay here again if back in the area.

    Nice place, older feel to it. No major complaints, the beds were very comfortable, the workers were…read morefriendly. Breakfast was delivered the night before because people leave quite early to head to the mountain, that was nice. I loved the old timey feel of the place, room was nice but a bit out dated, of course, nothing fancy. Room was a bit on the smaller side but not horrible, the only real issue was the WiFi was constantly cutting in and out which was a bit frustrating, but overall, not a bad stay. The overall aesthetic of place was excellent, just a beautiful place to stay. The first impression just from looking at it on the outside says everything. The pond is gorgeous as well, it adds to an amazing look of the whole place. Not to mention its vicinity to Mt. Rainier.

    Three Bears Lodge - The bonus room at our Dancing Bears Lodge was recently renovated and has a pool table, woodburning stove, and kitchenette.

    Three Bears Lodge

    (31 reviews)

    $$

    Beautiful, clean, fully equipped cabin on the river that we will return too! We had a family cabin…read moreweekend at the Three Bears Lodge in January. It was absolutely wonderful! The four bedrooms were set up perfectly for our family that only includes one pre-teen. This place is excellent and well worth the money. It is a private, secluded lodge situated in a spot that is right before the entrance to Mt Rainier. The stream running through the backyard created a serene environment and the hot tub was perfectly set against it. Be careful with that hot tub in the snow - once you get in, you may not be able to get out! :) There are some disadvantages that you should know about. The water pressure in the bathroom was very weak. The power went off 3x, we called the numbers listed in the book and they eventually returned our calls a few hours later. Beautiful location, beautiful cabin, wonderful weekend!

    We booked the Lazy Bears cabin for ourselves, 4 kiddos, and my mother as a family trip (7 people…read moretotal). The ad/description/pics online make the place look very sharp and clean. Unfortunately, once we arrived, we noticed a note on the front of the dishwasher that said "out of service". Okay, no biggie... *trying to be understanding as things happen*. Entered the cabin further and noticed pretty peculiar smells throughout (I thought, well, its a cabin in the PNW, so I imagine it may smell peculiar and soggy from time to time). As I tried to reason that the cabin was worth the $370ish we spent per night, I was proven more and more during our stay as to why that wasn't the case... Tried to turn on the fireplace in the main house, doesn't work. Shower spout is falling off, possibly black mold in the smaller bathroom located by the front door, walls are extremely dirty (especially in high touch areas and behind the garbage cans). Cobwebs in the corners, dead bugs hanging from the light fixtures, igniter on the BBQ doesn't work, couches were sticky and smelled odd, white towels were noticably dirty even though they were washed, beds were so uncomfortable and horrible that we left a day early... The good part of this trip is that we did spend time as a family and played some pool, hiked Mt. Rainier, and enjoyed some down time. Pool table was a great thing to have access to during our stay. The creek in the back is very beautiful in the early morning/late afternoon...but that's about it. I would not return and would not recommend others to stay here & spend this type of money per night until the owners choose to put some TLC into the place to improve its current state. Also, if you are looking for a secluded place to stay, this one isn't it. The Lazy Bears cabin is located in a small-ish community/HOA with many neighbors nearby.

    Elbe Safety Rest Area

    Elbe Safety Rest Area

    (5 reviews)

    $

    Nicely located on the way to Mt. Rainier. Sensor based lights and hand sanitizer dispenser instead…read moreof a sink, which has it's positives. There's a grocery store, "pizza Express" and a bar next to it. It was also relatively clean.

    Elbe, WA population: 29…read more En route to Mt Rainier from Seattle, you may pass through Elbe and see the brightly colored re-purposed trains of the Hobo Inn, Pizza Express and the Mount Rainier Railroad Dining Company. On the opposite side of the street you'll find a supply shop, gas station and this charming little rest area. You won't be able to use the restroom at the gas station, even if you fill your tank there. The friendly gentleman inside seems familiar with the plight of travelers passing through. He will quickly and politely direct you to a short, well-worn dirt pathway through the grass leading to this rest stop. He's done this before. Glance across the street to the red and green train cars and you'll see a sign warning that the restrooms are for paying customers only. Meanwhile, nature is still calling. Good for you if you have offline restroom maps of the area. However, forget an online restroom search since you probably won't have access to a signal for several miles in the opposite direction. Not only are cell phone signals limited and/or non-existent, but, so is running water and a septic system. Remember, the population here was 29 as of the 2010 census and that tiny number doesn't do much for building a local infrastructure. Minimal infrastructure here means that this state rest stop is more like a luxury porta-potty. No flushing toilets but you'll find seat doilies and stalls so spacious that you couldn't bump your head on the door while squatting if you tried. There's also toilet paper which is arguably superior to looking for a mullein leaf in the woods. No running water means no sink. You will find a pair of decent sized mirrors in this restroom but a single Purell hand sanitizer attached to the stark white walls. Two mirrors, one hand sanitizer? Personally, I would prefer to see multiple hand sanitizers or at least a backup rather than multiple mirrors. Thankfully, the hand sanitizer was full. There is also a baby changing station and when was the last time you saw one of those in a porta-potty? This little rest stop is one of the few options before the last small base camp town just outside the Mt Rainier park entrance. It's probably just as creepy as any other remote rest area at night so be sure to use the buddy system. Overall, it is clean, includes an information kiosk, and a picnic area out front. This rest stop is super clean compared to some rest stops with flush toilets and running water. If nature calls when you're passing through the little town of Elbe, you'll be relieved to find the Elbe Rest Stop and some upscale cowgirl toilet paper.

    Hobo Inn - hotels - Updated May 2026

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