It's a solid 4/5 type spot for what it is, a charming, historic on-site cafe ideal for convenience, quick bites, quality espresso, and ice cream rather than a full dining experience. We ordered a coffee and ice cream before heading to Rainier. The staff is welcoming, sweet and friendly! read more

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They have coffee at 7:30pm which is perfect because I was about to drive three hours with little sleep. They saved me. Service was good, place is decent but small and more like casual. The outside is nice. read more

Whittaker's Bunkhouse - Iced Latte - Hotels Near Me - Ashford, Washington

I'll preface by saying we were here before peak tourist season. Restaurant options for breakfast were very limited. This was only place we could find. They were almost out of all breakfast food. We got the last 2 ham/egg/cheese croissants. They were not fresh, just pulled from the refrigerator and microwaved. If you don't eat them fast the bread turns hard and inedible. Had a caramel macchiato and it was ok. read more

If I could give zero stars, I would! My partner and I arrived at the establishment, and we were immediately met with a lack of inclusivity towards our race and sexual orientation. There were no greetings or gestures of welcome. However, the people behind us were warmly greeted with smiles and gestures. It was disheartening to see that the staff and workers seemed uninterested in serving or greeting us. read more

Great location close to the park. Our room had a microwave and fridge. The bed was also really comfortable with easy check in. I thought the room could have been cleaner. There was just alot of hair in the room, the bathroom and else where that didn't match mine or my partners. The room didn't have a hair dryer but it did have a portable air conditioner and alot of books and games in the shared areas. read more

We were on our way back from Mt Rainier and looking for a coffee shop to give us an afternoon pick me up. The kids were ready to get out and stretch their legs as well. We can not speak to the motel part of the business, only the coffee and ice cream shop. The location is right off the highway and was a quaint little motel with shop in the front. Easy to see and access from the main road. The kids got ice cream. They have about 5 or 6 different flavors to choose from. I got a vanilla latte and it was very very weak. If you're looking for stronger coffee, ask for another shot of espresso or less milk. Overall, it was a neat little tourist place I'd at least recommend checking out. read more

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Stumbled upon this cozy little coffee house, and glad we did! The eggnog lattes are excellent. Nice selection of ice creams and sorbets too. The staff was friendly and greeted us with a smile. And, learned that it's owned by the first American to top Mount Everest. Had no idea! Lots of pictures and memorabilia adorn the walls. Small rock climbing "play ground" out front for the kiddos too. Small bites offered as well. read more

Whittaker's Bunkhouse - Outside entrance - Hotels Near Me - Ashford, Washington

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4 out of 5 for a quick stop for coffee and ice cream - staff was friendly, and everything was tasty (and not too pricy), definitely stop by if you are going up or back from Mt. Rainier. read more

Whittaker's Bunkhouse - Hotels Near Me - Ashford, Washington

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WiFi is terrible, intermittent at best. No hot water, no refrigerator, no TV, no hair drier, no microwave, no phone, no ice. The beds are terrible. The room is in disrepair. To cool the room we have an 8" fan. We did not enjoy our stay. read more

We had a pretty great stay here. It's conveniently located, check in was easy and room was spacious, comfortable and clean. There is no AC but since we were on the 2nd floor we opened the balcony door and the temp was perfect. The place itself is so cute and it was fun learning about Lou Whittaker through the decor and information in the Cafe. The Cafe was extremely cute but the employees seemed quite inexperienced and they twice forgot my husband's order even though he was standing right there. Other than that, we had a great time here. It was quiet and peaceful and we'd definitely stay again..and bring our own coffee :) read more

I can only speak to the coffee shop as I was staying at an Airbnb nearby. The coffee shop is cute and has several indoor and outdoor options. The staff were fine - perfectly friendly and nice. I tried a couple different coffees and both were overpriced and weak. There is another expresso shop that is 0.5 miles down the road. I'd probably try there if you're a strong coffee drinker! read more

The apple cider was amazing. Tart and tangy with a dark amber honey color. Delicious !

Affordable stay on the west side of the national park. Basic clean, quiet and generally comfortable. A window A/C unit would be welcome during the really hot days but they do at least provide a fan. Staff was friendly but it was a bit odd waiting in line with cafe patrons to get checked in. read more

Was disappointed in my stay at Whittaker's Bunkhouse. DO NOT BOOK Room 23 -Not worth the money and wish I would of dispersed camped near Mount Rainer instead of staying here. The beds were uncomfortable, and there is no way for a breeze to flow through the room on a warm day (it on has only two small windows). The shower was gross and needed a deep cleaning. There was hair left in the shower, and the drain needed to be unclogged. Also the majority of the water was flowing into the bottom faucet and not through the shower head. The refrigerator was not cooling to the appropriate temperature! Pros -Appreciated the coffee shop opening at 6:45 am so we could have coffee before heading up to the mountain. The coffee was good for the price! read more

Over priced ice cream and breakfast items, probably since they're one of the few in town. Ice cream was average, nothing special. Chill vibe. Friendly staffs. read more

Great atmosphere, delicious food, knowledgeable staff and legendary services for your expedition.

I was hesitant to stay here after reading mixed reviews, but decided to give Whittaker's Bunkhouse a chance.. I'm absolutely shocked at the bad reviews. This place was absolutely perfect for our stay in Mount Rainier. The room was so cute and nice and just what we needed after our 2 long days of hiking. The cafe attached to the motel was amazing! Breakfast sandwiches and coffee every morning and ice cream at night was such an added treat to our stay. The motel is situated right in between the two restaurant/bars in mount rainier so you can walk right to dinner! I truly cannot believe the bad reviews.. if you are on the fence, book your stay here-- you won't regret it! read more

If you're okay with no frills (no tv, simple décor, the heat is off until you occupy the room, outdoor entrance to room), Whitaker's Bunkhouse is the place for you. It's just what I wanted - $65 for a queen with an en suite bathroom - and clean - and wifi - no complaints here. I've actually come to find that I enjoy accommodations without tvs more than those with. It really changes the way your evenings look - especially when your alone - in my case, the peacefulness is welcomed with open arms. Another big factor Whitaker's has going for itself, quite possibly the biggest, is that it is located just a few (4 to 6) miles down the road from the entrance of Mt.Rainier National Park and with that, there are plenty of nofrill eateries in the area (see Copper Creek Inn review) to go along with your nofrills room. A few of my favorite parts about the stay: 1.) absolutely no cell phone service (reality check: I'm not that important), 2.) the shower water stayed as hot as I wanted it for as long as I wanted it, 3.) the wooden floors of the porch outside the rooms have a gentle creek when people walk down them - 5 stars for charm, 4.) Whitaker's boasts an on-site coffee shop/sweets shop complete with chai and blackberry ice cream and lastly, 5.) The wall art is so ugly it's cute. I'd definitely stay here again and recommend it to others. Let's be honest, it's hard to beat $65 with that location And cleanliness. read more

I'm sitting in my room, I checked in earlier today. I figured since I have wifi, writing a review would be a fun idea! No mobile service. No room service. This bunkhouse is the perfect place to stay if the following are your requirements: - clean - rooms have heaters - hot showers plus clean towels - close to Rainier and local climb companies - gear shops nearby - you can get food and water on-site - wifi available if you feel the urge to Yelp or send emails This place has its charm and there are so many stories waiting to be told and heard. Stay here if you are looking for comfortable and affordable lodging with a laid back Ashford vibe. :) read more

Whittaker's Bunkhouse - Room 5 single bed - Hotels Near Me - Ashford, Washington

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This is a great place to stay, considering the price and location in comparison with other lodging options nearby. I arrived at about 12PM, around lunch time, hoping to check in, but the room wasn't ready. It's understandable since check-out isn't until 11AM and the room was being cleaned at the time. The young female in the cafe was friendly and said I could wait if I want. I decided to come back later and instead, used the restroom (a single restroom on the first floor that was very clean), then headed to Mount Rainier. I returned at about 3:30PM and the room was ready. The same employee showed me the paperwork, had me fill out some information, and informed me about the hours of operation, WIFI, rules, and answered all my questions. The room (#24 with 2 queen beds) was spacious and clean. There were some basics such as shampoo and soap, but no hairdryer or anything else. Just a no frills type of place, yet very comfortable with a heater and fan, and the window opens too. There were also extra blankets. The WIFI worked really well, we had no problems at all. One problem was that since I was on the 2nd floor, the ceiling tilted inwards on both sides, so laying on the outer sides of the bed, my brother and I kept hitting the ceiling each time we stood up...ouch! The cafe, where check-in and check-out take place, also serves food, drinks, snacks, and ice cream. After dinner, my brother and I each got a waffle cone, so delicious and generous with the portions. I recommend bunny tracks & huckleberry! Next to the lodging area is the Base Camp Grill with good and decently priced food, an area for equipment rentals, a rockclimbing area, and a gift shop that sells clothing, souvenirs, equipment, snacks, and more. It's only a couple miles from the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier. I would definitely stay here again! read more

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Cute place! Our room was clean and yes there are some spiders in the corners of the room but they are harmless...just beware the cancellation policies at this hotel are very strict.. even in a wildfire and pandemic..which I think is crazy. Also I think the girls at the front desk could be a little friendlier and learn some customer service skills. The WiFi here is a little show and there is no tv in the room. It's super close to the park though so that's nice.. not sure it's worth the price though.... read more

Great latte!! Milk steamed to perfection! The barista was super friendly and the fireplace was perfect for a cold November morning! Great location, tons of coffee options, tons of outdoor seating! read more

There was an envelope in our room for a tip. The person who came to our room left more shampoos and soaps but didn't make the bed. They were listed under b&bs but that was wrong. They are not. Their cafe, u stand and Oder a bagel or bagel sandwich. Three of the four girls working behind the counters had very long hair which was not pulled back or covered in any way and they were continually flipping their hair around. The pierce county board of health is going to hear about this. The interior of the cafe is very cute with climbing/skiing memorabilia every where and most of the breakfast patrons were climbers or guides giving it a very authentic mountain feeling. read more

We only came here because of the Wifi. When you drive further toward the park, say bye-bye to the internet. But we needed online access for something and had to drive down here from Paradise. We just ordered drinks and they were surprisingly good. I tried their hot chocolate and a cafe mocha. They also offer tasty shakes, but the weather was too cold for me to get this. We liked it so much that we came back when we were leaving the park the next day. I haven't stayed in their rooms, but they posted pictures of the rooms they offer on the wall outside the cafe. They looked pretty good for the price, not exactly upscale but comparatively much more roomy and a better deal than what's offered at the Paradise Inn in Mt Rainier NP. Next time I'm here, I will look into this place. read more

Whittaker's Bunkhouse was the first stop on our day-trip to Mt. Rainier National Park. Ostensibly, it was a bathroom stop, but you could also pick up some food, grab some souvenirs from the small gift shop, watch people getting ready for the summit up to Mt. Rainier, or like we did, grab some huckleberry ice cream from the cafe. This was my first taste of anything huckleberry and at 9 am, it seemed a little early for ice cream, but boy, am I glad I sprang for a cup. The ice cream is made by Dreyer's but I can't seem to find it anywhere here in the Bay Area (if anyone knows, please let me know!). The huckleberry tastes a little like blackberry, but it seems more fragrant and perhaps just a bit more tart. I'd certainly stop in again for the huckleberry ice cream, but for you adventure-seekers, Whittaker's Bunkhouse seems to be the best start point for those on the way up the summit. While we were there, people were learning how to tie harnesses and how to stay safe on the mountain. Apparently, the guides that work here are legendary - I guess if you're risking your life climbing the mountain, you're going to want the best. I'd be back! read more

Like many national park destinations, accommodations near Mount Rainier tend to be either luxurious and pricey or cheap and, uh... cheap. I picked this place because I wanted to be near Mount Rainier and have decent but frugal accommodations. Well, they got the frugal part down: With tax my room cost under $100 per night. My room was smallish and done in a rustic style with lots of unfinished pine. So far, so good. The carpet looked like it was once quite nice, some years and a few dozen stains ago. The mattress, too, was probably once pretty good -- most likely around the time Bill Clinton left the White House. There was no closet and very little drawer space, just half a dozen hooks from which to hang clothes. The bathroom, alas, looked like something from a Motel 6 that had received bare minimum maintenance for decades. The enclosure around the tub/shower combo was in several sections that appeared to have come apart and been badly glued together, likely more than once. What caulking there was around the tub (not much) had black mold in multiple places. The wood plank walkway in front of the rooms and the fact that the only windows faced the walkway and courtyard assured lots of noise at all hours, since mountain climbers get up early. There was a hot tub, which looked nasty and reeked so intensely of chlorine that it almost knocked me over. I did not try it. The front desk doubles as a cafe, staffed usually by two young women who seemed not to know obvious stuff, like a good place to get a sandwich to tuck in one's backpack (it turned out there were two choices within 100 yards). The cafe had a very limited menu: coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, cold cereal and assorted quasi-Egg McMuffin type breakfast sandwiches. These all seemed to be pre-made and rewarmed when you order. Not great, but a functional quick/cheap breakfast. All in all, a barely tolerable experience. But I'm not sure there is anything better nearby without spending lots more. Oh, and there's a big sign in the room warning of a $100 charge if any items are left in the room when you leave. Really? $100 if I forget my toothbrush?!?!? Yikes. read more

So you've come to the Pacific Northwest and you want to climb the big mountain, huh? That's right. You saw Rainier in the distance and you called up the best guide service around (That's RMI, in case you didn't know) and told them to haul you up there and back. Now you just need somewhere to crash before, and maybe even after the big event. Well look no further than Whittaker's Bunkhouse *right next door* to RMI basecamp. That's probably the best feature of this place. Well that and the free wireless for the the geek in all of us. However, that's not to say those are the only good features. The stay was pleasant with friendly front desk staff as were most of the people staying there. The rooms were nice and clean and, though sparse, got the job done exceedingly well. I suppose the climb up to 14,410 ft could have deluded my judgment but have no fear, I stayed there before the climb as well! I stayed in a couple different private rooms as well as the bunkhouse and enjoyed both experiences. This is no Hilton, but I think it's a perfect fit for the target audience - those looking for something a little simpler in the wilderness or as a waypoint in heading to the big mountain next door. If you go, you can try telling them Damon C sent you...but I doubt it will actually get you anywhere. ;-) read more

This place is pretty much a joke. Let's see... Apart from the amateur hour they call a pizza and burger joint here--operated by friendly but ultimately frustrating staff (except burger flipper girl, who was smart and should have traded places with the witless high school cant pour me a beer order taker/cashier) -- the average burgers were just ... yep, average, and they've been out of pizza crust (which accounts for more than half their entire menu board-- and reports from others that they've remained pizzaless for 4 consecutive days). But I digress... So far (since sleeping here is impossible), I've killed probably half a dozen HUGE stinging ants (like an inch or more long with Africa-sized mandibles!!) in our Bunkhouse room. One had wings and was flying around. Looked like a huge black wasp, but on closer inspection, it was definitely a mutant giant ant. The others were wingless and crawling the bathroom floor and countertop, and one even made it up into my bed onto my arm. Barefoot to the bathroom for a middle of the night pee? Not if you want to be able to walk tomorrow. The windows, as another reviewer said, are tiny, and inexplicably have no screens so as to absolutely ENSURE you cant sleep because of all the bugs that fly in out here 'in the woods', and it has been 90 degrees in this goddamn room all day and nite. It got only slightly better at around midnight, but its still cooking in here. In fact, our cheap ass, broke ass Walgreen's stand 'fan' is about the only thing about this place that doesn't blow. Skip this place and go somewhere thats been even slightly cared for since the 1960s and you'll be better off. The history of the place is great, but today's reality of it sucks. It's 2012, people. Not good enough by a mile, even for a no-frills place. Bafflingly crappy. Note: Theres no AT&T or Verizon coverage here, either. (Dream on, Sprint customers.) Back to food: no sides of substantial things like fries or rings or wings or hearty soups for starving climbers... Weird. Beer selection's not bad, tho. Espresso: tasty. Ice cream: rad. read more

It was 90 degrees and we had restless kids in the car. What a lovely little stop, with a freezer full of ice cream and a fridge full of cold drinks. Even better, a shaded area for our kids to play while they burned off some sugar. Definitely recommend! read more

Best lodging deal near Mt. Rainier NP. This basic place is no Hilton, like other reviewers mentioned - it is full of uniqueness and energy, that's why! This place is simple and clean, very comfortable. No TV's in the rooms, large room sizes. The decor fits in well with the surroundings. The place does not try to pamper you, but simply takes pride in what they do do: provide a simple living space. The cabin itself is quite old, originally used by loggers when they were razing the trees in that area of the cascades, and they left when all the trees were cut down. The bunkhouse was abandoned and nearly destroyed when Lou Whittaker, famous mountain climber, rescued it and rebuilt it into it's current manifestation as a hotel. read more

I expected a little more from this motel based on the price and how cute it looks outside! The beds were really uncomfortable and the floors were dirty. The drain in the shower didn't drain so the bathtub filled up as we were showering. Also I ran out of hot water less than 10 minutes into my shower. There was also no TV in the room (which isn't a deal breaker at all but good information to have) and the wifi was really slow (there was no service there). On the positive side, the cafe attached to the motel was great! read more

Good enough for an overnight stay! Great location in proximity to the Nisqually park entrance on the south west corner of the park. Clean, simple rooms, $93 w/ tax for a room with 2 twin beds. No fridge, but thankfully had a nice and toasty heater. Rolled in late around midnight, and was able to pick up the keys at the office - was just a little concerned that they were in an envelope taped to the door instead of a safer place. Couple notes: Keep in mind that the porch that wraps around the building is hollow and creates a lot of noise. In the morning, our neighbors left early and it seriously sounded like they were purposely trodding around trying to wake everyone up. Also, beware of running hot water in the sink and the shower at the same time - the shower gets EXTREMELY hot. read more

Awful. Stayed here for 2 days while hiking in the park. The bathroom was DISGUSTING. The towels were dirty. There was mold on the ceiling, in the shower and on the molding of the walls. Looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. Only 2 pillows on the bed and they were this as paper. You Can also hear everything from other rooms next to you and above you. Spend a few extra bucks somewhere down the road. Food was also disappointing and staff was not friendly at all. read more

$65 a night for a clean room and a comfortable bed. If you're staying here you're probably hiking or skiing all day and will be exhausted when you hit the hay. This place is GREAT for that. In our room (maybe all), they had spring mattresses. I've never slept on a spring mattress and thought it was going to suck, but it was fine and I slept great. If you know you hat that kind of mattress camp on the ground I guess. The coffee in the cafe is very good and I'm a coffee snob. If only their was a decent restaurant in Ashford.... Drive to Eatonville for dinner. read more

Kelly C and I stopped here to stretch the limbs and grab some caffeine before the long road back to Seattle. The cafe is a cute, intimate, relaxing space to read, hang out and chat, or sit quietly with a book. There's one pay-for-use computer (no free time with coffee purchase). Our service was super friendly, oh and the breakfasts look good, too. The bunkhouse rooms look clean, tidy, and functional (some with private baths, some with shared) and have wi-fi. Snowshoe and x-country ski packages are available. read more

Goood blackberry latte very yummy and neat readying and looking at all stuff. Staff friendly and fun talk to.

I will not be staying here again. There is no insulation in the walls or the ceiling of this noisy hotel. Rather than "the bunkhouse" it would be more aptly named "the thumphouse". Every child's yell, every step, every word in the next room is easily heard and difficult to ignore. If you want help from management, say to request a room that is not under loud screams and running, they are unavailable to respond from 6pm to 8am. No one responded to my call or e-mail, you are on your own. (Not sure what they would do if a pipe burst...) After a night of very little sleep that led me to end my trip early, I questioned the wisdom of no management availability 14 hours of the day. The response was "that's how we've done it for 20 years". This may explain why there are so many other places to stay in Ashford these days. If you want to relax, and maybe even sleep, this is not the place to stay. I do recommend their cafe for a cup of coffee and the staff is friendly. If you cannot find somewhere else to stay, while incredibly noisy, the rooms are clean. One of my two stars is for these things. read more

Visited the cafe a few times. It features Tully's coffee, which is pretty good. They also have ice cream, which is a nice treat. Also available are various bakery items and simple hot foods. There are a few tables inside. The outdoor porch seats are nice in the summer. The staff is friendly. All in all, a nice place to stop on the way to/from the park. read more

It was OK. Room was rustic but I did expect that. No TV etc. They had internet but I was only able to get it to work once during my two day stay. I had issues with them returning my calls when I had questions about my reservations. There is very limited cell service in the area and no pay phones available. The cafe is very nice and had good coffee and light breakfast items. The area is beautiful and Mt. Rainier is just a few miles up the road. read more

My spouse and I stayed there for 3 days in Sept 2018 in room 8 with 2 twin beds & private bath. We wanted a simple private room, not too distant from Mt Rainier from a town with not a lot of choices. It even had heating in the room. We were worried that the wood floors will be noisy from guests walking about, but we had no problem the first 2 nights. At 6 am of the 3rd day, we were awakened by doors banging shut, equipment being dropped on the floor, very noisy footsteps (seemed everyone up and about had heavy feet), music playing. We figured the noise should die down in 5 minutes, but it went on for half hour. I got up to look for where the noises were coming; it was from the cafe that was packed by a big group having breakfast. Perhaps room 8 was a bad room, with thin walls and being next to the restaurant. read more