Oh wow!! 😮 Things have changed since our day trip back in 2017. Then you mentioned Arramark, and it made sense. They took over the accommodations in Yosemite a while ago, and the service and quality have been similar. No soap for employees preparing food?! Geez, I'll pass on a returning. I prefer to keep the wonderful memories I have. Thanks for sharing the information. I fo appreciate it.
Thanks for your comment. It is hard to believe Aramark runs facilities nationwide and still cannot provide the basics at this Lodge. What a shame. The problem is it is the only option within the Park at the North Rim. I will give them one more try in the Autumn, then probably give them up.
@RationalTalk the quality of food and services is really awful in Yosemite with them. I wish they were never allowed to take over any services. It will be interesting to hear about your trip in the fall. I have to admit, though, I might stay in that rodent room and stay up to look for the ringtailed cat 😹 😆
@@nationalparksprincess3216 The ringtail cat's footfalls were so loud it woke me up to see the results of the infestation. I sometimes have one walk through my yard. They are definately creatures of the night. I have no idea why the Park Service is giving Aramak contracts. Apparently they have done so badly they lost the contract at Crater Lake and are on their way to losing the contract at Yosemite. There is also the issue of the constant price increases. It creates a dillenma for those of us who like to stay in the Parks.
@RationalTalk I would really like Yosemite to give them the boot! I am glad Crater Lake has gotten rid of them, thatbis another lodge we enjoyed dining years ago.
@@nationalparksprincess3216 You might want to write the Park Superintedent, and maybe the person who administers the contracts. They got failing grades two years in a row and should be subject to cancellation, but it has not happened yet. Here is one address I found for my complaint: Mr. Kurt Rausch, Chief of Commercial Services Program National Park Service 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240
Thanks, I have written to the managment company, but in the modern world I have found that such letters are most often ignored. They rent all the rooms with the current prices and conditions, so perhaps they are not all that concerned about unhappy visitors. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the info. I have not been there in several years when Xanterra managed it. It was great then. This is good to know about the way it has changed.
I think the Western Cabin is the best bet. I just learned the Park Service has closed the short walk to Bright Angel Point, which is disappointing, but there are still good views from the Lodge and the two minor viewpoints out back, plus there is Cape Royal, which I find spectacular. I hope you have a great visit!
Thanks for posting this. We just made reservations for the frontier cabins and after seeing this and doing our own research we canceled our reservations.
It is unfortunate, and not all of the cabins have problems, but if you read the online reviews, you can see that some do. If you can get a Western Cabin, I have never had a problem in one of them.
Thanks for this good summary. We was there end of june 2024. We had the same experiences. Toilet was clogged, rodents (cute) and very bad and overpriced food. The sofa in the cabin looked like it was the bed of a bear. The lamps didn't worked. The good thing was a big Bison herd on our way to this location and the look into the canyon.
The location is wonderful, the administration of the facility is disappointing, and that is only compounded by the high prices they charge. I will be back in a few months and hopefully things have improved, otherwise it will be my last stay there. I might try camping instead, or just stick to the South Rim.
Thank you for the interesting history of the building. I have never stayed there, only walk through on my way to Bright Angel Point. Based upon your observations, that is probably a good thing.
Have a reservation on the north rim in October for our first R2R. Do you think it would be better to stay at the lodge before we head down (north to south) , or would it be better to stay there after hiking south to north?
To me, it would make sense to stay North then hike South. That way you can park at the trailhead (get there early to find a space) instead of walking to and from the trailhead to the Lodge. You can also bring along a cooler with your own food (verify ice is available, as the machines were not operational on May 15/16). Most people also like the long downhill from North Rim, although, personally, it is easier for me to go uphill. Also, in October, there should be great foliage on the drive into North Rim. On an unsupported hike, I would go North to South.
Thanks for the advice. Just completed our first R2R on Friday. The north rim was beautiful and we had an amazing experience. Thanks for all the helpful videos 👍
Beautiful place but sounds like it has some issues in how it's being run. The no hand soap thing is crazy. Like how did they run out of that? I do like that it offers all those different room types depending on your budget.
Yes, the soap issue is a real puzzlement, plus, I thought they should get overnight shipping or send a staff-person to the nearest town to remedy the matter, but they did not in the two days I stayed there. Thanks for your comment.
My group of 3 just stayed there on May 20th and the cabin was fine, I think it was a Pioneer room, the one with the bunk beds. Dinner was overpriced like on the South Rim also, but very good. I didn’t enjoy my brisket sandwich from the canteen, about 1/2 fat and 1/2 meat. Overall, good experience. I’m curious how the Kaibab Lodge compares.
Thanks for that clarification. Some of the Pioneer cabins are rodent proofed and some are not, leading to variable results. Hopefully they got the dining room working better after 5 days, I was there on May 15/16. I have never stayed at Kaibab Lodge because of the distance from the trailhead, but I have read reviews that they have rodents as well. It would be interested to see how a private business compares. Thanks for your comment.
I stayed at Kaibab for R2R this past October. Duplex cabins, basic but served the purpose . Dinner at main lodge Buffet style and was Ok We had mice get into our trail food at night. You can pay to take the shuttle to trailhead.
@@raywilson548 Ugh, so sorry to hear about the mice. They have eliminated the dinner buffet this year, so there are fewer seats at dinner, unfortunately. I am unaware of the pay-shuttle, do you have any more information on it? The walk is a bit of an impediment to me, I would rather get right on the trail.
The buffet I am referring to is at Kaibab Lodge. It's their only option for dinner. The hiker shuttle is operated by Kaibab lodge and serves North Rim Lodge also.
@@raywilson548 Ah, thanks for that clarifiation. I have never stayed at Kaibab Lodge, perhaps because I am a creature of habit. Especially with the problems at the North Rim Lodge, I will have to give them a try. Thank you for this information.
I actually really like the design of the lodge, it is in an amazing place and perfectly integrated into the environment. It's just a shame it's so poorly run. Anyway, it's too expensive for me.
Yes, it really is an interesting complex of buildings. It used to be much more affordable, but unfortunately the prices have increased significantly over the past few years, There is always the campground for $18 as an alternative!
It is crazy that the Park service authorizes them to charge prices like that for a building that we the citizens own. It is even crazier than they are allowed to run it in an unsanitary manner. Something should be done to stop this.
The Western Cabins are my favorite, and so far they have been rodent-free, but it is hard to believe in the modern era and at these prices that they rent cabins with rodents.
Such a beautiful place, but sad to hear it is poorly run. Thank you for the thorough review.
❤
Yes, I am sorry to have to report this information. Thanks for watching.
This is good information to be aware of and I thank you for bringing it to our awaremess in planning travel!
I am glad the information was useful. Thanks for watching.
Oh wow!! 😮 Things have changed since our day trip back in 2017. Then you mentioned Arramark, and it made sense. They took over the accommodations in Yosemite a while ago, and the service and quality have been similar. No soap for employees preparing food?! Geez, I'll pass on a returning. I prefer to keep the wonderful memories I have. Thanks for sharing the information. I fo appreciate it.
Thanks for your comment. It is hard to believe Aramark runs facilities nationwide and still cannot provide the basics at this Lodge. What a shame. The problem is it is the only option within the Park at the North Rim. I will give them one more try in the Autumn, then probably give them up.
@RationalTalk the quality of food and services is really awful in Yosemite with them. I wish they were never allowed to take over any services. It will be interesting to hear about your trip in the fall. I have to admit, though, I might stay in that rodent room and stay up to look for the ringtailed cat 😹 😆
@@nationalparksprincess3216 The ringtail cat's footfalls were so loud it woke me up to see the results of the infestation. I sometimes have one walk through my yard. They are definately creatures of the night. I have no idea why the Park Service is giving Aramak contracts. Apparently they have done so badly they lost the contract at Crater Lake and are on their way to losing the contract at Yosemite. There is also the issue of the constant price increases. It creates a dillenma for those of us who like to stay in the Parks.
@RationalTalk I would really like Yosemite to give them the boot! I am glad Crater Lake has gotten rid of them, thatbis another lodge we enjoyed dining years ago.
@@nationalparksprincess3216 You might want to write the Park Superintedent, and maybe the person who administers the contracts. They got failing grades two years in a row and should be subject to cancellation, but it has not happened yet. Here is one address I found for my complaint:
Mr. Kurt Rausch, Chief of Commercial Services Program
National Park Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Really like this video ❤ Very informative ❤ Hope it will improve when the lodge manager sees this 😂❤
Thanks, I have written to the managment company, but in the modern world I have found that such letters are most often ignored. They rent all the rooms with the current prices and conditions, so perhaps they are not all that concerned about unhappy visitors. Thanks for your comment.
That's odd 🤨 I heard you got 4 nights free from the management. What's sad is what people make up for views on here.
Thank you for the wonderful advice. Good job 👍
Thank you!
Thanks for the info! I love the north rim. If I stay there I think I'll get a tent site and eat my own cooking!
I think that is the best way to do it. Some of the tent sites are close to the Transept Canyon, which is kind of fun.
Sounds like a good idea 😊
오늘도 좋은 말씀 듣습니다. 정말 멋진 경치 늘 함께 하시니 얼마나 좋을까요.9:50
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the info. I have not been there in several years when Xanterra managed it. It was great then. This is good to know about the way it has changed.
Thanks. I am going back very soon and will update how I perceive it to be run, but reading the recent reviews, I am not optimistic.
We are going end of July. Western cabin, got dinner reservations, bringing lots of supplies. All we need is the view. Great video, thanks.
I think the Western Cabin is the best bet. I just learned the Park Service has closed the short walk to Bright Angel Point, which is disappointing, but there are still good views from the Lodge and the two minor viewpoints out back, plus there is Cape Royal, which I find spectacular. I hope you have a great visit!
Thanks for posting this. We just made reservations for the frontier cabins and after seeing this and doing our own research we canceled our reservations.
It is unfortunate, and not all of the cabins have problems, but if you read the online reviews, you can see that some do. If you can get a Western Cabin, I have never had a problem in one of them.
I guess looks can be deceiving. Thank you for sharing the True information about the lodge.
I hope the information is useful.
Thanks for this good summary. We was there end of june 2024. We had the same experiences. Toilet was clogged, rodents (cute) and very bad and overpriced food.
The sofa in the cabin looked like it was the bed of a bear. The lamps didn't worked. The good thing was a big Bison herd on our way to this location and the look into the
canyon.
The location is wonderful, the administration of the facility is disappointing, and that is only compounded by the high prices they charge. I will be back in a few months and hopefully things have improved, otherwise it will be my last stay there. I might try camping instead, or just stick to the South Rim.
Thank you for the interesting history of the building. I have never stayed there, only walk through on my way to Bright Angel Point. Based upon your observations, that is probably a good thing.
It is superficially a very attractive place, but there are definately problems with it.
Me either.
Have a reservation on the north rim in October for our first R2R. Do you think it would be better to stay at the lodge before we head down (north to south) , or would it be better to stay there after hiking south to north?
To me, it would make sense to stay North then hike South. That way you can park at the trailhead (get there early to find a space) instead of walking to and from the trailhead to the Lodge. You can also bring along a cooler with your own food (verify ice is available, as the machines were not operational on May 15/16). Most people also like the long downhill from North Rim, although, personally, it is easier for me to go uphill. Also, in October, there should be great foliage on the drive into North Rim. On an unsupported hike, I would go North to South.
Thanks for the advice. Just completed our first R2R on Friday. The north rim was beautiful and we had an amazing experience. Thanks for all the helpful videos 👍
Beautiful place but sounds like it has some issues in how it's being run. The no hand soap thing is crazy. Like how did they run out of that? I do like that it offers all those different room types depending on your budget.
Yes, the soap issue is a real puzzlement, plus, I thought they should get overnight shipping or send a staff-person to the nearest town to remedy the matter, but they did not in the two days I stayed there. Thanks for your comment.
My group of 3 just stayed there on May 20th and the cabin was fine, I think it was a Pioneer room, the one with the bunk beds. Dinner was overpriced like on the South Rim also, but very good. I didn’t enjoy my brisket sandwich from the canteen, about 1/2 fat and 1/2 meat. Overall, good experience. I’m curious how the Kaibab Lodge compares.
Thanks for that clarification. Some of the Pioneer cabins are rodent proofed and some are not, leading to variable results. Hopefully they got the dining room working better after 5 days, I was there on May 15/16. I have never stayed at Kaibab Lodge because of the distance from the trailhead, but I have read reviews that they have rodents as well. It would be interested to see how a private business compares. Thanks for your comment.
I stayed at Kaibab for R2R this past October. Duplex cabins, basic but served the purpose . Dinner at main lodge Buffet style and was Ok
We had mice get into our trail food at night. You can pay to take the shuttle to trailhead.
@@raywilson548 Ugh, so sorry to hear about the mice. They have eliminated the dinner buffet this year, so there are fewer seats at dinner, unfortunately. I am unaware of the pay-shuttle, do you have any more information on it? The walk is a bit of an impediment to me, I would rather get right on the trail.
The buffet I am referring to is at Kaibab Lodge. It's their only option for dinner. The hiker shuttle is operated by Kaibab lodge and serves North Rim Lodge also.
@@raywilson548 Ah, thanks for that clarifiation. I have never stayed at Kaibab Lodge, perhaps because I am a creature of habit. Especially with the problems at the North Rim Lodge, I will have to give them a try. Thank you for this information.
I actually really like the design of the lodge, it is in an amazing place and perfectly integrated into the environment. It's just a shame it's so poorly run. Anyway, it's too expensive for me.
Yes, it really is an interesting complex of buildings. It used to be much more affordable, but unfortunately the prices have increased significantly over the past few years, There is always the campground for $18 as an alternative!
I do like the looks of the western cabin, but at $415 a night, that's just too expensive for me.
It is kind of like being a boiled frog, I have gone for a few decades and suddenly wake up to the fact it is no longer affordable.
Γεια σου φίλε μου. Πολύ όμορφη καταγραφή😊🤝✍️🛎️ είμαστε μαζί
Thanks for watching!
Although pretty, it sounds like a mess. It is better for me to avoid it.
Probably the safest option.
It is pretty sad that such an interesting and historic facility is so poorly run.
I agree.
Is this recent?
May 15, 16, 2024
@@GC-Hiker Thank you.
Interesting history and attractive place. Too bad it is poorly run. I think I will skip it.
Likely a good decision unless they improve their administration of the Lodge.
Scathing😵💫😵💫☹️
But certainly what I experienced. I have spoken with their leadership and they promise improvement, that remains to be seen.
It is crazy that the Park service authorizes them to charge prices like that for a building that we the citizens own. It is even crazier than they are allowed to run it in an unsanitary manner. Something should be done to stop this.
I agree.
How frustrating and very disappointing for all the people that travel there with their hard earned money. That makes me angry for them.
It really is an unfortunate situation. Hopefully at least the quality (but likely not the price) will improve. Thanks for your comment.
The Western cabins look really nice. Ugh, rodents, it's hard to believe there are still rodent infested rooms being rented.😮
Yes, it is.
The Western Cabins are my favorite, and so far they have been rodent-free, but it is hard to believe in the modern era and at these prices that they rent cabins with rodents.
I agree.
Agreed.
Overpriced and rodent infested? Not for me. Thank you for the warning.😮
Yes, it is hard to believe they are allowed to operate a hotel like that!
200 bucks for that crappy motel room? And that's the cheapest room there? That really sounds crazy. I don't care how historic the building is.
I agree, the prices have increased and the quality has decreased. It is a real problem.
Not to mention that it is far to get there.
@@Mr.DsBackyard Yes, it is quite a drive.