The beautiful Lake Hotel was originally built in 1891 as a barracks-like structure, then was redesigned and expanded by Robert Reamer, the architect of the Old Faithful Inn in 1903. The hotel is a relatively plain clapboarded Colonial Revival structure with two large Ionic porticoes that face Yellowstone Lake.

It was a large three-story structure with projecting bays at each end in 1891, and the construction was supervised by R.R. Cummins for the Northern Pacific Railway. They were building two other similar structures in the park at the same time. The remodeling in 1903 changed the projections to the Ionic porticoes seen today, and an extension was also added at that time, with a third matching portico.

Sometime in 1922 to 1923, construction on another extension to the east was begun, with a flat roof. Then, in 1928 a two-story west wing was added, which expanded the dining room and added a solarium to the front. The hotel was again renovated extensively from 1984 to 1990, but its original charm was preserved. The hotel completed a two-year, $28-million renovation in 2014.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's official program. The hotel is quite striking inside, and the rooms are wonderful. It's a great place to stay if you want to experience the past, but with modern conveniences.

Even if you don't stay at the hotel, you might want to stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The hotel dining room is open from May 28 thru October 3 this year. You can find out how to make reservations here: https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodgings/cabin/lake-yellowstone-hotel-cabins/

So if you're visiting Yellowstone, be sure to stop by the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and say "hello" to the great yellow lady. =]:)