Recommended by the folk at Nisqually Lodge, Ashford WA and part of the same ownership group. Well located on Route 12 not far from Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens. Clean, quiet and comfortable though rooms at the back got less of the occasional traffic noise. My room at the back looked out over a quiet road where an elk came along to pull apples off a neighbour's tree. Breakfast adequate but uninspiring. Very friendly welcome.

Once we found it, the Crest Trail Lodge was a great place to stay. Clean, well maintained rooms, comfortable beds, and very good climate control. It offered a full self serve breakfast, including waffles (my favorite). The highlight was the staff ( a couple, I believe) who were a fount of excellent information about Mt. Rainier.

One note: If you are locating it by GPS, use Randle, not Packwood. Without GPS, don't give up too easily if you are coming from Mt. Rainier. It is about a mile PAST the town center.

Forrest and Donna are doing a fine job in the upkeep of this property. It's obvious everywhere you look. The outside is spic and span, especially during the time we visited when a road crew were kicking up a lot of dust.

Evening wine was served in stemmed glassware...thank goodness, no plastic. Breakfast had just about all you need to kick off your day. What I appreciated was individual serving portions of juices, rather than a fountain drink machine. Also, fresh bananas and apples to eat in or take away for later, plus a waffle machine, all sorts of teas and the list goes on and on.

However, here's what the owner needs to do...get rid of those antiquated A/C, heat, fan devices that emit a thunderous noise making it practically impossible to fall asleep, even with the use of ear plugs. Worse than sitting beside the engine in a prop airplane. This, I'm sure, is not under the purview of management, but an expense the owner needs to do to step up his game.

Other than that, good property to stay at to visit Mt. Rainier close by.