Whittaker’s Bunkhouse

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 café 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 café. 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.

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 café 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 2^nd 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 café, 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!

Whittaker’s Bunkhouse has a quaint atmosphere with great curb appeal. I love the wrap around porch and flowers in the spring and summer. They have a terrific Pacific Northwest vibe here! The café might be the only spot around to grab a latte. They also make smoothies and shakes. The breakfast menu is light. Try a breakfast burrito.

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 café, 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 café 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.

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 Unilocal 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. :)

Visited the café 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.

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.

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.