Marriotts near National Parks?
Mar 29, 2021, 4:32 pm
#91
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA, Marriott, UA, SWA, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 27
Yes, there are Marriott properties somewhat close to Glacier National Park
The Springhill Suites in Kalispell is 45 minutes from Glacier National Park and the Towneplace Suites in Whitefish is 15 minutes closer. I've stayed at both and they were excellent, even during the pandemic in the latter case.
Mar 30, 2021, 8:24 am
#93
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
King room
Breakfast a bit scarce, but burritos, coffee, yogurt
Copper Whiskey Bar and Grill attached to hotel
Lobby bar that was minimally opened at best.
a few pics from The Wilson last October. Loved the hotel and the area. Certainly going back this year.
Mar 30, 2021, 1:34 pm
#94
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
a few pics from The Wilson last October. Loved the hotel and the area. Certainly going back this year.
Looks like a nice spot.
Mar 30, 2021, 5:46 pm
#95
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: AMEX, Ritz LT-Plat Prem, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Delta Plat, United Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 866
Apr 2, 2021, 7:08 am
#96
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Silver, Amtrak Select Plus, UA Silver
Posts: 2,025
Fairfield Inn & Suites Oakhurst Yosemite
Merced and Fresno are not true gateway towns for Yosemite. They're simply the closest towns with hotel programs like Hilton and Marriott.
The "true" gateway towns for Yosemite are Oakhurst and Mariposa, but they only have Best Western and Choice in terms of chain hotels (with points programs), like the "true" gateway towns for some many national parks.
The "true" gateway towns for Yosemite are Oakhurst and Mariposa, but they only have Best Western and Choice in terms of chain hotels (with points programs), like the "true" gateway towns for some many national parks.
Apr 2, 2021, 11:19 pm
#97
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Central California and on the Road
Posts: 297
The FFI is the same owner as the adjacent soon-to-open Hampton and already open HIX. The owner/developer decided to build 1 property from each of those 3 major programs. The HIX has been open for over a year and its reviews are probably the closest for any hints about the FFI management/operation after it opens.
Apr 3, 2021, 7:46 am
#98
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Silver, Amtrak Select Plus, UA Silver
Posts: 2,025
Oh Crap... I hope the June 7th date holds because we are planning to be there on 7/20... Is a very good deal if we are able to use points....
Apr 3, 2021, 1:09 pm
#99
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
I’ve had an eye on this FF for well over a year now. This is the first time that they’ve made it to the month of “opening” without them pushing it out on their Marriott.com website.
Apr 4, 2021, 2:36 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Central California and on the Road
Posts: 297
The last delay/change of date was mainly due to a needed increase in capacity for the area sewer trunk line. Getting approvals from a rural county for infrastructure work in an unincorporated community plus dealing with Caltrans for permits to trench 1 mile of state highway pushed the previous opening date. That sewer work is finished.
My opinion is a June date looks like it can hold.
Apr 9, 2021, 11:34 am
#101
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Central California and on the Road
Posts: 297
hotelfanatic, in case you did not see this week's announcement that Yosemite will return to a day-use reservation system this summer. You will need to add getting one of those passes to your trip planning.
The park will require the reservations for those staying outside the park boundaries unless you are using the YARTS bus. But if you are driving a vehicle yourself you will need the reservation pass. Those staying inside the park do not need a reservation.
There are no walk-up passes, the day-use reservation must be purchased in advance. Some dates will sell out.
This time the reservations are only good for 3 days (a change from the previous 7 days). If you wanted to enter the park for more than 3 days you will need two different reservations.
For a July date, the park entrance reservations go on sale April 28th at 8am Pacific Time.
You can read up on the reservations and the process at:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm
The park will require the reservations for those staying outside the park boundaries unless you are using the YARTS bus. But if you are driving a vehicle yourself you will need the reservation pass. Those staying inside the park do not need a reservation.
There are no walk-up passes, the day-use reservation must be purchased in advance. Some dates will sell out.
This time the reservations are only good for 3 days (a change from the previous 7 days). If you wanted to enter the park for more than 3 days you will need two different reservations.
For a July date, the park entrance reservations go on sale April 28th at 8am Pacific Time.
You can read up on the reservations and the process at:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm
Last edited by FATFlyer; Apr 9, 2021 at 11:40 am
Apr 9, 2021, 11:55 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 805
The wife and I are flying into Jackson Hole and spending almost two weeks around there and Yellowstone over Christmas and New Years. I was looking at splitting the time between the Springhill Suites in Jackson and the one in Island Park. Is there anywhere else we should go or would these two areas be good?
Apr 9, 2021, 12:27 pm
#103
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,118
Yellowstone only has two entrances that are open in the winter, the north entrance and the northeast entrance. Island Park to the north entrance without being able to go through the park is a 3.5 hour drive each way according to Google Maps.
I'd strongly recommend staying in Gardiner, MT or at one of the lodges in the Mammoth Hot Springs part of Yellowstone.
Apr 9, 2021, 12:48 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 805
Yellowstone only has two entrances that are open in the winter, the north entrance and the northeast entrance. Island Park to the north entrance without being able to go through the park is a 3.5 hour drive each way according to Google Maps.
I'd strongly recommend staying in Gardiner, MT or at one of the lodges in the Mammoth Hot Springs part of Yellowstone.
I'd strongly recommend staying in Gardiner, MT or at one of the lodges in the Mammoth Hot Springs part of Yellowstone.
Apr 9, 2021, 1:31 pm
#105
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,118
The hot springs near the North Entrance are really neat to see, but there's plenty to see by snow-based tours from the West Entrance as well. I just forgot those existed. Staying in Island Park makes perfect sense if that's your plan.