4 nights in Rainier, lodging advice?
My partner and I are going to Rainier 7/15-7/19. This was a pretty last minute plan and so lodging has not been easy to find. I've been hounding lodging websites for openings and somehow got lucky enough to get a room at Paradise Inn for 7/17-7/19. I imagine getting that is pretty rare and I think we should definitely keep? Sounds like not dealing with the drive into the park to hike Skyline is worth it in itself but open to suggestions if this is not the case! For our first 2 nights, we were planning to stay in Packwood to get into Sunrise, but again, lodging has not been easy. We were able to get (what looks like) a sweet cabin at Alta Lodge near Crystal Mtn, so not in Packwood but in an area we wanted to check out anyway and definitely wanted to take the gondola up. But I also just got notification that a Mountain View Lodge room in Packwood opened up, as well as a room at Packwood Lodge and Cabins. Now I'm very torn if it's best to stay at this cool Alta cabin with a hot tub in what seems like the middle of nowhere, or stay in Packwood, a town that seems pretty cute but little further from Sunrise. Also curious if staying at Paradise Inn is a definite must-do? Any and all advice very much appreciated!