Looking for advice about Yellowstone lodging.

[CrossCountry2011]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out in deciding which town would be best to stay at while visiting Yellowstone. We'll be there for a two night, three day trip this summer. I know it's a little late to be booking, but I have checked some reservations and found places that have availability. I just can't decide which location would be best.

Our directions have us entering Yellowstone after Cody, Wyoming. We're interested in cabin rentals, but we don't want to be spending more than $110 a night. I've never been to Yellowstone before, so I don't really know what would be the best itineraries to plan, based on the way we're entering the park. We'll be entering in the morning after a short drive, and I know they say it might take awhile to get used to the altitude so I'm guessing it would be better to have an 'easier' day when we first get there. Would it make sense to see the more 'touristy' things, like Old Faithful on the first day? I was thinking that if we did that it would make more sense to stay in West, Yellowstone. We'll also be heading towards Salt Lake City after Yellowstone so it seems to be a smarter idea to stay on that side of the park instead of backtracking to Cody or somewhere near the east entrances each night.

Also, I know about the park, but I don't know that many details about how difficult the driving might be in the different areas of the park or if West Yellowstone is a little more hardcore than East Yellowstone, or if it's all similar or what. I guess what would really be helpful is for someone to let me know a little bit more about what I'm getting into, since I guess I'm not exactly sure what to expect!

[glc]

I can personally recommend the Evergreen Motel in West Yellowstone. It's a renovated 50's style roadside motel run by a very nice young couple. It's not a cabin, but it's probably one of the better deals you will find in the area.

[Utahtea]

I'd keep checking to see if you could get a cancellation on a cabin in the Old Faithful area, if that's not possible, then I'd say West Yellowstone is the best town outside the park to be centrally located. On the day you enter Yellowstone you can take your time working your way to West Yellowstone either by doing the top or bottom loop.

Utahtea