Need some Yellowstone Park lodging advice

We're hoping to get to Yellowstone Park this fall for four or five days, after a couple of false starts.

Does anyone here have any suggestions re: good clean, quiet lodging outside of the park? The last time we planned a trip we almost made reservations at one particular place in West Yellowstone, MT that would've turned out to be a real dive. Only after reading reviews on TripAdvisor.com did we realize how bad the place apparently was. As luck would have it, we had to scrub the trip anyway due to a family illness.

The reviews I've been reading online for most places aren't too encouraging.

Some first hand experiences/tips would be appreciated.

Thanx

Bottom line: Don't do business with bears at all. That should include all large carnivores.

But do keep checking reviews online before you book something. But, are you sure you want to stay outside the park? When we went to Yosemite, we rented a cabin in the park and it was the smartest thing we ever did. No lines in and out and in and out. Although, maybe in the fall in Yellowstone will not be crowded.

I used to stay there every year. The town has a website with lots of lodging listings. Also, if you're camping, try the Hebgen lake area just west of WEst Yellowstone. It's an amazing place, and don't forget to visit the Earthquake Museum there.

http://www.westyellowstonenet.com/

My family and I have stayed at rustic cabins owned by the park service several times in different Yellowstone locations and it was a great experience. That was in the 90s, granted, and things may have changed. But without fail, they were reasonably priced and absolutely charming. If you can afford it, the old lodges are also outstanding. Roosevelt Lodge. Wow, what a place.

That meant some extra driving, but it always interesting and scenic. I would try first for the in-park places, though, especially later in the season.