905 Scott Street West, Gardiner, Montana, United States | (888) 989-6591
Fantastic location
on Yellowstone River, near the national park entrance
Rustic, homey rooms with mini-fridges and microwaves
Some rooms have excellent mountain and river views
Frequent wildlife spottings from hotel windows and deck
Suites offer full
kitchens and some rooms have private whirlpool tubs
Refreshing indoor
pool with hot tub
Free cookies in
afternoon plus biscuits for dogs
Free hot breakfast buffet
Free parking and Wi-Fi access
Breakfast quality is underwhelming
Rooms are a bit dated
No elevator to
second floor
Wi-Fi connection
is spotty
This mid-sized, budget chain outpost is situated
on the Yellowstone River near Yellowstone National Park's entrance, and offers one of the best locations in Gardiner. Rustic, if dated, rooms feature homey furniture, mini-fridges, and microwaves, and some
have superb mountain and river views. However, there's no elevator to the second floor and Wi-Fi, while free, can be spotty. The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna, and small meeting rooms -- nice perks for a hotel in this category -- but the free breakfast buffet at the adjacent restaurant is underwhelming.
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Scene
Rustic, mountain-themed chain hotel with delightful sounds of the river throughout
Although it's a
chain hotel, this BEST WESTERN PLUS has a rustic look that blends seamlessly with
the surrounded rugged landscape. A large asphalt parking lot connects the three
buildings, all of which are brown-colored and a little shabby looking from the outside. One
building faces the Yellowstone River and a wooden deck overlooks the river. There are
a few wooden wagons on the grass near the building. The small lobby is Western-themed, with horse motifs and framed photographs of the
area, and the seating area features a pair of well-worn red leather couches. The peaceful
sound of the moving river can be heard from open windows throughout the hotel. The majority of guests are families and couples visiting
Yellowstone Park.
Location
Next to the river, a five-minute drive from Yellowstone Park entrance
The hotel sits on
the main road in Gardiner, adjacent to a restaurant and casino on one side, and
a horse stables on the other. The Yellowstone River runs along the back of the hotel. In general it's a quiet area with elk and other wildlife sometimes walking about. A handful of restaurants and shops are within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. The
entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a five-minute drive away, while Roosevelt
Arch is about a three-minute drive from the hotel, or less than a 20-minute walk. Mammoth
Hot Springs will take 15 minutes to reach by car and Bozeman Yellowstone
International Airport is less than 90 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Homey rooms with mini-fridges and microwaves, some with river views
Some rooms are
more rustic than others, with log bed frames in the Suites, but all rooms offer hints of this hotel's mountain theme, with nature prints on the
walls and lamps featuring moose and bear silhouettes. It's a homey look, and verges on dated, with tan carpets that could use an update, simple mid-tone wood furniture, and unintentionally retro design elements like sunken whirlpool tubs in the bedrooms in some rooms. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, modern
mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, but the carpets could use an updating. Rooms on the river are by far the best
option, as the rushing water can be heard when windows are open and wildlife
can occasionally be spotted. Suites are spacious
and ideal for families, with sofa beds plus full kitchens with stoves, ovens,
full-size fridges, and all of the necessary utensils to make meals. Bathrooms are standard for this category of hotel, with long granite counters in the main body of the room in most units, plus shower/tub combos and toiletries. Rooms with in-room whirlpool tubs only have walk-in showers.
Features
Free hot buffet breakfast, indoor pool, and bar/restaurant next door
This BEST WESTERN PLUS has a large indoor pool and a hot tub, though there's certainly a vintage look to the space, with a large deck around the edge and a few pieces of plastic furniture. A steam room and sauna are also available. There's a steak house and gift shop next door that's also home to a small "casino." This is where the hotel's free breakfast buffet is served, though it doesn't get enthusiastic marks from previous guests. Pets are allowed for an extra fee and free cookies and dog biscuits are available in the lobby every afternoon. Outdoor parking is free, as is Wi-Fi, though it can be spotty in some areas of the hotel. A small meeting and presentation room is also available.
