855 N 5th St, Custer, South Dakota, United States | (888) 962-8097
On the Rocks Chophouse serves a steakhouse menu with kids' specials
Free daily breakfast of pancakes and fruit
Clean rooms include a coffeemaker, microwave, and mini-fridge
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, plus a hot tub
Outdoor tennis court and European-style fitness trail
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Cute playground with tire swings
Afternoon cookie happy hour
Game room with pool table
Pet-friendly and dog treats in the lobby
Standard Rooms have dated furniture
30-minute drive to Mt. Rushmore
No elevator
Thin walls and no blackout curtains in guestrooms
The mid-range Bavarian Inn is a relaxed motel set on five acres near Custer's main drag. The inn lives up to its name due to the alpine chalet look of the architecture, and a charming, laid-back vibe to the common spaces. For a motel, there are plenty of options to keep guests busy, including indoor and outdoor pools, a European-style fitness trail, and a steakhouse. Free breakfast consists of pancakes and there's a cookie happy hour. The 65 guest rooms are clean and include nice extras such as outdoor space, coffeemakers with coffee, and empty mini-fridges. It's about a six-minute drive to the Crazy Horse Memorial, but 30 minutes to Mt. Rushmore.
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Scene
Austrian chalet architecture and a laid-back vibe
The Bavarian Inn is a popular and laid-back
motel for families and other (oftentimes repeat) visitors to Custer and its attractions.
The inn is older, but clean and spacious, with plenty of little touches that
add to its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The inn is
set back from the road on five acres of lawns, trails, and wooded areas, which
give it a remote, private feeling; deer and other wildlife are known to roam the property.
The trees are hung with lanterns and there are picnic
areas and decks scattered on the grounds. First-floor guests can drive
right up to their rooms to unpack and there's a communal feeling in the comfortable lobby that's furnished with couches, chairs, booths, and coffee and game
tables, as well as a gas fireplace and large flat-screen TV. Coffee and tea are
always on offer, and there is a daily cookies and milk happy hour. The decor
brings a little of the outside in: the main building is built around a large
boulder, and there is a wall of planters. Overall, the Bavarian Inn is
an excellent value for a visit to South Dakota’s national parks.
Location
30-minute drive from Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
The Bavarian Inn is located one mile from
downtown Custer. The motel is set on five private acres, surrounded by trees,
hills, and lots of green space. There are a few hotels nearby, but the inn has
a private, out of the way feel. The area is busiest during the annual Sturgis
Motorcycle Rally. Crazy Horse Memorial is three miles from the motel, and Mt. Rushmore is twenty miles away. A car is necessary to visit the state parks and
other area attractions, but parking at the motel is free and plentiful. Rapid
City Regional Airport is a 50-mile drive from the inn.
Rooms
Coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and views of the Black Hills
Guest rooms at the Bavarian Inn are clean and
spacious, with shared and furnished balcony space and views of the Black Hills. Deluxe Rooms were renovated to include light brown
walls, black padded headboards, white comforters and bed linens, and wall-to-wall
carpeting. Rooms in the newer building are larger than those in the original, and those that have not yet been updated have slightly dated furniture, but are still comfortable, with plenty of space. Amenities in all rooms include flat-screen TVs with cable channels, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and free toiletries. Bathrooms are simple, with shower/tub combos and single sinks. The King Jacuzzi Room has a romantic double whirlpool that opens into the
bedroom. The Family Suite has a variety of beds and a sleeper sofa for maximum
capacity. Some guests have complained that the walls are thin, and
that there are no blackout curtains. Guests with
mobility issues should request first-floor rooms, as there is no elevator.
Pet-friendly rooms have direct access to the outside for convenient walks, and
the front desk is always stocked with treats for furry friends.
Features
Steakhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, and free breakfast
The Bavarian Inn has a lot of unexpected features. There's a seasonal outdoor pool with a sundeck, and a heated indoor pool and hot tub, with a supply of pool toys and games for guest use. Just off the pool is a game room with a pool table and a large stack of board games. An outdoor tennis court and almost mile-long European fitness trail are available, but there isn't a fitness center. Kids will enjoy the two outdoor playgrounds. On the Rocks chophouse serves dinner and drinks in a large dining room with a huge fresh salad bar, indoor charcoal grills, and white linen tablecloths. A kids' menu is available. Free breakfast is served every morning and includes pancakes, yogurt, fruit, juice, and coffee. There are vending machines and a guest laundry on the grounds. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
