alitablanc

Has anyone stayed at the Beldon Chalet in Glacier National Park? I will be traveling with my husband and adult sons next June. On the western side of the park, I've booked one of Beldon Chalet's cottages because it seems very reasonable and well-located. However, I understand that both the hotel and the cottages are quite noisy because they are so close to the train station. I haven't yet booked any rooms in the east part of the park but would like to stay on that side for a few nights as well , to take advantage of the hiking. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you.

spirobulldog

Depending on what your interests are, I don't think Belton/Apgar/Park Entrance area is really that "well-located". We did eat there and it was good. Yes, the trains do come right by it. It would be nice for your first night and maybe even a 2nd.

Personally, the best lodging and location to me is Many Glacier. Swift Current and Rising Sun both have great locations and views too. Glacier Park Lodge is probably the nicest, but not nearly as spectacular of a setting.

One more thing. You do realize that going in June-is what I would consider very risky that the Going To the Sun Road would even be open fully. Also, that some of the hiking trails are likely to still be closed. This all depends on snowfall, of course, but typically this is the case. The later in June the better, but even then still risky.

If you search on my name you will find a trip report and photos of our trip there this past July(last week of July).
3 years we tried to go, but do to several factors(mainly 49 airplanes being damaged by hail at Denver airport-so we were not able to fly there)and the fact that the GTSR hadn't opened yet. I think this was 2011 and was the latest the road had ever opened.

We thought Glacier was very pretty park and lots of wildlife. I was a bit disappointed in the waterfalls and amount of snow that I expected to encounter. I didn't think it was a busy park at all, considering the amount of people that do go there. I would suggest going on as many hikes as you can and to buy bear spray. I think the more hikes you go on, the more you will enjoy the park. We did several boat rides. While these are slow paced, we did enjoy them. We didn't do any horse tours, but that would be something to do too. We did see bear, mountain goats, bighorn sheep all within a few feet of us. We stopped counting the number of bears near Many Glacier Hotel that we saw. You'll have a great time!!

monpetit

Belton chalet and cottages are nice but
- those are old structures and room size and/or bathroom could be a problem, as often in the national register of historic building,small...
- and effectively, noise is a problem : it's directly on the highway 2 where truks are driving and across the highway is the railway. There are good nights and bad nights...
We had a sejour in Belton Chalet for 3 nights 5 years ago but no chance : 3 bad nights...with no more than 3 hours quiet...
Ear plugs absolutely necessary.
In West Glacier, the best is Apgar village inn on the Lk Mc Donald...They have some suites with for all a lake view...
The units on the upper floor are the best. It's one of our adress by there when there is some availability...
It's quiet and the sunset/sunrise are part of the charm.
Apgar village lodge have some unit on Mc Donald creek which have also some nice views and are quiet.
There are also some units in the woods, relatively quiet.
The motel units on the road are motel unit...Tranquility is less during the day..
For all there is a "quiet" policy from 10pm to 7am, well respected.
Erik

monpetit

And in the east :
- Rising Sun or Swiftcurrent motor in are very good choices and we prefer the motel rooms than the cabin(larger in size for rooms and bathroom).If you are in one or the other unit, it's possible to explore Many Glacier and GTTSR in its east part.
- For Two Medecine, the best is to sleep at East Glacier and Glacier Park Lodge is not that bad if you accept the small size of...the bathrooms...Rooms are correct in size. It's relatively quiet.
The traveler nest in East Glacier is fine but near the railway and so bad and good nights...
For both part, beware that it's fast booked.So you have to reserve really in advance...
For next year in Apgar we didn't fiond a room for our next sejour in August 2014 with reservation in early september...
And as they change the concessioner(Xanthia became for 2014...) there is project to renove several rooms==>perhaps less availibility.
Erik

tomfuller

The later in June the better as already noted.
My DW and I spent our anniversary a few years ago at the Meadow Lake resort. http://www.meadowlake.com/
We had a nice condo with a hot tub in the room.
Lodging inside the park is nowhere near as nice as that condo.
We arrived on the Amtrak Empire Builder and staff of Meadow Lake got us to the resort in Columbia Falls. We had a rental car delivered to us from the Kalispell airport. In June rental cars should be available in Whitefish.

longhorn55

Have you considered renting a vacation home through a site like VRBO? We did this when we traveled to GNP with our adult children a few years ago and we all LOVED having the extra indoor and outdoor space, full kitchen and, in one home, laundry facilities. They were also located in very quiet areas.

On the east side of the park, we stayed in a home called "Railroad Creek Lodging's H4 House" (VRBO #95176) located just outside East Glacier. It was super-quiet (out in the country with just one neighbor) and a quick drive to the East Glacier entrance. On the west side of the park, we stayed at "Shiloh Valley Bear Den" (VRBO #81334)in West Glacier. It is located on a secluded property next to the owner's other VRBO property, "Fox Den", which is a smaller house which you might also want to consider. These homes are a short drive from the West Glacier entrance.

Both properties were nice--especially Bear's Den--and the owners, both of whom I spoke with extensively before booking and one of whom I also met at their property, could not have been more informative or accommodating.

alitablanc

Thank you so much for your detailed responses. Based on your info, I think I'll look into alternative accommodations.