2 Best Hotels in Glacier National Park, Montana

On the shores of Lake McDonald, near Apgar and West Glacier, this historic lodge—where public spaces feature massive timbers, stone fireplaces, and animal trophies—is an ideal base for exploring the park's western side. Scenic cruises depart from docks behind the lodge, or you can rent a boat and tour the lake on your own. Lodge rooms are on the second and third floors (there is no elevator); cabins sleep up to four but don't have kitchens; and there are also motel-style rooms separate from the lodge, four deluxe suites, and eight inexpensive hostel-style rooms with shared bathrooms. Some suites have TVs, but other accommodations do not. Very limited Wi-Fi is available for overnight guests in the front desk and lobby area. Four rooms are wheelchair-accessible.

On Swiftcurrent Lake in the park's northeastern section, this is the most isolated of the grand hotels, and—especially if you are able to book a lake-view balcony room—among the most scenic. The rooms, partially renovated in recent years, are small and sparsely decorated, but the location and views are unbeatable. On chilly mornings, guests gather around the lobby's large fireplace. There are several wonderful hikes in this area, including ranger-guided ones to Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake. You can combine the hikes with a scenic boat tour to substantially decrease the hiking distance.