16 Best Hotels in Kalispell, Missoula, and Northwest Montana, Montana

This carefully restored, 1910 railroad hotel was the first of the iconic lodges built by the Great Northern Railroad and sits directly across the road from the historic West Glacier Railroad Station, making it particularly convenient for guests arriving by rail. The lodge is conveniently located just outside the West Glacier park entrance in what was once the park's winter headquarters. Rooms are cozy and bright with period furnishings and original woodwork. Some rooms open up to a private deck area with lovely views. The Lewis and Clark Cottages, which remain open in winter, are snug up against the evergreen forest behind the lodge. If train noise will bother you, ask for a room at the back of the hotel. 

At the foot of the road that climbs to Big Mountain, this two-story log lodge has a lively ski motif—a child's sled for a coffee table, an antique ski for a handrail. Some of the rooms have their own Jacuzzis, and there's one outdoors as well. Rooms are individually decorated with rough-hewn pine furniture and ironwork, and each has its own entrance off a small deck. The living room's vaulted ceiling creates space for plenty of light and a 20-foot-high fireplace; the scene can be quite social, especially in summer. Breakfasts are a standout, and come evening a glass of wine or bottle of locally brewed beer is on the house. The skier-owners may even share their favorite powder run on Big Mountain.

Views of the Bitterroot River give this inn a peaceful, country feel even though it's within walking distance of many of the shops and restaurants in downtown Stevensville. The rooms are made with comfort in mind, including down comforters and featherbeds in some rooms, and a cozy fireplace in another. Breakfasts are casual, but with egg casseroles, banana-bread French toast, and locally roasted coffee, they'll be sure to fuel you for the day. Children over six are welcome.

Located at the bottom of Grant Creek, near the Snowbowl ski area, this family favorite features a tree-filled courtyard with a pool, baby pool, five hot tubs, and a waterfall. Log beams, animal mounts, and a large fireplace contribute to its lodge-like atmosphere; on the second floor, they feature balconies. Some rooms have kitchens, jetted tubs, and/or sitting areas.

This renovated, classic 1950s-era motel gives you exactly what is promised: simple, clean rooms with modern touches of style and functionality, right in the middle of downtown Missoula.

The handsome log main lodge built in 1929 combines European grace and Western trimmings on a 200-acre spread. The great room's stone fireplace is a guest gathering spot; nearby in Seasons Restaurant ($$$) the sophisticated and changing menu features rib eyes with sautéed mushrooms, Red Bird organic chicken, and Alaskan halibut. Guest rooms and log cabins are simply furnished with a few antiques and fluffy comforters. Early-20th-century log homes with antiques, knotty-pine interiors, and modern kitchens are popular with families. The resort sits adjacent to one of the finest golf courses in northwestern Montana.

Just east of the park, across from the Amtrak station, this beautiful full-service hotel built in 1913 is supported by 500- to 800-year-old Douglas firs and 3-foot-thick cedar logs; little wonder that its nickname is "Big Tree Lodge." Entertainers delight guests with storytelling and singing in the spectacular great hall, where a crackling fire blazes in a massive stone fireplace. Rooms are sparsely decorated, but historic framed posters hang on the hallway walls. The hotel has an excellent restaurant, a bar, a convenience store, and a gift shop. There is also a house for rent on the grounds. It's next to the golf course, the oldest grass-greens course in Montana. If you golf on it, watch out for moose. 

Built in 1911 for the first president of the University of Montana and fully remodeled in 2021, this prairie-style brick home offers six apartment-style units, each with a kitchen or kitchenette (and all but one with laundry facilities). The building sits on the bank of the Clark Fork River, at the end of a footbridge that leads to campus. With big white eaves and an ample porch overlooking the river—where blue heron, osprey, and bald eagles congregate—this historic building offers the opportunity to put down shallow roots if you need a place for a longer stay. The Clark Fork suite has a king-size bed, private entry, and riverside porch. The two-room Bitterroot Apartment offers two rooms (one queen, one twin), two full baths and two patios. Most suites have full kitchens and laundry, and all have river views.

This cozy inn has a wraparound deck that provides wonderful mountain views; inside is a comfortable lounge area where guests can relax and mingle. The inn accommodates a maximum of 18 guests, and also on the property are two log cabins with fully-equipped kitchens that can sleep six and seven people. The inn's spacious rooms are decorated with Western-style wood furnishings and Western arts and crafts, all with flat-screen TVs and mini-refrigerators. Some rooms have fireplaces and private patios. The room rate includes a delicious breakfast with hot and cold menu items. Complimentary laundry facilities are on-site, and the lodge loans bear spray to guests for hiking excursions.

This hotel 1 mile west of downtown features an indoor pool, fitness center, gift shop, and shuttle service. The spacious rooms, Western decor, and river-rock fireplace in the lobby give the place a homey feel. Some suites have private hot tubs and fireplaces.

With a fully equipped business center near the lobby and spacious, Montana-theme rooms anchored by large desks and flat-screen TVs, this standard business-oriented hotel is a reliable choice. The Blue Canyon Kitchen and Silver Creek Tavern next door serve lunch and dinner, and the Garden Grille and Bar next to the lobby serves breakfast only (for an extra charge). A 24-hour convenience mart has the sundries that you forgot, and the helpful staff is able to direct you to the sights and recreational opportunities in the area.

The Missoula member of the Holiday Inn chain is a large, comfortable hotel with a lush atrium in the center and remodeled rooms, some with a lovely river view. The property's greatest asset is its location in Missoula's riverfront Bess Reed Park, a stone's throw from the Clark Fork River and across the river from the university, a ¾-mile walk. There's a pool, hot tub, sauna, and business and fitness centers. Pets are welcome.

Located in the ski village, this hotel has the feel of a true mountain lodge: quiet and cozy, the massive lobby fireplace and the Snug Bar are attractive public spaces, while the wood-accented guest rooms feature tile-and-granite finishes, leather furniture, and down comforters on the beds. The Kandahar Wellness Center provides on-site massage services daily. Also on-site is Cafe Kandahar (no lunch, reservations recommended); owned by well-regarded chef Andy, it boasts a wine list that has been recognized by major wine magazines. Three- and four-course meals force diners to choose between 10 or so "thoughtfully constructed" delicacies, including bison tenderloin with chanterelle mushrooms and rack of lamb with lavender, mustard seed, and fondant potatoes.

The best of the three chain hotels in Polson offers comfortable beds and clean, quiet rooms, some of which have stunning views of Flathead Lake and the Mission Mountains. Mackenzie River Pizza and Grill, a local favorite, serves pub-style food and local beer right next door. 

Situated in downtown Bigfork with views overlooking Bigfork Bay, the Swan River Inn has eight suites in a 19th-century building. Each suite is decorated according to a theme: art deco, Victorian, French country, and safari (with antiques from all over the world). They also have three houses 5 miles south of Bigfork on Flathead Lake: the Atelier Suite, an authentic log cabin, and rustic Trapper Cabin, with the same luxurious amenities. There's also a giant tepee with electricity, a queen bed, and separate bathroom and modest kitchenette.

Just 2½ miles from the west entrance of Glacier National Park, this huge RV resort offers both basic camping cabins (no bathroom, no kitchen, no linens) and deluxe cabins with en suite bathrooms, in addition to tent sites and RV sites for those who really want to camp. This resort has beautiful landscaped gardens, two swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, playgrounds, and a huge pet playground. There are also other amenities like an espresso bar, an ice cream shop, a café, laundry facilities, showers and toilets, and a camp store. A nightly resort fee of $15 per unit funds daily activities and nightly shows featuring live music and a variety of other live performances. The resort is an official pickup location for red bus tours of the park.