Kootenai Valley Motel

I rented six nights here over two separate trips this past week. The first room was adequate. In the second, the heat didn’t work, so they moved us to a room with a strange interior door. When I called, they assured me it was locked and that the door on the other side was locked too, so nobody could get in. We tried them and found they weren’t locked. Anyone could enter. At check-in they only gave us one key, and when we asked for another, they said people take the extras. There are no other locks to secure the doors from inside. A woman assured me the whole property was under security surveillance. It’s a small town, so we were going to let it slide. At checkout today, my daughter went to return the key and was attacked by a large dog. I was already on my way home and called the front desk to ask someone to check on her until I could get there. They didn’t answer, though I’d never had trouble reaching them before. My daughter thought it was the owner’s dog, and it was still loose. When I arrived, the lobby doors were locked. I called again and got no answer. They wouldn’t come out until the police arrived. The owner couldn’t show proof the dog had its rabies vaccine. I’ve tried calling to get a copy of the surveillance footage, but they won’t answer. The officer said that when he asked for it, the owner Ed said it was off. This is not a safe place to stay. If my daughter had been any smaller, I don’t know how much worse it could have been. Ignoring her screams and my calls was completely unacceptable. They have my number but haven’t checked on her or tried to make things right. You’ll have to pay a little more to stay elsewhere in town, but saving a few dollars isn’t worth the risk. Stay elsewhere. They don’t care, and it could cost you your life. I later found out the dog isn’t vaccinated, even though the owner said it should be. Now it’s being quarantined for rabies and we have to wait. They have a beware of dog sign where they keep their poor dog chained. They know how dangerous he is, yet keep him in town near grocery stores and kids walking to school.

This will be our go-to motel when we return to Bonners Ferry while looking for a new home. We enjoyed it more than the pricier hotels nearby. It reminded us of family vacations crossing the country when we were young. The motel is well maintained and reasonably priced, the owners are friendly and helpful, and they made us feel welcome. They accept dogs too!

We were headed to Clarkston and needed a room after finding places farther south full. With hoop fest on in Spokane, we figured Kootenai Valley Motel was worth checking. It cost a bit more, ten dollars above the rooms farther south, but those were even pricier. The woman suggested paying extra for a remodeled room since the cheaper ones hadn’t been redone, and it was a good call. Room 14 was at the end, very clean, with the windows open for fresh air. The lights were on and there was fresh ice in the room’s icemaker. The bed was really comfortable, and the woodwork was worth the extra cost. Check-in was quick and the manager was friendly and helpful. We saw people enjoying the firepit outside, then drove to a 24-hour grocery store for a light supper. We were impressed and will be back.

The room was basic but clean, with firm, comfortable beds. The older motel has been recently remodeled, and the manager was friendly and helpful. My only gripe is the TV setup, which uses Apple TV and is harder to operate. Still, I’m visiting family, not there to watch the video box, and I understand cable would add to operating costs and the room price. Decent accommodations for a modest rate.