Econo Lodge Custer - Crazy Horse Area

The furniture and wood bed frames matched and were well looked after, even though nothing seemed brand new. Breakfast leaned heavily on bread, but there were some other small options and fruit. A very new employee working breakfast was quick and clearly cared about the customers. Sometimes it’s those small things. The hotel sits nearly in the heart of downtown Custer. I usually think hard before booking a lower-end chain, but places out west like this one can turn out pretty decent.

We were in a bad car crash outside town on the way to the hotel, and while we were at the hospital getting checked out, I managed to reach them and extend our stay. The staff were polite and did what they could to help, including keeping us in the same room for both nights, showing us how to use the washing machine, and answering questions about town. The hotel was clean and felt safe, and everyone was very friendly.

The hotel worked for one night, but I’d pick another place in Custer next time. It’s easy to walk everywhere from this great location, and the inside and outside seemed generally clean. Our room had cute lodge-style decor, and the sheets and sink were clean. But the shower had hair everywhere, as did the hot tub. I tested the jacuzzi before getting in, saw all sorts of little black dots come out, and decided against it. The carpets badly needed vacuuming, so I wore shoes the whole time. I didn’t hear the neighbors, so the rooms seem to have decent soundproofing. There’s no elevator. The side doors only open for exiting, and the front parking is tight and limited for larger vehicles. There’s more parking at the side and rear, but if you arrive late at night it isn’t clearly marked. Breakfast was bare bones, with cheap mini muffins, Danish, and bread. I wasn’t expecting much from a continental breakfast, so plan to eat elsewhere. I put up a do-not-disturb sign but still got knocks at 9 am and again at 10:30 am to remind us checkout was at 11. What’s the point of the sign? The front desk person was short and unhelpful when I first checked in, though they were fine later that night. There was no one at checkout.

A hidden gem. The rooms are a little small, but very clean, and the staff are friendly. Great price, too.