Dancing Bears Inn

After about eight hours on the road, I was grateful to find a place where I felt valued. The host and owner were incredibly hospitable and made sure I had breakfast and dinner. My room was spotless and matched the listing, with real wood furniture instead of the tacky laminate you see in chain hotels. They even included a shaving kit, which I appreciated. Thanks so much for taking care of me.

The setting isn't especially scenic, but the rooms are lovely and well kept. My bed was cozy, the shower was hot, and after a long travel day it felt like the break I needed. There weren't many rooms left, yet the owners found me a clean, comfortable one at a very reasonable rate. They were easy to reach and eager to help, gave me useful local tips, and were so sweet with my little dog. After struggling to find dog-friendly places since entering Montana, it meant a lot to feel welcome, especially near a national park. Dancing Bears is a quieter, somewhat tucked-away spot in East Glacier Village, though the big road sign makes it easy to find. I took off a star because the TV in my room wasn't working, and the Wi-Fi was weak. They were fixing the TV. Those were small issues, and I'd stay again. There's also a cute little Mexican restaurant nearby for an easy, tasty meal without driving.

We had reservations for tonight, July 25, but when we arrived they said the place was full and that rooms were handled first come, first serve, even for people with reservations. So apparently booking ahead doesn't help. The office felt cluttered and unclean, and the employee was unfriendly, unhelpful, and couldn't suggest anywhere else to try. We went to the circle r motel, where they were also booked, but the man working there was kind and very helpful. He said four people had come over just that day after being turned away from their Dancing Bears reservations. To me, this motel is committing fraud. Don't bother trying to stay here.

The staff were polite and helpful, and the location was okay, though nothing special. The AC and heater worked well, but you have to keep the curtains open for the window unit to cool the room properly. Parking is only suitable for small vehicles, though you can park right outside your room, which might help block some of the light coming through the translucent curtains at night. The bed was hard as a rock, while the pillows were so soft they had no substance. Towels were clean and soft. The room looked like they'd tried to clean it, but a few spots were missed, and there was no soap at all. The bathroom was cramped, and the water came out a little brown or yellow for the first second. The curtains let in plenty of light, supposedly to help you feel safe while you can't sleep.