Venture Inn

Our government firefighter group was in Libby for work over several weeks, with multiple rooms. The front desk treated us kindly and was nice about accommodating the group. The hotel itself was very old, not especially clean, and the Wi-Fi was spotty. The restaurant stayed closed for the whole month. We asked for the government rate, which is standard in our line of work. The hotel’s GM, who also oversees the Comfort Inn, got into several arguments with our group about room charges, double billing, and our request to receive that rate. Some of us tried to resolve things professionally, but he treated us rudely and without consideration. He hung up on our supervisor three times while the supervisor was trying to sort out a duplicate charge. We ended up paying the extra charges and regular rates to deal with his anger and behavior, then moved to other lodging. I can’t recall another stay where management was hostile to guests like that. He was one of the nastiest hospitality workers I’ve encountered and represents both hotels. There aren’t many options in Libby, but I’d suggest staying elsewhere, even if it means going out of your way.

We’d been coming to Libby for nine years to inspect the elevators at the dam, and the government rate had always been accepted without trouble. The staff and accommodations were good, which is why we kept returning. I don’t generally like cheap hotels, having stayed in plenty while installing elevators. We’re contractors, so we don’t get government IDs. At check-in, the agent asked for them, but things seemed fine at first. Then we noticed the room had no coffee pot, stained carpet, a smelly comforter, a loose toilet seat, and a loose arm on one chair. My wife found that the hot and cold water were reversed when she went to brush her teeth. We also missed the lobby’s fresh cookies and free bottled water. Maybe those seem like small things, but they’re part of what brought us back. Check-out was when things got really bad. The GM asked again for government ID and, after arguing with us, called my wife a liar because we could simply claim to be government contractors. We had to pay the full rate. Then he called over another desk worker and said he’d show her how to mark customers as “disgruntled,” and that we couldn’t stay at this hotel or any others he owns or manages. We’d been coming back for nine years, so being told we were barred was hard to believe. The GM was rude and nearly hostile. I remember sharing the hotel with the firefighters, and they don’t deserve the way he treated them. My wife and I didn’t deserve his treatment either. Nobody does. After reading other reviews, I understand why the parking lot was mostly empty. People at the Dam told us about a nice bed and breakfast, so we’ll look into it for the next five years we’re under contract there. I usually don’t leave bad reviews, but this one deserves it. Stay away.

The staff were nice and accommodating, but my dealings with the general manager were the opposite. Every interaction felt like an inconvenience, and even basic requests got attitude or open hostility. Rather than sorting out problems, he seemed to make them. He has no people skills or sense of customer service, and acts as though guests are a nuisance instead of the reason the business is there. I’ve never encountered someone ruder or less professional in hospitality. It’s shocking that he runs the place. If being treated with respect matters to you, look elsewhere. The Country Inn is run by the same manager, too.

We’d stayed at Venture Inn for years and had always been satisfied, but this year was a disappointment after friends told us it had new ownership. The room was dirty, with about an inch of dust under the bed, and felt unsafe. We couldn’t understand why the smoke alarm wasn’t lit until we took it apart and found the battery was in backwards. The maid service we requested was minimal at best, and at over $200 a night I expected the bed to be made. There was no TV guide, and reception was snowy. The free bottled water and fresh homemade cookies we used to appreciate are gone. I don’t recommend Venture Inn anymore.