Red Lion Inn & Suites Polson

My first stay at a Red Lion, and Polson surprised me. This was one of the nicest hotels I've been in lately, better than quite a few BW or Marriott properties. The rooms were modern and clean, the front desk was friendly, and it was dead quiet.

We booked the Parlor Suite at a higher rate because the website advertised a kitchenette with a burner stove and sink. I also checked with the front desk in person while booking that there was a kitchen. But while the appliances were there, there were no pots, pans, utensils, or cutlery at all, so the kitchen couldn't actually be used. Traveling with my two-year-old toddler, I badly needed to prepare meals, and this was a huge inconvenience. When I raised it with the front desk, she apologized and said I would need to buy my own supplies at a nearby Walmart. She told me the manager would make it up to me the next day. The next morning, I explained the misinformation and the hassle to the manager. He was rude and dismissive, repeatedly talking over me and bringing up unrelated hotel amenities instead of dealing with the fact that the suite's advertised main feature wasn't functional. His offer was just a $16 discount, which I turned down. They made no real effort to apologize or account for the time and effort I spent getting supplies. I've stayed at many hotels, and usually they'd go above and beyond to apologize and compensate for this kind of service failure. I paid a high premium for an amenity that wasn't functional. Avoid the Parlor Suite if you need a kitchen, and be warned about the poor management.

We were in Polson for a graduation and stayed the weekend. The hotel was nice, the complimentary breakfast was good, and the location was great.

I was impressed with this Red Lion when I stayed here recently for work, even though I'd never stayed at one before. The service really stood out. The front desk staff were incredibly helpful, and my teammate also had a positive interaction with a supervisor. Breakfast options were delicious, and the breakfast area was clean. I'd stay here again!