Brandin' Iron Inn

The early breakfast hours, 6 to 9:30 a.m., were handy, but the advertised waffles weren’t available, there were no boiled eggs, and the reheated omelets were cold. The milk and cereal were good, as was the selection of biscuits and bread. I know motel breakfasts are usually awful, but I guess I’d hoped for better. The location is convenient, and the rooms were clean, with a mini fridge and table. There was a real bathtub, though the toilet sat behind the door, so someone entering could hit your legs. For this popular area, it felt like a $100 room somewhere less busy.

The room was adequate, just a simple place to sleep without anything extravagant. It was literally five minutes from the west gate, which was a huge plus, though parking was a little tough. I’ve been meaning to leave a review, because the front desk people were so helpful and welcoming when we stayed in June.

The rooms were clean, with decent beds and showers, though the coffee maker in the room was bad. There’s a larger one in the lobby. Check-in and check-out were easy, and they offer laundry service and sell soap onsite. Breakfast was only a 2 out of 5 for us. Even as hotel guests, we thought about going out. Everything seemed microwaved, with egg patties instead of actual scrambled eggs. For a couple of nights at Yellowstone, it was a nice place, considering the price.

Parking gets full quickly at night, so you may have to leave the car on a nearby street. The second-floor rooms are reached by stairs, something to keep in mind with heavy bags or mobility concerns. We found the staff friendly and professional, and the continental breakfast was decent, enough to fuel up before the park. The rooms are dated, but did the job: a hot shower and comfortable bed after long days of hiking and sightseeing. The AC was strong, and we slept well. Brandin' Iron Inn is only a few minutes from Yellowstone’s West entrance and right in town, so shops and restaurants were easy to get to after exploring. It was a practical, convenient base for our family trip, and we’d consider staying again.