West Yellowstone Motel

The outside might put you off, but if you want an affordable place in West Yellowstone, this is a good find. We stayed in the Delux Queen room, which was super cute and charming in a kitschy sort of way. It was thoughtfully decorated and well equipped, even with a stove and oven. Jen was lovely and very helpful.

I booked ahead and got a confirmation email. On the day of our stay, we were in Yellowstone Park without cell reception. We arrived at 10:15 PM to check in, but the office was closed. I called, texted, and emailed without getting a response. At 10:30 PM I had to call around for a room for four people. Luckily, the Brandin’ Iron had one. The next day, the motel emailed to say we had to check in by 10 PM and that, since we arrived at 10:15, they wouldn’t refund our $473. I disputed the charge with my credit card company, and they refunded the $473 because we hadn’t received any service from the motel. The motel didn’t respond to the dispute inquiry. We went back the next morning to speak with someone, but the office was still closed and no one answered the phone. Based on my experience and those in other reviews, it seems to me that this motel makes it difficult to communicate and check in, then keeps money from tourists who don’t get any service for their non-refundable rooms. One other thing to know: the motel is in a sketchy area, and there are several mobile homes on the property. At 10:15 PM, we saw people standing outside the mobile homes while others approached them. It looked like they might have been conducting drug sales.

I booked at short notice for a Yellowstone trip, and this was the only place available in town on the day I arrived. The outside looked a bit rough, but the room was great, with a homey Grandma's cabin feel. They’d clearly put a lot of effort into decorating, and there was a shelf full of books about the park. No children or pets are allowed, which I’m in favor of. It was dead silent both nights. No complaints at all. The system is more like an AirBnb, but check-in and checkout were easy and convenient.

We had a good experience during our 4-night stay. Everything was perfect. We cooked and did laundry, and the host responded quickly. It’s quite close to Yellowstone, and the price was affordable during peak season. The rooms were tidy and had towels. I’ll book here next time.