The Best Hotels in Missoula, Montana

Leather couches and a moose antler chandelier in the lobby welcome you to this friendly Missoula hotel. Expect spacious rooms in sedate creams and browns with granite-finish sinks and kitchenettes; the King Suite boasts a rough-hewn stone fireplace. Perks include an indoor mineral pool and spa alongside the gym. It’s conveniently located close to the airport, and within easy reach of Big Sky Brewery – try a Moose Drool ale – and Missoula Winery, but if you want to eat out, Downtown Missoula is a 10-minute drive away. Pick up a snack in the convenience store before taking a canoe trip on the river.

In the valley between Stuart Peak and Murphy Peak, this lodge has an unusual central feature: a central atrium with a rocky waterfall and pond, overlooked by the indoor balconies of the rooms. While the beige-and-brown rooms won’t necessarily make your Instagram feed, they feature large prints of Montana wilderness and the leather armchairs are a nice touch. If traveling with your sweetie, you may wish to splurge on a suite with private jacuzzi for two. The hotel is well-geared towards families, too: kids will love the games room, the five hot tubs and the paddling pool – and the hotel is less than 10 minutes’ drive from Downtown, where you’ll find the Dragon Hollow Playground and the Carousel.

Part of a cluster of hotels halfway between the airport and Downtown Missoula, this elegant all-suite hotel exudes a contemporary vibe. Stylish rooms come with a fully equipped kitchen, ideal for an extended stay, and pets are welcome – particularly dogs. If you enjoy a good workout, you’ll be pleased to know that the fitness center is open around the clock, while the pool and whirlpool provide post-exertion relaxation. If you don’t feel like cooking every night, nearby eateries comprise mostly fast food joints – but Downtown and its wide choice of restaurants is less than a 10-minute drive away.

Just off the main drag in Downtown, this Missoula hotel was once the old Mercantile store – and clever use of architectural features and huge beams gives it a rustic yet contemporary feel. Rooms are distinguished by the particularly high ceilings and half-wall partitions in the suites and studios. The Mercantile Suite, with its teardrop light fixtures, full kitchen and spacious lounge, is worth the splurge. The art-filled Mews walkway connects the hotel to the new Mercantile center, with its extensive range of shops and restaurants. As a bonus, the hotel is a two-minute walk from the river, in case you’re looking to go kayaking, or want to take a picnic lunch to one of several parks along the banks.

Just off I-90, the Hampton Inn lies between Downtown Missoula and the airport, at the foot of McLeod Peak. It’s conveniently located for fishing, hiking in the nearby Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and skiing at the Snowbowl ski resort, an eight-minute drive away. Rooms are carpeted and cozy, with dark-wood furnishings and colorful nature prints; many look out over the mountains. Swim in the indoor pool as part of your après-ski relaxation, or work up a sweat at the fitness center if hiking in the surrounding mountains isn’t sufficient exercise. Try an artisanal beer at the nearby Highlander Brewery or head out to the Ten Spoon Vineyard in Rattlesnake, a 10-minute drive, to taste some organic Last Chance and Prairie Thunder reds.

Finished off with blond-wood furnishings and enjoying either mountain or river views, the rooms are what you’d expect from the DoubleTree brand – as are the cooked-to-order breakfasts. Enjoy an aperitif on the deck overlooking the Clark Fork River before dinner at Finn, the on-site restaurant specializing in northwest cuisine and serving beautifully prepared steaks and hand-tossed pizza. In a spectacular setting on the edge of Downtown, overlooked by Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo, the hotel has numerous hiking trails on its doorstep – yet the Missoula Art Museum and local favorites such as Tamarack Brewing, Market on Front and the Notorious P.I.G. BBQ are all within a 10-minute walk.

In an enviable central location, the Holiday Inn overlooks the Clark Fork River and is surrounded by green spaces, yet it’s only a block away from the main strip, South Higgins Avenue. The street is lined with popular eateries such as the Catalyst Cafe and El Cazador, while even more dining choices are a mere stroll away across the bridge. Expect standard rooms with striped upholstery, wooden headboards and thoughtful touches as pillow menus. Wander along the Riverfront Trail to Kiwanis Park, the Bess Reed Park and the Carousel. On Saturday mornings don’t miss the Clark Fork River Farmers’ Market, just five minutes’ walk away.

The mountains provide a striking backdrop to this comfortable Missoula hotel. It’s located near the airport and to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – perfect if you want to do a spot of hiking and hunting – while the Ravine trailhead is a five-minute drive away. Cozy rooms at the Courtyard are decorated in warm colors, and there’s an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center to keep you busy. While nearby dining options are somewhat limited, the Montana Club around the corner serves hearty portions of BBQ ribs and steak, or you can stroll down to Highlander Beer Missoula Brewing Co for a pint of Scottish Winter Ale.