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.

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.

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.