Accommodations

During the busy summer season or on peak ski weekends, perhaps the easiest way to book a room in Red Lodge [1] is to call the central reservations service (406/446-3942 or 877/733-5634, www.redlodgereservations.com [2]). Book a vacation home through Red Lodging (406/446-4700 or 877/733-5634, www.redlodging.com [3]).

Lodging can be pricey in Red Lodge in the summer. Expect prices to drop dramatically in the spring and fall, and to be somewhat lower in the winter.

If you’re a fan of old downtown hotels, your best bet in Red Lodge is, without question, the Pollard Hotel (2 N. Broadway, 406/446-0001 or 800/765-5273, www.pollardhotel.com [4], $90–300). Back when it was known as the Spofford, it hosted Calamity Jane [5] and Buffalo Bill. Now after extensive renovation, there are even racquetball courts, a health club, and a sauna. Rooms are comfortable (though the least expensive ones are quite small), and many include in-room steam baths and whirlpool tubs.

For a full-scale, full-service resort, the Rock Creek Resort is four miles south of town on Highway 212 (406/446-1111 or 800/667-1119, www.rockcreekresort.com [6], $130 and up). Accommodations range from single rooms to three-bedroom townhouses ($355). During ski season, Rock Creek offers packages including bed, breakfast, and skiing. A pool, tennis courts, health club, volleyball, croquet, horseback riding, and mountain-bike rentals keep Rock Creek’s guests occupied. The resort also features two restaurants.

Quite a bit less fancy but still comfortable is the alpine-looking and dog-friendly Yodeler Motel (601 S. Broadway, 406/446-1435, www.yodelermotel.com [7], $108–118), which has half-basement rooms (which are not unpleasant) and, for a few dollars more, rooms that are fully above ground. Amenities here include an outdoor hot tub and in-shower steam baths, which work quite well, even though they initially seem improbable, and are something to look forward to after a day of mountain biking or skiing.

The chalet-like Chateau Rouge (1501 S. Broadway, 406/446-1601 or 800/926-1601, www.chateaurouge.com [8], $119–139) is a good value, with rooms in studios or two-bedroom condos ($89 and up). These rooms can be made up to sleep a crowd if necessary. There’s an indoor pool and hot tub.

LuPine Inn (702 S. Hauser, 406/446-1321 or 888/567-1321, www.lupineinn.com [9], $119–143) is off the main drag on a stream and has a large indoor pool, fitness center, hot tub, sauna, indoor playground and game room, and guest laundry; pets are permitted.<.p>

Another attractive and convenient chain motel is the Comfort Inn (612 N. Broadway, 406/446-4469 or 888/733-4661, $155).

A newly built log lodge houses the creek-side Rocky Fork Inn B&B (718 S. Broadway, 406/446-2967, www.rockyforkinn.com [10]), which is just about the most luxurious place to stay in town.