Sunday, November 06, 2005

The Bozeman Motel Guide

Bozeman, Montana, for some reason is a mecca in itself for sleazy 70's style motels. Personally I've never seen more in such close proximity, but thats proally coz i've never had to look for such a thing. Well here they range from 40-80 dollars- perhaps theres more expensive ones but they've never been identified to me, plus what else do i need that they could give me? anyways, here is a completely objective taste of what Bozeman can offer a traveler in search of a motel.

The Imperial Inn Definetly the best deal in town- there is a cheaper place down the road but ive only checked that place out quick...honestly this place is shady enough! For some reason I always stay here a couple nights this time of year. This year I had electric tape covering the peephole, since there was just a hole there, and numerous other wacky quirks i should leave to the imagination. The overabundance of pink is something to be noted.
COST:40 bucks a night- used to be 35 but the rooms have mini fridges now....

The Blue Sky Motel I was impressed here. This place was very homey and the rooms had some attention to detail on them. I stayed here for a month last year and they gave me a price break with the extended stay. This place definetly works if youre looking for a good place to crash out and chill, but not if youre looking for a long night- the walls arent very thick and neither is the door. Their sign reads wi-fi capabilities, but that was before my time. I recommend this place somewhat.
COST:Damn, I think around high 40/lo 50 a night, its a family run deal so its all good....

The Rainbow Motel I dug this place. Maybe it was just the right time to stay here. It was last year and id been staying at the Imperial Inn (see above review) and wanted a couple more amenities...well this place served well. The room I stayed in was in the back where there are only a couple rooms, so it felt like more of an apartment with daily cleaning service than a motel. I was actually sick with the flu here for a few days...i think they had HBO. One thing to note is that they don't want youre business unless you got plastic- i guess too much wreckage done to rooms in the past....
COST:Around 40 I think....

Days Inn I stayed here for 1 night 2 years ago, and have never gone back, nor regretted it in the least. A long list of useless amentities, aside from the free continental breakfast in the lobby, i think that was cool but dont remember it enough....omelette bar perhaps? well the room was small for the price (not like i need a big room) and it was way overpriced....
COST:Like 80 sumthin?!?!? thats 2 nights somewhere else man! Or one night somewhere cooler!

The Lewis & Clark Motel The Shining Star of the Boze-Muda Bar Triangle, this vegas-ish rest lays chock full of amentities, including free wifi. Last night when choosing a rest I felt that regardless of price i needed to stay here to make this review, because when considering motels in bozeman this one is unmistakeable. Their massive sign reads Casino, Pool, Restaurant, as said very vegas-like (even tho i have yet to go to vegas). My room makes me feel like im waiting for the coke deal to go down with its gaudy 70's style decor, which is cool with me at least for the next 24 hours. I was exhausted last night from riding the day before and pretty much crashed out after checking in around 9pm, but this morning i was excited to explore. The pool/gameroom/sauna/trout pool (saywhat?!?!?) was interesting at first but quickly uninviting. I started for the pool, but it was cold as hell, and there was a thin film over it all like jello that isn't finished jella-fying. It also reaked of chlorination. I quickly exited and went for the hot tub, which was luke warm and had a similar chlorination level. I spent a few minutes in there, then went for the sauna. I don't know much about saunas, like how long they take to get working, but i turned it on and sat in it for a good 5 minutes. Eventually I felt like a creature wearing a towel at a zoo, because nothing was happening and i was staring at the glass door shutting me inside. I excited that, and wrapped up the area with a quick check of the trout pool, which I learned had trout food one could purchase for 25 cents. A work in progress it still was, no fish, no water, just fake rocks and plywood. I was fairly indifferent at its status....the free wi-fi is helping this place in my mind, and other cool features like a phone in the bathroom (not that i used it, but noted its placement.) Overall a decent place. A little more expensive, but there is more to do and the amentities they offer are somewhat useful.
COST:60 dollars a night

Hopefully I can lock a place to live down soon so I can end this annual scherade of motel hopping. Its costly but definetly interesting....if one keeps it interesting i suppose....

4 comments:

Chris Jackson (Pooba) said...

I think you picked well. Lewis and Clark were explorers ahead of their time. What do I know about them really. They may have been jerks, but their motel seems pretty cool. Though, they should have put the slot machines in each room.
Definitely stay away from that pool with the jelly film on top. Obviously. The trout pool could be cool. I've been to a few of those before. You put a quarter in a machine for a handfull of fish food pebbles. There is usually a lot of fish in the water fighting for the little nibbles. It's like watching a mini dog fight.
My grandpa's work has a phone in the bathroom. The tags on the phone are labeled "throne". There is an intercom system, and you can tell where others are calling you from. I once got a call from my grandpa from the "throne". It was fairly traumatic.

ben said...

mini dog fights huh? now i feel like i really missed out on something...

Anonymous said...

continental breakfast in motel lobbies are great! that shit always looks stupid to me... but it doesn't stop me from enjoying some mini cereal boxes!

ben said...

when having breakfast i enjoy small cereal boxes, small spoons, and small glasses of orange juice.