Paul L.
Yelp
After driving through the night to arrive at the Grinnell Glacier trailhead at 7am before the crowds descended, by the time I completed the hike later in the day I was more than eager to check into the Many Glacier Hotel. Designed with a Swiss theme because of the picture postcard Alpine surroundings of Glacier National Park, this hotel, like most others in the National Park system, gets my happy place. Keep your five-star luxury resorts; I'll take simple rustic in a setting like this every time. I could tune out the world for hours while gazing up at the main lobby's light fixtures that almost rain from the high, high ceiling.
If you look at the room choices on the website, they all look like a homage to the worst of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Fortunately, a number of them have been renovated and my room banished that tacky motor lodge vibe for an interior befitting the overall look of the place. No television and no internet made for a luxuriously primitive stay. Everyone should disconnect from the modern world when they can.
Another disconnect, this one unfortunate, is the food. Saying it's average or okay is being kind. One entree had bread that approached ceramic in hardness. The other had toasted bread that was a bit burned. None of this surprised me: food at the National Parks is hit-or-miss depending upon the time of year. Since the hotel just opened for the season, the staff from all over the country and other parts of the world is probably still learning to work as a team. Hey, you can get liquored up well, though, if that tradeoff works for you.
I was here for the experience and the views not the food. On those two points, I loved it here. This was my introduction to Glacier National Park and I couldn't think of a better one.
Footnote: This hotel is located in a remote area. While fuel and snacks are not difficult to obtain, more extended services can be challenging. Ensure that your car is in good working order.