The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Montana

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Montana

Glacier National Park, Montana Glacier National Park, Montana

Visiting Montana for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to Montana, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Montana based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting Montana for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to Montana before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Montana for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Montana for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Grouse Mountain Lodge

Whitefish, Montana
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $412 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Montana

Located at 2 Fairway Drive, Grouse Mountain Lodge has great rooms from $412 (before taxes). It offers skiing, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and outdoor tennis. It has a terrific 8.30 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 235.3 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love hiking, golf, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, and a game room at this relaxing hotel. You'll love relaxing in the hot tub at the end of the day, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Holiday Inn West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone, Montana
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $144 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is Holiday Inn West Yellowstone which has nice rooms starting at $144. Offering skiing, room service, a casino, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also has a great guest rating of 8.30 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 315 Yellowstone Avenue. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, hiking, child care, laundry services, and pet-friendly rooms which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 174.4 miles from the city center. You'll enjoy relaxing while having room service delivered. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Big Sky Resort Village Center

Big Sky, Montana
3-star Resort with prices starting at $511 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

We found Big Sky Resort Village Center to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $511. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, skiing, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.80 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 1 Lone Mountain Trail. You'll also find a bar, breakfast, hiking, child care, and laundry services which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 141.4 miles from the center of town. Make sure to set aside some time for swimming in the pool, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room


The Islander Inn

Bigfork, Montana
Inn with prices starting at $219 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Montana
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

With terrific rooms from $219, The Islander Inn, at 39 Orchard Lane provides skiing, room service, a casino, a restaurant, and a bar. Its terrific guest rating is 8.70 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchenettes, golf, and pet-friendly rooms. It's located just 211.9 miles from the city center, too. Having the delicious restaurant in the hotel is an added bonus. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Comfort Suites Airport Helena

Helena, Montana
2-star Hotel with prices starting at $139 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • Heated pool

Comfort Suites Airport Helena has a great guest rating of 8.50 out of 10, and offers skiing, a casino, a fitness center, a kid-friendly buffet, and breakfast. The great rooms here start at $139 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 3180 N. Washington Street. Furthermore, it also offers hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, and golf, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 109.8 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. The indoor pool at this hotel is very nice, and is a great place to unwind and relax on your trip. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Fitness center
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Lodge at Whitefish Lake

Whitefish, Montana
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $677 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Montana
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool

The great guest rating of Lodge at Whitefish Lake is 9.00 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, skiing, room service, a casino, and a restaurant. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $677, and it's located at 1380 Wisconsin Ave. We also love the a fitness center, a bar, hiking, rooms with kitchens, and child care which are great for visitors. And since it's just 235.1 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too. The heated pool is comfortable, relaxing, and fun for everyone.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort

Big Sky, Montana
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $885 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers

A cool place is Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort because it has great rooms that start at $885. It has an outdoor pool, skiing, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.00 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 1 Lone Mountain Trail. Only 142.3 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love a bar, breakfast, hiking, child care, and laundry services at this convenient hotel.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Airport shuttle
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms


Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge

Whitefish, Montana
2-star Hotel with prices starting at $290 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Montana
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge offers an outdoor pool, skiing, a casino, a fitness center, and a bar which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $290 (before taxes). It's located at 6510 Highway 93 South and has earned a guest rating of 8.90/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, hiking, mountain views, and laundry services which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 233.9 miles from the city center.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Skiing
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Horse riding
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Firebrand Hotel

Whitefish, Montana
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $684 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at 650 E 3rd Street, Firebrand Hotel has great rooms from $684 (before taxes). It offers skiing, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. It has a terrific 8.80 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find golf, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, a spa and wellness center, and a spa which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 234.2 miles from the center of town.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Spa/Wellness
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Coffee shop
  • Train station shuttle


Best Western Plus GranTree Inn

Bozeman, Montana
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $354 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors

A great place to stay is Best Western Plus GranTree Inn which has nice rooms starting at $354. Offering skiing, room service, a casino, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also has a great guest rating of 8.30 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 1325 N 7th Avenue. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers a bar, parking, hiking, laundry services, and golf. It's located just 109.4 miles from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


For more terrific hotel ideas in Montana, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Montana, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Montana, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Montana, Best Hotels for One Week in Montana, Best Hotels for One Night in Montana, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Montana, Best Hotels for Skiing in Montana, or Best Business Hotels in Montana.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Montana?

Montana Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$232

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Montana. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in Montana based on data from 155 hotels is an affordable $232. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Montana.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 4-star hotels: $517
  • 3-star hotels: $261
  • 2-star hotels: $197


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