Kalispell Grand Hotel — Attraction in Kalispell

There was a 4-day power outage in the Flathead Valley this month (meaning no heat, no water, and no light for 4 days in mid-January...not a good time!) After "toughing it out" the first night, I knew it was going to be too cold to stay at home until power was restored. I therefore had to find last-minute accommodations for myself AND my 7 month-old Rottweiler puppy. I am SO pleased the stars aligned to have me stay at the Kalispell Grand. First of all, every single person on staff at the hotel is absolutely lovely. Each one of the women who helped me (from reservation all the way to check-out) was beyond accommodating - not only for me, but also for my puppy. They greeted us excitedly (more excited for the dog than for me, but I don't blame them :) and my puppy actually ended up playing with the resident "top dog" - an old fella named Buddy, who was very patient with her puppy energy.

I was given the key to my room - an ACTUAL key, mind you! Not a keycard...a good old-fashioned physical key! - and was placed in a perfect room on the third floor, directly across from the stairs for easy puppy potty access. Upon check-in, they provide a little leaflet with the history of the hotel, and it is definitely worth the read. The place truly is a Montana gem - beautifully maintained and updated as needed, without losing any of its original early-1900's charm. The hotel is perfectly situated right in the heart of downtown Kalispell, so there's no need to drive anywhere - which is great, because they also have free guest parking in a lot right behind the hotel. The hotel staff took every possible precaution in light of the current pandemic, while still maintaining an incredible level of hospitality. They provided a continental breakfast every morning, complete with homemade baked goods (recipes available upon request!), coffee, toast, yogurt, and fresh fruit - everything carefully packaged in its own individual bag/bowl/cup, so it was safe to enjoy. And enjoy I did!

The second night of my stay, I was looking for restaurant recommendations. Ellie at the front desk was super knowledgable about options in the area, and incredibly helpful - after raving about one of the nearby BBQ restaurants, she reached behind her like a magician and produced the menu for me to peruse! Her enthusiasm was completely warranted - I ended up going to that BBQ restaurant, and it was also AMAZING (but that's a topic for a different review!)

All in all, if you're visiting Kalispell, or simply need a place to stay during a winter time power-outage, I highly recommend staying at the Kalispell Grand. From its historical roots to the carefully curated amenities and amazingly accommodating staff, it's hard not to be impressed. The whole experience was a reminder that hospitality is an art, and the women who run The Kalispell Grand are doing an incredible job of preserving that art in the most Montana-warm and...

First, let me start by saying there is an elevator, so don't get intimidated by photos of the stairs in this three story building. The elevator is pretty and clean inside but not New York fast! I have been staying at the Kalispell Grand Hotel for twenty five years while on business but I retired during Covid. Enjoying "The Grand" as a vacationer feels.... different. No doubt I knew all the staff and the wonderful manager of 25 years, Joanne, but I was also intimate with the feel of the rooms and the hotel was more of a second home to me. When I walked into the lobby yesterday, the first time in a year, things had changed. It felt more elegant. Almost contrived for me because someone had moved things around and hung predominantly western themed art. To a tourist, they would be thrilled. My first thought was, "they sold the place." Yes they had. My heart dropped when I saw they had taken out the gift shop, which was a local artist co-op. The artists were amazing and the tiny store was full of jewelry, pottery, silk scarves, western paintings, landscape acrylics, sculptures, etc. What was missing were the local artists on daily duty telling local stories and visiting with out-of-towners. They brought life and history to the old hotel. They were the heartbeat of the hotel and tied the present day to Kalispell's past history. As with everything, life and businesses evolve. The hotel artists are gone and in their place are beautiful prints of Mandan women and Blackfoot Indians on horseback along with Bodmer type Indian Chief hand painted, well framed prints and other large miscellaneous Indian paintings. ....and a Moose head. The rooms are the same but have doubled in price so expect to pay between $220 and $255 plus tax for one or two queens. The breakfast buffet is very good with quiche, cereal, pastries, juice, tea and coffee. Parking is very convenient and included with the room. One important note is that if you get a room on Main Street, it is loud. Actually, you can hear the traffic in most rooms so bring ear plugs. I understand that new windows are on the "to do" list along with HVAC. At this time there are air conditioner window units which work well but dated for the new increased price. The new owners have the vision to make the Hotel Grand Again (which it already was) but it will bring a different clientele. Those of us who could afford the $160 per night may or may not be able to afford an extra $100 per night plus tax but they will have no trouble filling the beautiful hotel. You will love the new manager, Chris, who brings a welcoming smile and warm conversation to arriving guests and the overall elegant feel of wide halls, bead board walls, brick, wood and tons of ambiance. This is the closest you will get to what a real Montana hotel...

The appeal of historic hotels is, typically, the history. In this case, the history is the last update in 1991. Nothing feels like it's been touched since then, aside from the lobby. Old beds without comforters, old shower heads, old light fixtures and scuffed furniture, an old ac unit, etc. None of the creature comforts from even the past 10 years, aside from wifi, but also none of the history that would make this feel like a vintage hotel aside from the building. Parking is a "permit only" lot that isn't patrolled, the doors are loose and let a lot of noise through, there's a ton of light through the blinds, our view was of a rooftop even though there seemed to be one or two other guests. Really disappointing compared to other hotels I've stayed at. The lobby cookies and staff were good. Finally, Kalispell. Everything closes at 5, driving is a nightmare, the main road is incredibly noisy and empty, the whole area looks rough. Even restaurants will close at 6pm on a Friday, in a major city. They know you're here for Glacier and Flathead and do not care at all to keep you in town.

Edit: the owner has responded by claiming that I want this hotel to essentially be a Best Western or generic chain. This is not my complaint. In the very opening of my review, I explained that the hotel was updated in 1991. The rooms look and feel like that, NOT historic or truly vintage, just dated and worn. The owner made the excuse that covid delayed their 2 year timeline for updates, but it's been 3 years since covid was an issue and they've only completed the lobby. It is not hard nor expensive to upgrade even small things like shower heads or paint or buy mattress toppers. The response feels lazy and cheap, I just wish I hadn't wasted so much on such a...