Virgelle Mercantile — Hotel in Big Sandy

A super special place run by super special people. Check out their web site and be certain you understand what they are offering, and what they are not offering. We stayed in the Big Moser cabin. It's +/-80 yard walk to the old ice house they brought to the site and converted into the washroom/shower building. We had been camping so we had equipment to make our own dinners [Virgelle provides a fridge and microwave on the back porch for guest, plus a wash-up sink. Weber BBQ's are available. Be sure to food shop in Havre or Fort Benton on the way in: Virgelle is a long way from food store.]||Having said that, you're in for a treat at Virgelle Mercantile. The old store is chock full of fascinating artifacts/antiques that will bring back memories of maybe your grandparents' place. The views over the alfalfa field down to the banks of the Missouri, that HUGE Montana sky always changing, absolutely no noise from all those urban things you want to leave behind. Kick back. Enjoy.||Get ready for an absolutely fabulous breakfast each morning prepared by Victor. The coffee's on early. He'll tell you while he works just where he purchased every ingredient from local farmers as he gets it ready. It was a real treat to chat with him, watch him work and then especially to enjoy every one of his breakfasts. I'd go back tomorrow morning if I weren't 1,500 miles away. Thank you Victor!||Don Sorensen your host is a fount of knowledge of everything about the history of the people and places surrounding Virgelle. The river. The farming community. Cooking on the big cast iron wood stove. The provenance of every antique in the place.||Being a special place its likely the other guests, like you, will be special people. We were treated to have one of America's foremost artists stay at Virgelle when we were there: the only USA artist to ever be invited to display in The Hermitage. Like Van Gogh in the cornfields, he'd head out across the alfalfa, down to the river with his easel and paints on his back. Fascinating conversations with Don, Victor and fellow guests that stretched breakfast out through several cups of...

Our stay at the Virgelle Mercantile was wonderful. Don was a great host and an amazing breakfast chef. Our room (the "Blankenbaker") was comfortable and had everything we needed. It was upstairs along with the other B&B rooms in the Mercantile building. We were a bit worried that our room was not air conditioned, but cross-ventilation with both screened windows open was all we needed during our mid-August two-night stay. There is an air conditioner unit in one of the common rooms at the end of the hall that we could have used but did not need it. The grounds surrounding the historic Mercantile and Bank buildings are very nice and fun to walk around. The downstairs Mercantile shop (and B&B check-in) is loaded with antiques and is fun to browse. I highly recommend taking the Virgelle ferry across the Missouri River before you arrive at the Mercantile. It completes the authentic feel of the place. We also had a wonder day canoe trip on the Missouri organized by Missouri River Outfitters in Fort Benton. This was a memorable visit and we can't wait to stay at the Virgelle...

Our stay at the Virgelle Mercantile was wonderful. Don was a great host and an amazing breakfast chef. Our room (the "Blankenbaker") was comfortable and had everything we needed. It was upstairs along with the other B&B rooms in the Mercantile building. We were a bit worried that our room was not air conditioned, but cross-ventilation with both screened windows open was all we needed during our mid-August two-night stay. There is an air conditioner unit in one of the common rooms at the end of the hall that we could have used but did not need it. The grounds surrounding the historic Mercantile and Bank buildings are very nice and fun to walk around. The downstairs Mercantile shop (and B&B check-in) is loaded with antiques and is fun to browse. I highly recommend taking the Virgelle ferry across the Missouri River before you arrive at the Mercantile. It completes the authentic feel of the place. We also had a wonder day canoe trip on the Missouri organized by Missouri River Outfitters in Fort Benton. This was a memorable visit and we can't wait to stay at the Virgelle...