Field & Stream — Hotel in Bozeman

A Case of Instagram vs. Reality

I booked Field & Stream Hotel for the last night of our honeymoon, looking forward to the advertised 4-star experience after a week in a camper van. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype.

The hotel’s Instagram claims it’s “just steps from 3 legendary rivers” and a “short drive to Yellowstone.” In reality, it’s right off the highway, across from Walmart, with no rivers in sight. Yellowstone is a full two hours away—hardly a “short drive.” To me, this felt like false advertising.

While the hotel is newly opened, it’s still under construction. The website shows a pool and a beautiful courtyard, but the pool isn’t finished (which they do note online—still, the pictures should come down until it’s ready). Part of the courtyard was also a construction zone. One side looked nice with large vintage Field & Stream murals and queen-sized lounge chairs, but the other three walls looked like my old high school courtyard. My suggestion: carry those murals around the entire space. The courtyard did look more inviting at night with lanterns and corner fireplaces.

For a place marketed as a “starting point for adventure,” I was surprised to find the lobby coffee unavailable until 7:00 a.m.—especially when we came down at 6:30 a.m. ready to head out. We ended up grabbing coffee at the Best Western next door, which, by the way, does have an airport shuttle (Field & Stream does not).

The “4-star” room was small, with a queen bed. While the rustic décor and paint job helped, it still felt like a dressed-up Days Inn. The metal doors were simply painted over, the room was dark even with lights and windows open, and the bathroom was tiny.

Another downside: the 4:00 p.m. check-in. If you have dinner plans downtown, it doesn’t leave much time to settle in. They do offer early check-in, but when we arrived, several housekeepers had called out, so our room wasn’t ready.

The good: The hotel was generally clean (though there was dust on top of the headboard), the bed and pillows were comfortable, and the staff was friendly. The bartender was great, and we enjoyed the salmon dip at the bar. The gym was a pleasant surprise—equipped with a cable machine, dumbbells, a rower, a treadmill, and an elliptical. The staff was kind enough to let us use it while we were waiting for our room.

Overall, the hotel has potential, but right now, it’s not a true 4-star experience. A few key improvements—accurate marketing, finishing construction, and elevating the guest experience—would make a big difference. For now, if I return to the area, I’d probably choose the Best...

My family and I had an overall great 5-night stay at this charming and camp (in a good way) Holiday Inn conversion conveniently located near two gas stations; a Walmart; other hotels; and access to/from the airport, downtown Bozeman, and other local attractions. The design team did an excellent job with the rooms and common areas, which transport guests into a vintage Field & Stream magazine-slash-sleep away camp through carefully selected, on-theme fixtures and dark-toned, Pendleton-esque soft goods.

The beds were comfy (sheets a bit thin) and the rooms and bathrooms were very clean; I noticed the bathtub grout and caulk were bright white and showed no signs of erosion or mildew. Staff were all very friendly, earnest, and helpful— particularly the restaurant staff.

We averaged two meals a day in the Dry Fly Saloon and the food was consistently fresh, well prepared and presented, and delicious. The onion rings and Brussels Sprouts were highlights. We also got a chance to chat with Sarah, who is fantastic and takes her role as restaurant GM very seriously, as evidenced by the high quality of the food and her team.

My main frustration w our stay was the lack of lighting options in the rooms and the dimness of the bulbs in the existing fixtures. Our room had no overhead lights and the only two lighting options were the bedside reading sconces and a task lamp on the desk, all outfitted with what seemed to be 25-watt, warm bulbs. Not only did this make the room difficult to navigate at night; but combined with the dark walls, carpet, and upholstery, created a dreary and depressing atmosphere. Even a floor lamp with dimmer in the room would make for a big improvement.

Understand that the hotel is newly opened and still getting its footing, but we would’ve appreciated the courtesy of a late checkout on our Monday morning departure given that we purchased 10 room nights in total, patronized their F&B twice daily, and did not enjoy daily housekeeping services standard at most hotels. Housekeeping didn’t seem especially jammed or galvanized as I was leaving to check out so an extra hour presumably wouldn’t have been an issue and would’ve been very much...

We checked in over the 4th of July weekend. The staff was incredible. Front desk people were bright eyed and bushy tailed and seemed to enjoy their job. They didn’t have that just waiting to clock out look in their eyes. They were genuinely warm, kind and friendly, without a hint of it being an act.

The room was way nicer than I thought it would be. Everything in the room was well appointed and thought out. I thought i was literally stepping into an issue of field and stream from the 70’s. And not in a kitschy way.

The restaurant was the biggest surprise tbh. It was new so I way lowered my expectations with it being new in a small town. The host, the servers, and bartenders were all well trained, very professional while still being laid back, gracious and warm. The cocktails were killer. We ended up drinking way more than we wanted and we made our family and friends come to us most nights. The hand stuffed blue cheese olive dirty martinis… just hook it up to my veins. The food was killer. We are almost every meal there over 4days/3nights. The bison meatballs were to die for! Burgers and sandwiches and breakfast items were all expertly executed. The sous chef let me order off menu one night because I just wanted some pasta with vodka sauce with grilled chicken. He knocked it out of the park!

What can I say, this place is dope! I hope more people start showing up and staying so they can keep the awesome...