The Stardust Motel Wallace — Hotel in Wallace

We add booked and paid for the room earlier in the day and arrived late after a day on the road, after 10:00 p.m. The office was dark and locked but there was an after-hour telephone number listed, so we called it. Multiple times. All the while knocking loudly. No one ever answered or came to the door so we finally left and drove on to Spokane where we found a room. I reached out to the manager the next morning to inquire about a refund, but they flatly denied to give one, with no valid reason given why. Fast forward at least two months, after having to deal with the Better Business Bureau and my credit union, I finally got my refund. While I travel through the area fairly regularly, I will never again attempt to stay at the Stardust. Good riddance to this poorly- and rudely-run, shady, money-grubbing motel. It is always sad to me when a business is focused solely on money, I hope they remember and/or find their conscience and business sense moving forward, perhaps, and hopefully, there will be a brighter future for the stardust, but it will not include me.

Edit: In response to Stardust Owner KK's response, I would like to direct this counter-response to all 8.2 billion people of the planet, with the exception of Stardust Owner KK, as I have lost confidence that she will take any responsibility for anything. I have dealt with 'the Stardust Owner KK's' of the world often, who look down their nose because I don't live where they live and have a knee-jerk reaction to believe they are always in the right, even when they are clearly in the wrong.

I don't know if Stardust Owner KK is misinformed, mistaken or lying to gain favor in the eyes of future potential would-be guests (I have my suspicion but will keep it to myself, although I will say that all of the text and call log documentation I am attaching was included in my claims with the BBB and my financial institution, who provided them to Stardust Owner KK, so they would have access to all this information, even if they weren't the ones that closed up early that night), but the 'facts' that Stardust Owner KK has replied with are full of inaccuracies.

1. The text/call were at 9:03 pm, not 9:03 am. We booked the room on after a long day exploring Glacier National Park. That is a huge distinction. There was approximately 90 min between when we booked and when we showed up. Again, that's ~90 minutes, not 'over 12 hours'. (see Stardust - Text Log - 1 and Stardust - Text Log - 2)

Also, after we booked, we got in the car and drove straight there, phone in my pocket the whole time (as I was driving and try not to text while I drive). I didn't see the text and missed call until we got there, a little before 10:30 pm, approximately 90 minutes after we had booked and paid for the room.

2. After arriving to find the office dark and deserted, my wife called the 'after hours number' listed on the office door, twice, first at 10:30 pm, then at 10:31 pm (see Stardust - Call Log), which went unanswered. I texted them at 12:07 am, approximately 90 minutes after leaving Wallace, after we had checked into our Spokane room. (see Stardust - Text Log - 2)

As I stated in my case with the Better Business Bureau, as well as in my case with my financial institution (of which they sided with us, not Stardust Owner KK, and returned our money... after months of dealing with this & despite plenty of attempted roadblocks put up by KK), the front desk staff fall asleep. It happens. 10:30 pm seems quite early to be so deeply asleep, especially after having sent us a text and calling us just 90 minutes prior, but whatever, they fell asleep. We're all human. But when that happens, and a guest has done everything they can to check in but can't, the only decent thing to do is refund the money.

To Stardust Owner KK I'll just say, for my own sake as much as anything, as a fellow human on this planet, I love you and I forgive you. I wish for you a future with a renewed sense of purpose to be the motel owner you set out to be, proudly leading by example the golden rule, for all who pass...

First, please bear in mind that The Stardust recognizes itself as a “2-Star Hotel”, so with this in mind I will rate my stay as far better than expected and with 5 stars and this review.

The location is conveniently located and easy to access.

The premises is safe and well lit.

The grounds are very clean with a little bit of lot maintenance perhaps needed for some small things.

The atmosphere is very nostalgic. I was immediately taken back in my mind to happier days, when life was real. There are small outdoor tables with two chairs each to enjoy outside along the portcullis and breezeways complete with cleaned ashtrays for sitting and enjoying the cool maintain air with a friend. So if you enjoy tobacco, make yourself cozy just outside your door.

The exterior paint and decor are fresh, but in a 1970’s kind of way.

The rooms, that’s the best part, the paint and attention to detail of the cleanliness were downright exceptional. The mattress, bedding and pillows were absolutely welcoming, comfortable, and meticulously clean with no trace of industrial cleaner scent, just freshness. My mind was blown by the small detail of a 1970’s throw pillow for adornment upon perfectly fitted and folded sheets and cozy blankets. The thread count was higher quality. Simply put, it was very satisfying sleep.

Towels and other bathroom sundries were as fresh as the bedding and very soft. The bright work on the sink and tub shined bright and spotless. The tub and sink are also vintage era and sparkle.

The carpet is common office Berber, but spotless and fresh as well. The furnishing were common for motel fare, along with the typical single serve coffee “pot”, mini fridge and mini microwave. Of course there is a spacious dresser, mini style coat/shirt closet stand, and a decent little table and chair. Remember, it’s a motel not a Holiday Inn and suites. It’s designed to get a good nights rest with some peace and quiet, and I sincerely feel like it delivered.

Finally, the staff were very friendly, patient and helpful. There’s some cool 70’s style Stardust Motel memorabilia in the office/lobby, and they are generous with the sundries if you should want more of any of the consumable room items.

If you’re traveling and getting tired and looking for a convenient and clean place to rest up along the way, try Wallace Idaho for some good still around town and The Stardust Motel for a good sleep along the way.

One word of advice, call personally and reserve the room and do your check in before they close! I’m not sure if it’s seasonal, but there is no overnight staff for check in.

I...

You want to spend more money to stay at a generic corporate hotel? By all means, you do you. But The Stardust Motel won’t be for you and isn’t designed or promoted that way.

I have somewhat of a history with this place. I stayed here with my family decades ago. This is my first time staying here in many, many years. But it was in a convenient location for a trip I was taking. So, I took the plunge. I am glad I did.

This is an old motel that is being renovated. The rooms are hilariously old school, with clever improvements. This is not a 5-star property. It is whimsical. It is designed to make you smile. But the attention that is being put into the improvements—the landscaping, the charging pucks for your newfangled tech gadgets, the beds, etc.—suggests that the owners truly do care about this property and are invested in making this an even longer-standing property is Wallace. I also have to give a shout out, as others have done, to Cheryl. Talk about a brand ambassador! What a welcoming presence upon my (somewhat late) arrival. The owners are lucky to have her on board.

Would I stay here again? Without question. Am I sure they are going to continue to build upon the work they have already done? Without question. Is it worth it to drive a bit farther to stay here as opposed to some cookie-cutter property? Without question, so long as you are looking for an experience like the one that The Stardust Motel offers.

And it is, as the staff stresses, a work in progress. So, adjust your expectations and be a smart consumer. There are reviews you can read. There are pictures of the place online. The website makes clear what this property is and is not. You want to make silly false claims about this place or what you can/can’t get at a comparable property in the vicinity? That ends up looking like a review of yourself, not The Stardust Motel. People are savvy enough to figure out if you have an unnecessary bougie chip on your shoulder, or if you fancy yourself a Four Seasons kinda’ person (but are really more Grocery Outlet than you know).

Glad I chose this property. Can’t wait to...