Red Lion Kalispell Center Hotel

I called a few days ahead for a three night stay with my family and specifically asked the gentleman on the phone for a room or suite that was separated from the kitchenette or sitting/​tv area. He assured me that the room he was assigning me was just that. My intent for this specific type room was so that I could put my kids to bed and be able to step around the corner and stay up or watch tv with my husband without disturbing them. When we arrived, we checked in and the room was not what was specified to me. It was a overly large room with two queen beds all in the same area as the «kitchenette» (which was just a sink next to the bed) and the mini fridge was hidden within the entertainment center. No separateness whatsoever. I went to the front desk and expressed that this was not the room I had been promised. The concierge was very apologetic and offered us the same room at a standard 2 queen bed rate. We accepted his offer for just two nights instead of three.
Upon walking upstairs, the smell was strange and musty. It appeared that the inside was in major need of an update and new carpet. I found that the ice machine was out of ice, and within our room, the clock was off an hour behind (good thing I double checked my phone, or we’d have missed our dinner reservation). We had a rough time even logging in to the wifi service with the instructions given by the front desk staff… Argh!
The pool/​atrium area looked pleasant and we did take the kids down to swim one morning. The hot tub was not hot, and also had little dirties floating about. The sauna wasn’t turned on either so we had to wait about 20 minutes for it to get lukewarm (not hot enough to even break a sweat). The sliding glass door to the courtyard was in major need of repair and upkeep because it wouldn’t even slide without having jerk it and wiggle several times in fear of breaking the glass.
The morning’s breakfast was kind of hard to find in the matrix of the hotel at first, but the food was great. The maids also did a fantastic job with refreshing our room the next day providing fresh towels, beds, and toiletries, along with a welcoming note on the desk.
This stay was frustrating to say the least. I won’t be staying here again if ever in Kalispell.
Things that would make it better:
— correct, knowledgeable and consistent information given by the concierge staff
— Upkeep! You need to have a handyman on at all times! It’s obvious that this hotel is in need of major TLC!

Truly superb service, outstanding location and wonderful accommodations. The breakfast was great and the ease of shopping and dinning nearby was wonderful. I offer my thanks for a memorable Montana vacation.
L&L

This Hotel is pre 1900. So it’s an old building, I would expect some «aging». The lobby is very well decorated and warm. There were two front desk clerks — a man and a woman who have been great! Super friendly and helpful. Two other girls on different days were not. One ignored me completely when I stood in front of her and asked a question. Weird.
However, the room itself is well kept and clean, especially the beds and that’s obviously important.
One of the hotel elevators lands into the mall which was SO awesome as it allowed me to pick up a few things since this trip was booked with only hours before I flew out.
Today there was a sweet note from housekeeping and that really left an impression. They get 5 stars from me just for that.
They’re also doing some renovations and I look forward to the outcome.
So to the people who say it’s not kept up, sorry, I disagree.

The staff here is very friendly and accommodating. The shuttle picked us up from the airport at 2345, driver was very nice. The room was clean and comfortable and the breakfast was great. It’s a full breakfast with omelette to order, bacon, French toast etc… I would definitely stay here again.

Stayed here several years ago and had a good experience. The breakfast buffet was better than I expected.

Nicely decorated rooms. The hotel is old and showing its age. Toilet hardware inside tank very rusted and antiquated and kept running all night.
Free internet. Free breakfast with made to order olmlets but sparse layout and styrofoam cups, plates and plastic utensils.

Breakfast at such an expensive place should at least have metal fork and plates
Made of stone, not plastic and paper.
A little steam cleaning of the carpets would not hurt either.
Staff nice, beds comfortable.

Outstanding, relaxing place after a long, long, long drive. Clean, new, well decorated.

I really don’t like to write unfavorable reviews and I try to find the good things about every place we stay Our king size bed was in a nice large room. The room had very musty smell as did the hallways. This is an older building and it’s in need of new carpet everywhere. The front of the hotel in the pictures looks rustic, but it’s very dry and cold sitting way back in a commercial parking lot on the backside of a mall. They have a nice courtyard with fire pit and water feature. Our second floor pet friendly room was in a corner with a small section of window viewing the courtyard below, it was close to the elevator. We had trouble keeping comfortable as the air was either too cold, or without to stuffy. Bed was comfortable enough. Shower is terrible, it’s a head that the water takes forever to get you wet enough to soap up. I have long hair and the fine mist just does not cut it. The staff seemed helpful, the breakfast was good enough. We would not stay here again though, I don’t really want to ever go back to Kalispell either.

UPDATE:
After further investigation. Turns out the hotel never charged
and
was holding out on the refund. I apologize for the negative review before, but I was given misinformation from
. I did get my refund after confronting
with an email from Red Lion corporate.
Please accept my apologies.

I had no choice but to stay here on a business trip. All hotels were full due to tourist season and the state fair.
Driving up to the hotel, I was pretty disappointed. I am not a fan of any hotel outside of Las Vegas being connected to a mall or casino. At a steep price of $ 200 a night in a small town… I expected a lot more.
When I walked up to the front desk late a night with my suitcase, they said they already had me as checked in. I glanced down at my bags and looked back politely replying that I was just arriving. After a few minutes, they «figured» it out and gave me a room. I had been traveling all day and was very excited to hit the hay. You can imagine my surprise when I walked into my room only to find it was already lived in. Clothes everywhere, lights on, clearly not my room unless I just checked into a very expensive dorm room or hostel. Thank goodness the guest was not in the room at the time. I have heard of some VERY scary outcomes in this same scenario when the guest was actually there. I sprinted back to the front desk to be greeted by «did your key not work»? «Oh yes mam, it worked alright. But it was clearly NOT my key. How does this happen?» I was told sorry and given a room two doors down on the first floor with large windows onto a busy parking lot. Loud and sketchy. I slept very little.
The staff was average in terms of friendliness and professionalism when I arrived but did NOT handle the room key switch-​a-​roo scenario well at all. Management should have been involved but I was too exhausted to push the issue. They really did not appreciate what a inconvenient and dangerous mistake they made.
The room was clean and comfortable but would suggest you stay off the first floor.
Perhaps bad luck or too demanding… but I will reschedule my business before I stay here gain.

Nice hotel but the staff was ill equipped and dense. The only decent staff were the cleaning ladies they do a fantastic job, the desk crew are morons.

I went in to ask directions. As i walked into the lobby, i regretted not booking here. Then i spoke to the folks at the front desk, the lady with black hair was just staring, so i spoke to the guy. He didnt appreciate the humor, was too serious for a hotel employee. But did give me the info i needed. Walked out feeling good that i was not staying here.

Comfortable and clean room, hearty delicious breakfast included, what’s more to ask? It was our first night in Montana, kicking off our honeymoon, and we were happy to stay at the Red Lion Hotel. The staff were kind enough, and it was in the center of town. Walking distance to eateries and a park, and the breakfast truly was hearty. It was not the cheapest, but it was affordable. I would recommend it!

Pricey for the area, the room seemed on the lower end. I must have mistaken the term Lodge for Resort. High in active duty/​reservist component traffic… could attribute to the parking issue. This is a pet friendly lodge with reasonable rates. Be sure to ask for no pet room otherwise you’ll find yourself explaining to your significant other where that golden strand of hair came from. Room not as quiet as expected… hear the street traffic throughout the night, the inspiring young vocalist next door that cannot hold a note and the pitapat of little feet terrorizing the halls.
Side note not reflected in my review rating — There is a dedicated casino/​mall entrance attached to the lodge (first for me). Complimentary drinks at the casino.

I was actually going to save this review as my last one in Montana, but I got sick of seeing it on my Unilocal screen, as a review next. Plus, I still have a couple more weeks and things could go terribly awry in that short amount of time that might down grade them.
I want to say the rating was bumped to a solid five star by the helpfulness and friendliness of the staff. It goes above and beyond anything I have ever experienced in any hotel, in any country. Seriously, they are really on their game here. Most people passing through for a night or two may not get the full magnitude of how customer oriented they are here.
The hotel was updated in 2006, but some age is showing no doubt about that. When we first got here, I had spaced asking for the free upgrade Platinum members get, so they gave me the first floor room I requested, which was a queen room. Small but okay. I was happy my husband remembered to ask me about the upgrade, he thought this was it.
We ran back to the lobby because there were a lot of people checking in behind us, but now the lobby was cleared, that says something since only one girl was working and we were only gone a few minutes to look at the room. She right away asked what room we might like and gave us a choice. We picked the executive suite since we’d be here awhile. I would find out later, these are the largest rooms. We could have picked a jacuzzi room or a fireplace room but they said they are the same small rooms with those things in the corner.
I thought we’d have to jump hotels, as the rates in this area almost double after June 21^st due to the Glacier national park and all the fun people want throw at this area. I was sad we’d have to go to the Travelodge up the street, but their rates were not going up to $ 200 a night from $ 119. They were staying near the $ 100 mark. I mentioned this when I went to extend our time here to the 21^st and they right away said, we will help you stay here.
No hesitation they just did it. They adjusted a long term rate for us and we were able to stay the full 30 days for less than we’d originally been quoted. Once we totaled what it could have been versus what they saved us, it was over $ 2,000. The entire time, the front desk was working with management, and everyone was doing all they could to save us money. The only warning was, after our 30 days, they may be sold out, so we need to let them know right away, so they can keep us in our room. Most hotels I checked were indeed sold out the first week of July, so I felt good knowing we were not going to be sleeping in the car.
The breakfast at this Red Lion is included in the price, you can just walk down and do your damage and leave. It is in a unique location, it is on one end of a small shopping mall. The Kalispell Center Mall. It was crazy to walk out and see the standard issued Montana casino and then the Claire’s and JC Penny right there. If I were a mall person, we’d be broke.
However, it is a very small shopping mall and it is not crowded until Saturday. They have had a lot of conventions here since we’ve been here. I told my husband I was slow roasting to death in the room but I would say something the next day, since it was late. He said he was going for ice, but went down to tell them the AC didn’t work well. A maintenance guy followed him right to the room. It was still on winter setting and he cleaned the filter. It works great now.
The room is spotless and they are constantly cleaning. I have seen them cleaning and reorganizing the games shelves in the lobby many times in the last week. They have a big flat screen tv hanging down there with comfy leather couches. The rooms do not have upgraded TVs, but the beds are pillow top and comfortable. Which is another reason it was easy to give them a 5 star. I am picky about hotel mattresses.
The gym has a elliptical, treadmill, and stationary bike. There is a water cooler, towels, tv, exercise mats down there with a mirrored wall to remind you, not to do too much damage at the free breakfast buffet that includes meat and made to order omelets.
I have used the pool every day and it has seen better days but I am still alive, so no worries there, I love the pool goes to 8 feet and it overlooks the courtyard.
One of the housekeepers, delivered my school book I had to have shipped to me and knew I had classes. By the end of the second day all the housekeepers asked how my school was going online. They stop and talk to me in the hallway. I have never had a conversation with a housekeeper in a hotel, these people are ‘Montana’ friendly. They make you feel welcomed here.
Now, all that said, it was a long review sorry about that, but I think they deserve a shout out in a time customer service is lacking.
I would not hesitate to stay here again.

This red Lion is terrific. Big Room, well stocked, great price. Near a monster mall, and everything is clean, new and works. I will stay here again on my next trip to Kalispell.

I spent a night here in late-​winter/​early spring. Not very crowded, and a good rate.
The hotel is oddly shaped, has a small casino (like almost every gas station and restaurant in western Montana), and connects to a mall. It’s weird.
But the room was clean, great shampoo, lotion, towels, etc. Internet was a bit slow but not terrible. All in all a good place to spend a night (or more).
I’ll stay here again next time I come through the area.

Kalispell, oh Kalispell.
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I don’t recommend coming to Kalispell. Or Montana, for that matter. For one reason or another, I found myself here not long ago.
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This is easily the best hotel in the area. But that might not be saying much, as you are in Kalispell, Montana.
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Red Lion’s are my favorite chain of hotels nationwide. I like their style. This one in particular has a small casino in it! You can even smoke in there. A small bar across the hall is another place where you can get a drink and watch a very odd, if entertaining, local band play.
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Oh Kalispell — such memories. (None of them very good!)

My golf group went on a road trip to Kalispel, Montana. I had never been to the Kalispel area before, and it is beautiful. We had decided on the Red Lion, as they gave us the best golf deal, and we were all familiar with the Red Lion (formerly Westcoast, formerly Red Lion) chain. It was as expected — very clean, very friendly staff, centrally located. It has a lodge like feel to it, the lobby is very comfortable, and has a number of meeting rooms and convention space.
As part of the deal, we were given tickets which entitled each of us to their breakfast buffet. We were pleasantly surprised — we expected the usual rolls, dry cereal, and coffee. But they had everything — eggs, sausage, bacon, rolls, cereal, potatoes, and yes, even pancakes from an amazing machine. Actually, we all had pancakes most of the time, just so we could watch this marvelous little machine.
The hotel is attached to a small casino, and has a restaurant, although we never ate there (just by choice — we all wanted to explore Kalispel and Whitefish and some of the local restaurants and bars we had heard of). There is also a mall attached to it for those that like shopping, although with all the outdoor activity available (skiing, hiking, Glacier Park, golf, fishing, etc.) I’m not sure it gets much use. It is also centrally located — we walked to the bars and restaurants for three nights, and found everything within a few blocks.
The only downside was that we had negotiated a special rate, which they had not entered in the computer. Fortunately we had brought the e-​mail confirmations which had the price, and they immediately and cheerfully corrected their error.
When we return next year, we all agreed that this would be the place we stayed!!!