Medora's BEST Hotel? AmericInn Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Medora Mayhem: My AmericInn Adventures (Spoiler: It's Not All Sunshine & Sunflowers!)
Alright, folks, buckle up 'cause I just got back from Medora, North Dakota, home of… well, mostly prairie dogs and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the AmericInn. Let me tell you, this ain't your average cookie-cutter hotel review. This is the raw, the real, the slightly chaotic take on what it's like to stay at… Medora's “BEST” hotel, according to everyone and their grandma. (Seriously, I think the grandma vote heavily swung this one.)
First Impressions: Curb Appeal… Or Lack Thereof?
Pulling up, my first thought wasn't "Wow!" It was more like, "…Okay." The AmericInn is… functional. Let's go with that. It's not winning any architectural awards, but it blends in with the Medora aesthetic, which, let's be honest, is pretty much "prairie-adjacent." The exterior felt a bit dated, like a time capsule from the early 2000s. Still, there was a certain… charm to it. I'm a sucker for a good, slightly worn-but-loved kinda place.
Accessibility - Did Someone Think This Thing Through?
Okay, let's talk accessibility. This is important, and honestly, it's where the AmericInn gets a mixed bag of reviews from me.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! Good start. I saw ramps and elevators, which is a huge win. BUT…
- Elevator: The elevator was… tiny. Like, "hold your breath and squeeze in" tiny. If you're traveling with a wheelchair and luggage, you're going to have a problem.
- Accessible Rooms: I didn't stay in one, unfortunately, so I can’t vouch for what they offer.
So, in general, a pass, but with some serious room for improvement. They try – and that counts for something.
Inside The Fortress (aka, My Room!) - The Good, The Bad, and The Moldy Towel (Maybe?)
Okay, so my room… it had the potential.
- Available in all rooms! Air conditioning, internet access - wireless, alarm clock, coffee/tea maker, desk, fridge, hairdryer, in-room safety, safety features, satellite/cable channels, shower, smoke detector, telephone, toiletries, towels, wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], window…
- The Good: The bed was comfy, the Wi-Fi was free (and surprisingly decent), and the blackout curtains were a lifesaver after a long day of… well, driving through North Dakota. The internet access worked well, a big bonus. The fridge was blessedly cold for keeping my water and snacks.
- The… Less Good: The decor was… aggressively neutral. Think beige-on-beige-on-slightly-off-white. It wasn't unpleasant, just bland. The bathroom was okay, but the water pressure was… let's call it "gentle." And I swear one of the towels smelled faintly of… mildew? (Don't judge, I'm a sniffy person.)
- My Room Sanitization Opt-Out Experience (or Lack Thereof): I, being a germaphobe, thought about selecting the room sanitization opt-out, but since it wasn't available, I just kept my sanitizer and wipes on hand.
Food, Glorious Food (And The Quest For Decent Coffee)
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Well, it was there. Think your standard AmericInn breakfast buffet fare: eggs (suspect), sausage (questionable), cereal (predictable), and… slightly stale pastries. Coffee was… a challenge. Let's just say I got my caffeine fix elsewhere.
- Coffee Shop: Nope. (See above re: coffee crisis.)
- Restaurant: I didn't see one. It seems you'll have to venture out for meals in Medora - which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The town has some decent eats.
- Breakfast in room and Breakfast takeaway service: I'm not sure? It was all a bit chaotic. You got what you got at the buffet, people!
- Snack bar: Nope.
- Restaurants: Yes, well, technically no.
Amenities & Extras – The Ups and the Downs
This is where the AmericInn really shines… and then kinda fades.
- The (Alleged) Spa: NOPE. Zero spas.
- The (Alleged) Fitness Center: I glanced in… it was small, with a treadmill and a few weights. Functional, but nothing to get excited about.
- The (Alleged) Pool with View: It was an indoor pool, so… no views. It was fine, clean, and thankfully not overcrowded.
- Pool: Yes and the outdoor pool was closed (again, this was not a great time to open it).
- The (Alleged) Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: NOPE.
- The (Alleged) Gym/fitness: Yes.
- The (Alleged) Body Scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: No.
- Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: I didn't witness the cleaning, but the lobby seemed clean enough.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to follow rules.
- Indoor venue for special events: There was a meeting room.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Not that I saw.
- Car park [free of charge], Yes.
The Staff: Bless Their Hearts
The staff? They were nice. Really nice. They seemed genuinely friendly and helpful. They were doing their best to manage a sometimes-chaotic operation, and I appreciated their efforts.
Cleanliness and Safety - The COVID Factor
- Hygiene certification, Anti-viral cleaning products: I assume… but I didn't examine their cleaning supplies.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I do hope so!
- First aid kit: Probably.
- Doctor/nurse on call: I'm assuming no.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Probably!
- Safe dining setup: The breakfast buffet was… managed.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Mostly.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: attempted!
- Shared stationery removed: Yes.
- Cashless payment service: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I pray so.
- Staff and guests were wearing masks: Yes.
The Verdict: Is the Medora AmericInn the "BEST"?
Look, the AmericInn in Medora isn't a luxury resort. It’s a solid, functional hotel. It's clean-ish (depending on your definition), the staff is friendly, and it gets the job done. It’s a perfectly acceptable basecamp for exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the town of Medora.
My Take:
- Accessibility: Good, but needs improvement.
- Cleanliness: Decent, but pay attention to the details (and maybe pack your own anti-mildew spray, just in case!).
- Amenities: Limited.
- Value: Fair. It's not cheap, but it's not outrageously expensive either.
- The "BEST" Claim? I'm not sure about BEST. It might be the best in Medora (the competition is fierce, yeah!), but I’m giving it a solid, slightly-worn-but-loved… 7/10 and a shaky "recommendation."
Final Thought: Medora itself is a quirky, charming town. The AmericInn reflects that. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done, and it’ll serve as good as anything else in the area. Come prepared to be amused, mildly inconvenienced, and occasionally delighted by a slightly-off-kilter experience. And hey, at least the wifi works!
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we’re about to dive headfirst into my highly-anticipated, and possibly disastrous, adventure to the AmericInn in glorious, gas-guzzling, and totally-worth-it, Medora, North Dakota. This isn’t your polished travel blog, folks. This is the REAL DEAL. Get ready for some genuine chaos, folks.
Day 1: Arrival and The Great Plains… of Mild Panic
- 1:00 PM: Arrival in Medora (ish). Okay, so GPS said we were like, right there, but the "Medora" sign was practically hiding in a bush. Classic. The drive was a brutal, long, flat nothingness, which I was strangely okay with. Maybe it's the lack of cell service that helped me relax, but it's a hell of a mental workout. I need all those things that other people have. Oh, well.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at AmericInn. Oh, the AmericInn. It felt like a cozy hug after that epic drive. The lady at the front desk? Absolute angel. She gave me a "Welcome to Medora!" with a smile that lit up the lobby. Already, I was vibing with that laid-back small-town energy. Also, the lobby decor screams "comfort and relaxation," and I'm here for it.
- 2:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance and the Great Bed Debacle. I swear, the hotel rooms have been getting better. But it doesn't matter if the bed is perfect if that's the only thing I'm seeing. The bed was… well, let's just say I'm secretly hoping it's comfortable enough to fall asleep and wake up in for the next two nights. The rest of the room? Fine. Standard. Nothing jumps out at you, but hey, decent wi-fi, a mini-fridge, and a place to dump my massive suitcase? Sold.
- 3:00 PM: Downtown Medora Exploration. Let’s just get it out of the way– downtown Medora is ridiculously cute. Gift shops overflowing with cowboy hats and turquoise jewelry? Check. Ice cream parlor promising "the best dang scoops in North Dakota"? Double-check. The vibe is just… easy. I felt the need for exploration immediately. I wandered. I bought a magnet. I secretly judged the guy wearing a bolo tie. It was heaven.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at The Little Missouri Saloon and Dining Room. Okay, okay. The Old West theming is a bit cheesy, but the food? Surprisingly good. I ordered the steak. Yeah, I went full tourist and had the steak. It was tender, juicy, and exactly what my soul craved. I'm talking pure bliss. Also, the live music… oh, the live music. It was some country music, and I loved it!
- 8:00 PM: Sunset Over the Badlands (attempt). This was the big one. The reason I came, the reason everyone comes. Sadly, The sun decided to hide behind some clouds. But even shrouded in some clouds, the breathtaking views were amazing. I felt a sense of peace. I think I could live out here.
Day 2: Theodore Roosevelt National Park & The Quest for the Perfect Photo (and Coffee)
- 7:00 AM: Wake Up, Coffee Crisis! Okay first things first, I need caffeine. Immediately. The in-room coffee maker? Let's be real, the coffee was probably better. But I'm here for the experience. I am here for the challenge. I drank it anyway. That's what I do.
- 8:00 AM: Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit. Holy. Cow. The Badlands are even more stunning in person and in the morning. The textures, the colors, the vastness… it's just overwhelming. I drove the scenic loop, my jaw permanently dropped. I saw bison! Actual bison! They were just… there. Majestic. Slightly terrifying. And I tried taking pictures. I took so many pictures. I took a picture of a rock that looked like a face. I probably took too many pictures.
- 10:00 AM: Hiking (and Hysteria!). I’m no hiker. I can barely make it up a flight of stairs without getting winded. But I figured, I HAD to do it at least once. So, I picked a "moderate" trail. Turns out, "moderate" in Badlands terms is "slightly less hellish than the 'strenuous' trail." The views were amazing, even if every muscle in my body screamed in protest. I encountered some other hikers, who were all very friendly and helpful.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch Picnic (and the Ant Invasion). Packed a sandwich. It was a very good sandwich. The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, and… oh dear. The ants were relentless. I fought them. I ran away. I lost. Lunch was still good tho.
- 1:00 PM: The "Painted Canyon Overlook" Redemption. I went back to the South Unit and went to this spot. It's stunning. Just… stunning. I took a bunch of pictures. This is where I realized I had a problem. I took almost 100 pictures. I was obsessed.
- 4:00 PM: Back to Medora.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at Boots Bar & Grill: I'm starting to love the food here. Great burgers and good fries. This is perfection.
- 8:00 PM: Medora Musical. Oh, the Medora Musical. I went and I loved it. It's cheesy, it's patriotic, and it's a little bit over the top, but it’s also incredibly fun. The performers are talented, the costumes are sparkly, and the whole audience sings along to the anthems. I almost cried. It was a good kind of cry. It was worth seeing.
Day 3: Leaving, and the lingering feeling of "I'll be back."
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at AmericInn. Well, it was included, so why not? It was… what you’d expect. Standard hotel breakfast fare, and it was perfectly fine.
- 9:00 AM: Last Medora Stroll. One last walk through the town. One last ice cream cone. One last look at Theodore Roosevelt's life. Sigh.
- 11:00 AM: Check Out. Leaving the AmericInn was bittersweet. The room was never the cleanest, but I can definitely see myself here again.
- 12:00 PM: Departure. Driving away, I wasn't sad, but this trip really did remind me of things I want to incorporate into my life. Next year, I'll book another trip.
- 1:00 PM: Arrival Home. Where do I even begin with this?
So, there you have it. My messy, beautiful, slightly chaotic Medora adventure. It wasn't perfect, but it was real. And you know what? That's exactly how I like it. I'd go back in a heartbeat. And maybe next time, I'll actually try to hike further than 15 minutes. Maybe. No promises.
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Okay, Is the AmericInn *Really* the "BEST" Hotel in Medora? Like, Seriously?
Look, BEST is subjective. Like, is your "best" a five-star luxury escape, or a clean, functional place to crash after you've conquered the Badlands with a belly full of bison burgers? Because the AmericInn leans *very* heavily towards the latter. It's clean, don't get me wrong. But "best"? Let's just say the competition in Medora isn't exactly stiff. Think of it more as the sensible shoes of lodging: reliable, but not particularly glamorous.
What's the Room *Really* Like? Is It Hideously Dated?
Dated? Honey, it's practically vintage! Think floral wallpaper, slightly worn furniture, and a TV that's probably seen more of the world than I have. But, and this is important, it was spotlessly clean. Like, the kind of clean that makes you *want* to put your bare feet on the carpet (which, by the way, I did, and survived). The beds? Comfy enough to pass out in after a long day of hiking. My *only* real complaint? The air conditioner. It was either arctic freeze or equatorial swamp. There was no in between. I spent half the night shivering, and the other half sweating. The other half was spent, um, awake.
The Complimentary Breakfast – Is It Worth Rummaging Out of Bed For?
Oh, the breakfast. Ah, it's an experience. Let me tell you, the breakfast is a *defining* characteristic. The usual suspects: cereal, toast, instant oatmeal (which, let's be honest, is more like glue than food but at least it's…*something*), sad little pastries, and, the pièce de résistance: the waffle maker. Now, here's where it gets interesting. The waffle maker is a battlefield. A hungry, carb-craving battlefield. You'll have to brave yourself to get in the queue. Don't expect perfection. Expect a slightly misshapen, occasionally burnt waffle that you'll devour with gusto because you're *starving* after hiking. The fruit? Meh. The coffee? Drinkable. The hot food? Pre-made, but it's better than nothing. I met a woman there who was obsessed with the sausage. I mean, *obsessed*. Claimed it was "the best breakfast sausage in the whole wide world." I sampled it and, well, it was a sausage. Good sausage or not is a matter of faith on a morning like that.
The Pool and Hot Tub: Are They Actually Relaxing or More Like a Chlorine-Laced Battleground?
Alright, the pool. This one depends on your tolerance level for chaos. It's small. It's crowded. It's mostly filled with kids. It's…well, it's *there*. The hot tub is a bit better, assuming you can snag a spot. It's not exactly a luxurious spa experience, but it's warm, and after a day of hiking, any warm soak is a welcome one. Just don't expect to have a deep, philosophical conversation there. More like a cacophony of splashing and shrieking. I did manage to sneak in there to cool down but after a while, it began to feel crowded.
Anything to Watch Out For? Annoying Quirks?
Oh, yes. Buckle up. First off, noise. Medora gets *busy*. The AmericInn is right on the main drag, so expect traffic noise until late and early. Second, the elevator. Or lack thereof. If you're on the second floor, and you've got a bunch of luggage, prepare for a workout. Thirdly, the parking lot. It’s tiny. Get there early or prepare to park a mile away. My biggest issue? The internet. It’s, shall we say, spotty. Prepare for a digital detox, or bring mountains of patience. I had to give up trying to load a video after a while.
Would You Stay There Again? (The Honest Truth!)
Honestly? Yes. Mostly. Look, it's not perfect. It’s not glamorous. But it's clean, it's functional, the location is great. And after a day of exploring the Badlands, and watching the Medora Musical, I'm not exactly looking for a five-star experience. I'm looking for a bed, a shower, and some breakfast. And the AmericInn delivers on all of those counts. Would I recommend it? Yes, but with the caveat that you manage your expectations. It's Medora lodgings, so you are going to pay a bit, but it's not highway robbery either. It's perfectly acceptable. I'd stay there again. At the very least, I have all the memories of a waffle and a chlorine scented evening.
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