Helena's Hidden Gem: Rodeway Inn - Unbeatable Deals!
Helena's Hidden Gem: Rodeway Inn - Unbeatable Deals! - A Review (and a Whole Lot of Feelings)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the whirlwind that is the Rodeway Inn in Helena, Montana. Forget the polished travel blogs, this is the real deal, unfiltered, and probably a little too opinionated for its own good. Look, I need a place to crash in Helena, and because I’m a sucker for a good deal (and secretly, a sucker for a place that looks like it’s seen some stuff), the "Unbeatable Deals!" sign outside this Rodeway Inn won me over. So, let’s get started.
The (Sometimes) Grim, but (Mostly) Great Stuff
First off, let's talk about Accessibility. This is huge for me. I'm happy to say they do at least advertise facilities for disabled guests. I didn’t experience it myself, so take that for what it's worth, but at least they're trying. There is an elevator, too, which is a blessing for anyone lugging luggage.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Constant Prayer
Okay, here's where things get…interesting. Let's just say I've seen cleaner hotels. But, and this is a big but, they really are trying. They advertise Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays, and staff trained in safety protocol. You know, the usual pandemic checklist. I didn’t witness daily disinfection, but I did see someone wipe down the handrails in the lobby while I was checking in. Which, hey, is better than nothing! They also brag about sterilizing equipment. Okay. Good. I believe… I hope.
In-Room Amenities: Basic, But Functional (Mostly)
The Air conditioning worked, which was a major win for the Montana sun blasting through the window. The walls were thin though. I could hear the TV in the next room, which led to my first real emotion: annoyance. They boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually works. Slow, sure, but hey, it’s free. They also had a coffee/tea maker, which I immediately abused. And the refrigerator saved my sanity by keeping my emergency soda cold. They also gave Complimentary tea, which was a nice touch.
Okay, about the Room… And the Bed…
The room itself was… well, it was a room. Non-smoking (thank goodness). The bed? Let’s just say it wasn't the most comfortable thing I’ve ever slept on, but it wasn’t the worst either. It was clean-ish, which is the most important. They had Blackout curtains, which, again, Montana sun is intense.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Mostly Functional (and Occasional Adventures)
The Breakfast [buffet] situation… well, let's say it was serviceable. Breakfast takeaway service? Nope. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Surprisingly good. Coffee shop? Nope. Restaurants? Nah. But there's a snack bar in walking distance which helps.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag
Here's where we start getting into the "hit or miss" zone. They have Air conditioning in public area. Daily housekeeping. The front desk [24-hour] staff were friendly, albeit a little overwhelmed. They offer cash withdrawal, which is handy. Laundry service is available, which is awesome when you’re traveling. What they didn't have? A concierge. Or a gift shop. Or a pool… (I think I saw a sad, empty spot where a pool might have been, once upon a time.)
For the Kids (and the Young at Heart) They say its family-friendly, and that it might. They do offer babysitting services. Kids meal? I didn't notice that, but I was not looking for that.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Car park [free of charge]! That’s a big win. Because parking in Helena is otherwise a real pain. They have Car park [on-site] too. Otherwise, it is quite accessible. Taxi service is available of course, and although i did not use the airport transfer but i assume there is one.
My Most Memorable (and Messy) Moment
I will tell you about one thing. In the morning, I was trying to make coffee, and the coffee maker exploded. No joke! Coffee grounds everywhere. The coffee was fine, but it was all over the counter, the floor, my face, and my clothes. It was like a messy, caffeinated clown went wild. But the staff was amazing. They completely understood, and they offered me a new room and gave me a discount. Okay, I am going to admit I found this hilarious.
Overall Verdict: Charmingly Imperfect, But Surprisingly Okay
Look, the Rodeway Inn in Helena isn’t the Ritz. It’s more like the slightly quirky, slightly worn-around-the-edges friend you secretly love because they always have a good story to tell. It's got its flaws, it's got its oddities, and it certainly doesn't try to be anything it's not. But, for the price, it’s a clean, friendly place with everything you really need, and they are trying their best. I can honestly say I'd probably stay there again if I needed a place in Helena.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Definitely has room for improvement. But it works!
Lake Charles Getaway: SpringHill Suites Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to embark on a journey… a journey to Helena, Montana, specifically the hallowed halls (and questionable breakfast) of the Rodeway Inn. This isn't your meticulously crafted, Instagram-perfect travel itinerary. This is the real deal, warts and all. Prepare for the mental detours, the existential sighs, and the occasional panicked scramble to find a decent cup of coffee.
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and Questionable Pizza
- 1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-In: Okay, so the drive was… long. Like, "contemplate your life choices" long. Pulled up to the Rodeway Inn, and my first thought? "Huh. It looks… like a Rodeway Inn." Not exactly the Grand Budapest Hotel, but hey, at least it had a bed. The guy at the front desk seemed slightly bewildered by life in general, which, honestly, felt relatable. Got the room key, which, side note, always seems to magically demagnetize the second you leave the front desk.
- 1:30 PM - Unpacking & Room Inspection: The room. Oh, the room. Standard motel fare, folks. Two queen beds (bless), a flickering fluorescent light (curse), and a distinct aroma I can only describe as "mildly stale carpet and lingering disappointment." Checked for bedbugs, because, well, gotta. Found nothing. Success! (Unless they’re sneaky little buggers)
- 2:00 PM - The Quest for Caffeine (and a Nap): After a long drive, I was a zombie. Needed caffeine STAT. Found a sad little coffee machine in the lobby that coughed out something that vaguely resembled coffee. Chugged it. Took a nap. Woke up feeling slightly less like a walking corpse.
- 4:00 PM - Driving around Helena: So, my first impression of Helena: “Wow, it's… very scenic.” The mountains are gorgeous, no arguments there. I drove around a bit, got slightly lost (GPS glitches, naturally), and generally just soaked it all in. Found a park, sat for a bit, and thought about life. It was one of those quiet, contemplative moments that immediately gets interrupted by the urge to eat a snack.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner: Pizza and Regret (and the greatest pizza ever): Dinner? Oh, dinner. I decided to be spontaneous and try a local pizza place I'd read about. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was called "The Flying Pie.” The place was packed. I sat there, in my little corner booth, waiting for the pizza to arrive. The waitress was a real character; she told me all sorts of stories about Helena and offered me a little bit of everything. She suggested the "Greek Goddess" specialty pizza (and I, being a sucker for good advice, went for it). I sat there and got caught up in the stories she told; tales of past adventures in the area. Moments after the arrival of the pizza, and after that first bite, I knew I had stumbled upon the best pizza I had ever tasted in my life. My heart was beating fast; and I was in complete awe. My whole life had been leading up to this single moment. The crust was perfect, the toppings… pure perfection. It was so good that I decided to order another one, and have the waitress wrap it up for me, to take back to the hotel.
Day 2: History, Hiking, and Mild Existential Crisis
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast and the Buffet of Disappointment: Okay, so the "free breakfast" at Rodeway Inn… let's just say it wasn't exactly a culinary masterpiece. The "scrambled eggs" looked suspiciously like a processed patty. The cereal looked like it had been sitting out since the dawn of time. Settled for a lukewarm waffle that tasted vaguely of cardboard. Ate it anyway. Because, priorities.
- 10:00 AM - Montana State Capitol Building: Decided to embrace the local history. The Capitol building was kinda cool in a "government building" kind of way. Lots of marble, big portraits of old dudes with serious faces. Spent extra time looking at the art, since there's something about getting lost in the beauty of paintings and art.
- 12:00 PM - Hiking! (Attempted): The mountains were calling, so I decided to hike a trail. Found a trail on a map that looked relatively easy. Famous last words. Ended up getting winded after about five minutes. The views were amazing, though, seriously. Made it about a third of the way up, chickened out of going further, and just sat on a rock for a bit, contemplating my fitness level… and my life choices.
- 2:00 PM - Last Minute Lunch: I drove towards the place I got pizza, to have a quick lunch. The owner recognized me from the previous night, and told me that I was going to be eating the best pizza of my life for a long time, and it was going to be hard going home. He gave me a complimentary pizza, and told me to enjoy the rest of my time there. I had another one of those moments; where it dawns on you that you are in a blissful state of happiness (even if you're not really happy).
- 4:00 PM - Time to Rest: Back at the hotel, there was more time. I took the opportunity to sleep, and sleep in peace.
Day 3: Departure (Freedom!… and a Lingering Smell of Carpet)
- 9:00 AM - The Dreaded Breakfast and a Final Disappointment: Refused to eat the breakfast.
- 10:00 AM - Departure: Packed my bags, did one last inspection of the room (just in case I’d accidentally left anything behind… like a whole other me), and checked out. Said goodbye to the guy at the front desk, who still looked a bit lost.
- 10:30 AM - Goodbye Helena: Drove away. The end.
Helena's Hidden Gem: Rodeway Inn - Unbeatable Deals! (Frequently Asked Questions - Maybe)
Okay, seriously, "Unbeatable Deals?" What's the *deal*? Is it, like, a trap?
Look, let's be real. "Unbeatable Deals" is marketing. It's the siren song of cheap lodgings, designed to lure you in. But honestly? It *is* pretty dang cheap. I stayed there last month, right? Needed a place to crash after a slightly-too-enthusiastic evening at the Montana Club. And the price? Criminally low. Like, "should I buy a second six-pack with the money I saved?" low. The catch? Well… let's just say the carpet has seen things. Probably involving spilled beer and questionable fashion choices from the early 90s.
But hey, for budget travel, or, you know, if you're a bit of a nocturnal adventurer and need a place to rest your weary head, it works. Just don't expect the Ritz-Carlton. (Side note: Is there even a Ritz-Carlton in Helena? Probably not. Which, frankly, is part of the charm.)
What's the *actual* state of the rooms? Are we talking serial killer chic?
Okay, I'm being dramatic. Serial killer chic? No. Though, now that you mention it, the flickering fluorescent lights in the hallway did give off a certain… atmosphere. Let's just say it's seen better days. The wallpaper might be peeling, the furniture is probably from the Eisenhower administration (or maybe the Reagan era - everything felt a bit…dated), and you *might* encounter the faint aroma of lingering cigarette smoke (even in the non-smoking rooms, which is a feat unto itself).
My room – and this is the truth! – had a small, mysterious stain on the ceiling. I’m not sure what it was, and honestly, I didn’t want to know. But hey, the bed was... well, it was a bed. I slept. And for the price, I'm not complaining (much).
Is the complimentary breakfast as tragically delightful as I imagine?
Oh, the breakfast. This is where the Rodeway Inn hits peak… Rodeway Inn-ness. Let me paint you a picture: a tiny, dimly lit room. A waffle maker that's seen more action than a Vegas blackjack table on a Saturday night. Packets of instant oatmeal (which you *will* need to doctor with a lot of sugar to make palatable). Pre-packaged pastries that probably predate the internet. And, if you're lucky, some questionable coffee that tastes vaguely of burnt rubber and despair.
But here's the thing. I *love* it. The sheer audacity of it all is… endearing. It's a total crapshoot. Some days, they have those little yogurts, and that's a win! Other days… well, you’re grabbing a banana and running. It’s survival of the fittest in the breakfast room, truly.
What's the deal with the staff? Are they friendly? Do they even *exist*?
The staff! Ah, the unsung heroes of the Rodeway Inn experience. Honestly? They're fine. They’re not, like, overly bubbly or anything. They're more like… quietly efficient. You know, the kind of person who’s seen it all, heard it all, and is just trying to get through another shift. The check-in clerk when I went was basically a pro. She’d seen a full-blown argument in the lobby about a missing remote the night before. But was able to remain stoic as she saw I had no issues with my stay with the remote.
They’re helpful if you need something. Like, if your key card stops working (which, let’s be honest, is likely), they'll get you a new one. If you ask about the local dive bar, they might even have suggestions. They’re not your best friends, but they're definitely not actively malicious. And, in the world of budget travel, that's a win.
One thing, though: they seem to have a very specific, slightly aggressive way of answering the phone. It's like "Rodeway Inn, how can I help you... NEXT!" It's endearing, in a weird way.
Is there a pool? Because a questionable pool might make everything better.
Now, hold your horses. I seem to vaguely recall a small, indoor pool. Or maybe it was a murky, green-tinged rectangle of water that *might* have once been called a pool. Honestly, I didn’t venture in. I’m not the bravest swimmer, and the potential for aquatic fungal infections at that facility was… statistically higher than my comfort level.
Let's just say, I wasn't tempted to dip my toes. So, yeah there might be a pool, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. Proceed with caution. Or don't. YMMV.
Okay, you've hinted at this, but what's with the *location*? Is it even in a safe area?
Look, the location is… central. It’s near everything. Like, you can walk (maybe, depending on your definition of "walkable") to some fast-food joints, a gas station, and a few businesses. It's also not exactly in the glamorous part of town. I wouldn't go wandering around alone at 3 AM, you know? Just use common sense. Be aware of your surroundings.
That being said, I didn’t feel actively threatened. It’s not a war zone or anything. It's Helena. Things are generally pretty chill. But like I said, use common sense. And maybe carry a flashlight. Just in case.
Should I stay at the Rodeway Inn? Give me a *verdict*!
Alright, here’s the deal. If you're looking for luxury? No. Run screaming. If you’re a high-maintenance traveler who needs fluffy towels and mints on the pillow? Absolutely not. If you are in any way squeamish? Stay away.
But! If you're on a tight budget, need a place to crash for a night (or two, or three…), and you're more concerned with function over form? If you have a sense of humor, a healthy dose of skepticism, and don't mind a little bit of… character? Then, yeah, the Rodeway Inn might be your jam. It's the kind of place that becomes the subject of a funny story later. The kind of place that you'll always remember. And hey, sometimes, that’s the best kind ofHotelish
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