While the name The Wilson Hotel Residence Inn Big Sky is a mouthful, this new build in Big Sky’s town center is an eyeful. The southern Montana views, inside and out, are stunning. Whether you are skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing or using Big Sky as your base camp to the west entrance of Yellowstone, this Marriott hotel has you covered.
The five story, rustic-modern hotel boasts a brick exterior and nature-inspired interior. If I had a mountain house in Montana, this is how I’d decorate my living room. Gray, blue, brown and gold rust colors create a continual color pattern throughout this brand new Marriott hotel. The large, see-through gas fireplace gives off a warm glow while the Lone Peak and Wilson Peak views outside offers guests a sneak peak of what awaits them outside.
My room #333 on the third floor was a one bedroom suite with a balcony looking out to Lone Peak and Wilson Peak. I’m not sure if The Wilson Hotel got its name from Wilson Peak or President Woodrow Wilson. In any case, the Residence Inn Big Sky is a lovely place to stay with great mountain views.
My hotel room had a well appointed kitchen with a full size refrigerator and everything needed for me to prepare a full-blown meal. Did I mention the barbecue downstairs by the outdoor swimming pool? But if you’re not into cooking, there’s a restaurant downstairs. More on the buffet breakfast below.
If this is your first time to visit Big Sky country, pace yourself. This Montana playground is fast-paced and furious when it comes to skiing and snowboarding. I’m a warm weather seeker, myself, so I prefer to visit Big Sky anytime other than when the white powder is falling. If you are a mountain-seeker, The Wilson Hotel offers a skiing and snowboarding room to tune and stash your equipment. There’s also a fitness center to get you ready to conquer Big Sky Resort – a complimentary 15 minute shuttle ride away – or you can hike nearby Beehive Basin.
If you venture into Yellowstone National Park and get completely dirty from walking on the paths where bison have roamed or you jump into the Yellowstone River, relax knowing that laundry facilities await your return after a day of outdoor fun and adventure. Maybe you’ll go fly fishing on the Gallatin River and your hands and shirt will be a bit slimy from catching and releasing all of those cut throat trout or you’ll have horse slobber on you from a day of horseback riding at Lone Mountain Ranch. No matter your sport, you’ll clean up nicely in your well appointed Montana hotel room.
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Hotel breakfast
As with all Residence Inn hotels, a hot breakfast is included in the price of your stay. I’m not a big breakfast eater, so the eggs, sausage and waffles were wasted on me, but I did appreciate the assorted yogurts and cheeses on offer. Kids will appreciate the hot and cold cereal options and yes, there was fresh fruit, orange juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
Game room and outdoor playground
No matter the season, the hotel has thought of everything when it comes to keeping the kids entertained. There’s a playground outside, surrounded by picnic tables with twinkly lights for sunset picnics while watching the kids play. If the weather doesn’t cooperate during your Big Sky stay, head downstairs to the game room for foosball, shuffleboard or ping pong and sporting events on the big screen; anything to get away from mom and dad in the evening. (I have adult children now; I can get away with that statement because I remember well when my kids wanted nothing to do with me during those teen years.)
Rates at The Wilson Hotel Residence Inn Big Sky range from $179 in the fall to a high of $600 in the winter during peak season for a 2 bedroom suite. Check the website for AAA and AARP discounts and Hotels.com to compare rates.
Hotel review and all photography by Equestrian Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown who was hosted one night at The Wilson Hotel while gathering material for articles in Big Sky country.
