If you’re looking for a convenient home base for exploring Yellowstone National Park, the Ridgeline Hotel Yellowstone (formerly Best Western by Mammoth Hot Springs) delivers. Open year-round, the hotel is located just a mile from the Roosevelt Arch and North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Montana. Staying just outside of the National Park borders, travelers have the best of both worlds; access to town amenities like shopping and restaurants, and an easy path into the park.
Keep your eyes open. The 86 room hotel that’s part of Choice Hotels’ Ascend Collection sits a bit off of the street, behind The Yellowstone Mine restaurant, so it’s not hard to miss the turn and drive by. Gardiner isn’t a big place, but I can see how summer crowds could make having to double back frustrating.
My room was located in a separate building, across the parking lot from the hotel lobby, and offered nice views and sounds of the Yellowstone River. Though a bit dated, even with two queen beds there was plenty of room to spread out, making it a good option for families in town to explore Yellowstone. Admittedly tired and possibly a bit grumpy when I made it into my room around dinner time, the towel animal perched on my bed brought a smile to my face.
Thanks to outlets at the base of the lamp, it was easy to plug in electronics at the center bedside table. The room also had a small table and two chairs perfect for a take-out meal, or simply a nice spot to lay things out, and get organized. The bathroom sink is part of the main guest room, whereas the shower and toilet are in a separate area with a door that can be closed for privacy.
If you forget something, give the Ridgeline Hotel front desk a call. The hotel offers complimentary toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and razors.
A complimentary breakfast buffet including hot and cold items like eggs, cereal, fruit, yogurt, juice, and coffee, is served daily in at The Yellowstone Mine Restaurant. A steak house, the restaurant is open nightly for dinner too. The neighboring Rusty Rail Lounge also serves dinner, and there are plenty of businesses within walking distance. Some may close during the winter season, but everything is open in summer.
If you’re trekking through Yellowstone, there’s a good chance you’ll be staying at least a couple nights, and the coin-operated laundry room could come in handy. Another perk; there’s a microwave and refrigerator in every room, so you don’t have to eat out for every meal.
After a long day of exploring the park, the indoor, heated pool, hot tub and sauna at the Ridgeline can quickly become the hotel’s most appreciated amenity. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the warm cookies at the front desk in the evening are also worth a trip into the lobby to say hello.
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Ridgeline Yellowstone Hotel is pet-friendly. The pet rate is $20 per day, (for up to three pets) with a $100 per week maximum. Along with dogs, other pet types like cats and birds may be accepted at the hotel’s discretion. $5 of each pet fee is donated to the local Humane Society.
Wi-Fi and self-parking is complimentary. Rates for a double queen room with a river view range from $145 to $319, plus taxes and fees, per night. Book online at Expedia or Hotels.com.
Review and photos by Dana Rebmann. Her stay was hosted by Montana’s Yellowstone Country, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
