Boise is a vibrant mountain city that offers outdoor adventure, city attractions, and urban sophistication in Idaho. Whether you choose whitewater rafting on the nearby Boise River, rafting on the Snake River, or trendy urban shopping at the Eighth Street Marketplace in downtown, there is plenty to do in this western town.
Superb Location and Convenience
The three-star Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is about as convenient as it gets. Since my husband and I were on a road trip, we were overnighting to visit some local friends. We wanted a central city center location where they could meet us. We also wanted to be close to the interstate to resume our westerly drive the next morning. This downtown hotel checked all the boxes. And at an affordable price.
The Boise Airport is close by, while Boise State University is only 1 mile away – about an 8-minute drive. The hotel is very convenient for convention-goers, as the Boise Convention Center is less than 1 mile away.
For those visiting Boise for snow skiing the well-known Bogus Basin Ski Resort is 18-miles away.
Whether for downtown access, convention events, university proximity, or outdoor adventure, the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner serves as a convenient and accessible base for much of Boise and surrounding area.
The Hotel
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner serves as the ideal vacation for holiday travelers, families with children, and BSU family and alumni. The website claims they are one of the few hotels in Downtown Boise to offer full-service lodging.
The hotel offers complimentary airport transportation as well as complimentary self-parking onsite.
A pet-friendly, non-smoking facility, the hotel offers 24-hour front desk service, wheelchair access, and a business center. Amenities include complimentary access to a gym and a seasonal outdoor pool.
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Some rates include a buffet breakfast, while the hotel website says, “signature breakfast is available for $7 per person.” During our stay, our breakfast was included in the rate and was ample with a nice selection of items.
The Room
Rooms available for booking range from King, Queen, to Double Beds.
All guest rooms include free Wi-Fi. Entertainment includes a flat-screen TV with cable. Plus, each room includes tea and coffee-making facilities, a compact refrigerator and microwave.
During our stay, we found our room to be clean and comfortable.
The Rates
For some of the best rates online as well as special packages and promotions, book directly with the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner. Or check Expedia, TripAdvisor, or Booking.com for competitive prices. Prices can vary depending on season, day of the week, and room type.
Currently, Red Lion Hotels offers special discounts for Auto Club members, Seniors, Military, Government, Corporate and Group affiliations. Check the website for details.
Be advised that customer reviews of this property are mixed. Many guests report good experiences, but a small percentage report issues with cleanliness, bed comfort, and staff professionalism and friendliness.
In summary, the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is a hotel located in the city center that offers a convenient location and reasonable prices post-Covid. (That means many rooms are available for under $100 USD per night). You might even get a better rate on an online booking site such as Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com.
However, the hotel can also be labeled as suffering from Faded Glory. Like many other hotels, it lost revenue from more than two years of Covid-related vacancies. The result is that the hotel is not what it used to be. And even though the website claims the hotel is one of the few downtown hotels to offer full-service, this author disputes that claim.
For example, there is no onsite restaurant, and staffing seemed limited to meet the ongoing needs of guests. However, my husband and I still would opt to stay at this hotel due to convenience and prices. Plus, we honestly did not experience the negatives that many other reviewers claim.
For reviews of alternate hotels in Boise, check out this review on the Modern Hotel or Inn at 500 Capitol Boise.
Karin Leperi Pezo is a writer and photographer living parttime in Peru and parttime in the United States. She and her husband paid full fare for one night at Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner. All photos are by Karin Pezo, unless otherwise noted. As always, all opinions are those of the author based on an actual stay.
