Kalispell's BEST Hampton Inn? (Insider Review!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the belly of the beast: a review of the (supposedly) "BEST" Hampton Inn in Kalispell. Let's see if it's really the bee's knees, or just a really polished (and potentially overpriced) motel.
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- Category: Hotel Review, Travel, Kalispell, Montana
Okay, Deep Breath. Let's Go!
Right, so, I rolled into Kalispell needing a place to crash. Hampton Inn, that reliable, slightly beige beacon. "Best" Hampton Inn, they say? Hmmm. We’ll see.
Accessibility: (Critical!)
Okay, massive kudos if you have mobility issues. They actually seem to care about this. The elevators were a-okay, wide hallways, and rooms are, as advertised. YES! Wheelchair accessible. I didn't specifically require accessible features this time, but I always check. I always feel like that matters. You know? Especially those who are going through a hard time. So that's a win.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The All-Important Fuel of the Soul:
- Breakfast? Included. Buffet-style (remember – COVID times are now… well, let’s call it a “modified reality”). Buffet in restaurant (yep), with the usual suspects: eggs, sad-looking (but edible) breakfast sausages, waffles (always a win, honestly), and… the holy grail… Coffee/tea in restaurant. And LOTS of it. Amen. Breakfast takeaway service also seemed to be available, which is nice for those on the run. I didn’t see any Asian options. Thank goodness for the coffee situation. It’s my elixir…
- Other Eating Options? Well… the snacks were… a bit meh. Actually, I'm not sure about this. I’m sure someone on the staff might know the answer. But there's not an on-site restaurant or lounge, which is a bit of a bummer. Coffee shop would have been nice in this case.
- Poolside Bar? No. No glorious margaritas by the pool. Sigh. They should have one.
Internet – The Modern Day Oxygen:
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And it worked. Not blazing fast, but reliable. Internet [LAN] was also available. It says everything. And I was in the room; I didn't check that.
- Internet Services are good.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (or Try To…):
- The Pool: Swimming pool [outdoor]. Yes, and it was… well, it looked inviting. I mean, it’s cold outside, so I didn’t actually use it. Though, there was no Pool with a view. I had to have a good time.
- Fitness Center? Yep. Equipment that looked slightly… used, but functional. Fitness center is there, so I can't complain.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom? Nope. No spa. No chance to treat yourself. This is a dealbreaker for some. I didn't get to go to the Spa, or Sauna, or Steamroom. This is sad.
Cleanliness & Safety – Because, You Know, Life:
- This is where things got interesting. The "professional-grade sanitizing services" were… evident. The rooms felt clean. Anti-viral cleaning products being used is a peace of mind.
- Rooms sanitized between stays, is the thing I want.
- And, a nice touch, Hand sanitizer, everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol. They seemed… informed.
- Daily disinfection in common areas (allegedly).
- Cashless payment service is the default these days. A good thing, I suppose.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing - check!
Okay, Let's Get Personal (Prepare for Rambles!):
Right, so I arrived. The check-in was… efficient. Contactless check-in/out – a sign of the times. The lobby… well, it's a Hampton Inn lobby. Beige, functional, the kind of place you might forget you're in.
My Room: The Inner Sanctum
The room itself? Clean. Non-smoking. Additional toilet was nice. The bed? Comfy enough. The blackout curtains were a godsend after the long drive. Air conditioning – thank goodness. Wi-Fi [free], as advertised. Air conditioning in public area was available, I guess. It was decent. The usual.
The annoyance? The tiny (but working!) Refrigerator. It was a welcome sight. The little things. The detail is appreciated. I was happy to have a place to put my water.
The Breakfast Experience (And the Minor Tragedy):
Breakfast. Okay, the breakfast buffet… I’d built a little breakfast burrito. Breakfast [buffet]. Standard hotel buffet deal, but honestly, it was decent. The waffles were… well, heaven. I poured syrup over it. And then…I dropped my plate. It looked like a post-apocalyptic, food-covered crime scene.
Now, here’s where the Hampton Inn really shines. A staff member (who I think was named Brenda?) raced over, mortified, and immediately started cleaning it up. No judgment. Just, “Oh my gosh, are you okay? Let me get you another plate!” That, my friends, is service. The simple kindness. That's the kind of thing that makes me feel like a human again. The essential condiments, they provided.
The Little Nitpicks (Because I'm a Glutton for Details):
- The TV: Okay, the TV was a bit… ancient. Remember those old, fat screens? Yeah, well, this one was bordering on retro. But hey, it worked. Satellite/cable channels were a plenty.
- The view? Let’s just say it wasn't the Grand Canyon. But, hey, it wasn't a brick wall either. Window that opens.
The Verdict: Is it the BEST?
Look, is it the "BEST" Hampton Inn ever? Probably not. But it's a solid, reliable choice. It's clean, the staff are friendly, and the breakfast is… well, it's there. It's got the basic comforts, and it delivers on what it promises. Accessibility? Kudos. The service at breakfast, even with my clumsiness, was fantastic. It's not fancy, it's not a spa resort. But really, when you just need a place to crash after a long drive, a clean bathroom, and a decent waffle, then it is good.
It’s a good choice. It's the kind of place you can relax… for a while.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Pancakes (for the waffles, and Brenda).
Rapid City Getaway: Unbelievable Deals at La Quinta Inn & Suites!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're talking Hampton Inn Kalispell, Montana, a place I'm already half-expecting to have a very specific aroma, like stale waffles and… well, let's see what kind of magic this motel brings. Here's the plan (sort of), a journey through my brain and the wilds of Big Sky Country:
Day 1: Arrival (and the Great In-Room Coffee Fiasco)
- 1:00 PM - Delayed Arrival - Bozeman - Kalispell, Montana, USA- I should have booked a direct flight "Well, this is just lovely," I grumbled to myself as the flight attendant announced our delay. "Just lovely." I’d envisioned a breezy afternoon landing, a quick snatch of my rental car, and immediate escape into the Montana landscape. Reality, as always, had other plans. Delayed flight, tight connections, and the creeping feeling I was already behind schedule. The airport bathroom in Bozeman had zero paper towels. I hate situations like this.
- 4:00 PM - The Rental Car Tango The rental car place looked straight out of a bad movie. The sales guy, bless his cotton socks, kept trying to upsell me on insurance. I feel like I could have used a translator with his vocabulary of "protect your freedom" etc and "peace of mind". I'm not stupid, I just knew the car would be fine, it was a Toyota Corolla. I finally just asked him to stop talking. I hope I can return it by night.
- 5:30 PM - Hampton Inn Check-in Okay, here we are. Hampton Inn, Kalispell. The lobby's got that slightly-too-bright fluorescent lighting going on, a standard for the hotel chain. The check-in guy, though, was a champ. He had a genuine smile that actually made me feel welcome. Points for that!
- (Approximately) 6:00 PM - Coffee Catastrophe! This is where things go sideways. One word: coffee. I'm a coffee fiend, and the in-room coffee situation at the Hampton Inn, I have to say, was a disaster. The coffee maker looked and sounded like a relic from the '80s, it was slow, it was spitting, and the end result tasted suspiciously metallic. Seriously, I'm pretty sure it was more like lightly flavored hot water. I swear, I’m not above a little crying over bad coffee. This was the point where I just yelled "WHAT".
- (Approximately) 6:30 PM - Evening - The search for FOOD! Finally, coffee aside, I needed food. I'd researched a handful of restaurants for the general area. I headed out in the car, with hopes of getting fed. "Okay, okay, I’ll just go to the grocery store!" I thought. All restaurants felt very far away at this point.
Day 2: Glacier National Park (the thing I REALLY came for)
- 7:00 AM - Attempted Coffee Rescue (Take 2) I was prepared this time. I had brought instant coffee with me. I'm a survivalist.
- 8:00 AM - Drive to Apgar Village and the beginning of the Going-to-the-Sun Road I drove my rental car and stared at the landscape, with a big smile on my face. The drive was epic! The mountains. The trees. The sheer vastness of it all. I was breathless from just the view and the road!
- 9:00 AM - Apgar Village and a Wander I walked along the edge of Lake McDonald. The water was so blue it almost looked fake. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’re in a postcard, or maybe a movie set. If my coffee hadn't been so bad I'd have enjoyed a better cup. Well, nothing is perfect.
- 10.00 AM - Going-to-the-Sun Road - Scenic Overlooks! You drive this road and you go "WOW" every five seconds! The views are just outrageous - waterfalls cascading down the mountains, the emerald green lakes, the sheer scale of everything. I pulled over at like, a dozen different overlooks, just to soak it all in. I was that tourist, the one taking a million photos. No regrets.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch with Some Squirrels I found a little spot to pull off the road and eat a sandwich. I quickly realized I wasn’t alone. The chipmunks and squirrels were bold. One was very insistent on sharing my sandwich. I had to play a little game of "leave it" with a particularly determined one. It was actually kind of charming, I have to admit.
- 3:00 PM - Avalanche Lake Trail (Attempt One) I have to be honest, I am not a serious hiker. I started the trail and quickly realized it was more ambitious than I’d planned.
- 4:00 PM - Avalanche Lake Trail (Attempt Two - with added grumbling): I looked at what i was up against. I looked at the trail. I looked at the rising elevation. I mumbled a bit. I put my head and kept moving. Finally I arrived and I was so happy.
- 5:00 PM - Back to Hampton Inn - The glorious shower!
- 7:00 PM - Food, Glorious Food, (Finally): "I gotta find some food!" I said to myself. I stumbled upon a local brewery with decent pub grub. I devoured a burger and a beer. The beer, thankfully, was excellent. I watched what seemed to be a local high school sport.
Day 3: Reluctant Departure (and a final, mournful coffee attempt)
- 7:00 AM – Coffee: the Sequel I had one last crack at the Hampton Inn coffee maker. I knew the horror that awaited. I took a deep breath and pressed the button, praying for a miracle. It was still bad, but at least I knew what to expect.
- 8:00 AM - Last Views and Souvenir Shopping - Kalispell town Decided to take a look around before leaving. The shops were cute.
- 9:00 AM - Goodbye Glacier… For now! Driving to the airport, my heart felt both full and, a little, melancholy. I’d tasted a tiny bit of Montana, and I was already certain I’d be back.
- 10:00 AM - Airport - Goodbye Kalispell.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn’t perfect. The Hampton Inn coffee was a crime. The rental car guy was a bit much. I didn’t conquer every trail I wanted to. But… Glacier, the sheer beauty and scale of it all, the chipmunks, the unexpected moments of connection, the feeling of being truly away from everything I know… that was the good stuff. I left Montana with a sun-kissed face, a camera roll full of memories, and a deep appreciation for the unexpected detours and imperfections that make a trip an adventure. And I will, of course, bring my own coffee next time. You have been warned, Hampton Inn, you have been warned.
Downtown SLC Escape: Courtyard's Unbeatable City Views!
So, what *is* this whole thing about? Like, what are you even *doing* here?
Right, good question! I think. Look, honestly, I'm just trying to answer some questions. You know, FAQ-style. But… I'm also trying *not* to sound like some robot regurgitating facts. I wanna be real, you know? Like, remember that time I tried to make a soufflé? Absolute disaster. Literally collapsed faster than my willpower on a Friday night. That's the vibe I'm going for. Human. Flawed. Hopefully, occasionally helpful.
Okay, but *specifically* what topics are we delving into here? Is this about… I dunno… cheese?
Cheese? Glorious, delicious cheese. Possibly. Maybe. It's a possibility! But probably not *exclusively* about cheese. Although… I *am* craving a good cheddar right now. Let's just say the topics are… wide-ranging. You'll see. Depends on the questions, really. Think of it like a conversational buffet. Some of it'll be delicious, some of it... well, you might politely push to the side. But hey, that's life, right? You can't love every course.
Wait, are you *me*? Are *you* answering these questions? Or is this some kind of AI impersonation? Because if so, can I get a refund on my trust?
Good lord, I *hope* I'm not an AI. If I am, I'm having a serious existential crisis right now. And frankly, the thought of being a robot is… deeply depressing. No, I'm a human, I *think*. I have feelings. I feel anxiety about answering these questions well. I feel… uh… lukewarm about kale. Does that count? I also make mistakes! See that soufflé disaster? That was ALL ME. So, yeah, I'm a real person. (Unless… wait… are you a robot trying to trick *me*?! Conspiracy theories, here we go!)
Are you going to *try* to be funny? Or are you just going to *be* funny? Because there's a big difference, you know.
Oh, the pressure! Alright, here's the deal. I *try*. I *hope*. I occasionally… *fail spectacularly*. I think humor is subjective. What one person finds hilarious, another finds… well, maybe they just roll their eyes and silently judge you. It's a risk I'm willing to take. I'm more interested in being genuine, even if that means my jokes occasionally land with a soggy *thud*. I'm going for the "laughing *with* you, not *at* you" vibe. Unless, of course, you set yourself up perfectly. Then all bets are off. (Just kidding… mostly.)
What about the *really* deep, complicated questions? The ones that keep you up at night? Can *you* handle those?
Whoa, hold your horses there, Socrates! "Deep" questions? Okay, let's be honest. I'm a person. I get confused by the TV remote sometimes. Quantum physics? Existential dread? Those are *way* outside my comfort zone. But… maybe. Maybe I can at least *attempt* an answer. I'll probably stumble around, use a lot of "umms" and "uhhs," and probably end up just making things more confusing. But hey, a good conversation can be messy, and I’m here for the mess. If a profound question gets answered, great. If we end up discussing what kind of cheese pairs best with a existential crisis? Also great! Don't expect any definitive answers, though. I'm more about the journey than the destination. And the journey usually involves snacks.
Can you talk about your biggest failure. And don't hold back!
Oh, *man*. Okay, here we go. This is going to be embarrassing. So, I've always wanted to be a writer, right? Dreamed of it since I was a kid, scribbling stories in the margins of my notebooks that would surely become *New York Times* bestsellers, one day. So, imagine my utter *dismay* when my big, beautiful novel, which I'd poured my *heart and soul* into, got… rejected. By everyone. Every single agent, every single publisher. I mean, the silence was deafening. I'm talking cricket chirps echoing in the empty void of my inbox kind of silence. The feedback was… mixed. One agent said it was "too ambitious", another said it was "boring", and a third just sent back a form rejection letter with the word "NOPE" scribbled in aggressive red pen across the top. Okay, maybe I'm embellishing a little bit. But the point is, it *hurt*. Like, a deep, gut-wrenching, "maybe I should become a lighthouse keeper instead" kind of hurt. I wallowed for a week. Then, I started writing something even *worse* and more personal. And now… here we are! Facing the world, one painfully honest question at a time.
What's the absolute *worst* question you could be asked?
Ugh, that's a tough one. Probably something like: "Explain the meaning of life in exactly three sentences." Talk about pressure! Or maybe, "What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?" (African or European? The *details* matter here!) Actually, scratch those. The worst question would be one *I* couldn't answer honestly. I'm not afraid of looking foolish, but I *am* terrified of being disingenuous. So, the truly awful question would be one that forces me to lie or hide who I am. That's the absolute worst. The rest? Bring 'em on! Let the awkwardness commence!
So... where do we go from here? What should I do next?
Well, that depends. You *could* ponder the mysteries of the universe. You *could* go eat a cheese-based meal. You could decide to follow your dreams and write a novel (but maybe get some good beta readers first, unlike *some people*). Or… you could just keep scrolling! Ask a question! Engage! Debate! Challenge me! Let's see where this chaotic, imperfect journey takes us. No promises of enlightenment. But hopefully, at least a few laughs. And maybe... just maybe... a little bit of inspiration to embrace the beautiful mess of it all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find some cheese.
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