Many Glacier Hotel

Many Glacier Hotel – Glacier National Park, Montana

I first laid eyes on the Many Glacier Hotel in 2013 when my son, Christian, and I drove past it on our way to the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn for the start of our 2013 Glacier National Park hike. As we drove by the scene reminded me of the Swiss Alps. Knowing it is next to impossible to secure a reservation at any of the iconic National Park lodges I had long ago given up on ever staying at the Many Glacier Hotel. But the opportunity presented itself during our 2022 Glacier National Park hike. My expectations were high. With its rich history, breathtaking setting, comfortable common areas, and close proximity to hiking trails the Many Glacier Hotel exceeded all my expectations.

First Impressions of Many Glacier Hotel

Parking for the Many Glacier Hotel is at the top of a memorable little hill above the hotel. In peak season, it can fill up, but it was 75% full when we visited. It’s a hike to the hotel, but it offers a stunning first impression. It feels like you’re in the Alps in Europe. Adding to the Alp-like atmosphere are the lederhosen worn by the hotel staff. The comparison to a European experience isn’t accidental. The architecture of the Many Glacier Hotel is done in a Swiss chalet style. The grounds are well maintained, and the windows surrounding the hotel are all decorated with boxes containing fresh flowers. There are 214 rooms in the Hotel, which are generally spartan and ‘rustic,’ though all include a private bathroom.

Short History of the Many Glacier Hotel

Construction began at Many Glacier Hotel in 1914 and was finished in just one year, on July 4, 1915. The Great Northern Railway established a series of hotels and backcountry chalets in the park, and the Many Glacier Hotel was the “Gem of the West.” This was part of an effort by Louis W. Hill, president of the Great Northern Railway and son of James J. Hill, to establish Glacier National Park as a destination resort and to promote the area as the “American Alps.” To this end, Hill chose a Swiss chalet style for the hotels and chalets.

The Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier and the Many Glacier Hotel were intended to be the core structures. At the same time, the chalets and campgrounds were sited in the backcountry within an easy day’s ride or hike from one of the hotels or another chalet. The chalets were intended to entice visitors to leave the hotels and see the backcountry more rustically.

Xanterra Operates the Many Glacier Hotel

The Great Room – Heart of the Many Glacier Hotel Experience

Aside from the incredible scenery, the Great Room of the Many Glacier Hotel is likely to be what leaves the most lasting impression of your visit. The Great Room has a 50-foot-high cathedral ceiling, a gigantic fireplace, and ample, comfortable seating. The doors off the west side take you to a large deck that spans the entire west side of the Great Room. The deck has a 270-degree view of Swiftcurrent Lake and the surrounding mountains. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views. Windows line the entire west side of the Great Room, providing views from inside if it gets chilly. Numerous chairs, couches, and tables offer an excellent cold-weather seating alternative to the deck.

Dining at Many Glacier Hotel

Dining options are limited but do exist at the Many Glacier Hotel. Options include the Ptarmigan Dining Room, Swiss Lounge, and Heidi’s Snack Shop / Espresso Lounge. We ate/drank in the Swiss Lounge twice, which were fantastic experiences. Heidi’s is your typical pub beer/food experience but in an incredible setting. Most of our stops for quick dining options were in Heidi’s Snack Shop, and I can compare that experience to visiting a 7-Eleven for coffee and breakfast. Nothing luxurious there, but incredibly satisfying for a pre-hike breakfast and coffee. The coffee was fresh-made and excellent; everything else was a bit pre-fab but still perfectly fine, given they were all that were open that early. The dining/food options may not be appealing, but given that any other option is at least a 30-minute drive (likely more) away makes them worth studying prior to any visit.

Breathtaking Scenery and Views

There aren’t a lot of luxuries at the Many Glacier Hotel. There are no TVs in the rooms and the internet is spotty at best. But I never felt like we were missing out. The mind-blowing scenery in every direction provides its own entertainment and ‘nature TV’. To cap off the evening nature viewing as we were driving back from dropping a vehicle off at the Chief Mountain border crossing a thunderstorm rolled in. It was near sunset when the thunderstorm finally passed. The views of the post-storm clouds with the mountains were incredible. Trust me, you will be content sitting for hours just soaking in nature’s magnificence.

Conclusion – Many Glacier Hotel

A stay at the Many Glacier Hotel is a tough ‘ticket’ to get, but it’s worth the effort. We stayed two nights – one night before we started backpacking and a spontaneous night the day we finished. For the first night, Travis had used the technique of checking daily for cancellations. Over four months of daily checks for cancellation, he secured reservations for two rooms. So it CAN be done! The second night we stayed was even more educational. We simply drove up after our hike and asked if they had any rooms available.

Much to my surprise (shock!), they had numerous rooms available from cancellation. Granted, some rooms were way out of our price range ($600+), but two ‘value’ rooms were available for $235 each. OK, neither room had two beds, which required creativity for sleeping arrangements (I slept on the floor). But I can assure you that sleeping will not be the highlight of your stay at the Many Glacier Hotel.

That bonus second night’s stay was wonderful and the ideal way to end our 2022 backpacking adventure in Glacier. The Many Glacier Motel in iconic Glacier National Park is a bucket-list lodging experience. It’s not easy to get a reservation, but make an effort if you’re ever going to find yourself in that area of Glacier. You won’t regret it.