Montana’s Best-Looking Motel Is Worth a Pit Stop

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Overview

Bozeman, Montana — Classic motels traditionally offer no-frills lodging at affordable prices and I am continually grateful when property developers show us that a lack of frills doesn’t have to mean a lack of taste. In a strip mall off busy 1-90 in Bozeman (home to a Best Western, Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, and Days Inn), Field & Stream Lodge Co. stands out for its combination of charming, cozy, and organic style at competitive rates. 

The motel opened in spring of 2025 with a personality that channels the great outdoors and serves as home base for nature and adventure enthusiasts heading to Big Sky, Yellowstone, and beyond. The name comes from the iconic American outfitter (est. 1871), which was acquired and revamped as a hospitality brand in a joint venture between Starwood Capital and AJ Capital Partners. 

What’s On Site

What looks like a nondescript motel from the outside has been transformed into a modern motel inside. A big stone fireplace, stained wood paneling, giant taxidermy, and heritage plaid fabric drawn from the Field & Stream archives offer just the right whiff of naturalist nostalgia to make the place cool and functional and welcoming. While walking into most sterile motel lobbies makes me feel sad, walking into Field & Stream set the stage for a big adventure.

The lobby channels midcentury Americana with its hanging canoe, overstuffed chairs, framed fly fishing lures, and series of table lamps fashioned from vintage water jugs. The large indoor pool is just off the lobby, with hanging ferns and a pitched roof. A small courtyard has lounge chairs, canoe fire pits, and a whirlpool soaking tub. A stylish supply shop sells snacks, and souvenirs, and branded merch — and you'll gladly consider repping the place with a T-shirt or a tin cup.

The Food

The laid-back Honey Hole is a 21+ game room (pool, arcade, darts) and dive bar decorated with the kinds of ephemera you’d find at a western yard sale — a mish-mash of framed pictures,  ]license plates, more taxidermy, and tinted glass pendant lights. 

But the real treat is eating at the Dry Fly Saloon. The western-style watering hole has high-quality menu items that the body (well, my body, at least) wants after a long day in nature. There are cheffy spins on appetizers like dry rubbed wings and local trout dip; big chopped salads and hearty veggies; a nicely seasoned pork chop, steak, and chicken pot pie. The drinks menu highlights regional spirits and local beer. There are framed magazine covers, cozy upholstered booths, and a game on at the bar. Kids can earn a free scoop of ice cream by solving the daily riddle. 

In the Room

Mountain Kings, Bunk Rooms, and Camper Connecting Suites are tidy, cozy, and efficient, with a few cabin-like design nods, like peg board storage and camp chairs. My kids were thrilled we got to  stay in a Bunk Room, which has log cabin-style double bunks with Queen beds on the bottom and XL twins on top. They seemed to be plucked straight out of The Berenstain Bears. We all got such a good night’s sleep that we booked the room again a week later on our way out of town.

This Place Is Perfect For

Just about anyone pulling up to Bozeman for a few days before advancing into the wilderness. 

But Not So Perfect For

Fussy travelers. Smart design feels luxurious to me, but it’s still an elevated motel, not a hotel.

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The Surroundings

Bozeman is a stylish mountain town in Yellowstone Country. The access to nature is pretty spectacular — fly fishing is a massive driver of the economy, and anglers from all over come to fish the protected waters (Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone). There are hot springs, ski slopes, Nordic trails, horseback rides, cycling routes, dinosaur bones, and indigenous history. 

Downtown Bozeman is adorable and walkable, with lots of mom-and-pop shops, cafes, sporting outfitters, and entertainment.

What to Do Nearby

The Western Cafe — extremely cozy breakfast spot that opens at the crack of dawn
Alpacas of Montana — super cute, hands-on experience and photo-ops with a fluffy herd
Head West — vintage western clothing and handmade jewelry
Wild Crumb — beautiful artisan breads and baked goods
Country Bookshelf — sweet, stocked, and women-run
Bozeman Hot Springs — family friendly with a series of temperature pools
Spire Climbing + Fitness — a good way to get out some energy before the flight home