Glittering lakes, jagged mountain peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and an eclectic downtown district make Whitefish one of the most incredible getaways in Montana.
The famous resort town in the Rocky Mountains of northwest Montana is a year-round destination filled with scenic attractions like Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Immerse yourself in the natural grandeur of Glacier National Park, which features snow-stricken mountains, luxuriant alpine meadows, and the iconic Lake Macdonald.
Explore gorgeous art displays, handicrafts, and bookstores in the highly trafficked downtown district. Spend an entire afternoon soaking in the sun on the sprawling shores of Whitefish Lake. Luckily, the city is also home to fantastic boutique hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals. Here are the top cool and unusual hotels in Whitefish, Montana (in no particular order)…
Best For Lake Views
Lodge at Whitefish Lake
This deluxe, lodge-style resort on the shores of Whitefish Lake stands proud as one of the most luxurious hotels in Whitefish. It is less than two miles from the buzzing downtown district, with Whitefish Lake State Park accessible within a 6-minute drive.
You’ll stay in luxuriously appointed rooms with chic decor and high-end amenities, including coffee makers, flat screens, and gas fireplaces. Book a loft suite with impressive lake views if you want a private living room or a full kitchen.
A ritzy onsite restaurant with live music, a spa with massage services, a fitness center, an indoor pool, a business center, and a tiki bar make Lodge at Whitefish Lake stand out from the crowd.
Pros
Proximity to Whitefish Lake State Park
Onsite Restaurant with Live Music
Cons
Can get booked up at peak times
Best For Trendy Design
Firebrand Hotel
The ultimate spot for hipsters, Firebrand Hotel, is one of the trendiest hotels in Whitefish, with easy access to downtown restaurants and shopping. Located about two miles from Whitefish Lake State Park, this lodge-style hotel offers accommodations in refined rooms with chic decor and modern furnishings.
You’ll enjoy some of the most high-end amenities here, from 50-inch flat-screen TVs to bar areas to fireplaces. Some suites have living areas with rustic wood accent walls and balconies with gorgeous mountain views.
The hotel also boasts a rooftop patio with a hot tub, an après-ski style lounge dishing out light bites, a 24-hour fitness center, and a spa.
Pros
Convenient Location to downtown
Vibrant atmosphere due to a lively bar
Rooftop Patio with Hot Tub
A 24-hour fitness centre is available
Cons
Limited scenic views from the Hotel
Best For Unique Stay
Apres Whitefish
Apres Whitefish seamlessly combines rustic charm with urban comfort. This idyllic retreat minutes away from Whitefish Mountain Resort presents a unique side to Montana hospitality. Accommodation options range from Queen Rooms with double beds to King Rooms with extra-large double beds.
While living at Apres Whitefish, you’ll be steps from the Whitefish River. You’ll also be within walking distance of some fantastic restaurants and cafes.
Pros
Proximity to Whitefish Mountain Resort
Rustic Charm with Urban Comfort
Year-round activities like skiing; snowboarding and hiking
Emphasis on authentic charm
Cons
Distance to Major Attractions
Best For Indoor Swimming Pool
Grouse Mountain Lodge
A sophisticated alpine lodge perched opposite Whitefish Lake Golf Club, a mile from Stumptown Historical Museum. Rooms at Grouse Mountain Lodge are brightly decorated and feature traditional furnishings.
Each room has a flat-screen TV with premium cable channels, a coffee maker, a mini-fridge, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The mountain lodge also offers a range of onsite amenities, including a fitness center, two hot tubs, a spa, an indoor pool, and tennis courts.
There’s also a snug restaurant with a stone fireplace, a cocktail lounge, and a classy bar. Freebies include parking and an area shuttle.
Pros
Proximity to Stumptown Historical Museum
Availability of an indoor pool
Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy the convenience of onsite tennis courts
Cons
Some rooms a little small
Best For River Views
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Beautifully perched on Whitefish River, this downhome hotel offers stylishly appointed rooms with cable TVs, microwaves, wet bars, pull-out sofas, whirlpool tubs, and fireplaces.
The luxurious amenities at The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River will instantly make you love this place. A hot tub, indoor and outdoor pools, and an exercise room are connected.
The 2-star hotel is within a 15-minute drive from Glacier Park International Airport.
Pros
Stylishly appointed rooms
Views of the river and a serene natural environment
A 15-minute drive from Glacier Park International Airport
The presence of both indoor and outdoor pools
Cons
Some rooms a little small
Best For Quirky
Chalet Hotel Whitefish
With a ski lodge vibe and cozy rooms, Chalet Hotel Whitefish is a fantastic pick for those who want a laid-back vacation. The relaxed motel is two miles from the Stumptown Historical Museum, with Whitefish Mountain Resort accessible within a 10-minute drive.
Guests lodge in warmly decorated rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, coffee makers, and cable TVs. You’ll have to upgrade to enjoy scenic views and have separate sitting areas. There’s also a hot tub and a heated outdoor pool.
Pros
Romantic and elegant atmosphere
Guests can dine at Cafe Kandahar for a lavish dining experience
Cons
Far from local attractions
Best For Spa and Wellness
Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort
If you want to experience the alpine splendor of Whitefish, Kandahar Lodge is an excellent place to stay. This elegant lodge offers a romantic retreat in a gorgeous alpine setting about seven miles from Whitefish.
There are six different accommodation options at Kandahar Lodge, from queen rooms with two double beds to deluxe family rooms with up to six guests. If you feel peckish, head to Cafe Kandahar for a lavish dining experience.
Pros
Romantic and elegant atmosphere
A heated outdoor pool and a hot tub
Guests can dine at Cafe Kandahar
Best For Couples
The Farmhouse Inn & Kitchen, 2 blocks from Downtown Whitefish
A charming B&B set in a leafy residential area off Route 93, about a mile from City Beach. Country-style rooms at The Farmhouse Inn & Kitchen feature all the amenities that you’d expect in a decent boutique hotel.
All rooms have flat screens and private bathrooms, while some feature soaking tubs. There’s an onsite cafe dishing up made-to-order breakfast in a terrace setting.
Pros
The presence of an onsite cafe
The terrace setting for breakfast adds to the overall charm
Cons
Limited on-site activities
Distance from city centre
Best For Families
Wood’s Lodge
If you are looking for a high-end lodging experience steps from Whitefish Lake, Wood’s Lodge may be an ideal place to stay. The chic lodge has five gorgeously appointed suites with separate entrances, patios, gas fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and plush bedding.
All guests enjoy the common-area facilities, including a Tesla charging station, a full-size kitchen, a spacious great room with a wine and coffee bar, a large dining area, and a fenced pet area. There’s also a sun terrace from where you can enjoy stunning mountain views. This polished lodge is less than a mile from Smith Fields Sports Complex.
Pros
Proximity to Whitefish Lake
Less than a mile from Smith Fields Sports Complex
Presence of Tesla charging station
Pet-Friendly and Family rooms
Best For Budget-friendly
Good Medicine Lodge
This tasteful B&B in a sprawling log home has everything you need for a comfortable stay in Whitefish. Woodsy-chic rooms at Good Medicine Lodge have en suite bathrooms, fireplaces, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Guests can also stay in airy suites with whirlpool tubs, private sitting areas, and balconies. Free perks include ski storage and evening snacks.
While staying here as a guest, you’ll also have access to a garden with a fire pit, a terrace with a hot tub, a communal kitchenette, and a library. Every morning, you’ll be served a gourmet breakfast in an artistic dining room.
Pros
Cosy and inviting atmosphere with reasonable room rates
Presence of a garden with a fire pit
Cons
A little distant from local attractions
Limited on-site facilities
Best For Pet-friendly
The Stalls at Whitefish
Discover the wilderness of Whitefish at this quaint home about four miles from City Beach. Sleeping up to five people, The Stalls at Whitefish is ideal for a weekend getaway with friends.
Everything about this snug home will amaze you from its wooden interior to its homey ambiance. The living room features a wood fireplace, a flat-screen TV, and a sofa bed. There’s an extra-large double bed in the bedroom and three single beds in the living room.
Pros
Quaint Wilderness Setting
About four miles from City Beach
homey Ambiance and pet-friendly
Presence of a wood fireplace in the living room
Cons
Distance from city centre
Not suitable for a larger group of guests
Best For Private Vacation
My Son’s Canvas
If you want homey places in Whitefish, My Son’s Canvas might be the perfect pick.
This two-bedroom holiday home has a spacious living room with a gas fireplace, ample seating, two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, furnished balconies, an outdoor swimming pool, and a children’s playground.
With large double beds in both rooms and a sofa bed in the living room, the property can comfortably sleep up to six people.
Located about a mile from Les Mason State Park, the vacation rental is a short drive from City Beach.
Pros
Short Drive to City Beach
Proximity to Les Mason State Park
Cons
Distance from city centre
Top 12 Cool Hotels in Whitefish Compared
The table below compares the top 12 cool and unusual hotels in Whitefish. The table can be sorted based on factors like fitness facilities, the distance from tourist attractions, and the price per night:
Hotel Name | Location | Price Range (per night) | Fitness Facilities | Distance to Attractions (km) | Nearby Restaurants |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lodge at Whitefish Lake | 1380 Wisconsin Ave | $159-$299 | No | 2.0 | 2 |
Firebrand Hotel | 650 E 3rd St | $199 | Yes | 0.1 | 3 |
Apres Whitefish | 800 Spokane Avenue | $141-$170 | No | 0.6 | 3 |
Grouse Mountain Lodge | 2 Fairway Drive | $115-$319 | Yes | 0.9 | 3 |
The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River, Ascend Hotel Collection | 920 Spokane Avenue | $139-$203 | Yes | 0.7 | 3 |
Chalet Hotel Whitefish | 6430 Highway 93 South | $206 | No | 1.8 | 3 |
Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort | 3824 Big Mountain Road | $164-$214 | Yes | 7.6 | 2 |
The Farmhouse Inn & Kitchen, 2 blocks from Downtown Whitefish, Montana | 28 Lupfer Avenue | $195-$249 | No | 0.3 | 2 |
Wood’s Lodge | 5725 U.S. 93 South | $301-$3942 | No | 4.7 | 3 |
Good Medicine Lodge | 537 Wisconsin Ave | $410-$431 | No | 0.9 | 3 |
The Stalls at Whitefish | 920 Spokane Avenue | $250-$418 | Yes | 0.7 | 3 |
My Son’s Canvas | Whitefish, 59937 | $306 | No | 5.5 | 2 |
Gary Nunn – Videographer, photographer and writer
Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fueled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organizations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specializing in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, travel, starting up new businesses, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find Gary on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or his Website.