Idaho Falls: Motels during end of October / early November (2009, how much)

[WesternHeart]

Should I make a reservation to be ensured I will have a room, or are things "slow" enough during the end of October / early November that I don't need room reservations?

Thanks y'all.

[norcalmom101]

Have you called any motels to ask? That is where I would start.

[cleosmom]

Motel West is right on Broadway which is also known as US Highway 20. If you stayed there you'd be close to the airport and on a bus line. In fact the bus depot is less than a mile down the road. It's also locally owned and has a cafe attached.

[WesternHeart]

Thanks y'all for your replies.


Norcalmom, I wanted to ask people who live there and know the ebb and flow of visitors before spending more time on the phone than what I already have been doing lately.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by WesternHeart

Should I make a reservation to be ensured I will have a room, or are things "slow" enough during the end of October / early November that I don't need room reservations?

Thanks y'all.

WesternHeart,

I think it totally depends on what type of hotel room you are looking for. If you hope to land one of the 14 rooms at Destinations Inn (destinationsinn.html), you should check availability ASAP and probably hope for 2009. Other hotels host conventions that are not necessarily open to community resodents, so an average person may not know the hotel is full.

I agree with norcalmom101, if I wanted to stay certain nights in Idaho Falls, I'd being checking with the hotels NOW. Between INL workers/conferences, increasing weekend conferences, return travelers wanting to stay at certain hotels in Idaho Falls and other factors, the rooms are probably more full (percentage wise) than you may expect.

The great news is with the new Hilton Gardens Inn and also the opening of Candlewood Suites (at different ends of the spectrum, but each meeting a need in Idaho Falls), there are about 250-300 hotel rooms available now than a year ago.

Also, when the Marriott Residence Inn opens in 2009, that will about 250 more rooms.


You probably could find a room somewhere just driving through. However, comparing what room you might be able to find vs. one you might enjoy (like along the river and greenbelt) or close to restaurants and other attractions you might like to see, I'd book one ahead of time. Where a hotel is located, close amenities and other factors can certainly alter the experience one has staying in a city.

Besides, it depends on your budget and how much you think a room will cost vs. what the real cost.

One general link I use when looking for hotels throughout the U.S. (unless I have to stay at a brand name hotel for business), is the following as one can look up any city, review the difference in hotels (in cost, location, amenities etc.), plus what others have thought who stayed at that property.

Search results: Idaho Falls, ID - TripAdvisor

In my experience, that site is best for the hotel info. Only in 2008 have people really started to even post about restaurants and activities etc. in the area. But, guests/travelers have posted for years about the hotels.

I hope this helps and you can find the perfect hotel for you.

MSR

[WesternHeart]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

I think it totally depends on what type of hotel room you are looking for. If you hope to land one of the 14 rooms at Destinations Inn (destinationsinn.html), you should check availability ASAP and probably hope for 2009.

I think I'll save an experience like that for when I'm on vacation, versus simply moving. LOL

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

I agree with norcalmom101, if I wanted to stay certain nights in Idaho Falls, I'd being checking with the hotels NOW. Between INL workers/conferences, increasing weekend conferences, return travelers wanting to stay at certain hotels in Idaho Falls and other factors, the rooms are probably more full (percentage wise) than you may expect.

This is very helpful information, and is actually the underlying reason for my starting this thread.

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

One general link I use when looking for hotels throughout the U.S. (unless I have to stay at a brand name hotel for business), is the following as one can look up any city, review the difference in hotels (in cost, location, amenities etc.), plus what others have thought who stayed at that property.

Search results: Idaho Falls, ID - TripAdvisor

Thanks for the link; I'll check it out.