Izaak Walton Inn - Essex, MT

 

I really do like the Izaak Walton Inn, located on US 2 about 20 miles east of West Glacier, Montana.  I have dined there a couple of times on previously trips to Glacier National Park, once for breakfast and another time for lunch.  The food is good, but pricey.  If you're there for lunch or dinner, do the huckleberry-apple cobber.  I was going to after I checked in, but it was late, and my "Fitness Pal" wallet (that David & I use to calorie count) was already in arrears, so I did take a pass on this trip.

Early in the afternoon, I decided to not try to make it back to Gardiner that night, as I was anticipating a long day even without getting up into Canada.  I started calling around to see what I might be able to find.  Inside that park, nothing for less than $200 + taxes . . . and even going further out like Kalispell or Whitefish, I was looking at $175-$200 for "budget chains."

When I first called the Izaak Walton Inn (it was actually my first call) I was turned off by the $179 rate for a single ($205 with taxes) . . . but after several calls I called back to book (and prepay for) my room.  I'm glad I did because when I checked in, they told me they had just sold their last room for the evening.

The Inn opened in 1939, originally built as lodging for railroad workers for Great Northern Railroad.  Furnishings are still modest, and do not include a television.  No AC (open your windows!) and the heat is provided by in-room steam radiators.

As you can see from the photo, I had a nice corner room, so plenty of ambient light. (It didn't get dark outside until close to 10:00pm!)

The bathroom had the toilet and over-tub shower, with the sink and bathroom mirror in the sleeping room.  All in all, very comfortable for my one night stay in the area.

There was a very nice lobby area, with a big fireplace and several comfy chairs.  There was also a small gift shop adjacent to the lobby.  This main lobby level is also where the restaurant is, which includes a nice patio dining area.  On the lower (basement) level is their Flagstop Bar.

I love that their hours listed are "Open until closed."  I used to kid some of my bowling center owners when I'd see that on their website or Facebook page, so I get that if there's no business, there's no reason to be open, so they close.

I enjoyed spending my evening sitting out on the back porch watching the trains go by.  For some, this might be a deterrent for sleep, as the tracks are literally less than 100 yards from the Inn.

For those wanting a more unique lodging experience, you should check out their rail car and caboose accommodations.  Throughout the property there are several that have been renovated for personal lodging.  I would love to do this someday, but I'm pretty sure it's out of my price range . . . even for a special occasion splurge.  Besides I'm not THAT MUCH of a train aficionado to feel the need to stay in something that special.

All in all, I had a nice stay in a clean room and would recommend it to others looking for something near Glacier National Park, but without the steep "in the park" rates.

FYI this is a year-round lodge, with winter activities too, like cross country skiing and show-shoe hiking.  And for those who want to expand their railway experience, Amrak's Empire Builder does make a whistle stop on their Chicago to Seattle routing right at the Izaak Walton Inn.