Symes Hot Springs Hotel, Hot Springs

Since several posters have cross-listed their posts on other sites, I felt I should do the same. And I need to be up front on a couple of items: (1) I am not particularly fond of hippies; (2) I generally don’t like to pay for more than I get; and (3) I enjoy authentic places. The Symes Hot Springs Hotel is located in an isolated part of Montana with limited services. The closest town (other than Hot Springs itself) is Plains. The draw is, and you really need to keep this in mind, the hot spring pools (a hot tub sized one that is the hottest, a slightly larger one that is a bit cooler, and a pool that is much cooler). The hotel’s website should be your first clear indicator as to what sort of place you are visiting. Many people would pay for something as ironic as this website. Problem is, this isn’t an ironic website. It fairly clearly lays out—explicitly and between the lines—what you can expect when you visit. If you choose to visit Hot Springs, Mont., on a lark, the onus is on you. If you choose to visit the Symes after reviewing the website, the onus is still on you. There is a reason other resorts exist that charge higher prices. Some are close (Quinn’s); others are a bit farther away (Fairmont or Lolo). I sense that some of you, even if you visited these other places, would be disappointed. Just an observation and not a criticism (though some of the previous posters really need to reflect on what their posts suggest about their character, their priorities, and their ability to take stock of their choices). My larger point? Rather simple: you are paying to stay in an odd place, filled with an assortment of odd people (locals and visitors), while enjoying the hot springs. The price of the rooms isn’t that high. Reason? The rooms are dumpy. The food is fairly priced relative to what you can find in the area (and, even then, Second Home Restaurant, is located on the highway and offers a good option if you want something different). The hotel is charming if, and only if, you can stop and recognize what it is and where it is and what it would take to keep the whole thing running. That isn’t an excuse for the condition of the place. But it helps to explain why I can—year after year for going on twenty years—check my dispositions (see 1 and 2 above) at the entrance to town and take in something that is increasingly rare in Montana (see 3 above). I like the fact that I can hang out on the upstairs deck at night, take in the stars, and talk with friends. I enjoy meeting locals who live far different lives than I do (and would recommend the two local bars for a further chance to interact with people who live there year long). I appreciate the fact that the people who work there do their best to make the most of what they have to offer. I mainly come back because I can enjoy some of the best mineral content around . . . for free, as often as I want, with the price of my room. I have met locals with interesting stories, Russian families having reunions, people from China, Japan, and parts of Europe. Every time I leave, I have a cringe-inducing worry even as I feel rejuvenated: this place could be bought by someone with dollar signs in their eyes. That was more likely a few years back, but it remains the problem with authentic places in Montana. Rather than simply letting things be, there are people who want to recreate them to suit what other people want. I recognize the tension—“letting things be” has resulted in a place that is long in the tooth and short on real, substantial, improvements. But I prefer that option over the alternative. I recommend Symes so long as you recognize what it is and what it is not.

it appears that the reviews on this hotel are filled with ignorance. The room "smells" because of the mineral water that is from the hot springs. This hotel is a historic hotel, not a hilton 5 star resort. The hotel has had tons of remodeling and updating throughout the years. It really has come a long way. I have been at least 4-5 times and I always have a blast. Lots of unique, cultural activities to do and each time I come back there is always upgrades and new accommodations. Reminds me of Hotel Congress in Tucson, Arizona.

This place needs a wrecking ball. What a waste of money. Although the staff were nice, the rooms were nasty and stinky. The water in the "hot" springs wasn't hot at all. It really was a disappointment to my whole family. The food was OK if you like your microwaved. People smoking right outside the front door was a turn off with the smell going right into the lobby. Never again.

We genuinely enjoyed our stay at this quaint little Hotel in an equally quaint little town. We found the staff to be very friendly and willing to go out of their way to make our stay as accomodating as possible. Our room was decorated as it would have been back in the day. Antigues everywhere as well as historical pictures of the town and it's people back in the day. It was like a step back in time...no phones, no TVs. At first, we thought "can we handle this?" I will tell you by the end of the weekend we were more relaxed then we have been in along time. A great getaway. The water is some of the best water we have soaked in in the state...truly healing. Hats off to the Cook in the restaurant. We were not disappointed with any of the choices we made and there was alot to choice from. Lots of antigues and jewelry for sale from local artists. We definitely will make palns to go back.

Although rustic, I found the Symes Hotel to be charming. This is definitely a place for folks looking for an adventure rather than an average hotel. Rooms are filled with antiques and the hallways are lined with historic photos of the hotel and surrounding area. The staff was friendly and accomodating. The hot spring is strong smelling so it is probably not for those who would find the sulfur smell upsetting; however, my skin felt very soft after soaking. I also found the lack of phones and televisions relaxing.

The hot pools were OK although I'd have prefered they be a little less public. The room was a dump. The wind came right through the key hole in the door and the space around the door (weatherstipping would be helpful). It was advertised as full kitchen but lacked basic utensils such as potholders, pan lid, etc. It was dirty and I still fear bedbugs. No table. A futon was in there with an oversized mattress presumably in lieu of a sofa, but when we sat on it we slid right off. The view from the window was an "antique" store, but in reality it was 2nd hand turned hoarder. We decided to eat a meal in the restaurant. $9 got us a skimpy flavorless buffet. For example, the sausage gravey was from a package. Essentially, we ate on the bed, played games on the bed, watched TV on the bed, slept on the bed, read books on the bed and sadly, it wasn't even comfortable. On their website they don't mention that the water in the rooms is mineral water and stinks like rotten eggs and you need to either bring bottled water, buy bottled water from the lobby or take your empties into the lobby to refill from the Culligan water jug that's just refilled with city water. They don't tell you that you and your room will reek with sulfer odors whenever the sink or shower is turned on. They don't tell you you'll pay extra if you don't bring your own pool towels. It was desperately in need of restoration and updating. We will not go back and will discourage others from visiting. We've been to Ainsworth and Britenbush so we know what a hot springs can be. Symes isn't it!

I have never ever ever ever in my entire life PAID to stay at a such a disgusting place. It was beyond horrible. The sheets were disgusting, the room smelled so foul, there was a window on our door that let the light in! I could hear people snoring in other rooms. We probably got about 3 hours of sleep because of all the noise. THERE WAS NO SHOWER IN THE ROOM! it was beyond awful. I have stayed in third-world countries where the accomodation were nicer. The Symes Hotel needs to be shut down. and to top it off... when i wrote a letter to let them know of my experience, i was completely ignored. At least they could have apologized.

This was the absolute WORST experience I have ever had at a hotel. The pictures on the website are very deceiving. This place is dirty, foul smelling and grimy. When we checked in, we asked for a room with a television, and were "upgraded" to one of the cabins for an extra $35. This cabin was run-down, outdated, and filthy. The bedding was torn and stained. The towels had rust on them. To top it all off, the television that we were charged extra for was approximately 20 years old, had no remote, and only was able to receive one channel. The buttons on the front did not work properly, so the volume up button was changing the channel and bringing up the menu. It was awful! It is incredibly overpriced, even for a cheap motel. Do not stay here. I would NEVER stay at this establishment again or recommend it to anyone else.

I was excited to visit this rural hot springs 'resort', but was nothing but disappointed. It was dirty, smelly, and not exactly friendly. Definitely not a resort in any way shape or form. The Symes website does not accurately portray itself. We will not return!!! In addition to the grimy accommodations, it's impossible to get a decent nights sleep with all the noise both in the motel and outside. I wish I'd been warned!

Symes Hot Springs does a wonderful job of misrepresenting itself on the internet. Making itself out to be a clean and well kept resort hotel. The best way to describe this place is EXTREME RUSTIC ROT!!!