Located 30 miles from Glacier National Park and home to the acclaimed Whitefish Mountain Resort, it is no wonder that Whitefish has quickly become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montana.
Despite boasting an official population of only 7,751 year-round residents, the small-town community in Flathead County is frequently visited by both national and international tourists throughout the year.
Be it exploring the picturesque countryside throughout the summer or engaging in the region’s winter sports and the Whitefish Winter Carnival throughout the cold months, Whitefish offers an array of activities for visitors throughout the year.
As a result, Whitefish’s infrastructure has developed thoroughly around its tourism industry. It features several restaurants, shopping centers, and accommodation options well-equipped to meet even the most demanding travel needs.
Still, while plenty of well-known travel brands and hotel chains are present in the Whitefish community, the most authentic way to experience the traditional lifestyles of Montana’s Flathead County is by staying at one of the locally owned bed and breakfasts found tucked away in the town’s hidden corners.
Luckily, plenty of these homey accommodation options are available throughout the community, each offering its unique designs and amenities perfect for diverse sets of travelers.
Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway with your loved one or a winter escape for your family, these are the six best bed and breakfasts in Whitefish, MT, perfect for hosting any excursion into the preserved wonders of Northwestern Montana.
The 6 Best Bed and Breakfasts in Whitefish
- Good Medicine Lodge
- The FarmHouse Inn
- Duck Inn Lodge
- Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort
- Hidden Moose Lodge
- The Garden Wall Inn
1. Good Medicine Lodge
Built in 1978, the Good Medicine Lodge offers visitors the opportunity to stay in a traditional log-style cabin. Constructed by the famous Lindal Cedar Homes, the Good Medicine Lodge was voted the third best ski lodge in the country by US Today in 2016 and remains one of the most popular bed and breakfasts in Whitefish today.
Visitors to the lodge start their day off with a complimentary breakfast. Guests can either order one of the hotel’s entrees from the menu the night before their meal or choose from a selection of on-the-go dishes between 7:00 am and 9:00 am.
Also available at the hotel are complimentary refreshments and appetizers served around the time of check-in, between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. These dishes typically include chickpeas with radishes, charcuterie boards, and Tomato Pesto Bites.
But of course, while the hotel’s cuisine offerings are delicious, people don’t just stay here for the great food. The Good Medicine Lodge’s luxury on-site amenities include complimentary high-speed internet, free snow shuttle buses to Whitefish Mountain Resort, on-site gardens, patios, and deck areas, laundry services, an outdoor hot tub, and a selection of nine uniquely designed rooms.
Nightly rates start at $338 per night for one of the lodge’s Deluxe Queen Rooms, with a minimum of a two-night reservation at the time of booking.
All rooms are accompanied by organic linens, luxury robes, in-room heating and ac control, and a white noise machine. In addition, each room features its own additional amenities, with the more luxurious options boasting slightly higher rates.
2. The FarmHouse Inn
Located in downtown Whitefish, the Farmhouse Inn and Kitchen offers quaint farmhouse-style accommodation in the heart of the community.
Operating out of a farm-to-table style bakery and café, the FarmHouse Inn offers delicious homemade meals, including complimentary breakfast and a full lunch menu.
The FarmHouse operates its homey bed and breakfast out of the building’s upstairs units. The two unique room options are serviced with free WIFI, ac control, private bathrooms, and a flat-screen TV. Also, within the facilities is a garden and café open to hotel guests.
The FarmHouse inn offers its standard Double Room accommodation for rates starting at $195 per night and sleeps up to two people.
For additional room, guests should book the hotel’s Deluxe Double Room with an Extra Bed. This more spacious option sleeps up to four people and can be rented for as low as $295 per night.
3. Duck Inn Lodge
Situated along the Whitefish River towards the southern edge of the town, the Duck Inn Lodge provides guests with the cozy comforts of home with breathtaking views of Flathead County and access to all of the region’s fantastic attractions.
Visitors start their day off at the lodge’s communal table, where they will engage with other guests from around the world while enjoying a continental breakfast. Food selections vary daily, but breakfast typically includes homemade egg casserole and waffles.
After their morning meal, guests can either venture into town or retreat to their rooms to relax.
The Duck Inn offers luxury accommodation in five unique rooms, each serviced with a private bathroom, a flat-screen tv, heating and ac control, and their own private balcony with outdoor furniture.
For nightly rates starting at $119 per night, the hotel offers its Queen Room with Bunk Beds or its King Room as its base accommodation options. Both rooms have a beautiful garden view, while a King Room with a River View is available for an additional $10 per night.
Other on-site specialty rooms include the hotel’s Honeymoon Suite and Family Suite. Featuring a large king-sized bed, an in-room Jacuzzi tub, and a Lazy Boy chair, the romantic Honeymoon Suite includes rates starting as low as $169 per night.
Alternatively, visitors traveling with their little ones or as a group will want to rent out the lodge’s Family Suite. Featuring two large double beds and two bunk beds, the suite can sleep up to four adults and four children and features nightly rates starting at $199 per night for up to four people.
With the exception of the family suite, all rates at the Duck Inn are designed for a two-person occupation. However, additional guests are welcome in all rooms for an additional charge of $20 per person per night
4. Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort
Nestled within the Whitefish Mountain Resort, the Kandahar Lodge is an authentic mountain lodge that offers luxury accommodation just north of the Whitefish community.
The hotel features 50 recently renovated rooms, beautifully designed to reflect all the cozy comforts of a traditional log cabin and the personalization of a homey bed and breakfast.
Along with a continental breakfast served from 6:30 am to 9:30 am, Kandahar Lodge also features an on-site café, privately owned and operated by Chef Andy Blanton. Café Kandahar features an unparallel dining experience accompanied by an extensive wine selection that has received numerous distinctions in popular media.
But of course, besides all of its personalized comforts, one of the most significant features of the Kandahar Lodge is its convenient location to all the wonderous nearby attractions.
Located in the Whitefish Mountain Resort, the famous ski slopes are easily accessible from the lodge, while the world-famous Glacier National Park is only 32 miles away.
With so many great attractions to explore, a comfortable room is essential for an evening of relaxation and recovery. The Kandahar Lodge offers its luxurious amenities in a selection of 7 room types, all accompanied by their own private bathrooms, microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee makers.
Nightly rates start at $174 per night for the Kandahar Lodge’s Deluxe Double Room and Deluxe Queen Room. Also available on site are a selection of loft rooms, kitchenette lofts, executive suites, two-room lodge suites, and the Garret Room, all with varying rates.
5. Hidden Moose Lodge
Tucked away in the woods just north of Whitefish, the Hidden Moose Lodge offers guests an isolated accommodation option free from the crowds and commercialization of the popular tourist community.
While occupying its own little corner of Flathead County, the Hidden Moose maintains its seclusion while remaining conveniently located between popular attractions, including downtown Whitefish, Whitefish Mountain Resort, and Whitefish Lake.
To ensure maximum comfort during their stay, the Hidden Moose offers their guests a full-plated breakfast of sweet or savory dishes or a quick to-go breakfast of muffins, fruit, granola bars, and apple juice. The lodge also provides complimentary beverages, including beer, wine, or soda in the evenings.
Other amenities the lodge provides include a covered outdoor hot tub and fire pit, high-speed internet, a ski shuttle service, and a total of 15 rooms. In each room, guests have a full private bathroom, a private deck or balcony, a mini fridge, and a dining table with chairs.
The Hidden Moose’s Lodge Rooms start at $145 per night and require a minimum two-night stay at the time of booking.
The lodge also offers Deluxe King rooms, a Western Suite, a Garden Suite, and the Big Sky Suite, each designed for two-person occupancy but can accommodate more guests for an additional $15 per person per night.
6. The Garden Wall Inn
Located only one block from downtown Whitefish, The Garden Wall Inn is a chef-owned and operated luxury accommodation servicing Whitefish tourists for over 30 years.
Guests to the Garden Wall Inn start their day off with a gourmet-style breakfast prepared using only locally sourced products from Montana farms. While breakfasts differ every morning, typical meals often include a fruit course, homemade muffins and scones, and an entrée of either huckleberry pear crepes or poached eggs Florentine.
Following breakfast, visitors can venture out for their day’s itinerary before retreating to their distinctly designed rooms featuring period furnishings, luxury linens, and other accommodation essentials.
Alternatively, guests can choose to unwind in the spacious communal living room, complete with a real log fire. Here guests can enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages while enjoying quiet time with a book or playing from a selection of board games.
The Garden Wall Inn offers its luxurious rooms with a selection of either one Queen, one King, or two Twin beds, each with nightly rates ranging from $225 to $425 per night for double occupancy.
The hotel also features a two-bedroom suite for up to four people, with rates ranging from $395 to $525 per night.
Travel Tips for Staying in Whitefish
- When to Visit Whitefish: Nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana, Whitefish is a destination that beckons tourists throughout the year. Its collection of pristine hiking trails and Whitefish Lake make it the ideal location for a summer holiday. At the same time, the nearby ski resorts and winter festivals maintain the region’s appeal throughout the cold season.
- Best Areas to Stay in Whitefish: As a famous tourist town, Whitefish has plenty of hotels and travel services scattered throughout the community. For those that prefer to stay in the heart of the action, downtown Whitefish offers plenty of comfortable accommodations. However, visitors hoping to explore the natural side of Flathead County may prefer to rent one of the luxurious lodges dotting the shores of Whitefish Lake.
- Getting Around Whitefish: The newly branded Mountain Climber service offers public transportation throughout Flathead County. Still, we highly suggest renting a personal vehicle for the freedom to explore the surrounding region in its entirety. Vehicles can be rented in town at either Budget Car Rental or Hertz Car Rental.
- Top Attractions in Whitefish: Along with the community’s historic downtown, Whitefish is a popular destination for its natural attractions and winter sports. Some of the region’s top attractions include the Whitefish Mountain Resort, Glacier National Park, and Whitefish Lake.
Conclusion
Surrounded by natural beauty, pristine skiing spots, and Glacier National Park, Whitefish is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire state. Attracting visitors from across the US and beyond, tourism has become the dominant industry in the region, and several chain accommodations have opened in the area as a result.
Still, while these luxury hotel options offer standard accommodation options, there is no better way to fully immerse in the local traditional culture than by staying at one of the locally owned bed and breakfasts in Whitefish, Montana.
Luckily there are several of these accommodation options present in the town and its surrounding area, each offering its own unique services and amenities that cater to a wide array of travelers.
Since these hotels offer unique experiences, certain bed and breakfasts in Whitefish are better suited for hosting different types of visitors.
So, whether you are looking for the most convenient location for hitting the ski slopes or are seeking isolation in Flathead County’s countryside, these are the best bed and breakfasts in Whitefish for hosting your specific visit to the community.
- Best Bed and Breakfast in Whitefish for Skiing: Located directly on the Whitefish Mountain Resort, the Kandahar Lodge offers the most convenient access to the facilities and is the best bed and breakfast in Whitefish for skiers.
- Best Bed and Breakfast in Whitefish for Couples: With its own romantic private balcony and Jacuzzi tub for enjoying the countryside, the Duck Inn Lodge‘s Honeymoon Suite offers the best bed and breakfast experience in Whitefish for visitors traveling as a couple.
- Best Bed and Breakfast in Whitefish for Families: Featuring two separate bedrooms capable of sleeping up to four people, the Two Bedroom Suite at the Garden Wall Inn offers families the most space and privacy for their stay in Whitefish.