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Because I–80 traverses this region, there are countless chain motels, but many other interesting accommodations are available. Southern Wyoming has a large number of independent lodging properties ranging from bed-and-breakfasts to lodges to historic hotels. Dude ranches are a unique lodging experience that let you sample a taste of wrangling life, and you can even stay in a remote mountain cabin in the heart of the national forest.
Big, no-frills rooms are well-kept, and there's an adjacent restaurant ($$) and full bar. The menu is full-on cowboy, with burgers, hand-cut fries, and chicken-fried steaks. Located right on the highway in the center of town, this is a convenient, friendly place to lay your head after a long drive.
With its stunning lobby, this downtown landmark was built to be the height of elegance in 1911 and still oozes historic character even though it's no longer a top choice for people seeking a modern, trendy atmosphere. In its day, the hotel hosted several presidents (and presidents to be); since then, it's been worn a bit by the years. See if you can get a tour of Room 444, where long ago a young bride named Rosie killed her new husband and the prostitute he'd just met, before turning the gun on herself (you can still see the bullet holes in the window). Legend has it, you can also sometimes still spot Rosie roaming the halls.
This downtown 1893 hotel on the National Register of Historic Places is well-maintained by its proud owners, who have decorated each room differently, always maintaining the hotel's original simple Victorian charm. Note that all guest rooms are on the second and third floors, and there is no elevator. Also, some of the rooms are small, though the prices shrink with the sizes of the rooms. The fine restaurant ($$), bar, and lounge also have Victorian furnishings, including dark-green wallpaper, antique oak tables, crystal chandeliers, and lacy drapes. Prime rib and steaks are the specialties, and seafood and lamb are also on the menu. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended.
This one-stop facility stands alone in the Red Desert, and its large, comfortable rooms can be a real haven if the weather becomes inclement. The hotel, founded in 1934, is the original of the small chain. A full-service fuel station, convenience store, and a grill are also on the premises. There's also a dump station for RVs.
When you stay here, you'll likely meet the "Mad Carpenter" himself, Lawrence Thomas, who lovingly restored this historic home with the help of his wife, Danny Rue, whose fabulous homemade granola is available every morning with breakfast. There are two guest rooms in the main house, each individually decorated (note that only one has a private bath). For a bit more money, you can rent "The Dollhouse," a separate cottage behind the main home that has its own deck, kitchenette, and jetted tub. Two other guesthouses suitable for larger groups are nearby but don't include breakfast.
With its mountain views and classy cowboy vibe, this small-town log hotel makes for a comfortable escape from city life. Guest rooms are rustic yet modern, decorated with log furniture, and each featuring a satellite TV, a desk, and a mini-refrigerator. Walking into the steak house ($$$, open seasonally), with its woodstove and ranch decorations, is like stepping into the Old West. The Old Corral's gift shop is extensive, with many items produced right there in Centennial.
On busy Grand Avenue, this is a good budget option close to restaurants and fast-food chains, as well as War Memorial Stadium at the University of Wyoming. The simple, welcoming rooms are decorated in shades of gold.
Inspired by the Owen Wister novel The Virginian, this sandstone hotel was built in 1909 and has been operating nearly continuously ever since; it's historic but pretty bare-bones and has no Web presence. Claw-foot tubs, tulip-shaped lights, and brass beds with comforters fill the Victorian-style rooms. The rooms in the main hotel don't have TVs, phones, or radios (most don't even have electrical outlets), but the atmosphere more than makes up for the lack of amenities. In the main hotel only the suites have private bathrooms; rooms in the Bunkhouse Motel annex have TVs, bathrooms, fridges, and microwaves. Those amenities can also be found in the Virginian's cabins, as well as its Scott Street Addition, located in an old bank the owners have renovated. The dining room ($$–$$$), with antique oak furniture and 19th-century photographs, is a big draw. For lunch and dinner it serves American fare such as steaks, hamburgers, chicken-fried steak. For breakfast, people come for the plate-size pancakes, omelets, and other staples.
