23 Best Hotels in Cheyenne, Laramie, and Southern Wyoming, Wyoming

One of the best-regarded guest ranches in the country, this luxury getaway is also a working ranch on 30,000 acres of pristine, remote land with three distinct lodging options, usually with a minimum-stay requirement. There are actually several different lodging options at Brush Creek, including The Lodge and Spa, which has lodge rooms and cabins of various sizes. Magee Homestead features restored, historic cabins, some with a fireplace and a deck looking out to the creek. No matter where you stay here, however, the rooms are all infused with a high-end, old-world flavor, and filled with Western art and furniture. There are plenty of activities and adventures available for guests, many included in the price of the stay, and the sprawling ranch has a distillery, bakery, brewery, greenhouse, and creamery on-site.

With leather couches in the common areas, pole-frame beds, and Western art, this small-town inn is as nice as any place in Wyoming. Some rooms are in the main lodge, which has a double fireplace lounge that opens both to the central sitting room and the back porch; other rooms are in separate buildings surrounding a large expanse of lawn and a hot-mineral-water swimming pool. There are five outdoor hot tubs filled with mineral water, four of them covered with tepees, a 9-hole public golf course, and tennis courts. There are two restaurants, a brewery, and a beer garden on-site. The Snowy Mountain Pub ($$) serves burgers, pizza, and tacos alongside the spot's own beer. The Silver Saddle Restaurant ($$$) is geared toward groups, private events, and special holiday meals.

Beside the Encampment River, this massive log structure has walls of lichen-covered rocks and large windows overlooking the water and surrounding scenery. Stained glass and Western artwork—most of it by owner R.G. Finney, who is known for his wildlife bronzes and paintings—fill the lodge. His wife, Lynn, who serves the full breakfast, is a Senior Olympic gold medalist in cycling and a native of the area. She can direct you to the best cycling routes and cross-country-skiing trails. The lodge has about a half-mile of private-access fishing on the Encampment River, and each room has a private entrance off a deck overlooking the river. The three-bedroom guesthouse has a full kitchen and private access, as well as river frontage. Some units have TVs and full kitchens.

The rooms in this pleasant hotel have a classic elegance to them, as well as a lot of practicality—all with a microwave, fridge, and desk. The lobby has an upscale, rustic look, with one wall made entirely out of old snow fencing. There are plenty of nice extras here, including a pool and hot tub, workout room, cocktail lounge, and a free hot breakfast.

Right off the interstate east of town, this reliable lodging option has all the amenities you'd hope for in a clean and modern hotel, including a pool, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast buffet. It's especially convenient for travelers passing through and or attending a convention or other large gathering at the Event Center at Archer facility, located just 3 miles away.

In the quiet little hamlet of Riverside (immediately northeast of Encampment), just across the street from the town park, these cabins have wood furniture, country quilts, outdoor grills, picnic tables, and full kitchens. The cabins are all different sizes and are a big hit with groups, especially families, hunters, and hikers. All cabins are dog-friendly with a fee of $40 per dog.

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.

The nicest (and newest) hotel in town offers rooms that are tastefully decorated with warm walls and dark carpeting, each with a microwave and refrigerator. The lobby is modern and quirky with brightly colored furniture, and the relaxing pool and hot tub room features a wall of windows. The free hot breakfast buffet is a nice perk.

Underneath towering rock formations, this modern hotel has comfortable rooms with a few fun cowboy touches, including rustic headboards and swivel chairs covered in faux cowhide. Other guest room amenities include microwaves, desks, and refrigerators. The hot tub and pool are inviting and sparkling clean.

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.

The guest rooms in this all-suites hotel are infused with modern comfort and are especially geared toward longer stays, each with a good-size, fully stocked kitchen, desk, and pull-out couch. The spacious lounge has tons of light and high ceilings, and it's right next to the area where a hot, complimentary breakfast is served every morning. The pool and hot tub area is large and sparkling clean, as is the workout room. There are four tiers of rates, with nightly prices going down the longer you stay.

This family-operated guest ranch along the Little Laramie River offers all-inclusive summer lodging in individual cabins that exude rustic luxury; winter accommodations are in the equally charming lodge suites, with breakfast-only included (at much cheaper rates). The ranch builds its summer activity program around horseback riding and also offers fishing, hiking, river tubing, mountain biking, and trap shooting. From May through October there is a three-night minimum, and rates are all-inclusive, except on Saturday, when a one-night bed-and-breakfast is offered. The rest of the year, there is no minimum, and only the cheaper B&B option is available. B&B guests, and those not staying at the ranch, may eat in the dining room by reservation only.

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.