The Thunderbird Motel is located two blocks from I-90 at exit 105. The closest motel to the University of Montana. Just a ten minute walk to the Adams Center! There is an indoor heated pool and hot tub for the enjoyment of guests with a sun deck that over looks the beautiful clark fork river. All units include a microwave and fridge. FREE continental breakfast and FREE Wi-Fi. Ask about our 2 person Jacuzzi Suites!
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HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Languages Spoken
English
Location
1009 E Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59802-4911
Thunderbird Motel
56 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
I wouldn't have tried it except for positive review elsewhere. VERY clean, roomy, and good condition in a good location. Stayed twice in one week, different rooms. Continental breakfast. Provided only one hand towel, but readily supplied a second when requested. One hand towel is out of character for the rest of the motel experience.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed 10 days at the Thunderbird in November -- my first impression was that the room stinks and is run down. Pretty much my final impression was that the room stinks and is run down. Bedding and towels were clean. Nice inclusion is the fridge and microwave. Breakfast is minimal but OK. I did like the view down the strip from the room (2nd floor), and the Thunderbird sign is great. The hotel is close to the rail tracks so the (considerable) noise from the coal trains around 1-3 am (whistle blasts, shunting, etc) is loud. Not the hotel's fault, but can ruin your sleep. I don't think I will stay there again.
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Date of stay: November 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:2nd floor away from the street may be quieter
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My friends and I were coming to town for a concert at the Wilma. Most of us travel for our jobs and really get tired of the Corporate Hotels and feeling like a number when there are 200 guest rooms. Upon arrival I was a little apprehensive, I am just not used to staying in older Hotels, let alone a Motel. The Front Desk check in was easy. Michelle was a pleasant young woman (possibly an owner) who checked us in without problem. Here is where experience depends upon your expectations. There are really two different buildings. The original building was built in 1936. The owners 2nd floor residence was removed and 6 newer, oversized and updated rooms were added. Two of these rooms have nearly new, white Jacuzzi brand hot tubs that seat 3 to 4 people. WOW! There is not comparison. When I want the "Old West" Feeling and a more affordable room I know what building to stay in. If I am celebrating an Anniversary, Bday or friends night out, the Thunderbird has is. Step back in time, clean, nearest hotel to U of M, bars, restaurants and Albertsons. Owner Thelma Baker will see us again!
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Date of stay: November 2016
Value
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:I like having options! "The newer rooms have city views or mountain views."
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polite helpful staff. Hot showers. Heaters work. Key card, key reader problems. Your door key can not go near anything, it must have it's own pocket or space away from everything or anything that isn't wood/paper based. Internet is not fast enough to check email.
So noisy. Much Loud.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:The higher your room number, the better off you are.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow what a life saver this place was , everything in town was booked up and we snagged the last room at 2am during an emergency car situation .(we hit a deer 20 km out of town) The owner and staff made it easy feeling and personal , we can't say enough about understanding and helpful staff after a traumatic deer encounter . Life savors! Location is great next to a rays food store and cute coffee shop ,also good walking distance from the river. We loved the place looks it feels like an American classic hotel still keeping It real 🙏
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Out of sheer desperation to find a room for the night, my daughter and I came upon the Thunderbird Motel. The only room available was a "suite". The price was very reasonable so we went for it. The room was ok. Old & outdated but we're not picky. There was a coffee maker but no coffee or cups. Desk clerk was very nice & provided these things. Coffee was very good. Refrigerator & microwave in room. Staff was very nice. Most of the guests looked like they were on meth. It was a little scary. A homeless guy went into the pool area for a bit. They don't lock it. Parking area leaves much to be desired. Very narrow. Angle parking. You have to back all the way out. Probably the worst part was the train horns ALL NIGHT LONG! Unless you're a heavy sleeper or wear ear plugs, you're not going to sleep well. There was cable TV on old box type TV. Haven't seen one of those for a while! On the plus side, it's right next door to a grocery store, a bar & restaurant as well as a convenience store. Probably would not stay here again though.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am very pleased with service provided. The location, pool, hottub and most importantly the staff are truly amazing. What a wonderful relaxing experience. I look forward to staying again here soon when I come back to Missoula!
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I checked in to the Thunderbird after a 14 hour drive. The attendent gave me a king pillow top bed. I went to the room and got ready to sleep, when I noticed 2 room keys on the table ( mine was in my pocket ) I thought it was odd but in my sleepy stuper I rationalized it was a pool key. I went to sleep for the night. Bed was great. When I woke up refreshed the next day, I started to realize how unclean the room was. I found a weird amount of black hair in the tub, coffee stains ( like someone had poured out thier coffee) in the sink, garbage in the trash cans and a used shower cap on the back of the door! This room had not been cleaned from the last guest who stayed there YUCK! I was appauled...I have never been so dicusted! I packed my bag and headed to the office. I told them what happened and the lady looked at me and stated as if I were a child..."you should have complained last night other is nothing I can do for you now. I told her that I I wasn't necessarily looking for compensation just thought she should know...she again told me there wasn't one thing she could do because I didn't give my complaint in time. PLEASE ...I know credit cad machines can give credits...with out a daught the sickest worst experience in a hotel ever! Don't stay here!
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Date of stay: May 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I love this place, we stay there often. I love how you are left alone. The parking isn't the best but that really doesn't matter. I love the hot tub rooms. The privacy here is priceless. They make you feel special. However don't expect them to answer their phone they are bad that way.
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Date of stay: September 2016
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was the most disgusting hotel I have ever seen, and I've worked as a housekeeper at multiple places. Me and my fiance had just finished a week long camping trip in Yellowstone National Park and had left a day early to road trip back to Canada. It was late, we were exhausted and we wanted a bed to sleep on. We stopped at the closest place in Missoula we found. It had curb appeal. The sign outside brought us there. As well as the jacuzzi option. The night staff (it was around 12am) was friendly and quick to get us into a room which we were great full for. We upgraded from a standard room to the jacuzzi, knowing how filthy we were after camping. We entered the room, unloaded our stuff and sat back and enjoyed a couple drinks together at the table. We then decided to have a bath together. The jacuzzi was right in the bedroom and not in a seperation section. It was filthy! I am not eggaerating.. there was public hairs, long straight hairs, dirt and dead bugs in the tub. Fine, I'm a housekeeper I've dealt with it before. I cleaned it out myself, while also noticing the multiple gross hand prints on the mirrors surrounding the tub. "How could a housekeeper miss this?" I thought. I understand it's the US but come on!
Whatever we bathed and went to sleep. Or I tried to sleep all night. My fiance was out like a light. I ended up grabbing my own sleeping bag and pillows to use instead of their itchy, uncomfortable pillows and blankets. I swear the ground was more comfortable then that bed. He had driven our entire trip and was dead. I didn't want to wake him up so I tossed and turned and longed for my nap tomorrow on our continued 6 hour trip home.
The next morning we woke up somewhat early and headed out. We told front desk about our horrible night and the lack of cleanliness in the room. We actslly had just walked into a convo with another guest complaining about the exact same thing as well. We were both told management doesn't really care and won't discount anything but she aplogized and said she would pass it along to her.
I later called the motel directly and spoke to the manager herself. She asked for the full details, and I sent her a very descriptive email as well. She stated they used allergenic soap or something and that we shouldn't have been itchy at all. I have worked front desk before, and she was very rude to me during our conversation. I didn't want to speak to her anymore and requested an email back at least. It's been a good 6 months later and I am still waiting for that email. I've called multiple times since then, of course when she is not there. I paid good money (Canadian dollars) for a room I detested.
Don't waste your money folks. Drive just a little bit further and you will have a better experience and sleep than I did. Waste of time, money, and effort.
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Date of stay: June 2015Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Missoula area.
PRICE RANGE
$67 - $67 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
thunderbird hotel missoula
LOCATION
United StatesMontanaMissoula
NUMBER OF ROOMS
31
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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