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About Bear Mountain Motel
Conveniently located on the main route in the Waterton townsite, Bear Mountain Motel offers a friendly, clean, and affordable place to stay while visiting Waterton Lakes National Park. Following a classic 1960's motel style, Bear Mountain Motel has single rooms, family rooms, kitchenettes and full kitchen suites available. This nostalgic motel is ideal for rejuvenating with some peace and quiet or making new friends while sitting on over-sized wood chairs after an exciting day in Waterton. Family-owned and operated, we have 60+ years of working in, living in and loving Waterton and we're happy to share favourite trails and tales with you!
Amenities
- ผู้ใหญ่เท่านั้น: Yes
- สิ่งอำนวยความสะดวกบาร์บีคิว: Yes
- ศูนย์ธุรกิจที่มีการเข้าถึงอินเทอร์เน็ต: N/A
- พายเรือแคนู (นอกสถานที่): Yes
- การตกปลา: Yes
- ศูนย์ออกกำลังกายพร้อมห้องออกกำลังกาย / ห้องออกกำลังกาย: N/A
- อินเทอร์เน็ตฟรี: Yes
- สระว่ายน้ำในร่ม: Yes
- อินเทอร์เน็ต: Yes
- เฟอร์นิเจอร์กลางแจ้ง: Yes
- อนุญาตให้สัตว์เลี้ยง (เป็นมิตรกับสุนัข / สัตว์เลี้ยง): Yes
- พื้นที่ปิกนิก: Yes
- Wifi สาธารณะ: Yes
- ร้านอาหาร: N/A
- การเล่นสกี: Yes
- สระว่ายน้ำ: N/A
- Wifi: Yes
Features
- เครื่องปรับอากาศ: Yes
- ฟรี Wifi: Yes
- เข้าถึงได้ง่าย: N/A
Room Features
- ทีวีจอแบน: Yes
- ห้องครัวขนาดเล็ก: Yes
- เครื่องครัว: Yes
- ไมโครเวฟ: Yes
- ห้องน้ำส่วนตัว: Yes
- ตู้เย็น: Yes
- บริการห้องพัก: N/A
- เตาตั้งพื้น: Yes
- โทรศัพท์: Yes
- บริการปลุก / นาฬิกาปลุก: Yes
Contact & Hours
208 Mount View Rd, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta T0K 2M0 Canada
Nearby Attractions
Reviews (368)
A memorable experience!
If you harken for the more simple times, check out Bear Mountain Motel. No digital keys to mess with here. The room had everything that we needed. Vic checked us in and made us feel very welcome. Easy loading / unloading access. The motel is conveniently located with easy walking distance the towns attractions. Most importantly, the room was clean and supplied a comfortable bed at the end of the day. A memorable experience for sure!
September Long Weekend
This was our second stay in less than a year at this motel on a motorcycle trip. It was close walking distance to restaurants, beach & shops, room was clean, the room we were in appeared to have an upgraded washroom & shower which was nice. Two bedroom and each room had AC. The gentleman who checked us in was excellent at making sure we knew where to park our bikes, where the coffee etc. was and showed us where the rags and wash buckets to clean the windshields of our bikes. However, he could not stop himself from complaining about our loud pipes as we started up to move to the room. I did offer to go stay elsewhere, which we will next time, and he said oh no that's fine lol! I get it, but good customer service would be him to keep that to himself.
Parfait !
Personnel disponible, très agréable et de bon conseils pour profiter du parc. Chambres très bien équipées et confortables. Salle de bain bien équipée et agréable à utiliser. Literie parfaite, ce qui est très appréciable après une journée de randonnée.
Choose a bigger room than the standard
Great location and great beds but I'm sure we had the smallest room, small shower with leaky faucets, small bathroom. no room for suitcases. I feel the quality of the accommodations provided did not justify the price of $200 I paid. I would choose a bigger room like I saw on their website.
Great place
We stayed here last September and are booked for this September as well. I forgot to write a review. This place is really quaint. It feels like someone's cottage (in a good way). Near downtown, the pier, and Cameron Falls. Coffee, tea and even board games available in the lobby and barbecues available along with utensils. We liked it so much that we booked dates for September 2024 before leaving. The rooms and bathroom are small but functional.
Great place to stay while visiting Waterton Lakes National Park
My husband and I stayed here during our visit to Waterton Lakes National Park. it was conveniently located and easy to find. We stayed in one of the studio rooms and found It a very economical place to stay, nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable. The kitchenette was fairly well stocked in terms of cooking utensils, pots and pans, and dishes. It is within walking distance of some of the park's trails, and everything in town is within walking distance. The motel was full while were there, but it was very quiet and peaceful.
Basic, Clean Offering
This motel is right in the heart of Waterton and in walking distance to most things in town. If you know what you are booking, it is a good value. The motel has very old bones to it. The rooms are small, the walls are all block, and the shower are a metal box. It is not a place where you'd want to spend a lot of time. Despite the old furnishings, the rooms are super clean, staff are friendly, and the drive up parking is always a favorite. If you just need a home base to rest between active days, this is an excellent budget option for Waterton.
We come back year after year and are never disappointed
Once again Bear Mountain Motel gave us exceptional service. It is exactly as they describe on their website, small rooms, old fashioned style yet updated to be very comfortable. We come back year after year and are never disappointed. Thanks to all the staff.
Hotel com boa relação preço / qualidade
O Bear Mountain é um motel " antigo " mas com quantos confortáveis e acolhedores. Tipico motel com bancos e lugar de estacionamento à porta. Não tem pequeno almoço mas na receção tem um excelente chocolate quente, café e chá disponíveis. Watertoon é uma vila pequena mas este motel está bem localizado, 5 min do centro a pé.
Great stay, will return!
We stayed here for 3 nights in September and had a great experience. Their description of the motel is accurate, it's an older motel with dated furnishings and thin walls but the bed was comfortable and the rooms were clean! We stayed in a 2 room with 2 twins beds, tv, mini fridge in the main area and a queen bed in the back bedroom. We had everything we needed, lots of towels, hangers, ice bucket etc. The space was big enough to bring our 2 mountain bikes in and still have enough room to move around freely. Plus we had assigned parking right outside our door. Another perk was coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cold water in the office! We were here for our 25th wedding anniversary and had a very nice surprise waiting for us upon our return from a day of hiking and biking! We enjoyed it in the Adirondack chairs in the front of the motel! Another really nice feature about this motel is the feeling of community within the guests and staff. People were sitting outside theirs rooms in the provided Adirondack chairs and tables enjoying a book or drink with much laughter! The staff were knowledgeable in the trails and helpful in recommending restaurants... which we enjoyed their recommendations! We will definitely stay here again next time we are in Waterton! Thanks Bear Mountain Motel for the great hospitality!
Great location
I stayed for four nights. Would I stay again? Yes! The website sets clear expectations. It's an old facility but they do a good job keeping up the property. The property and rooms are kept very clean. The location is superb for walking to the shops and restaurants as well as to the lake and scenic walks. The chairs outside the rooms are appreciated. Front office staff are low key and pleasant. There are some wildlife photos on the wall that were taken by one of the clerks. I am supremely jealous of his animal sightings! Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available during office hours and were appreciated, as well as the ice machine and microwave. Walls are thin and I had the misfortune of being next door to a family with a young baby that cried periodically through the night, waking me up each time despite the use of ear plugs. I do not blame the hotel, but the guests who shouldn't be traveling with such a young child. Unfortunately, they were there the length of my stay. Adult guests in other rooms were conscientious about quiet hours. There were some lively guests in other rooms but they always quieted down before I went to bed. The one recommendation I have for the property that is easily correctable is to improve the lighting in the rooms. It was very dark in the rooms even with all nights on.
Lovely Waterton Adventure and Crypt Lake Hike
A very comfortable stay in this dated but still very cute motel in central Waterton! Others called it nostalgic and I would agree with this. It does however tick all the boxes, comfortable bed, clean, hot water and amenities that you need. The location is great and the rooms have mountain views which are lovely. I'd stay again for sure, the staff were very warm and welcoming and I like the coffee and tea station setup in the reception desk area. Maybe a little more expensive than I would have liked for the age of the place but I understand that it's a tourist town and has a limited window of sale and revenue opportunities. Great place to stay if you want to explore the town or do any of the amazing local hikes! I'd recommend Crypt Lake ❤ come prepared
Wonderful motel in the heart of Waterton
Excellent little motel right in Waterton Lakes National Park! It has an... interesting... mid-century vibe with cinderblock brick walls painted white, so that might be a bit of an issue if you value a more elegant or rustic aesthetic (or even just an average hotel room) while staying in a national park. But it has a charm, it is an excellent price, the staff is very nice, there's a wide range of complimentary coffee, teas, and hot chocolate in the lobby, and it's just a really nice little place with room to stretch your legs. The only negative we experienced was the narrow parking lot, in which an irrationally massive pick-up parked in the space beside us and another massive pick-up parked behind us, requiring a 5-point turn just to get out of our spot. We actually wait to check out until after that irrationally massive pick-up was gone! Oh, and the only Wifi came from the town's complimentary network, which was spotty. Other than that, it was a wonderful stay and we would likely stay again if we were overnighting in Waterton.
Pet friendly place
This place is great if you bring your dog. They even give us a treat for our dog. Place is accessible to restaurants and lakes. Our is small but it is okay. The only problems we had is poor internet and TV connection.
Bear Mountain Motel great for hikers and their doggos
A charming older motel with great service and super friendly Owners and staff. The rooms are small and basic but more than adequate if you are spending your days outdoors. There is a bit of sound transfer between rooms. This is a truly dog friendly motel!! Dog towels supplied if you and your pooch have been hiking a muddy trail or swimming in the beautiful lake. My dog sheds a lot. The housekeeping staff were very accommodating and ok with that. Highly recommend.
Great place to stay for visiting Waterton Lakes
Bear Mountain Motel is conveniently located in the heart of town, making it very easy to visit Cameron Falls and Bear's Hump trail (a must-do!). Room is spacious and meticulously clean. The owners are very friendly and responsive. Definitely an excellent place to stay and big bang for the buck.
Your Stay at Bear Mountain Motel
This motel has been one of our absolute favourites for many years, with family and friends! Always accommodating, friendly and helpful. Rooms are nice and clean and have all your kitchen needs when renting a suite for cooking your meals and they also have BBQ's to use if you don't want to use the stove 💞 I've always said they have the best coffe on site…thxs to Van Houtte 😏 Always our home away from home❣
No frills but glad we stayed!
My family enjoyed the two night stay here. It is a no frills motel, but the rooms were very clean and beds were comfortable. They offer free coffee and tea. The staff were all so nice and accommodating. Easy walking distance to downtown and lake.
Sweet first time in Waterton
We had a last minute decision to spend the May long weekend in Waterton. Definitely no regrets in choosing this hotel for our first time going there! Even before we arrived, the management listened and made sure all my special requests are fulfilled because we came as a family of 4 with a toddler and a baby. The location is so perfect right on downtown and just steps from the lake, also walkable to Cameron Falls. There is free unlimited coffee, tea and hot chocolate in the reception, as well as free postcards. The motel was simple but they made sure your needs are all addressed. We also woke up to a great view of the mountains everyday. It couldn't get any sweeter! When we've already checked out, management called and texted me to say we've left a shirt in the room and they kept it for us in case we wanted to get it back. All the staff including the owners we've met or emailed with were so nice and accommodating.
Lovely staff
We played bocce beside our motel room! The motel is not first class but comfortable and very homey! The fact that you can sit outside your room on a patio chair and watch the world go by was priceless.
Great places to stay in Waterton!
Always clean and friendly! Very accommodating if you might have a special request. 3 minute walk to townsite and the best coffee ever! Access to BBQ's and no worries if you don't have a BBQ lighter…they are prepared 😏 Family run with family vibes! I don't stay anywhere else now when we go to Waterton and we have gone frequently for 30 years!
Bear Mountain Motel at Waterton National Park
The price is a steal compared to others in town. We stayed in a 2br with full kitchen, dining area, living room and new appliances. The staff were awesome and friendly. The owners went above and beyond resolving our technical issue with the TV. The suites are very clean. I will definitely go stay at this motel again in Waterton. It is so close to all amenities. You can just walk out of your room to go to the marina to go for a boat cruise. Great place to unwind and relax with 2 couples or even a family trip.
Even better than the first time
On our second visit we were appreciative of the kitchen renovations, which provided us with everything we required. Bedrooms are small but well and charmingly outfitted. We were fortunate to have occasion to use the efficient AC although mostly open windows kept us comfortable through a very warm vacation time. The office provided a good selection of complimentary hot and cold beverages, and the friendly and helpful office staff went above and beyond duty, even returning by special post a valuable forgotten article at no charge to me.
Lovely rooms and lovely staff
We needed a dog-friendly room at short notice (our tent collapsed) and Bear Mountain had a suite available - very glad we took it! The suite was cozy and clean, with heating and air conditioning in both bedrooms, and with parking right outside the room and the town and marina only a minute's walk away, very convenient too. The staff were extremely friendly and efficient, and very kind to our two dogs! We will definitely be visiting again next year.
Great Stay
The hotel owners make it very clear the rooms are on the small side and the hotel was built some time ago. However, the rooms, while simple, are meticulously clean and perfectly functional. The staff are all wonderful and the location is excellent, being 2 minutes walk to anything in the townsite. We'll be staying again, not least because it is pet-friendly and good value considering some of the choices nearby.
Loved this hotel!
Our room was simple but clean and comfortable. The staff was amazing - helpful and very friendly. They even loaned us tools when we needed a quick fix. Coffee bar in the office was a great touch. Great location. Would definitely stay here again and recommend to others. Air conditioning was heavenly. Wi-Fi was spotty but we didn't need it much anyway. A great place to stay to visit this beautiful town. Loved the wildlife visiting!
Great spot close to town and the lake!!
I have stayed at this motel multiple times the most recent being August 2022! I love the charm of the old style motel. The rooms are clean and this trip I noticed that fridges have been added to rooms which is a great amenity! The staff are always friendly, and it is great to chat with them when grabbing complimentary tea, coffee, or hot chocolate from the lobby. The complimentary beverages are a nice touch! I love that parking is right outside your door and there are also a few chairs to be able to sit outside and enjoy the mountain views! The bathrooms are small but clean. Sound travels through the walls however this was made clear on the website and did not bother me at all, I found guests to be respectful of the quiet times set out by the staff. The motel is so close to town, only 0.25km from the marina and not much farther to all of the shops and restaurants which is so convenient! Thanks for a great stay, I will be back for sure!
Delightful
A 1970s time capsule room, well-arranged and convenient. A community is formed by the outdoor seating that everyone uses. Friendly and accommodating staff. Terrific location near everything. It's not deluxe, but it's everything I wanted from a little town in a National Park. We were very very happy here.
Really good, but…
We stayed for 2 nights in the " suites with a view ". It was very basic and very clean as advertised. A big plus is the windows opened and had screens!!. The only thing is the bathroom was very tiny, not suitable for big people or folks that aren't very limber
Great location, accommodation and affordability
Rooms were clean, comfortable and simple. The staff friendly and knowledgeable-answered all of our questions and stopped to visit outside with us too! We stayed in room 1, with two bedrooms; the hotel parking is perfect t-right off the street and in front of our room! would stay in this room and this hotel, again!
Home away from home❣
Waterton has very special memories to me and always will. This motel shares many of them with family, friends and my furry family! Great location that's close to the lake and townsite. Bear Mountain Motel is welcoming ☺, clean and the best coffee in town ;) We don't stay anywhere else!
Affordable Park Accommodation
We revisited Bear Mountain Motel and found it to be clean, with comfortable beds and new bedding and towels. The attendants were helpful, and complimentary regular and decaffeinated coffee and hot chocolate were provided.
Great place to stay in Waterton!
The staff at this hotel is wonderful! They will help you in ways other hotels wouldn't. Our stay was great! Bed was extremely comfortable and room extremely clean. Yes, the motel is 1960s in ways, but they have done so many cute things to update, everything exceeded our expectations. It is close to the lake and walking distance to many restaurants.
Great Family Reunion at This Charming Motel
Bear Mountain Motel retains its sixties vibe with individual units, with the service and amenities you enjoy. It has hosted up to 22 people in our family twice, because we all chose to return. I say hosted because the friendly and helpful service extended from the time I booked the rooms, with the owners, to the time we left, we were treated as family. We used the two courtyard BBQs and picnic tables and were offered a serving table as well. The pine chairs in front of each room create a neighborhood atmosphere. The office and housecleaning staff are efficient and personable, and engaged in conversation whenever we met. We appreciated the complementary hot drinks in the lobby. Close to the lake, the main street, other shopping and rental equipment stores, it's a convenient and pleasant place to be.
Exceeded Expectations
Great location, amazing staff and service, and a room that had everything we needed. The kitchen was fully stocked (dishcloth, towels, cutting board, bread knife, wine glasses, you name it) and everything was very clean. It's not super fancy, but very functional! Hooks to hang clothes to dry, a bin of rags for guests to use to wipe down muddy hiking gear etc... the owners have anticipated guests' needs and will help with anything that you might need. Very impressed!
Back in time little gem
Stayed here for 4 nights in a studio. Second visit as we stayed in 2019 too. Yes, it is basic, yes it does look like it's still in the 1960's and yes it is quirky and quaint. But - lovely friendly service, very clean and wonderful location on edge of town. Very good value for money too. We'd book here again if in Waterton.
Great little gem; awesome service!
A group of us recently stayed at Bear Mountain Motel for a hiking trip, and we are so appreciative of them being a part of making it a great trip. They were so helpful in the arrangements prior to arrival, super friendly and helpful while we were there, great location to everything in the village, the facilities provided what we needed to be comfortable (could maybe use some extension cords), plenty of parking, and economical enough for a variety of people. It's lovely to see that that kind of place still exists, with genuine service and great people. Thanks a bunch!
Comfy but.
This is a good, fun place to stay, located within easy walk of town amenities and Cameron Falls. And dog friendly, which is why we chose it. However we did have a couple of issues. Our bed was not only a bit too hard, but also had a bad squeaking sound whenever either of us moved. Also, the bathroom faucet dripped. A bit annoying until we put a washcloth in the sink. Would stay again but not in room 26.
Enjoyed our stay so much!
The rooms were clean and comfortable. small fridge in the rooms. BBQ available. The owners and staff are so very accommodating and friendly! All amenities in a short walk and such a great location, will stay here again next time !!
Great place
Only stayed one night, wish it was more. Went with friends so had the 2 bedroom suite with kitchenette. Very comfortable beds. Lots of room. The coolest retro fridge and stove. Everyone there was so awesomely friendly. So close to everything. Would highly recommend.
Clean, Cozy and very comfortable beds
Have stayed here many times over the years and enjoy it very much----it is VERY clean and the beds are very comfortable--small fridge and microwave in room, friendly, helpful staff--free coffee, tea and post cards in office-- easy walk to the shops and restaurants great for families and I am going back in August
Absolutely perfect place to stay for a family
Our family of 5 stayed in the suite with a kitchen, there were 4 beds which was really fun and comfortable for all of us! Nice size apartment with AMAZING VIEWS from all rooms! It was sooo nice seeing the mountains even while eating and relaxing in the room. The beds were incredibly comfortable too, so we all had great sleeps. So nice to have free coffee, tea and hot choc for the kids -- we took advantage of that for sure. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Walking distance to all the hikes in town, beach and ice cream. Lots of places to sit outside. It was so nice to see folks enjoying time outside. We did not want to leave... can't wait to come again.
Great place to stay!
A quiet place to stay, right in the town. It's just a short walk to the water and the shops. A very relaxing and comfortable stay. The cost per night is very reasonable and the staff are very friendly and kind. Loved that the coffee / tea / hot chocolate was available all day! We will stay again!!
Shared room with a mouse
I stayed in room # 34 with two friends for four nights, and unfortunately we were sharing space with a mouse who got into some of our food. When I mentioned the mouse to the person working in the main office, he didn't seem surprised. Two humane traps were placed in our room but the mouse was wily enough to avoid them during our stay. I was also told there would be a coffee maker in the room when in actuality all there was only a pot with a pour-over topper, i. e, not a coffee maker with an element to keep it hot. There also weren't any filters for said coffee maker. The place was reasonably quiet, though, and the rates were good.
Really enjoyed our stay!
We stayed for 3 nights in their family suite. We absolutely loved it. The beds are extremely comfortable, the views from all the windows are spectacular, and the owners are all very friendly and helpful. It was great having a full kitchen and a separate bedroom for our little guy too. This was our first visit to Waterton, but whenever we return in a year or two we will definitely stay here again. Our in laws also stayed here for 2 nights and also commented on how comfortable their beds were to us. Great value for your money here and amazing scenery all around.
Too bad about the showers
This charming, well run family motel might just have everything you need for a night or two or three in Waterton. Simple but well stocked kitchenettes, comfy clean bed and bedding, decent TV & wifi, outside seating, shared BBQ's, and a " quiet time " rule that starts at 10pm. The only negative I have is the showers. I can deal with a tiny bathroom and just a stall shower, but the shower head was terrible seemingly getting water all over the floor, but not much on you! I also noted what appeared to be black mold on the bathroom walls, not unexpected considering there was no window to open or fan.
Comfy Cozy & Clean
What more can you want if you aren't looking for anything fancy. We stayed in a pet friendly room with our puppy and the room was very clean. The quiet location is a short walk to the shops and restaurants surrounded by mountains. The bed was comfortable. The small kitchenette was nice to have even though we just used the fridge and the dishes. The shower was very small, as was the bathroom, but again for the price of other properties in the area and few allow pets we were extremely pleased with our 2 night stay. We'll be back. Thanks Bear Mountain Motel for making our Waterton visit so enjoyable.
Pleasantly Surprised!
This place is right in the city within walking distance to everything. It's an old establishment, but well kept. The main thing; particularly during this pandemic; is that it's extremely clean. We (4) stayed in the pet friendly studio suite. Although tight, we felt comfortable. Mind you that we were in Waterton to enjoy the outdoors. So much calmer than Banff! If we ever go back, this will be our place of choice!
Come on back to Waterton!
We all have had to make some adjustments in how we are living in this new Covid era. How we take holidays is one of them, not the most serious adjustment by any means, but still one we have had to make. Planning a holiday trip to Waterton Park could have been an " adjustment " or more likely could just have been a trip delayed. At any rate, things opened up here in the middle of June and now seem to be back pretty much in swing. So good! We booked a night at the Bear Mountain just after they had re-opened. We have stayed here numerous times in the past, and we were pleased that we were able to do so again. This establishment is well run and offers you simple, clean rooms at reasonable rates. Actually, everything that you desire, particularly, comfortable beds and a complimentary coffee that you can drink sitting outside your room, enjoying the great views of the mountains! Take note, they are operating within the Alberta Government Covid Guidelines. Of course, the real reason that you are here, is to partake in the wonderful surroundings of Waterton Park. The Covid has kept us at " home ", which all things considering, isn't all that bad. The park, after the " Big Fire ", has changed, but it now offers us scenery of a different nature. Getting used to it, is just a change of expectations. One of the things on our list of changes to see, was the Red Rock Canyon road that had just opened up. Wow, this area was completely devastated by the Kenow Wildfire. Be sure to drive up to the canyon and take the hike up to Blakiston Falls. Things are greening up and the wildflowers look pretty amazing. Oh yeah, and the wildlife is still there. Waterton is still one of our favourite places. Most things are opening up in the townsite, we enjoyed a great breakfast at Trapper's Restaurant. We had great service at reasonable prices and yes, the Alberta Government Covid Guidelines were strictly adhered to. I think everybody is very conscious of how important this is to do! Camping is very limited in the park this year. There is extensive work being done at the Townsite Campground, updating the facilities, etc. and of course Crandall Mountain was completely destroyed by the fire. So, while camping is pretty much out, staying at the Bear Mountain isn't. I hope you are fortunate enough to be able to book a room. Good luck! If not this year, then perhaps next. (Book Early).
A beutiful property lovingly cared for by the young owners
A classic motel, like stepping back in time, a touch of arts & craft, a touch of atomic ranch. Very well maintained, the young (relatively new, local) owners knock themselves out with maintaining it as it was, full marks for that alone. Clean rooms, very pleasant staff who are familiar with every detail of the town & park. Treat yourself, come stay here R Hauer & L. Scott - / July 22-24, 2020
Bear Mountain Motel
Nothing fancy but comfortable, all the necessities, good price, very friendly staff and central to Waterton. This is my 8th stay in the last 10 years and each stay has been great and they also take pets which has been great over the years.
Enjoyed our stay, will definitely stay again on our next trip!
Very clean the room was very comfortable as well. Staff was very friendly! Thoroughly enjoyed our weekend, very lo-key place with a good location. Beds were comfortable and next time will definitely use the BBQ area. Will recommend to my friends and family when they stay in Waterton!
Friendly staff and owner made stay enjoyable
Our first impression was of a well cared for vintage motel in a great location. The room was effcient and clean with local wifi service, adequate TV. Ice was available as well as use of a barbecue and microwave in a common outside area.
Great place to stay
We stayed as a whole family in the family suite upstairs. The staff was very friendly and very accommodating allowing us to have a later check out. Very clean, covid friendly, and would definitely stay again. Beautiful scenery from your window as well!
Vintage motel
Absolutely quaint, clean and wonderful experience with picnic space. Enjoyable experience. We were on a vintage car cruise, motel stuff were super friendly, helpful accommodating. Rooms were super clean, beds were comfortable. Would stay again
3 night stay with no sleep
Myself my wife and 4 other family members booked 3 rooms for a 3 night stay in Waterton. I have to say the rooms were basic but very clean and cosy. Had all the mod cons in there. On our second night there we had an Indian family move in next door to us in room number one and we later found out that one of the ladies staying there was a member of staff. Well what can i say they kept us a wake for 2 nights to the early hours of the morning shouting and screaming and banging doors and being very rude. And to make matters worse the walls were paper thin. I suggest to the owner of this motel that you have paying guests staying at your hotel and they have paid good money to have a bit of piece and quiet more so at night. But apart from all of this going on we had a good stay in Waterton but you need to address this problem
Second stay here and would book again (with conditions)
Waterton holds many great memories for my wife who worked here in her post-high school days. We knew the fire had devastated the area, but the natural beauty will return and we are glad to see nature recovering. The motel is centrally located and we had asked for a quiet room. We got a room on the main street into town, busy during the day but reasonably quiet in the evening. No complaints there but the bed was so squeaky that I am sure the owners had never checked it out by sitting on it. I have been a traveler for 40+ years and never experienced anything worse. Comfort was OK but shifting position at night which I do 3 or 4 times every night was loud enough to waken my wife with unfortunate results. We would stay at the Bear Mountain again but insist on checking out the bed first.
Clean, neat, well-kept rooms and friendly, family hospitality
Bear Mountain is in a great location with easy access to everything you need in Waterton. The staff makes it a most enjoyable experience. The rooms and beds are comfortable. We'll go back anytime we can get to beautiful Waterton.
Great
We enjoyed our stay at this motel. The location was nice, we just walked to town. The staff was very friendly, offered tea and coffee in the office. The room was clean and welcoming. Definitely recommend.
Repeat Visit
Was here in 2014 and returned in 2016. Clean and good value for Waterton. New owners since last visit but same friendly motel. Easy walking distance to downtown. Will stay again on next visit. Ice and microwave outside but easily accessible. Book early as Waterton fills fast in peak season.
Great price for a very pleasant stay
I recently stayed in room 31 which has a kitchenette. Very comfortable bed, more spacious than expected, everything you need plus a view of the lake and Prince of Wales hotel on the hill. Saw mule deer right across the street most of the time. Will definitely stay there again. The staff was friendly and very welcoming.
Exactly As Advertised
We loved this 1950's style motel in Waterton. Exactly as advertised, it is clean, comfortable and inexpensive. No, there isn't any air conditioning, but you don't need it, either. The location is great, the people are friendly and helpful, and the wi-fi is free and works! We only stayed one night on our way to Banff, but discovered that Waterton Lakes National Park is a gem and would have liked to have stayed longer.
Perfect
We always look for the old style motels, this one did not disappoint. Good value in a very expensive town. We stayed 3 nights and enjoyed hanging around. Room 30 faces the street, where you can sit and watch the " action ", with a view of the lake and the Prince of Wales Hotel across it. We especially liked meeting other travellers that were lounging in the outside areas.
Bag a Bargain at the Bear Mountain Motel
We stayed two nights at the Bear Mountain Motel in Waterton while visiting the park in July. While there is nothing luxurious about it, Bear Mountain felt like a rare bargain in the (very expensive) Canadian Rockies. We paid a little over $100 a night for a double room and were very satisfied with what we got for that price. We weren't expecting anything fancy and the motel was actually better than expected for this price in this location. Bear Mountain was a clean and comfortable place to stay. It was conveniently located about a block from the marina and the downtown shops. The hotel is basic, but it covers the basics pretty well. Units are small, but not unbearably so (although our room had a bit more furniture than there was space for.) The desk was large enough to be functional and wifi was available most of the time. The room was very clean and appeared to have been updated recently. There was plenty of hot water (maybe too much) in the miniscule bathroom. There was no air conditioning, but the windows could be opened and fans were available. It was a little noisy one night, when noisy neighbors met limited sound-proofing. Ice wasn't always available, as some guests were filling large coolers. The small office has an array of travel information. The staff is friendly and Barb provided wonderful advice and directions. In addition, complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available during office hours. Those driving large vehicles should be aware that the parking lot is fairly small. While parking spots are clearly designated (along with no-parking areas for backing), a combination of too many large vehicles and a few poorly parked vehicles sometimes made getting in and out tricky even for our sedan. There is street parking available if things feel too tight for your vehicle.
Back to the sixties' in dit schattige motelletje
Bear Mountain Motel is een schattig motelletje waar je je een beetje in de jaren zestig waant. De kamer en badkamer zijn klein en een koffiezetapparaat of föhn moet je hier niet verwachten (er staat nota bene wel een flatscreen tv'tje), maar wat is het knus! Het kacheltje staat aan, het bed is prima en het weinige meubilair lijkt sinds de jaren zestig niet veranderd, met als hoogtepunten de blikkerige douchecabine en het formica eettafeltje dat aan beide zijden kan worden uitgeklapt. Er staan zitjes voor de kamers zodat je ook lekker buiten kunt zitten. Bij de kamers aan de straatkant zie je daar tussen de vakantiehuizen aan de overkant door het meer liggen.
Cute '60's style motel but they could do some things to improve the experience
We stayed for three nights in room # 22 while visiting Waterton National Park and the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. I really wanted to like this motel more than I did... but more about that in a minute. The motel doesn't try to be anything other than what it is. It was built in the 1960's and has stayed true to it's style. Most of the rooms face the inside of a U (and the parking lot), but we were fortunate enough to get a room facing the back with a good view of a mountain (and a big garbage bin). Our room had two twin beds and was pretty small, but it was sufficient. There is a metal desk and a cloth hanging contraption where you can store lightweight articles such as clothes. The bathroom is TINY. There are chairs outside where you can enjoy the evenings after hiking, but we didn't use ours because every night other hotel guests used theirs and there wasn't any privacy. The motel is only about a block from Waterton's small downtown area so location is great. My complaints were that the front door was in desperate need of oiling (every time you opened or closed the door it made a terrible squawk) and the faucets were very old and hard to use. The hot water spigot in the teeny sink was very generous, but you had to crank open the cold faucet all the way to get any cold water. Consequently it was a game of how much hot water you could endure each time you used the sink. The shower head in the shower was awful. Very light pressure and hard to avoid the light spray if you wanted to shave your legs. Word to the wise... be sure to get the temperature right in the shower BEFORE you enter the shower stall or you will be either scalded or stung with icy cold water until you can get it regulated... and the stall is so small you can't avoid the water while you're in the unit. Others have noted the paper thin walls but we didn't have any problems. The beds are comfortable and we had a good night's rest each night, but bathing was a test of endurance. I probably would not stay here again, especially for the price, but it had a bit of 60's charm. Thus the average rating.
Very good value, would stay again
Stayed in the Bear Mountain Motel for two nights in the middle of August for my anniversary trip. Everything else in Waterton was significantly more expensive (almost twice as much), so we booked this motel based mostly on price ($114 / night including all tax). Happily, we ended up having quite a good stay. Room was bigger than expected, with room to walk around. Queen sized bed was a little bit hard for my liking. There was a desk and TV in the room. No mini fridge or anything like that. The bathroom was pretty small but not too cramped. Biggest downside was no AC, only a fan. Keep the blinds closed during the day and that will help a lot. We really liked how each room had a parking stall assigned right in front of their room. Super convenient! There is an ice machine and a BBQ for everyone to use. Also liked how there are two chairs outside of each room, and a few more chairs and rocking chairs at the front of the property. Staff were nice each time we dealt with them (check in and check out as well as when we had questions). Waterton is a tiny town, so every hotel is centrally located. If value is important to you, I highly recommend the Bear Mountain Motel.
Great VALUE!!!
My family of 6 stayed here during our summer vacation from the Dallas area. I have to admit that from the pictures I was a little concerned - we were delightfully surprised. Yes - this is a retro motor inn style hotel. Our room had 2 bedrooms, a huge living room with a pull-out couch, a big kitchen and a full bathroom. The view from our second floor location was amazing. Easy walk to every eating location. Price can't be beat!!!
CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE... BUT NOT QUIET!
This is easily the most affordable, most convenient place to stay right in Waterton. From this hotel, you can walk to anywhere in town in five minutes.. The beds were extremely comfortable and our room (# 2) was just big enough for our family of four to stay comfortably. But there is one big drawback. This hotel is about as far from soundproof as you can get. We could hear every person who slammed a car door, every person who shouted to their friends in the parking lot and everything else that happened within a hundred feet of our room. And the noise started early in the morning ~ about 6:00 AM. Other than that, the place was just fine for our family and I'd stay there again in a minute... but I'd make sure to bring earplugs.
Our Favourite 1960's Style Motel
This is our 4th stay at the Bear Mountain Motel. The motel is cute & clean. The rooms are in good repair. Prices are very reasonable. On all four occasions we have traveled by Motorcycle. The staff have made us more than welcome & even bring out rags for us to clean our bikes! The only downside I found is the wi-fi is very hit & miss. They have complimentary coffee, tea & hot chocolate available in the reception area. Waterton is a lovely town - the views are amazing. There are plenty of places to eat & lots to do. Zum's does an excellent 'Hippy Wrap' This has turned into being one of our favorite places to stay en route to the US.
A very friendly staff
We rated this as overall average only because of the staff and the room was very clean. As for the room itself, we would have to rate it as poor. This motel is rated # 2 of 8 in the Waterton Lakes National Park area on Trip Advisor. It is overrated. As advertised, it is a motel and it is simple and clean and affordable (compared to others in the area). And the staff is very friendly and accommodating. But the room was very small, even for a 60's style motel. There was no place to put anything. The bed was not extremely comfortable and the shower was awful. The shower was a step in 3x3 ft. with metal sides like a tin can and the plumbing was outdated. As mentioned before, the staff was very accommodating. Because of an incoming snow storm, we needed to cancel our second night. Their cancellation policy required that we pay the full amount but they let us cancel with just a portion of that amount. We thank them for that. That said, we would choose to stay somewhere else if we were ever to return to Waterton Lakes NP.
Don't stay here unless you have to - Dingy and beyond basic
Only stay at this motel if you absolutely have to (which we did as everything else was booked and we were further hampered by the presence of our dog). The good points first:- Karen at front desk is a doll and did everything she could to try and make up for the other member of staff who screwed up and booked us in for the wrong month, leaving us with no kitchenette and no second room for the second night (we had booked 2 1 / 2 months ahead). The rooms are very clean and for that we applaud the housecleaning staff and the owner for maintaining this standard. So that was the good stuff. The bad stuff. It is very dated and rough around the edges - the 60's decor really hasn't been updated (and to be fair the Motel makes no claims that it has) but it lacks any charm from being " antiquated ". It just looks tacky and dirty (but I have to stress, it isn't - it is clean!!!!) which isn't the most welcoming feeling. Basic does not cover it! The beds are extremely lumpy and both my husband and I had back-ache in the morning. You are warned when you have checked in (not when you book!!!!! OR on the website!!!!!) that sound-proofing isn't very good. This is an understatement. There is no soundproofing whatsoever. We could hear everything the loud (middle-aged) couple next door were saying, complete with their going out for breakfast at 5am having got in at midnight! Including the belching. Nice!!!! The management did speak to them about it, but they were just as loud if not louder the next night. We have two little kids, who were a joy to have around as they were so tired, as you can imagine - they wouldn't sleep initially because they thought it was dirty and when they went to sleep having been reassured it wasn't (they know their mum is picky about these things), they were then woken up by the inconsiderate guys next door. My parents had to faff around finding another hotel (very happily, there was a cancellation elsewhere after much legwork) as it would have been a nightmare sharing, but the Motel still charged full price - not even a teeny bit of a discount which would have been much appreciated - they were even going to charge for the cots they were going to have to put in our room (but didn't have to) due to their own screw-up!. Perhaps we were just too nice about it, I don't know - next time I'll consider making a loud fuss, but I really feel you shouldn't have to if it's someone else's error. At least Karen was very apologetic when she was trying to sort it out, but the lady on checking out with whom we discussed the additional charge for the cots just didn't seem to have a clue. Really not recommended at all and if you can get in elsewhere, it's well worth paying that bit extra for a good night's sleep and somewhere less dingy. On a brighter note, we loved Waterton Park!
Basic but clean
We spent a couple of nights at Bear Mountain Motel in July. It is an older motel, but spotlessly clean. The rooms are fairly small, and the bathrooms are even smaller. But you are not going to Waterton Park to hang out in your room!! We found the rooms to be fairly quiet. There are no microwaves or fridges in your room. However there is a bbq and a picnic table that guests can use for cooking. Take your meat, etc, with you when you go as the one place in town that sells food is Extremely Expensive. The motel has a huge ice machine in case you have a cooler and there is a microwave for guest use. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available anytime in the office. The location of the motel was wonderful. We were one short street from the boat dock, restaurants, etc. The bed in our room was very comfortable and we had a good night sleep. Even in July, it was cool in the day and cold at night, so the fan in the room was all we needed to be comfortable (we do like a cold room for sleeping). There was heating if you liked a warm room. Deer walked by our room daily. If you are looking for a fancy place, then Bear Mountain is not the place for you. But it was clean, quiet, comfortable and affordable. We would stay there again if we returned to Waterton. The location was terrific!! Just don't expect Wifi in the rooms. You have to sit in the office or outside the office in order to get a signal.
tight, old style
NOT a bad place for the price. This motel is half the cost of others. Old style motel, interior somewhat dated, but impeccably clean with great staff and service. you park vehicle four feet from the door to your room. If you plan on spending your time out and about anyhow, it has all you need, and you pay for nothing extra. Showers and bathroom are extremely tight quarters, but plenty of hot water. 1950's - 60's small tile interior, etc. Seems family owned and staff will try to fill most any request. Could not BE any more friendly. IMPECCABLY clean. because most all rooms OFF street, VERY quiet.
Exactly what we were looking for
This motel was a key part of a week long, mixed-accommodation trip to Waterton Lakes National Park in 2010. Yes, it is a budget motel, but it is clean, and the staff are helpful and friendly. A perfect crash pad after spending any amount of time in the back country. If you are looking for a way to balance your budget during your stay in the Waterton area, this motel will be a valued component to your accommodation options.
Simple with classic charm
If you remember roadside motels from your youth with fondness you will be charmed by this old-school motel. I visited Waterton in mid September with another couple. The Prince of Wales Hotel had just closed for the season and the remaining Waterton properties had limited rooms and were about $100 more per night. This is not our typical style or choice of lodging but after reading reviews and the motel website we decided " what the heck " it is only one night and booked two rooms. The reservation process and replies to questions were prompt and thorough. Check-in was easy and they always have coffee and hot water for tea or hot chocolate available in the very small office. The photos people have posted perfectly capture the motel and rooms. There are very basic but definitely clean (as with most TA followers my most important factor). The room walls are painted brick. There are multiple windows that open and the doors have screens on them so you can leave the wood door open if it were really warm. I was offered ear plugs for possible night time noise reduction and because we had spent the night at the Many Glacier lodge the night before and the person in the neighboring room kept us up with their snoring we accepted. We never needed ear plugs at Bear Mountain. The brick walls kept things nice and quiet so I can only imagine that the noise you would possibly hear would come on warmer nights when you would have all your windows and possibly your door open. We thought the bed was comfortable and slept soundly. There are no special amenities in the bathroom but the towels were thick and fresh and I easily borrowed a blow dryer from the front desk at check in. I would definitely recommend this motel for value and quaintness. Bring a bottle of wine and sit outside your room in the locally made Adirondack chairs, enjoy the view and slip back in time.
Love this place!
This was our second time coming and we loved it both times! They've recently updated and put in air conditioning in the rooms which didn't help us this time, as it wasn't super hot. But in mid August like our first trip, it will be much needed. Yes, it's small. Yes, it's a motel. And yes, my boyfriend and I are pretty easy to please. We LOVE this place. But if you swing more towards downturn service and chocolate covered strawberries, this might not be your cup of tea. It's a perfect location, just steps from the centre of everything, close walk to the waterfall, free coffee and tea whenever, pet friendly rooms. What more could you want? Ah, you could want the bedrooms facing the lake and the main road. The seats outside are perfect for people watching. There are only five rooms on that side but can't help to ask! We'll be back for years to come. Every June is our plan. Can't wait.
decent price, great service, and CLEAN!
We planned to camp in Waterton, however with the temperature dropping below freezing at night we decided to find a motel. It was a decent price compared to all the other motels. Friendly service at the front desk, who gave us great recommendations on places to eat and things to do. The rooms themselves were old fashion, but quaint making it a all around cozy place to stay. And most importantly the place was CLEAN! I would definitely recommend the Bear Mountain Motel, unless you feel like forking out $200+ at a fancy hotel ;)
Friendly, spotless
Planned to stay here just one night but decided on a second so that we could hike to Crypt lake. First room was just across from the lake, morning coffee outside our room, walk everywhere from here. Rooms are just as represented, retro, clean, comfortable, charming. Grill area makes it easy to make a meal. We will definitely return!
Really enjoyable stay
We really enjoyed staying here and would highly recommend it. Over a 25 day touring vacation we stayed in all kinds of hotels and motels and have to say that this was one that was on the basic side. However don't let this put you off in anyway, the room was clean and well equipped and was really good value for money compared to what we had compared it to locally. The room had rustic charm and the staff were really friendly and helpful.
It is what it is
Older motel as advertised- was convenient and quiet. I did sleep well. I think I would have appreciated a new 3x3' shower enclosure and updates plumbing- the metal shower drained very slowly, the shower head was wobbly and we had the feeling the owners are not that up to the expense for plumbing renovations.
Older motel w / lovely staff
This motel is a convenient location and a great price in (ridiculously overpriced) Waterton Lakes. The staff, from when I booked the motel to during our stay, was lovely and friendly. It is what you'd expect from an older motel, so those looking for something modern + fancy will be disappointed; we were not (I'd read the reviews), so it was just fine for us. We stayed in the ground floor two bedroom w / kitchenette unit and that was very useful for our family of four.
Nice clean and affordable motel
I stayed their for a day, however room was clean, spacious, quite. Overall great location- walking distance from waterton lake cruise and restaurant and bars. I loved the stay and we will come next year again to enjoy the beautiful waterton park.
Awesome hotel in a busy town
Booked this hotel WELL in advance, as it was the busiest weekend of the year (Canada day). Rooms were small but cozy. Parking was dedicated for your room. Wifi in the whole town. Free ice came in handy. Hotel is perfect location to walk everywhere. Loved the hotel.
Set your expectations correctly, and have a good time
We arrived late in the day. Waterton was having a late spring in early June and it was cold and overcast. The room was toasty, quiet, and as we read elsewhere, the bed was comfortable. The shower reminded me of a shower stall my grandparents had in their summer house in maryland in the 50's... it worked fine. If you are not a picky person, this is a fine place. Clean and tidy. Did I say the bed was comfy? I couldn't sign on to the internet, but didn't care. Didn't [don't] watch tv... so that should help you understand what kind of people we are. At a time of year when it's light from 5am to 10pm, you should be spending your time outdoors and not in a motel room, so IMO a clean quiet spot to lay your head and wash up is about all that's needed. Bear Mountain fulfilled that fine. While we aren't extravagant [obviously], lodging and food seemed somewhat expensive to us in Canada and we're from Santa Cruz where it's easy to spend $30-40 on lunch. At the same time, while pretty, Canadian money is a little like monopoly money, so I could barely keep from lighting my cigars with it, or at least, dropping a $50 for less than a tank of gas.
Mixed feelings
I have mixed thoughts about this place. On one hand, except for camping, it was the best price for the location in central Waterton. It is within walking distance of the restaurants and shops, the marina, and the waterfall in the park. Parking is free and just outside your door. The receptionist was friendly. It was clean. On the other hand, the room was only okay. The tv was tiny and got 3 channels. The fans weren't big enough to cool the room. The shower is tiny and the curtain doesn't seem to be doing its job of keeping the water in the shower. The bathroom fogged up because you can only open the window so much or people can see in to your bathroom from outside. Maybe this is part of their decision to keep things as original as possible? That being said, I would stay here again if I visited Waterton. There just isn't another mid-priced option available.
You even get earplugs when you check in!
Really, the lady at the check in desk handed me two sets of ear plugs when I checked in! I asked if it was really that bad and she said, " NO, but some people are just so sensitive! " We found it to be very quiet in mid September. The coffee and tea in the office were appreciated. We had a room with a kitchenette and plenty of room for two people. Our room was on the first floor with no one above us and parking was available right outside. The price was reasonable and we enjoyed staying here and plan to return in the future.
Our friends staying at Prince of Wales Hotel offered to trade rooms with us: sight unseen!
Bear Mt. Motel has very small rooms, but they are clean and comfortable. Our room had a small table with 2 chairs, and something we like: reading lamps for both sides of the bed. Across the street, we could see the lake from our bed (Room 32). Staff is very kind and helpful. We also appreciated availability of ice machine, microwave, and fairly decent wifi (spotty, but better than P. O. W. Hotel, apparently). Another nice thing: in the lobby is fresh coffee, hot chocolate or tea, day and night. It's a short walk anywhere in Waterton Township, whether to the marina, the grocery, the beautiful waterfall, or the cafes: also not true at P. O. W. Hotel. The lakeside walk / bike path is just across the street. We recommend this motel to anyone.
Pleasant affordable place to stay
We stayed here for our one night in Waterton. Office staff was friendly and helpful. Rooms were small but clean and adequate. Enjoyed talking to the neighbors. We knew what to expect, as the owners had given us details so we would know it was an older place. Coffee and tea were available in the office in the morning. It was right in town so walking distance to shops and the falls. I would choose to stay there again when in Waterton.
Good value in Waterton
Stayed in a two bedroom motel room with my parents in late June 2015. We have stayed here a few times before and usually always pick it as our choice in Waterton as the price is right. The rooms are small and basic but the beds are comfortable. Bathroom is again basic but I think they have recently had new shower heads installed as the shower was surprisingly good. Friendly service at the front desk. We were there when temperatures were +30C - although there were fans in both bedrooms we struggled to get the rooms at a decent temperature to sleep well. However, to be expected in an older motel.
Terrific Motel! Great Value!
We really enjoyed our stay at Bear Mountain! For the two nights we stayed it was perfect. The room was very clean, the bed was surprisingly comfortable and the shower was better than some in 5 star hotels we've stayed in! The lobby had coffee and hot water available throughout the day and evening along with various teas and hot chocolate. There was a parking stall noted for each room. As well each room had two adirondack like chairs and a table in front of the room. These wooden chairs and table are made close-by in Coleman, AB and are very comfortable. There is a BBQ area at the one end of the parking lots with a couple of picnic tables and lots of extra chairs. This area also had the ice machine and a microwave. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. Our fan wasn't working properly and within minutes one of the housekeeping staff had replaced it. (No AC but it does cool down in the evenings and we found the fan quite adequate). The area around the motel was very quiet at night. All of the restaurants and shops are within a 5-7 minute walk. There are also at least 4-5 hikes you can access from the motel by either walking to the trailhead or by shuttle or boat. The location of the shuttle for Cameron Lake hike is next door to the motel and the boat launch for Crypt Lake hike or Goats Haunt is about one block away. Once you park your vehicle at the motel - you may not need to move it to enjoy this beautiful National Park! This lovely motel will provide an excellent base to explore the Waterton area and is very good value for your money spent!
It's what the website says it is
We recently took our first trip to Montana and Glacier National Park. We stayed at the Historic Tamarack Lodge in Hungry Horse, Mountain Pine Motel in East Glacier, Aspenwood Resort west of Browning, and the Bear Mountain Motel in Waterton, Alberta. Each will be reviewed individually and we chose each place based on reviews from Tripadvisor. Each place was chosen with " economy " in mind, and we looked for places that had positive reviews of management. Bear Mountain is never going to win any awards for " Best Motel ". But it's exactly what the website says it is. It's an older, clean, and economical place to stay. We spent one night in early June for $75 in two queen size beds. We were planning on spending a second night, but the weather was so horrible that we knew we weren't going to be doing any hiking. Your first impression can be deceiving. When you open the door it doesn't look like much. But we really enjoyed the bed and the shower felt like it was giving you a massage. Also, when making arrangements for the stay, Beth was really great to work with and Barb was extremely nice in the office. The bottom line is that we would stay there again. We were there to hike and all we needed was a place to sleep and shower. It was fine. In this town, it's easy to pay two or three times as much for a room.
Outstanding
What a gem in the heart of Waterton. We were met with a smile, all day complimentary hot drinks and an upgrade to a kitchenette for no extra cost. Extremely clean, amazing shower and a great view of the lake - even in the torrential rain. We will definitely be back to this well priced, convenient and friendly motel. You made our stay extra special so thank you. Could not fault a single thing!
WORLDWIDE HOTEL SNOB Cant Help Coming Back to this Motel
I have stayed at other hotels in the Park and this is the best one. You park right in front of your room (super convenient when you have kids and tons of luggage). I love the location across from the lake. Rooms are sparse and small but clean.... very clean. I sleep well here.. so the beds must be decent. The internet is crap here... so don't make this place your stay for a working vacation. I am a hotel snob, but the simplicity of this place a strange kind of allure. Most people abide by the quiet time rules. Showers are small.. very small, but the water is nice and hot. The front desk people... They are sweet, accommodating, friendly... especially Barb. This place represents the best value you can get in the park. I recommend it highly.
comfortable bed, rooms very small
My husband and I stayed here summer " 07. It was basic but comfortable and the least expensive in Waterton. Room was very small with one queen size bed (new) which was very comfortable. There was a small desk with 19inch TV with only about 3 channels. Washroom just has a shower but it works fine. There are a couple lawnchairs outside room with small table. There was no air conditioning, good thing it cooled down at night. The office gave us a fan to stick in the window. We just stayed one night and it was a decent place to sleep.
Completely charming place, perfect for family break
We stayed in one of the two bedroom suites as a family of 4 and this was perfect. Everything is in walking distance in Waterton, and this was seconds away from the beach, right under the Bear's Hump, just the most lovely place for a relaxed week. All the staff were friendly and helpful, the rooms were cleaned regularly and had good supplies for cooking, making coffee etc. Stock up in Pincher Creek as the grocery store prices in Waterton itself are exorbitant, but that's what you pay for convenience.
Fantastic
I Love this motel. This is our second time staying here and we will stay again. The staff were so friendly and attentive. The room was spotless. We stayed in a two room unit with 4 children and 2 adults. Lovely place
Can't 'Bear' this old wreck
smelly, old, stiflingly, small rooms. Places can be cute and full of character but this place is too old- far better to leave it alone, put it out of its misery and go to other hotels for not much more cost. Noisy guests next door- management let them stay. Got free night - that is all its worth.
Not a pleasure stay
We stayed at the motel for one night on our recently trip to USA / Canada. We were traveling from Glacier NP to Lake Louise. It was too much of driving for one day. So we decided to stay a place along the way. We didn't find a lot of options when we were doing our research online. We chose the motel was based on the review and we didn't have very high expectation. The owner was nice and prompt responding to emails. However, the motel was very very old (1960's) and smell. It was depressing and not pleasure at all. The motel was basically shut down during winter, only reopen a few weeks ago before we arrived. I think the smell was from not having anyone occupy the premise for too long. We basically had dinner and went to bed, as we didn't want to stay any longer and wanted to leave as early as possible. We glad we only booked for one night. It was the worst motel we have stayed. Actually while we were there, there were a lot more accommodation options, but just not all of them advertised online.
Fine basic accommodations in Waterton
We drove into town with no reservations and stayed here because it was by far the least expensive place we found. Don't be turned off by the motel's " street appeal " -- our room was clean and comfortable. It's a funny little place, VERY basic -- walls are concrete block, bathrooms are tiny, televisions are antiques -- but the bed was great, the lady at the front desk was lovely, and it was just what we needed for an overnight stay. Other places in town are twice and three times as expensive -- if what you're looking for is a place to get a good night's sleep while you're in this beautiful park and you don't need fancy surroundings, the Bear Mountain is a good choice.
Central, clean, comfortable
i was hoping to find accommodations in a hostel in Waterton Lake, however one of the hotels had booked the hostel for it's staff for the entire summer. The alternative was high priced motels and Inns. I was happy to find a room in The Bear Mountain Motel, as it was one of the lower priced places to stay. My room was clean and comfortable, close to the lake and the village. No need to book accommodations in those high priced Inns. The Bear Mountain Motel is perfect, saves you money for other adventures. I chose to go horseback riding with the money I saved by staying here.
Clean and Quaint
Well priced, clean, cute, compact yet well equipped rooms, reminiscent of a small retro log cabin. Great location. Waterton, itself is breathtaking; much more beautiful that the Kananaskis area, Canmore, Banff, etc.
9 / 10 and 9 / 11 / 12
cute 50's 60's motel - clean small, but all the needed comforts - we found it quite charming with such a friendly staff and the best value in Waterton - great location to the small town we walked to the restaurants and the boat launch for a great trip down the lake - we would stay there again - it is old style but good bed and glad we found it because of the other ratings on trip advisor - like I said rooms small but had little stove and refridgerator and not fancy but fit our needs for 2 nights and we will go back for sure
Repeat customers
Have stayed at Bear Mountain 3 times over the last 4 years and will keep returning to this hotel. There are never any nasty surprises at this hotel. Although the hotel is a bit older, it is always clean and very comfortable, as well as, affordable. Highly recommend this hotel to anyone.
Reasonable motel in Waterton - very close to the boat dock - returned my lost earrings
Waterton is a small town where motel space is at a minimum. This small motel had the most reasonable rates of the others in town. Rooms have Wify with passcode, are very clean, have nice beds and free parking. The office provides free regular brewed coffee and hot chocolate all day. A friend of mine and I stayed two nights and we were able to get a two bedroom " room " which was a very nice upgrade and break from the tent camping we had been doing. The motel is a very short walk to the boat dock to take a boat to the very cool Crypt Lake Hike, or to take a boat to the end of the lake and back to see eagles, bears, etc. A reason I rated this hotel as excellent is because I left behind a pair of earrings. They were at the office when I called, and the motel shipped them back to me back in the states. Hard to find that kind of honesty. I also got two very good nights of sleep there.
Clean, economical, friendly motel
We stayed here in September, 2011 and found the motel to be clean, conveniently located to central Waterton (it's really pretty small), and very economical for an area that is relatively expensive in accomodations. There were 5 deer grazing on the front lawn when we drove in, and even though we were less than 50 feet from them, they paid no attention to us. Deer are also frequently seen strolling through town and grazing on front lawns. Waterton townsite is truly a beautiful location, and the Bear Mountain Motel is definitely our first choice for accomodations.
Clean, quiet, simple accommodations for our family of 4
We are a family of 4 (we have two small boys) and we stayed in Room 35, which had two bedrooms and a third room with a kitchen table and kitchen stuff. It was great for our family. The hotel was very simple, as described online and in the reservation communications, with no frills, but it met our needs. It was quiet, it was located in an excellent spot (we walked everywhere in the Townsite), it was super clean, and it gave us separate sleeping spaces for us and the kids, and a kitchen to prepare meals and reduce trip cost. We would definitely stay here again. Room 35 was up a somewhat steep flight of stairs, so be advised. Also it was very quiet and we had no noise from shared walls; not sure if that's because our neighbors were super quiet, or it the layout was such that our bedrooms didn't adjoin their bedrooms and noise was reduced by design. Either way, it was great.
Great place to stay in Waterton
The Bear Mountain Motel is very clear when booking and on their website that the motel is from the 60's and smaller for today's standards. The rooms are clean, beds are comfy, and the service is great! Sure the rooms are not big, but you should be spending your time outdoors anyways as it's just so beautiful there! Waterton can be quite pricey in the summer so the motel is a great option. They have extra touches like BBQ's and a microwave outside, along with plenty of seating if you want to get together with friends or make new friends in a beautiful setting.
No Surprises
Hotel management does a good advance job of managing people's expectations i. e. keep them low! We would echo most of the positive comments here, although it's not as squeaky clean and beautifully maintained as many suggest. But then these little rooms are probably full every night of the season, and start to look a bit rough around the edges this late in the summer. However, we usually camp in Waterton so it was a treat to stay in town for a change. No question, It's a charming little motel and a very short walk to everything. What this experience really reinforced for us is that Waterton is outrageously expensive. When we camp here we don't have to buy anything, so it was a shock to have to pony up top dollar for pretty ordinary food, lodging and services. Yes, the Bear Mountain Motel is a great price for Waterton but that's more reflective of what a wildly expensive place this is. Back to camping next time i'm afraid!
Wonderful Motel in a Beautiful Place
We stayed in the unit stated as a view room, 2 bedrooms with queen in each + living room + hide a bed, with a full kitchen. The Bear Mountain Motel is of older construction (1960s), and while I cannot say anything about the rest of the motel, the unit we stayed in was very quiet because it was on the second floor, above the lobby, and with the exception of the entry hallway and one bedroom, has no shared walls with the neighbors. While the place is older (which means there are some chips on the bathroom tub), the motel is in good shape. We appreciated the extra space we had for our famliy - the living room was great with a wonderful view, appreciated the full kitchen and dining area, and the bedrooms provided us what we needed for a family of five. Coming to Waterton in early June, the place was very empty as well, and since the motel is close to the center of town, everything in town is walking distance.
Favourite
We've been staying there for the last twenty years. A great location in a wonderful National Park. The current owners have done a great job with very good beds, nice quilts. Excellent value and very friendly staff. The park is spectacular and although quite busy in summer is a great place to be in September. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are all available in the office all day long and are all very good
Small but very clean
This motel is the most inexpensive in the area. Nothing fancy, but very clean, friendly, and comfortable. The rooms are small, so if you want a big trendy place, don't stay here. The owner and staff couldn't be friendlier or more helpful. It is walking distance to town and the lake. We also saw deer, elk, and a bear in town. It is pet friendly.
1960s Motel, Lots of Character and plenty of characters! Great Views outside your door
We loved it. Tiny room in a 1960s motel. Clean sheets and towels with friendly cleaning service daily. Fresh coffee awaits in the office around the clock. And it's pretty decent coffee for " Canadian Drip " coffee. Add enough Bailey's and you'll be right! The views outside the door of your room can't be beat. The Canadian Rockies. Great place to sit and soak up the sunshine after a day of hiking the mountain trails. Nice Adirondak chairs provided to sit in the sun or shade depending on your liking. Barbeques available for use if you like. Ice available to cool your drinks. Very friendly staff all around and the front desk team were wonderful. Great rates (book ahead, the place sells out!) We loved it and would do it again.
Terrific value and Great Memories of the 60's
I found this unique Motel by checking out the places to stay in Waterton on Trip Advisor, As they claim this is truly a " Throw Back " motel from the 60's. However it is a wonderful trip back to the old days because of the exquisite condition of the grounds and the wonderful cleanliness of each unit. This was a pleasure to experience the best of the 60's in the 21st Century. We had a 2 B / R suite which includes a restored bathroom and a kitchenette. We also had a newer type of TV with cable support for a number of channels. Each unit has two comfortable outdoor chairs right outside your unit. Each evening and on most days a number of the people sit out on the chairs and it resembles a neighborhood that talks and laughs with each other, The office staff are very friendly and willing to provide any support you may need. We had a telephone call from our daughter in the states which was important and she called directly to the office. We were out touring so the office wrote a note and put it on our unit door and suggested that we call our daughter back from the office phone. Our cell phone did not have US call support so this was a terrific assistance in that moment. Naomi was one one of the office staff and she and the many others were always right there with an answer if you had a problem. The Motel is right in the middle of Waterton so if you want to just park your car and walk to the stores and attractions you can do it easily. I understand that compared to the other Hotels in Waterton the Bear Mountain Motel is less expensive. My wife and I were about to leave and travel to other destinations in our car and I mentioned to Naomi that we could use a styrofoam cooler to keep some of our food cold on the upcoming drive. Without any hesitation, she went into the back room and offered us a cooler which was left by a past customer. This is the kind of welcoming attitude that the entire staff has at Bear Mountain. By the way, the Motel is right close to the real Bear Mountain and you can watch climbers and other people right on the side and top of the mountain right from your chair outside the unit. The inside of the unit was just beautiful. Everything was pretty much restored and appeared to be in classic condition..... and everything worked wonderfully. Since the architecture of the Motel is similar to a set of " Row Houses " in a close neighborhood you need to be aware that the sounds of people talking and moving around can be heard from inside of your unit. Otherwise this review would have been a " Five Star Plus ". There is a spot for parking your car right outside the unit. The walk from the car to the unit is about 10 feet. Great for convenience and unloading your luggage from the car to your unit. Each space has your unit number on it so you have that unit all the time you are at the Motel. No looking for a parking place. The office also has fresh coffee and hot chocolate and steamed water available all the time. Always fresh and no charge. Last but not least is the presence of a classic " Screen Door " on each front door. Fresh air and no pesty fly or bugs ever in your unit. My wife and I stayed at Bear Mountain for four nights and enjoyed every day and night. It was a truly refreshing experience and we will highly recommend this unique Motel to all of our friends that are planning to visit the Waterton Lakes National Park.
Overpriced and no breakfast included
we were there mid August, and the rate for the room reflected that. We travelled for ten days thru Montana and Canada, and this was the only hotel that did NOT offer breakfast. Just coffee or tea. You would think that after paying more than $150 for a tiny room in a hotel that was built in the 1950's that they could at least offer continental breakfast.. Restaurants in area are expensive, (although the owner gave us two names of places we could go to that he said were inexpensive. When we looked into both of them, they were NOT inexpensive, but actually rather expensive for breakfast ($20 each) We just wanted a nice coffee shop but it does not seem to exist in Wateron. We ended up buying banana bread and yogurt from the market, and having that with tea in the morning. Construction going on near backside of hotel and that is where our room was. Room small and cramped. Wi-Fi did not work the entire time we were there, from about 3 p. m. on the first day until we left at 10 a. m. the next day. We would never go back here again.
A pleasant surprise
Wow, what a nice surprise. It was exactly what the owners and the ads say it is, an older type motel with brick walls on all sides of the room. I stayed in a small king with a kitchen type as part of the room. The bathroom is small with an old type metal shower..... But the entire room is clean and the staff more then welcoming. I stayed three nights and was able to make the room my home. The WiFi is intermittent but you are in Waterton for more then the internet. Able to sit outside the room and view across the lake [one block away] as well as watch most of the folks on the main street. Interesting that it is on the main road in and out of Waterton town site and quite busy during the day. But in true Waterton style the town quiets down around 10 pm and the nights are overly calm and quiet. Like sleeping by yourself in the forest with only birds to serenade you. Like this until 8am or so, Unbelievable Would definitely stay here again.
Worth staying
Stayed here 2 nights in mid june 2013. Skip all the overpriced places in town and stay here! Great location, very clean, great staff and good value. Rooms and older but sill super cozy. Would recommend to anyone traveling to waterton.
A Waterton Experience not to be missed
The best part is the culture of the place. From the owner to the other guests there is this understanding that you are in one of the most scenic places in the world, that the township isn't that big and that you should simply sit in those little lounge chairs in front of your room and gaze at the mountains or that incredible glacially-colored lake. I've never been to a motel like this where everyone just chills on the front porch. Free coffee available from morning to night. Take your morning constitution with your mug of coffee and walk the flat 1 / 8 of a mile to Wieners of Waterton when they open at 8am and buy the Cinnamon Knots. Bliss. Yes, it's an old, cinderblock motel with a smallish bathroom, but it is clean and well maintained. The owners disclose all the deficiencies on their website and have you sign a document that you understand the limitations at time of check in. If you don't take the time to read this stuff, it's your own fault. Besides, try to find any motel with a private bath in the middle of summer in Waterton for the price they charge! Note, the internet only really worked when you stood near the front desk, but they have chairs for you to sit in.
Quaint and close to everything
Charming hotel in the middle of Waterton Village. Decent bed, shower in a compact setting. Great for a long weekend. TVs are in room, but old style with turning knob to change stations. We thought it was great b / c it was a little like stepping back in time. Anyway, helpful and friendly staff, clean and quaint rooms, and within walking distance of everything. We enjoyed our stay very much.