The Rushmore Hotel & Suites

This downtown hotel has a couple of different personalities, though all are pleasant. While rooms here are funky and trendy, the exterior looks like any other hotel in the Midwest, and the bright, high-ceilinged lobby is traditional, with tile in-lay floors, pale yellow antiqued walls, and lots of wood paneling. A hand-painted mural behind the front desk adds a contemporary edge, and hints at the style in the guest rooms. The hallways have some artsy touches as well, including a Declaration of Independence mural by the elevators. Despite being right downtown and having generally limited facilities, the hotel does have a few places for guests to unwind or meet up, including Enigma Restaurant, which has diner-style booths and black tablecloths with an industrial-looking black-metal ceiling that gives it a modern touch. There's also a traditional pub-style bar and outdoor terrace. Owing its prime location, the hotel draws both tourist and business travelers, and groups tours often make a stop here for a night or two.

The hotel sits on a major intersection in the heart of Rapid City, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and bars. Art Alley -- a photo-worthy downtown destination that's lined with street art and graffiti -- is just three minutes away on foot.  Main Street Square, a local hotspot with cafes and local boutique shopping, is only five minutes away on foot, while popular Kathmandu restaurant sits kitty-corner from the hotel. It’s a 10-minute walk, or a two-minute drive, to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, the city’s convention center. There's plenty of green space lining Rapid Creek, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Mount Rushmore is a 35-minute drive, while Badlands National park is just under an hour away by car. Rapid City Regional Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and the hotel offers a free shuttle service with advanced booking.

The hotel’s 177 rooms have funky, modern decor that differs from room to room and is inspired by the surrounding area. An overall gray, black, and cream color palette includes touches like Mount Rushmore mural accent walls and buffalo heads painted on reclaimed wood panels, though there are rooms with more subdued decor as well. The look is an upbeat blend of Western motifs and urban-chic sensibilities, with bright pops of color provided by wall art and textiles. Beds are made with white duvets and have simple wood veneer or padded headboards. Bathrooms have modern sliding glass doors, and curtained shower/tub combos with mosaic tile accents in some rooms. Most are decked in neutral tones, with handsome and spacious marble vanities, though some rooms we visited had bright red lacquer vanities -- again, the funkiness factor varies from room to room. Eco-friendly toiletries come standard, some in likewise eco-friendly pump dispensers, and extras like small potted rosemary plants were a nice touch in some bathrooms. Standard features include desks, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, while Signature Suites have kitchenettes with sinks, mini-fridges, and separate dining areas. Light sleepers should request rooms that don't face the train tracks, though rooms may pick up noise from the busy intersection out front as well.

A full buffet breakfast includes hot items such as eggs, bacon, and French toast, and is included in the room rate. The on-site Enigma Restaurant serves an a la carte breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner, and has a bar menu with appetizers. The 445 Martini Lounge serves cocktails. Room service is available, but many guests have noted that prices at the restaurant can be high. Other than dining, there aren't too many facilities on-site. The gift shop sells wines and souvenirs, and coin-operated laundry machines are available, though the hotel offers laundry and dry cleaning during the week for a fee. There is also a small fitness room with cardio equipment and a limited selection of free weights. A 4,790-square-foot ballroom can be divided into four separate spaces. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and small pets are allowed for a small cleaning fee. The hotel runs a free shuttle to the airport, but reservations are required.