211 Mount Rushmore Rd, Custer, South Dakota, United States | (618) 248-8274
Retro-style value motel features stylish '50s decor
On the main street in Custer, 10 minutes from the Crazy Horse Memorial
Clean, pleasant rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves
Free coffee in the lobby
Covered barbecue area for guests' use, as well as an outdoor hot tub
Pet-friendly (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
Bathrooms and showers are small
No breakfast, and no full restaurant
No gym or pool
Some do not like motel-style entry to rooms
Enforced quiet hours (pro for some)
This 27-room, retro-style motel on Custer’s main street is a good value for a central location. The rooms, while small, are clean and have stylish black-and-white decor with original and replica vintage pieces. There’s not much in the way of amenities aside from free coffee in the lobby and a barbecue area, but the property is within walking distance of restaurants and is convenient to national parks and monuments, including the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is 10 minutes away. For something with more amenities, travelers might want to consider the Bavarian Inn, which has indoor and outdoor pools, but accordingly higher rates.
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Scene
Motel property with throwback atmosphere and stylish retro decor
The motel has a 1950s retro theme that’s been styled to a T, from the exterior neon sign to the red, faux rotary-dial phones in the guest rooms. The small reception area is decorated in black and white, with a checkerboard-patterned front desk, white paper lanterns, and small pops of cherry red courtesy of chairs and a wall clock above the reception desk. The bright red accents continue outside where guest room doors are painted the cheery hue, contrasting the white exterior of the low-rise building. A barbecue pavilion covered in rustic wood is a nod to the West. Motel guests are a mix of families, motorcyclists, and hunters.
Location
On Custer’s main strip, close to restaurants and a short drive to parks and monuments
The motel sits on the main street in downtown Custer, within walking distance of restaurants and shops. It’s convenient for visiting nearby attractions, including the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is a 10-minute drive, Jewel Cave National Monument, which is a 20-minute drive, and Mount Rushmore, which is a half-hour away. It’s a 45-minute drive to Custer State Park, while Badlands National Park is an hour and 45 minutes away. Rapid City Regional Airport is about an hour drive.
Rooms
Impeccably clean rooms with microwaves, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs; bathrooms are small
The 27 spotless rooms range from single rooms to family rooms with retro decor that echoes the look of the lobby. The tops of the desks and nightstands have a black-and-white checkerboard pattern with red accents on chairs, clocks, and faux rotary wall phones. Clean bathrooms have black-and-white vanities and floors paired with mint green wall tiles. Bathrooms are small, however, and green-tiled stall showers are a bit narrow. All rooms have wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves. There are enforced quiet hours, though with the parking area right outside, it may be possible to hear drivers pulling up to the motel.
Features
Barbecue pavilion, outdoor hot tub, and free coffee
The motel's amenities are limited to a barbecue pavilion and an outdoor hot tub. Free coffee is available in the reception area, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel allows pets for a small fee.
