Pros

  • 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
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Cons

  • 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)
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Bottom Line

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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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed

Oyster Hotel Review

Rocket Motel

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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Rocket Motel

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. 

See More Scene

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.

See More Location

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.

See More Rooms

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.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.