Many Glacier Hotel: Montana's Swiss-Style Mountain Retreat

Many Glacier Hotel sits on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park's northeastern corner, a five-story structure with brown wood siding and Swiss chalet flourishes that has been welcoming visitors since 1915.

When a forest fire roared down the mountain in 1936, employees fought flaming debris with fire hoses while the manager telegrammed headquarters in triumph: "WE HAVE SAVED THE HOTEL!" The one-word reply came back: "WHY?" It's the kind of colorful history that fills every corner of this National Historic Landmark, from the lobby where a one-armed storyteller once held court to the dining room that once displayed Blackfeet pictographs telling tales of warriors named Shorty Black Bear and Stingy.

Location

The hotel occupies what locals call the "Switzerland of North America," and it's not hard to see why. Grinnell Point rises across the lake in an almost perfect pyramid, while Mount Gould and Mount Wilbur frame either side of the valley in near-symmetrical formation. The Garden Wall and Pinnacle Wall balance each other out, creating a panorama that few places can match. The hotel perches on a rocky ledge directly on the lakeshore, surrounded by towering alpine peaks and hanging glaciers.

The location puts you within striking distance of some of the park's best hiking. More practically, staying inside the park means you're not burning hours driving from gateway towns – a significant consideration given that Glacier requires multiple days to explore properly.

History

Construction began in 1914 when Great Northern Railway president Louis W. Hill decided to market Glacier National Park as the "American Alps" under a "See America First" campaign aimed at wealthy Americans who typically vacationed in Europe. A crew of craftsmen endured Montana winter temperatures below zero to complete what was then the state's largest hotel by July 4, 1915. Most of the timber came from nearby forests and was milled at a sawmill on Swiftcurrent Lake's shores.

The hotel has weathered dramatic moments. In August 1936, a forest fire roared down from Swiftcurrent Pass, destroying several nearby chalets. Employees armed with fire hoses fought flaming pine knots that flew across the lake and struck the building. They saved it, prompting manager Omar Ellis to telegraph headquarters: "WE HAVE SAVED THE HOTEL!" The response was terse: "WHY?" The railway was losing money on its park hotels by then.

Great Northern sold the property in 1960 after extensive renovations. Today it's operated by Xanterra and designated a National Historic Landmark.

Architecture

The building stretches along the lakeshore as a series of connected chalets, up to four stories tall. The foundation is stone, topped with a wood superstructure finished in brown paint with white and gold trim. Window frames and balconies feature Swiss jigsawed patterns, while the Cross of Helvetia – a white cross on a scarlet shield – adorns every room door.

Inside, a four-story lobby is surrounded by balconies with railings patterned after Swiss designs. The original décor mixed American West, Swiss Alps, and Japanese influences in an eclectic combination that reflected the Great Northern's steamship services to the Far East. Japanese lanterns once floated overhead while bearskins and bison skulls decorated the upper railings. A 2017 rehabilitation project restored many of these elements, including rebuilding the double helix staircase that was removed in 1957.

Red Buses

The vintage Red Buses that rumble through Glacier National Park are part of the hotel experience. These distinctive vehicles, with their roll-back canvas tops, run tours throughout the park, including along the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road. They've become as iconic as the landscapes they traverse.

Lobby

The lobby centers on a large stone fireplace that draws crowds, especially in the evenings when people gather after hiking. The four-story space maintains its historic character with thick wooden columns – upright cedar logs with the bark removed – and surrounding balconies. A porch outside offers lakeside seating where you can read or simply stare at the mountains.

Cell service is nonexistent in most of Glacier, and WiFi in the lobby is limited and temperamental, making the hotel something of an enforced digital detox.

Dining

The Ptarmigan Dining Room underwent major restoration in 2011 to bring back its historic features and design concepts. Set alongside the lake with a panoramic backdrop of peaks, it serves continental cuisine that's become the hotel's culinary calling card. The high-beamed roof adds to the alpine atmosphere.

Breakfast runs from 6:30 to 10:00 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The breakfast buffet draws particular praise, with separate options for vegetarians and meat eaters. Montana microbrews are available to accompany your meal. The Swiss Lounge within the dining room offers full bar service and lighter fare for those grabbing a quick bite before or after hiking.

Rooms

The hotel has 214 guest rooms across its main and annex wings, including two suites and seven family rooms. Options range from lakeside to value accommodations. The rooms are decidedly rustic – no televisions or air conditioning, in keeping with the hotel's 1915 origins.

All have private bathrooms and direct-dial telephones, with deluxe king or queen beds or standard double and twin beds. Fans, hair dryers, and coffee makers are standard. The rooms embrace their historic simplicity rather than fighting it, though some could use updated bedding and mattresses.

Activities

Hiking dominates the area, with trails leading to places like Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier. Boat cruises on Swiftcurrent Lake offer a less strenuous way to experience the scenery, while horseback rides provide access to backcountry terrain. Evening ranger programs add educational context to the natural surroundings.

Canoeing on the lake lets you explore the shoreline at your own pace, with Grinnell Point reflecting in the water on calm mornings. The hotel operates from early June through late September, when the season and weather permit.