When I asked my husband to describe Many Glacier Hotel to me, he replied instantly: "The place with the most wonderful views"!

Many Glacier Hotel sets at the bottom of a hill on Swiftcurrent Lake and has spectacular views of Mt. Gould, Mt. Wilbur and Grinnell Point. On a clear day, the mountain’s reflection can be captured in the lake. To me a perfect setting would be a brilliant blue sky, dark evergreen trees beneath a snow capped mountain and a lake that is a deep aquamarine blue!! What I have described is the setting surrounding you at Many Glacier. No wonder so many people sit in front of the full-length picture windows and stare while absorbed in their own thoughts. After a stressful workday, I come home and say. . . "I wish I were sitting in the rocking chairs at Many Glacier"!! Just the thought takes me back to this August day!!

The rooms at Many Glacier certainly are not luxury rooms, but they are reflective of the time in which they were built. We booked in January for a late August timeframe and found only Value Rooms for $111 available. Once again, the Glacier Park reservationist, Laronda, came to rescue as she kept an on-going search for a lakeside room ($142). We ended up with a lakeside room, which had a double and twin bed with a table and mirror. The bathroom furnishings reminded me of the ‘50s/’60s and the "shower" consisted of a cast-iron bathtub with a metal ring at the top holding the shower curtain. You know the type that was in westerns back in the ‘60s? While the furnishings certainly don’t live up to today’s modern standards, we enjoyed the experience immensely. Of course, there are no televisions, air conditioning or three-prong electrical outlets for your laptop; but the amazing and beautiful scenery makes up for lack of these modern day luxuries.

Huge logs support the Many Glacier lobby and the freestanding fireplace invites you to spend some time. One morning, a hotel guest provided a short concert on the lobby’s grand piano. A gift shop provides your glacier souvenirs, in addition to film or other items needed.

Some tips for staying at Many Glacier:
1. Book early -- It’s only open from mid-June to early September.
2. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available. Ask for these when making reservations. There are no elevators available, so if climbing stairs presents a problem, ask for a first floor room.
3. Restoration work is being done to preserve Many Glacier. Starting in 2001, seven phases were planned with phase III in progress during our 2003 visit.
4. The parking lot is at the top with steps leading to the hotel. We found ourselves stopping to catch our breath every time we went up.
5. The mountainsides surrounding Many Glacier are great for observing wildlife. We spotted black bears, grizzlies with cubs, and female big-horned sheep here.
6. Stop, relax, and enjoy the natural beauty!!!!

Currently, Many Glacier is involved in an 8 million dollar federal construction project that is trying to save the sagging foundation and the extensive balconies.

I don’t know how many years the project will last. The "Hungry Horse News" www.hungryhorsenews.com reported that the hotel will remain open with most construction occurring in early spring and fall. This June the central area was torn up with 3 levels of balconies off the building and my guess is that they will be using either wing for guests.

When you stay at Many Glacier it is almost like being on a cruise ship with the activities that occur here. Horseback riding is a big deal with packages from 2 hours to full day rides. Boat cruises take you across the lake to the trailheads leading to Grinnel Glacier (8 miles roundtrip with a wicked elevation gain of 1600’.)

Perhaps you’d like to go on a whitewater rafting trip or a scenic helicopter tour? See your concierge!

Our rooms were stark in comparison to the massive wood beam construction in the lobby. Narrow wood slats formed a wainscot that was painted white. The rooms are small in typical early century form. The bath was a retro 1930’s deal with small inlaid tiles and white fixtures. Although the furniture was old, I wouldn’t have classified it as charming antique. Bear in mind that with two kids, we were booked into one of the cheapest rooms we could find at this great location. I’d give my eyeteeth to stay in the suites!