Rough Riders Hotel
4.6(539)google
4.0(40)yelp
Date SpotIndoorCity LandmarkLuxuryLocal FavoriteOld West
Overview
The Rough Riders was a nickname given to the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments raised in 1898 for the Spanish–American War and the only one to see combat. The United States Army was small, understaffed, and disorganized in comparison to its status during the American Civil War roughly thirty years prior. Following the sinking of USS Maine, President William McKinley needed to muster a strong ground force swiftly, which he did by calling for 125,000 volunteers to assist in the war.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeBeautiful year-round, but summer and autumn weekends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM offer the finest dining and social atmosphere. Even if not overnighting, booking a dinner window at Theodore's Dining Room is highly recommended to enjoy premium bison ribeye under the warm glow of historic stained-glass chandeliers.
Getting ThereSuperbly anchoring the primary intersection of historic downtown Medora at 301 Pacific Avenue. Reaching the site by car is straightforward: take I-94 to Exit 23 and head east onto Pacific Ave. The luxury red-brick boutique property provides a massive, well-lit free guest surface lot directly behind the building.
Travel Tips
- The property faces severe black ice formation across exterior parking spaces during northern winters; careful footing is mandatory before approaching the main lobby entrance.
- The preserved 19th-century timber structural framework passes sound more easily than modern concrete resorts; light sleepers are strongly advised to bring personal earplugs.
- The on-site Theodore's Dining Room requires mandatory dinner table bookings two weeks in advance via online reservation platforms during peak summer theater season.
Reviews
Positive
- A historic boutique hotel blending 19th-century western charm with luxury; the brick-and-wood lobby is immaculate and classy.
- The guest rooms offer exceptional comfort with plush bedding and high-end modern bathrooms—perfect after a night at the musical.
- The on-site Theodore's restaurant is outstanding, serving delicious bison ribeye and fine wines with highly professional, polite service.
- Perfectly located in the heart of the historic town, its corridors are lined with vintage Roosevelt photos, adding rich cultural value.
Heads up
- Being a converted century-old heritage building, the walls are thin and footfalls from corridors or adjacent TVs can be heard.
- During the peak July-August tourist season, room rates skyrocket significantly, making it less ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
- Due to high occupancy, the private parking lot fills completely by evening, forcing late guests to park far away on gravel roadsides.
- Front desk organization slows to a crawl during the 3 PM check-in rush, resulting in long lines and a lack of multilingual staff.