TL;DR

Refurbished motel turned stylish independent hotel
Family-owned with creative design and modern touches
Sixties-inspired lobby with bright, hip patio
Colorful mural covers one side of the building
Check prices here

We love a refurbished motel – and this ex-Travelodge in the center of Boise, Idaho is another nice example why.

Owned by a long-running Boise family, the now-independent hotel shows the creativity that arises when turning one kind of building into another.

We won’t lie, it’s definitely still a roadside establishment. If you want to walk out the door onto gorgeous streets to the next-door boutique, this will not do.

Yet, any ho-hum interiors and cookie-cutter motel atmosphere have gone, leaving a sleek building with a serious sense of style.

One side of the building is completely covered in a colorful, contemporary abstract mural.

The lobby has a kind of sixties car showroom feel, without any T-Birds, unfortunately. There’s bright modern seating, plenty of windows, and a Very Hip patio in the center.

Anyone who likes to relax and explore in style will have an excellent stay.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 39
Choice of rooms with balconies, suites, and doubles
Modern interiors in black, white, and wood veneer
Smart TVs, rain showers, blackout curtains included
Suites add kitchenettes and soaking tubs
See each room in detail here

Rooms come in balcony and non-balcony, with Queen and King Singles, Queen Doubles and King and Queen Suites.

Balconies are pretty much worth it, in our opinion. They get both the sunrise and the sunset, so even if you’re not an early riser, you’ll get to see something pretty great.

Interiors are not mind-blowing, but they’re cute and comfortable. The whole vibe is mostly black, white, and wood veneer with some nice touches of color in the padded headboards, fetching armchairs, and cozy throws.

Even if you haven’t snagged a balcony, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Each room features a Smart TV, tea & coffee maker, free movies, rain showers, and blackout curtains. Cots, microwaves, and mini-fridges are available by request.

Suites sleep up to four, with kitchenettes, soaking tubs, and multiple TVs, so nobody fights over what to watch.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Complimentary breakfast a step above motel basics
On-site Modern Bar & Restaurant with New American cuisine
Happy hour, dinner, drinks, and cocktails available
Cruiser bikes available for exploring Boise

Complimentary breakfast is much like the hotel – unfussy but a step above typical Travelodge fare.

It’s not made to order, but it’s far beyond a cornflakes dispenser and some juice boxes.

The Modern Bar & Restaurant provides happy hour, dinner and drinks daily, so you don’t need to go to the city to eat, though we still might recommend you do.

The cuisine is New American, not afraid to fry things, with plenty of fresh options. It’s not extensive, but there is something for everyone.

You’ll also find a nice selection of beer, wine and cocktails.

Lastly, there are cruiser bikes available for guests wanting to explore. Traffic can be intense, but once you’re on the Greenbelt it’s a lovely way to get around.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Downtown Boise less than 10 minutes by bike
Freak Alley & 8th Street for art, food, and coffee
Greenbelt access for riverside walks and parks
Nearby hot springs make a great day trip
Neighborhoods offer yoga studios, gardens, and local restaurants

The walk downtown isn’t unsafe, or very long, but it’s not the most interesting. We recommend grabbing one of the hotel bikes and bopping to the center, less than a 10-minute ride.

Once Downtown, everything is fairly walkable. 8th Street and Freak Alley have the best concentration of funky art, great coffee, and cute shops.

They’re also not far from the Capitol Building and Cecil D. Andrus Park.

The Art Museum and Zoo can both be found in Julia Davis Park, near the famed Greenbelt, Boise’s nature area.

It’s a 20-minute walk from the hotel to the Greenbelt entrance by the Anne Frank Memorial, another local must-see.

From there, you can link up with different parks and green areas along the river. Make it a 20-minute stroll or an all-day march, your choice.

For other non-urban recreation, check out nearby trails. The drive up to Iowa City has many trailheads off the road for a hike through the foothills, or head towards Shafer Butte for a little elevation.

If you’re up for a drive, there are a few hot springs within an hour’s drive. We’d recommend you make a reservation at The Springs near Idaho City at least two weeks before your visit.

Between the springs themselves and the Big Sky drive out there, it’s a seriously gorgeous day trip.

Local residents would encourage you to check out all the Boise neighborhoods.

The Northend offers a handful of yoga studios and the local Coop, the Bench has some neat restaurants, and the East End has the Botanical Garden and other parks.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“I’ve stayed there twice, will always choose the Modern Home when passing through Boise. Great room, very cool space and ambience. excellent restaurant, super happy hour and nice breakfast included….”

“Always comfortable & always a wonderful welcome! Delicious coffee &breakfast. Great place to park & walk the city before a sound sleep….”