Foothills Inn

Affordable place for families, but skimps on some of the frills

The Foothills inn was nicely situated off the freeway. Easy access and easy to find. Company included families, couples, bikers, business/workers, and retired folks. It felt safe, and I did not mind having my kids there. This is not a brand new facility, but the management appears determined to keep it looking clean and fresh. Caulk around the bathroom tub surround, for example, looked brand new. The room we stayed in (double queen) was not huge, and the restroom/vanity area smaller than a lot of hotels. Having said that, you get what you pay for, and this was among the lowest cost of accommodations that we searched in the Rapid City area - so don't complain when you get a good value. The outdoor pool was not huge, but looked clean and enjoyable to its users.

The Inn appeared to skimp on a couple of things that makes it seem they are trying to pinch pennies. Again, this is a lower-cost alternative, so it is hard to fault if they are trying to keep expenses down. For instance, the courtesy soaps are small and round - barely large enough to wash hands, much less bath with. Bring your own bath soap. The continental breakfast consisted of cereal, oatmeal, bagels, toast, milk, and orange juice. Jimmy Dean's breakfast sandwiches were available (no charge) from the front desk and surprisingly good. What was lacking was fresh fruit. Also, don't look for pancakes, waffles, yogurt, etc. Dining space was cramped and not at all private. This is not the full breakfast that you would find at some fancier breakfast-included hotels, but it was sufficient for my needs. Just be forewarned if you are expecting something more.