This place is closed! We drive over 20 miles to get here and the place is up for sale.

I guess this historic hotel is now run by the LOGE Camps chain of motels, which are geared towards outdoor enthusiasts/adventure tourists, like my partner and me! We intentionally stayed here in October 2024 on our visit to Glacier National Park because we wanted our home base to be at a place where we could drive to both East Glacier and West Glacier and be relatively not too far from either. While this LOGE has diverse room stay options, such as train cars, an old school house, and cabins, we opted to stay in a "standard room" in the historic Izaak Walton Inn. I think the LOGE folks quite recently purchased the inn and were still ironing out some kinks. For example, their gift shop was not yet open and the restaurant were consistently out of some beverage and food options. A few notes: -The staff were warm and courteous. They really helped create a homey, family vibe. -They don't clean your room everyday, and no phone in your room as you communicate with the staff via text, but they have these small cool touches like plug-in shoe warmers in your room to dry your wet boots, as well as other outdoorsy amenities (see pics). -They also lent out bear spray for free so that we didn't have to buy a canister, which we really appreciated. (Thankfully, we didn't have to use it, despite seeing A LOT of grizzlies on the trails.) -The hotel is located pretty close to the train tracks, and while trains were coming and going pretty frequently, they didn't ever bother us. No problems falling and staying asleep. -The restaurant and bar at the place had pretty decent food and drinks. -The place is a bit pricey, but I guess that's to be expected for the boutique hotel experience and most places in the vicinity are closed. We would recommend this place and would likely stay here again for future Glacier National Park excursions. read more

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Returning back from Glacier NP, after camping there for a week, this restaurant wined and dined like we were on a date lmao. The place is decorated like a rustic train car, and gives a very cozy feeling. There's plenty of seating and getting a table was not bad at all. The entrees we ordered were the Grilled Salmon and Thai Peanut Rice Bowl. Both were excellent and good enough to feed a fully grown person. The desserts were even better, the cobbler was especially remarkable and the tantalizing huckleberry flavor stuck with me for a long time. If you are in Essex, this place needs to be on your to-do list. The food was good, and the ambience very welcoming. 10/10 would go back again! read more

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On day after Christmas, had lunch after XC skiing - and what a treat! The food was delicious and the staff so helpful - providing a cup with a straw for the toddler upon seating! We have had many meals there in the remote past - but first time in the remodeled restaurant! How did they make a burger so delicious? The only thing that could have been better - if the model train that runs around the upper wall of the restuarant was working. Perhaps some model train enthusiasts could take care of this?? Thank you Izaak Walton Restaurant! read more

The setting and history is phenomenal. Staff is always pleasant and helpful. Restaurant consistently delicious. Groomed snowshoe trails are terrific! Looking forward to returning this December under the new ownership. read more

During our vacation in Montana, we decided to have dinner in this historic inn named after Sir Izaak Walton, the English writer & fisherman. The hubby had fond memories here when he visited here with his parents a few decades ago. Not much had been changed, since, he commented. We ordered a salmon/green beans/spiced rice & grilled chicken with with salad. It was surprisingly delicious! The salmon was perfectly grilled , seasoned , & very fresh. We especially loved spiced rice. Their " famous " in house baked huckleberry cobbler was to die for . After a day of white water rafting, it was a pleasant surprise to end with yummy dinner. Highly recommend. read more

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Incredibly good! Get anything that has huckleberries with it. Really enjoyed our stay and the location is convenient to either side of the park. The Food really steals the show here. Great wine selection and wonderful staff. Wonderful for kids with all of the trains. We stayed in a cabin with our two boys (5 and 7) and had a great experience read more

Excellent! On Rt. 2 in Essex between West and East Glacier this is a gem! We had our last day of hiking at Two Medicine Lake then drove to St. Mary, but there wasn't anything substantial on the drive back until we ran into this Historic Inn! So happy! It was delicious and a find as we'll have to return for a stay! I had the Petite steak, hubby had the special (photo) and daughter the ribs! All were amazing! read more

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Just stayed for a 24hr date! Enjoyed great skate skiing, an awesome dinner, the outdoor hot tub. Great service, friendly people! The next morning, a solid breakfast, more skiing and back to the hot tub! Couldn't have been a better getaway to refresh w/o the kids and away from phone calls and distractions. The dinner was the best in a long time! Ahi tuna appetizer, steak, and the huckleberry / apple cobbler rounded out the meal. The food was excellent. IWI was the perfect getaway and we look forward to coming back. read more

Izaak Walton Restaurant - Steak with mushrooms and blue cheese; mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables. - Hotels Near Me - Essex, Montana

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When we arrived we ended up having to wait to check in because the staff was cleaning our room. We stayed in a cabin and it was dirty upon entry! Cheese and crumbs on the floor cobwebs, spiders, dead bugs filled the window seal and the pillow cases were a yellowish color. For the amount we paid for the room we kind of expected way better quality. Food was way over priced for the portions you got and how bland it tasted. read more

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What a fun place!! Even though it is an old railroad bunkhouse this place has class. The front desk was very friendly and helpful. The first night I stayed in the hotel. I paid the extra money to be woken up several times during the night by passing trains. There are a lot of them. I choose the trackside room. Next time I will put a wall between the trains and my sleep. ....and I LOVE trains!! Rooms were very nice considering what purposed they served. Everything was useful and comfortable. Bathroom was just fine. The sink was located in the bedroom area as the bathroom is small. Great idea! The place has many areas to explore inside and out. The bar and game room is in the basement. Great place to hangout when not watching trains. Outside has plenty of chairs to watch the passing trains. Swing style chairs on the porch. Whirlpool and sauna are in the annex. Looked good but I didn't use them. The dining room is also available. Spendy but considering the next closest place is about 20 miles in either direction. Food was very good and the service was excellent. My last night was in one of the themed cabooses. A stay in a caboose is a MUST!I I stayed in the blue one, Montana Rail Link. It is amazing what they look like inside. A kitchen with all the utensils. The caboose sleeps four. A MUST Stay when visiting Glacier. One thing, no cell phone access and the courtesy WiFi is not the best. Plan on being off-line for your stay. No TV either. read more

We stayed in the JJ "Luxury" Caboose during mid-July. If you plan on staying in the summer, you may want to think twice about it. Technically it has air conditioning. However, today was about 76 degrees outside, and it was 77 inside, and would not cool down any further. When I asked management about it, they checked to make sure it was working, and then recommended that I open both doors to cool it down. That's a bit tricky with all of the mosquitos. So, pick your poison. Other negatives include a broken door frame that leaves a gap for bugs to come in. Also, they do not service the caboose at all. Which means I just returned from throwing out our kitchen trash bag in the dumpster. At least they provided me with another trash bag. Finally, to fit a family of four inside is extremely tight. The photos certainly make it look much larger than it actually is. On the positive side, the staff was polite and the restaurant food was fine. Overall though, I would expect a much nicer and cleaner accommodation for the very high nightly rate. I would recommend going elsewhere for your lodging needs. read more

If you've ever dreamed of waking up at sunrise and skiing through a silent, snow-covered forest - after filling up on oatmeal from your 1890s vintage orange caboose cabin, that is (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/izaak-walton-inn-essex?userid=73DZUFYAXuycbJ_eEAox1Q#1bABmnjJhx9FqWduhc-qGw) - then Izaak Walton is for you; If you like the idea of skiing in 45 mph winds in deep (deep!) powder snow along the continental divide from Marias Pass on the Autumn Creek trail (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/izaak-walton-inn-essex?userid=73DZUFYAXuycbJ_eEAox1Q#IJcBnu1Rv1KZpugl_IV5dw) - with an expert guide, that is - then Izaak Walton is for you; If you'd like to snowshoe to a cliffside overlook where snow-covered peaks and deep river canyons spread out before you like a winter wonderland -(http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/izaak-walton-inn-essex?userid=73DZUFYAXuycbJ_eEAox1Q#tiAblXrGc6hpPBjxeU8qiw) a mere hour from excellent beer, wine, and spirits, that is - then Izaak Walton is for you; If you like being away from it all, with stupendous views of Glacier National Park at Christmastime, with trains passing in the night, and ski trails leading through secluded forests of cedar, pine, spruce, and fir, with solitude and snow and superb dining and historic Rocky Mountain lodge decor, then Izaak Walton is for you (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/izaak-walton-inn-essex?userid=73DZUFYAXuycbJ_eEAox1Q#PL2W7iAQXwGT8Oqz0KCOSg). What? Never thought about wintering in Glacier National park? Or skiing the continental divide? Never wanted to glide through fresh snow along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River before retiring to your very own caboose cabin hidden in the woods? OK, that's fine. Dreams are a dime a dozen. But Izaak Walton, it's not your ordinary vacation destination. Worth an adventure or two, maybe more. Definitely more. read more

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I see the charm of this place, but make sure you know exactly what you'll be getting yourself into - they take the ethos of "keeping with the era in which the hotel was built" quite literally. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm perfectly comfortable with no TV or internet in the room - I prefer a good book anyway - and you are likely in the area to take advantage of the great outdoors anyway, no? But I was much less comfortable with the lack of other appliances that I guess aren't in keeping with the era, such as a coffee maker or a refrigerator. I don't travel on a strict budget, but I do feel that the cost of eating out a lot adds up on a trip - I guess I've just come to think of the ability to refrigerate a few items (whether purchased at a shop or just leftovers from dinner) or to enjoy coffee in my room before setting out in the AM (they do offer free coffee in the lounge) as basic hotel options that wouldn't exactly destroy the "quiet enjoyment" of a period hotel. Especially given that there are NO other restaurants or shops remotely near the place, feeling so stranded without other food options seemed like a significant shortcoming of this place for me. (And this was in spring - while it looks and sounds like a lovely place for a winter ski excursion, I can only imagine how isolated you would be. I mean, the restaurant is good, but I wouldn't want to eat three meals a day there.) The hotel pretty much shut down at 9pm - the front desk is unstaffed and the sauna/hot tub closed, which seemed frustratingly early to me. When we arrived after 9pm from hiking and a later dinner one night, we weren't even able to get an ice for our room to enjoy a drink before dinner. (By the end of our stay, I couldn't stop with making constant comments along the lines of, "I guess they didn't have ice in the 1930s." and "I guess people didn't work past 9pm back in the day.") The advertised wi-fi in the lounge/common area was incredibly spotty - not a huge deal until we were ready to leave, and would have really appreciated being able to double-check some directions. Still, the place is not without its charms - the downstairs Flagstop lounge/bar is wonderfully charming - fun decor, great jukebox, pool and foosball (apparently they did have foosball in the 1930s.). I can see the quaint charm the Izaak Walton would hold for some - ultimately, I guess I'd either prefer to "rough it" and camp, or enjoy a stay at a hotel which provides a fuller array of services, and this place fell far too much in the middle to be "just right." read more

3.5 stars. Izaak Walton Inn is nestled in the middle of the forest along the detour from St. Mary through Two Medicine entrance junction, stop by Izaak Walton Inn l in Essex and back to Apsar National Park Entrance closer to where we were staying. The hotel is definitely out of the way, but is a nice location that it is where the train stops --the station is still functioning so you can theoretically take the train to stop by here, too. What I like about this place is that the restaurant at Izaak Walton Inn offers much better type of food than we could find elsewhere around the area. We were getting sort of sick of eating diner type of food and were looking for somewhere nicer for proper sit down meals to eat, and this Inn offers it. There didn't seem to be many people dining here, but the food was nice (we had Beef Stroganoff and Glazed Wild Salmon, about $30 ea w/o taxes) and priced reasonably (still higher than average food you find in MT), but for a nice sit down meal, I didn't mind at all. What seemed to be slightly lacking was service. There just weren't that many waiters/waitresses (even customers) there at all. We were sort of left on our own without much interruption for our conversation (less water :)). Overall, a good hotel that offers good, proper restaurant to dine. It's definitely slightly out of the way from the main NP tourists exploration, especially in the winter, where roads are super narrow and are likely super snowy out there...But we enjoyed the uniqueness of this hotel resembling a train depot/station a lot, too. read more

We chose the Izaak for our wedding reception and guest lodging. I was looking for a place central to East and West Glacier with stunning views and a rustic feel, and the Izaak delivered on all three! The hotel is so tastefully done with homage to the older days of the Great Northern Railway. Be ready to unplug as there is no cell reception here. Brides should note that the cabins/cabooses do not have access to wifi either so it can be difficult to get a hold of guests etc. Rooms are also quite dark - I would recommend the Schoolhouse suite for a more modern and bright feel. The staff was friendly and went the extra mile for us on many occasions. The food in the restaurant and that was served at our receptions was exceptional. This was truly an experience I will never forget and we cannot wait to stay many more times! read more

Izaak Walton Restaurant - Hotels Near Me - Essex, Montana

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This was the best hotel we could find near Glacier when booking about 6 months out from our trip as all in park hotels were booked up. The hotel was about what I expected for a hotel near a remote but popular National Park. Front desk staff was friendly however the hotel really lacked typical amenities that are really crucial for early morning hikers to GNP. The hotel does not open its restaurant or offer any early hours coffee/sandwiches before 7am which is typically how early you want to start a morning hike. Also the rooms do not have a fridge or microwave for storing food that you could then make as your breakfast since the restaurant is not open. The WiFi was also pretty terrible which I expected given the remote location but was still a pain for looking up hikes and weather conditions. The room also lacked AC (as expected) however during the summer months the wind was not able to blow through the room to cool it down at night and the fan provided was incredibly loud and not suitable for sleeping. I live in FL so I'm quite used to heat but without a breeze this was a bit tough. Replacing the fan would have helped this issue. The on-site restaurant was decent although a tad bit overpriced. I only take off one star because given the price point, location and demand for this area it really wasn't that bad but as an early morning hiker, I would not stay here again. read more

We stayed at the river view caboose. What a fun and comfortable spot! It was so well equipped, beds were surprisingly comfortable. Though the loft was a bit tight and even our small kids kept hitting their bodies. The lofts railing was NOT sufficient for safety and could pose as a serious falling hazard. Though it was sooooo nice, this is more a road view though it does have an amazing view of the river from one side. The rest of the inn was great. One can dine or relax on the swings or outdoor chairs and watch numerous trains go by. If we go back, we'll choose one of the cabooses that have a view of the train tracks and trains. read more

Had the best winter weekend at this hotel. It was rustic and relaxing. We stayed in the locomotive and they did a wonderful job with it! It was so fun to enjoy the snow and watch the trains go by! The staff was great all weekend! A special shout out to the gal who was the restaurant server from Armenia. She was so wonderful and helpful. We had a great time in the bar at night. We will definitely make it back to stay again. Highly recommended. read more

This review is for our recent stay from 12/25/17 through 12/28/18. Wow...what an amazing property!! From the warm greeting at the desk upon arrival (late I might add, they were waiting for us!!), to the great service we recieved during our snowshoe rental, the IWI is a place we will highly recommend and return to in the future. We stayed in an Empire non trackside room, which was cozy and very comfortable for our two night/three day stay. The room and bathroom were clean and organized upon arrival, and the bed was super comfy! We used all of the facilities here, except for the sauna/jacuzzi across the parking lot. The restaurant and its staff were exceptional during our stay. Can and David were our servers, and they were great. Always smiling and on top of things, the food here was just short of spectacular! We dined for breakfast lunch and dinner each day, so a total of 8 meals were had here. One day we ventured into Kalispell, but everything else was enjoyed on site. I sampled the Florentine Benedict and it was superb! The potatoes on the side were exceptional, and my wife ended up stealing several. For lunch and I had a burger, juicy and thick, as well as the reuben sandwich. We also enjoyed a very nice birthday dinner for my mother in law, her 75th. We arranged for champagne for everyone, and David made the evening very special with his attention to detail. The front desk staff was very friendly as well, helped us get information on snowshoeing and the Salsa fat bikes for rent. Gumby was our man for the snowshoe rentals, and he was able to get us outfitted and set us up with an accompanying trail map to boot. The trails are easily accessible across the train tracks, and we had an absolute blast snowshoeing! The historic element of the Inn is reflected everywhere, from the railroad memorabilia on the walls, to the working rotary phone on the wall in the hallway. Such a cool place, and so much to see and absorb, it is tough to encompass it all in simple written review. The downstairs lobby is cozy and warm, with a fire always burning to keep you warm. Large leather chairs welcome you in, and we often found ourselves here enjoying the peace and quiet. That is the constant theme here, peace and quiet. If you are looking for a place to get way and relax, the IWI is just the ticket. The in room radiator kept us warm each night, and once we had to open our window to cool off. The towels and bed linens were very nice, and the inside of our room was rustically appointed with wood and outdoor motif's. The creaking floors of the IWI just lent to the charm of the overall property. It snowed frequently during our visit, and the grounds staff kept the parking lot and road into the property plowed and clear the whole time. Rent an AWD vehicle at the airport if you travel during this time, as it really helped us during a day trip into the local town of Kalispell. Prepare your visit accordingly, the WIFI here is not strong, and only available downstairs. But that's not really the point of a visit here. The nearest town is about an hour away, so if remote locales are your game, this is your spot. A summer visit for us is highly likely, and we look forward to visiting the wonderful IWI again soon! read more

Izaak Walton Restaurant - Hotels Near Me - Essex, Montana

Rented cross country ski gear here and got permits for the trail. This was my first time cross country skiing. It was difficult but I enjoyed the scenery a lot. The guy for the rental was very helpful. The trail was groomed and had a nice time. read more

We stop at this place every time we go to and from Glacier National Park. The kids love it because of all the cabooses and locomotives located all over the property. There is a playground for when they get bored and plenty of things to keep them busy. We love it because it's an old Inn with lots of character. The menu never ceases to amaze me. The food there; it's definitely American, but is more creative than most places. The old Inn is filled with old railroad memorabilia and the bar and sitting room in the basement have lots of character. It's definitely worth the stop if you have time. read more

This is a 3 1/2 star review. We wanted to have a fall hiking trip and had a gift certificate for 2 nights in a Caboose. The Caboose experience is unique and fun, but the interior of them is modified enough that it really felt like spending our stay in a small studio style room. The bed was a bit uncomfortable and we both woke with stiff backs, but that probably has more to do with our mattress preferences and they might be great for others. The small kitchenette area was moderately stocked with basic cooking pots, pans, and utensils. We luckily had brought some of our own items to supplement what was there. We used the kitchenette for every meal as the restraunt prices seemed high for our tastes so we don't have a review on the quality of the food there. The bathroom lacked a sink or mirror. Lastly, we had a few large flies sharing the space with us, since one of the window screens was secured to the window. I saw a broken screen leaning against the wall outside, so they did replace it, but they didn't take the effort to secure the new one, which required a few nails. There are several nearby trails for varied hiking abilities, and in the winter many of the trails are used for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. We hiked a strenuous 2+ mile 3000 ft gain trail up to Marion Lake and it was amazing. We were told at the front desk that the fishing at this lake is incredible but we didn't bring our own gear to try it out for ourselves. We would have hiked in the park itself, but most of it is closed due to fires. Overall it was a good experience. read more

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I made a reservation for our 20th anniversary on July 2 for the night of July 31 with check out on August 1. My wife, Unfortunately could not get the time off of work. I called 21 days before the reservation to cancel. They told me they couldn't refund the 168.00 due to their cancellation policy, which I was never told when making the reservation, that cancellations within 30 days can't be refunded. they have 21 days to fill that room. I will never stay at this pos hotel ever!! they were rude and very unaccommodating. read more

If you are looking for a lodge or cabin near Glacier National Park, then the Izaak Walton Inn should definitely be considered. The inn is filled with old school charm and has a very distinct railroad ambiance. The "Empire Builder Family Suite" was a bit smaller than expected. But it was still quite comfortable for 4 people. No TVs, no cellphone coverage, no elevators, no coffeemakers, no refrigerators, no frills, no fancies, which is perfectly fine with me when I am vacationing in a national park. Wi-fi is available at the bar but it can be very flaky. read more

Absolutely the best part about Montana was Glacier National Park! We stayed in a converted caboose car that was nicely maintained and tucked away in the middle of nowhere. The restaurant at the inn was as awesome as accommodations, there wasn't a thing to complain about. They even let us borrow wine glasses to take back to our caboose. They had an awesome well stocked games room too... read more

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AMAZING time at the Izaak Walton! Had not stayed there since the late 70's when I was a teen but have been in and around in recent years - mostly going to the area to ski. Stayed for a night with my husband. Skied - fabulous and stayed in an excellent cabin! Dinner was EXQUISITE. They have a new chef and menu and it is to die for! Food was awesome but one thing we really enjoyed was the braised Romaine Caesar salad. Awesome! Breakfast the next morning was fabulous! We LOVED it and will proclaim how great it was far and wide! read more

We stayed in the GN441, the big blue engine. It was very well-appointed (though the workmanship suffered from some quality issues), and quite comfortable (though the bed was a bit TOO soft for my liking, and I like soft beds). The location is difficult to beat -- it puts you almost midway in between East Glacier and West Glacier, making it poss And the soup - oh, the soup! It was some of the best I've had. The next table over agreed. Too bad it was only a small, diner-sized cup. We would gladly have paid more to get more. In fact, if they'd have given me a bucket of the soup and nothing else, I'd have been blissfully happy.ible to get to either area in about 30 minutes. The main problem is that because of the engine's location and its inherent interest, you really don't get much privacy. You need to keep the shades closed while you're inside, as people can see directly inside as they walk by. And people who are curious or intrigued about the engine do not hesitate to walk right up; it really does look more like a display piece than like a private cabin, so I can't really blame them. The service on the property is quite friendly. They have a bar in the main building downstairs that has free WiFi, but it's so slow and spotty as to be effectively useless most of the time. And there's absolutely NO cell phone coverage in the area (a plus in my book). If you want to be connected, you shouldn't be in Glacier Park at all. read more

My family loves this place! My dad is a big train guy. They stayed in the caboose by the restaurant which i got to check out. It was really cool! Nicely done, clean and homey. We joined my folks for Thanksgiving dinner there. They had a very lovely buffet. The outside hot tub looked really nice but we didnt get to try it out. Next time tho!! read more

Stayed the weekend here. We loved it. The staff was wonderful, accommodating and funny. The ski trails provided enough entertainment for a couple of days so we didn't have to drive anywhere else. Ate a few meals there and we were very impressed with the food and service. Only downside was running into a couple with a young, aggressive dog on the trail. Ruined the groomers. read more

Can't check in because I lose service before I get close enough. Great for cross-country skiing! read more

Really wanted to love this place but as others have reviewed there are some notable issues. For example, the restaurant is lacking in creativity and pizzazz given the prices. The old-time menus posted on the walls only underscore the fact that its best days were a long time ago when items were "cooked to order." The food was clearly of a commodity nature which was disappointing. This is important since there are no other places to eat anywhere nearby. We stayed in one of the cabooses (specifically, room 47 the Northern Pacific caboose). A tight fit for two adults and three small kids. It had some nice touches such as a tile floor, stainless appliances, ceiling fans and HVAC. However, I couldn't get over the smell when entering the room -- musty and alarmingly similar to the odor of an outhouse. It started me thinking about how the plumbing for these units works, but that is neither here nor there. Despite the drawbacks, it is an interesting place for anyone who is really into trains or looking for a remote and rustic getaway. read more

The Inn doubtless had some charm 20 or 30 years go but has since fallen to dilapidation and has bad service that fails to make up for it. We paid over $10 for a box of Kraft macaroni for dinner at the bar. The staff were indifferent at best. Although the restaurant had decent food, everything at the inn was overpriced and underserved. The temperature was about zero degrees but the hotel didn't have heat until 18 hours into the snow storm, and we lost power throughout the night. No internet despite advertised and badly functioning plumbing. read more

Winter time or Summer time, you can not lose here. This has to be one of my number one places to travel to and stay at. It's MONTANA !!!! And, it's in the sticks of Montana. Right next up against Glacier National Park, you cant go wrong. Yes, it's a drive. But if you want to get away, you have to have the drive... It's based around an old rail yard. So, yes you will hear some trains. But the night, is dark. So dark, you'll want to stay close to your cabin. The environment is the back woods. The trees are so thick on the mountain side, they look like fur. Every time I visit here, I spend as much time as possible. I myself, spend a week minimum here. The staff is outstanding. The CABINS, are worth the cost ! Breakfast, at the Inn restaurant, is nothing but spectacular. Everyone you meet, is in the same frame of mind you are. "It's hey, how you doing?" "Everything, is great !" No baloney, No hoopla. If you are looking for a place to take your wife and get away... This is it ! read more

I went to the Izaak Walton Inn's restaurant called the Huckleberry Club with my family tonight. The food was very top notch. It was a very busy night, but our waiter (I believe his name was Gabo? He had a peculiar name) helped to provide me and my family with excellent service. He was very quick and attentive as well as very charming and interesting to talk to. He gave us information on fun things to do in the area along with hiking tips! If you have him as a waiter your experience here will be 5 stars for sure. read more

Just spent 3 nights at the Walton house, of the Izaak Walton inn. Great setting. Where should i start. Advertised for 6 adults. One good bed and the rest were crap. Casual seating for 3 and then it was kitchen chairs. Electrical outlets worked in main floor bath part time. Two cup coffee maker and only 5 coffee cups. Two burners on the stove did not work and oven took forever to get to partial heat. Heat system worked on main floor and too hot on the upper floor. Maintenance was contacted and knew nothing if they showed. Not enough blankets, linens and dish towels when we arrived. Nor a real enjoyable Christmas stay. read more

it was time for us to leave Glacier . We drove back down to West Glacier and then picked up US2 headed for East Glacier. On the way my plan was to stop in Essex at the Izaak Walton Inn. What a way to end the trip or perhaps most fittingly, what a last supper!! She Who Must Be Obeyed wanted to sit on the veranda and I silently applauded. The BNS tracks are maybe 200 yards south. The cars used as rooms are up on the hill, and the Great Northern engine renovated into a suite sits off to the East. We had a couple of freights pass by and played "count the tanker cars." What a setting for a train buff. And unlike Many Glacier, the food exceeded the view. She had the Stroganoff, as good as ever made. I had a pork chop to die for. If I ever return, I think a night in one of the Caboose's will be in order. It is easy to drive by without stopping. You would be foolish if you do. Visited August 2014 read more

We had dinner as a group in the dining room after a long day at Glacier. Some cute touches like the mechanical train that circles the room, and some cool light fixtures that were old train signals. We all enjoyed the food (we were really hungry!) but didn't give the meal a 4 star because of some misses. We ordered the wagyu meatloaf with huckleberry gravy, which was very good but slightly dry, the boneless beef ribs with huckleberry BBQ sauce which was very tasty but also a little dry, the salmon which was okay, and the special halibut, which was good but could have been a little flakier (though the bok Choy was delicious). The huckleberry/peach cobbler was yummy, although the cloves were a bit overpowering and the crust wasn't fully cooked (lot of gooey dough in the bottom), and the huckleberry cream pie was disappointing. The huckleberry and vanilla ice creams were crowd favorites. The setting is not fancy but has character. There is a train track outside and you can see Amtrak or cargo trains going by (wasn't disturbing). There is an outside patio with some swing seats as well as nice tables. The basement had a shuffleboard table, foosball, and bar. Overall it's a good meal. read more

Izaak Walton Inn is a historic inn, heavy on the railroad ambiance, and a great find if you love to hike or cross-country ski. Come here to unplug, relax, enjoy Glacier National Park and the great outdoors, but don't expect glam. What you can expect is friendly and helpful staff, a nice, clean, historic rustic inn with some super-fabulous luxury rail cars, decent food, and a setting in some of the most amazing mountains you've ever seen. Don't come here if: your cell phone is surgically attached to your head (it won't work here, nor in most of GNP), you NEED an Internet connection, and/or you don't actually like trains or the outdoors. Montana is a BIG STATE. GNP is a BIG PARK. If you don't have a car or rent one (available onsite), you aren't going much of anywhere unless on your own power, be it skis, foot or bike. And there isn't much of anywhere to go, unless it's on the trails around the IW, which are fabulous. If you don't plan on eating at IW, there isn't much of anywhere else to get food, although you can bring food with you. TIPS: TRAINS: If you are a train buff, you are going to see lots of trains! if you don't want to hear/see trains go by, request a non-trackside room. There are train tracks here, and they are used FREQUENTLY. You will hear trains, although at night they don't blow their horns. Non-trackside rooms are pretty quiet, you will get morning sun and it can be bright, especially in summer. Staying in the train cars: The GN 441 engine (the big blue one) and the two new red cabooses are beautiful and SWANKY. They are easily accessible, nicely appointed, and cost $$$. Staff will lend you a key to check one out if vacant, which you should do. The cabooses on the hill are cute as heck, and quaint. They are NOT swanky. Expect more of a camping trailer type experience. I've only stayed in the lodge but you may have to schlep your stuff up and over the foot bridge yourself or staff may help...you will be walking, in snow in the winter time, no car access directly to the cabooses. Amtrak serves IW from east and west on the Empire Builder route. Those who live in Montana know that Amtrak can be "delayed" and downright LATE due to a variety of factors completely out of anyone's control. Therefore, if you take Amtrak, expect the unexpected. Lodge rooms - rustic, no phones, no TV's, no elevator. Smallish, with sink in room, separate shower (no tub) and toilet in small room off main room. Beds are a bit squishy if you like hard beds. Basic bedding, but clean - don't expect 400 thread count (and why would you? It's a rustic lodge!) HEATING - can be variable. There are controls on the radiators in your room but it is hit and miss when you will get heat. Leave it on 2 or 3 and you will be plenty warm. Staff will help you carry things upstairs. It's an old inn, not much soundproofing, remember this when booking if noise bothers you and please remember when staying that everyone can hear what's going on in your room. Bringing food/alcohol: we brought food in a cooler in our car, in winter. Summer would be more of a challenge. I saw coolers outside on the back porch that others had brought. We were able to eat breakfast in our room and lunch on the trail. You cannot bring outside food or alcohol into the bar or the restaurant. Staff was very helpful and can provide hot water for beverages (and utensils when we forgot ours). On-site food/alcohol: the restaurant does really well, considering the challenge of the location and being in Montana. I liked the two dinners and lunch I ate there. The buffalo burger was fabulous at lunch, and they have sweet potato fries! The chef really tries to reflect some Montana flavor - the buffalo sliders on fry bread were a hit as a dinner appetizer. Wine list not bad. Please remember you are in Montana! This is not the Big City. Reservations recommended on the weekends. Box lunches are great for skiers/hikers. What to do: sit by the big fireplace in the main lobby - check out the insets in the rock surround. The bar downstairs has great beers on tap, pool table, but you have to dodge the people who just can't disconnect who are trying to get on WiFi. There is a TV in the bar if you just can't deal. XC skiing here is amazing. Rentals are available. Take the Essex Road to the Middle Fork River trail for a great 2 hour tour (cross the highway and walk back up the road to IW at the end), or if you want something longer, you can loop back to the Inn the way you came. Other intermediate trails take you up the hill above the Inn to great shots of waterfalls, streams and mountains. Drive down the road a bit to Goat Lick and see the mountain goats in summer. Bring a game from home and just relax at a table in the bar or lobby. Check out the historic photos on the walls, especially the train wreck photos. Watch a train go by. Izaak Walton is a great place to take your sweetie to relax, unplug, unwind. If you want frills, rent a rail car. Now...go outside and play! read more

Amazing winter day trip from beginning to end. Friendly and helpful staff at every turn. Serene xc ski trails. And the restaurant was an unexpected highlight. Try the elk meatballs. Also, don't miss the flourless chocolate cake. Amazing. Overall, a true gem. read more

Izaak Walton Restaurant - Hotels Near Me - Essex, Montana

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