I had been wanting to overnight here for a very long time indeed, and it certainly met my expectations. Now reTIRED since 31DEC2017 after 28 years in the classrooms for World-class Ysleta ISD, I was living out my dream of biketouring/travelling, both close and far. I was on the downhill side (though I still had a few very steep uphills, one specifically South from AngusNM after crossing the Rio Bonito, which I had to Gimpwalk up--until super Shane from AmarilloTX gave me/my "FrankenBike" a lift to Napa Auto Parts in Ruidiso!) of my long delayed "¡Sixth Annual First Quarter Odyssey: Central NM!" I had planned overnighting in Capitan with ample time to explore the area, particularly for the most notable characteristic: this was the birthplace and death site of one of the most famous mammals on Earth: Smokey the Bear. Naturally, I had to stay in this namesake motel, eat at the adjacent namesake restaurant and, a block East, visit the burial site/park/museum/movie room/gift shop along with paying a slight fee for enthusiastic staffing & maintenance. The motel itself is quite decent, especially because I easily maneuvered my "FrankenBike" inside to plug in the eBattery rechargers. My "aged out" body/atrophied quads do require extra help cycling uphill/into the wind, and the combination of fantastic CruzBike (S40/T50E) with eBikeKit.com heavy-duty 48V direct drive eSystem means I'll be able to sustain my 40+year biketouring addiction! Anyway, the ice machine was not working (I regularly overnight in "budget" motels because there is no way a second-floor or basement room is doable for me.), which meant a 3-block Gimpwalk East to Smokey's Country Market. Actually, it worked out just fine--Smokey's historical park was right on the way. The market was everything I could've asked for: a good selection of foodstuffs for any person's needs, and the selection of microwaveable was plentiful. Ironically, with the eatery adjacent to the motel, I only bought "snacks" to eat in front of the flat-screen television and an 8-pound bag of chipped ice. I found this motel extremely satisfying; it certainly has my coveted "¡Wheel of Approval!" In fact, the next morning, besides the delicious brekkie at the eatery, I also was interviewed by a widely z-followed YouTube star, rusty78609, who taught me the importance of being direct in my rapport (which, I am definitely NOT!) should I ever gain a following. Also significant is that my "ageing out" excuse seems feeble--Rusty is a survivalist/in-country Veteran/a decade older than me (I'm 66) and he us doing quite well! read more

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On the confirmation email from the motel: "Check-in: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM" It does not mention this limitation on any of the webpages. Also, there is no staff in the office on Sat and Sun. Only found this out when arrived at 3PM on a Saturday for our reservation. When we called the check in number posted on the office door, there was no answer, and it went to a mailbox that was full. My wife and I sat there in the car trying to figure out what our options were. Called the number again with no answer. A few minutes later I received a call from Smokey Bear management letting me know the number of my room and the code for my room. When I called multiple times the next day to check out, the phone went to VM every time. If you're not going to be in the office during such short check-in hours, or for checkout, someone should at least be manning the cell phone. The room did not even remotely look like the colorful pictures on the website. Our room was drab and plain. The A/C unit worked very well. There was a nice basket of snacks. We won't be staying there again. read more

This place needs a lot of work. I assume that when it was built in the 50s, it held a lot of charm, but this motel needs quite a bit of work, and our room was pretty shabby. The mortar all around the bathroom was cracking, and had been sloppily filled with caulk. There was mold and dirt scuff marks along the baseboards. The carpet was worn down, and the road noise from outside was extremely loud. If I had paid 50 bucks a night for this place, I'd say it was more worth it. read more

This is our go to spot in Lincoln County. Well it might not be the most updated motel the staff is very friendly the rooms are clean and the area is very quiet. If you're looking for a place to take your family that won't burst your wallet this is your place read more

This is a great motel off a scenic highway that we have gone out of our way to visit the last couple of years. From my experience I can tell you that there is some variance in the size of the rooms, some are smoking, some are non smoking. If you feel like the room is too small I am sure you can talk to the owners about switching. The family that runs this motel is very kind and for them alone I will come here. Capitan is off the beaten path a bit so I didn't have any cell reception on both of our visits so the free wifi comes in handy and they didn't charge me extra for making a long distance call to let my family know we had arrived okay. There is a restaurant on the property and the typical amenities of coffee pot, small fridge and microwave. The bathrooms are what vary most in size but as far as I can tell they are all showers. The main rooms are adorable with wooden furniture and I find them very charming. I believe their pet policy recently changed so you should definitely inquire before booking if that is important. Most important to us since this is just a stop on our way to our destination are the rooms are extremely reasonable. I can't compare to a lot of other places in New Mexico but Texas motels don't normally run this cheap. If you prefer places with continental breakfast they have cereal and coffee in the lobby area but I recommend the restaurant, it's also very reasonable and you'll get a good, big breakfast before you hit the road. read more

Very clean, comfortable room. Quite and cozy. Planning to stay here again. Owners are very nice. I recommend this little hotel. read more

I can't imagine giving this Motel even 1 star, but I have no choice. If it were up to me it would be a 0. This motel and the rooms were in a sad sorry state .... As soon as we walked in it smelled like an old basement... The dead bolt on the door did not work, and there were tons of little bugs everywhere ... not to mention the occasional wasp looking bug. The sheets looked really old and had little stain marks on them ....... EEWW! The towels were thin and also had stains on them, possibly rust stains... The ice bucket smelled like someone used it for a latrine ... and the ice machine was not functioning . . . The beds were so uncomfortable, but it was hard to sleep with all previous mentioned things in mind ... never again . . . and all this for $82/ night ..... never again read more

Great smaller older motel. Owners are very friendly and helpful. Our room was very clean and warm. It was 53 when we arrived and 37 when we departed. Despite the age of the place the overall look and feel is well maintained. Room had a nice 32" flat screen tv,fridge and microwave. The rate is no more than I'd pay for something else of the same standard I would recommend the motel if you are up this way site seeing. . read more

Smokey Bear Motel - Front of motel from parking lot - Hotels Near Me - Capitan, New Mexico

Was hoping to make a reservation for work purposes. When we notified the employee we would have a service dog, she put us on the phone with the owner. The owner proceeded to tell us how "strict" they are regarding service animals and told us we could not bring my husband's service dog. This is not an ESA or a pet, we have all the documentation and he stated he would have to "look it up". If you are handicapped in anyway or have a disability do not stay here. Apparently their allergies out weigh your need for a service animal. read more

Our family rented out probably more then half of the rooms the other weekend for a graduation. I unfortunately didn't drive in until 1 am. And was freaking out worried because I had no way to get inside my room! I talked with my aunt and she called the front and we got our room right away. They were so nice and helpful. We stayed for 2 nights. Rooms are all different (because they are being remodeled) but we were very comfortable in ours for the little amount of time we spent in the room. 3 stars because it is a little out dated for the room we had, bed wasent he best ( not the worst) and I could go for a cleaner (updated) bathroom. Yes yes I am that werid person who hates bathrooms no matter what, most will never hit my standards. But over all we would 100% stay here again. The owner and all workers were so nice and helpful. Really made this an easy vacation for the whole family! read more

We've been coming to stay at the Smokey Bear Motel for the past 9 summers during our vacation. Every year the hotel better and better! Mr. Suren and his whole family always work hard to make our stay friendly and comfortable. The Smokey Bear Motel is an older American Route 66 style motel and is quiet, comfortable and clean. It's located to some of the best hiking and mountain bike terrain and just a few miles from historic Fort Stanton. And it's just a short walk from the Smokey Bear Museum. My wife and I love staying here! David K. @InventorCat read more

Quaint little motel in Capitan. Yea it's not your Holiday Inn in terms of upkeep (it was clean just not sporting the latest in interior design) but our room was spacious, a/c worked and beds were clean and comfortable. There are areas that could use some improving (shower tiling cracking etc.) but for an overnight crash pad on a road trip this place was perfect. Would stay here again. read more

We stayed here last year and felt the hotel was vintage and quaint. This year it just felt old. The dead bolt didn't work so the room just had a doorknob lock that you would typically use for an inside door of a bathroom. We had to capture two huge moths that were inside the room and release them outside and there was a large spider climbing up the wall of the bathroom. (Sadly, He didn't qualify for the "catch and release" program). Electricity was provided throughout the room by way of multiple extension cords which would have given my fireman father a heart attack. I attempted to make coffee in the provided coffee pot and it literally was gelatinous. I don't know if that was the water or something inside the pot but either way it was nauseating. Outside of the rooms most door areas had significant amounts of bird droppings from birds that are sitting on the lights outside the room doors. This is a health issue and would not take much to clear away. We plan to be back next year but will be looking for alternative lodging. read more

Stayed in August with 3 grandkids; came back in October with just the youngest grandchild. Great place to stay! Owners are very nice and continuously doing updates to the property. Rooms/beds are comfortable and clean. We will definately return! read more

The owners, who live on site, were so helpful in giving us and our horses a place to stay for the night, while we were looking for a place to bed down in the evening hours. The bed was comfortable, the room was clean with wifi and tv, and the rate was reasonable. The restarant next door had the best chicken fried steak ever! The refrigerator didn't work in our room but all else was great! I highly recommend this hotel. read more

Warm and quiet. I stayed early November 2013. The outside temp was 29F. It has a rustic exterior so I did not expect the cleanliness, gas heat, WIFI, cable TV, and spacious room. I would stay at the Smokey Bear again. read more