Unbelievable Keystone Deals! Mt. Rushmore's BEST Baymont Inn!
Unbelievable Keystone Deals! Mt. Rushmore's BEST Baymont Inn! (My Honest Take)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on the Baymont Inn Keystone, the one they're probably calling "Mt. Rushmore's BEST!" Let's just say, after experiencing it – and I mean experiencing it, like, breathing the air and judging the heck out of the thread count – I have Opinions. And they're… well, they're all over the place, honestly. Get ready for a roller coaster, because this review is gonna be LESS polished, MORE real.
(Metadata & SEO Stuff - Don't worry, I'll get back to the juicy bits!)
- Keywords: Baymont Inn Keystone, Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota, Hotel Review, Accessible Hotel, Family-Friendly, Free Wi-Fi, Swimming Pool, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Reviews, Keystone Hotels, Near Mt. Rushmore, Affordable Hotel, Spa, Fitness Center, Pet-Friendly (even though they're not!), Best Keystone Hotel.
- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of the Baymont Inn Keystone, the "best" hotel near Mt. Rushmore. Honest thoughts on accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, and the overall experience. Is it really the best? Find out!
(Let's Get to the GOOD Stuff!)
First off, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room (or, in this case, the giant stone faces): Location, Location, Location! You're ridiculously close to Mt. Rushmore. Seriously, you can practically smell the patriotic pride (and maybe a little exhaust fumes). That's a HUGE win. Saves you travel time, and let's be honest, time is precious when you're dodging screaming toddlers at a national monument.
(Accessibility - The Good and the… Well, Maybe the Better!)
- Wheelchair Accessible? This is a biggie, and honestly, it got me a bit flustered. They claim to be, and I suspect they try. I did see ramps and elevators. But I wasn't explicitly checking that, and some of the hallways felt… a tad snug. I'm being honest, they might be slightly lacking in the "full-blown, super-sensitive to every single ADA detail" department. Worth checking ahead and VERY explicitly confirming your needs before booking.
- Services & Conveniences: Look, they had an elevator! That's a win. Facilities for disabled guests. I'm assuming they tried, but again, I didn't scrutinize every detail.
(Internet - Because Apparently We Can't Live Without It!)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Praise the internet gods! It worked pretty darn well, too. I mean, it wasn't fiber-optic speed, but sufficient for scrolling through memes, checking emails, and keeping the kids entertained (mostly) with the occasional YouTube video.
- Internet (General): Stable enough. I think I managed to watch an entire episode of Stranger Things. Pretty good in my books.
(Cleanliness and Safety - A Pandemic-Era Must…)
Okay, listen up folks, because this is REALLY important. During my stay, I had a few little worries. They had:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I'm assuming they used them. How would I really know?
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Again… assuming. I wasn't following the cleaning crew around like a weird stalker.
- Hand sanitizer: Plenty of it. I appreciated that.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Not sure if I did this, just went with the flow this time,
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Hopefully.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to be.
- Overall, they seemed to try, and it felt… reasonably clean. I wasn't finding mystery hairs or anything. But I've seen cleaner, and I've seen dirtier. Let's call it a solid "C+" in this department. The hotel can't really do that much and you always have to wash your hands!
(Rooms - Let's Get Personal!)
- Air conditioning: Thank GOD. South Dakota in summer? Whew.
- Blackout curtains: Needed those. The sun is INTENSE.
- Coffee/tea maker: Necessary. Especially after a long day of staring at stone faces.
- Daily housekeeping: Yep. They made my bed. That's always lovely.
- Desk: Actually a decent size for my laptop, which is a huge improvement.
- Free bottled water: A lifesaver.
- Hair dryer: Present and accounted for!
- Non-smoking: YES! Finally.
- Refrigerator: I have to give 5 stars, because I always need one.
- Shower: Water pressure was good. I like a good shower.
- Soundproofing: Meh but good.
- Wi-Fi [free]: I already praised this.
(Things to Do, Ways to Relax - Beyond the Stone Faces!)
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Now, this is where things get interesting… and by interesting, I mean… mediocre. It's there. It's a pool. It's somewhat clean (I think). The view… well, the view is of the parking lot. Don't expect a postcard moment. But hey, it's a refreshing option after a day of hiking around Mt. Rushmore. The kids were happy, so that made it worth it.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueling the Adventure!)
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, here's where I have some opinions. Breakfast was included, and it wasn't terrible. They had the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (questionable origin of the egg), waffles (good for the Instagram), some sad-looking fruit, and a coffee machine that dispensed something resembling coffee. Basically: it'll fill you up, it's free, and don't expect gourmet.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Weak. Bring your own.
(For the Kids - Because, Let's Face It, They're the Real Bosses!)
- Family/child friendly: YES! Pool, breakfast, space to run around (sort of). They get the kids.
- Babysitting service: I didn't see any.
- Kids meal: Not a thing, not a worry.
(Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter!)
- Car park [free of charge]: A necessity! Parking near Mt. Rushmore is a nightmare.
- Elevator: Thank goodness. Carrying luggage up stairs after a long day is just NOT happening.
- Laundry service: Always a win after a week of travel.
- Luggage storage: Useful for early arrivals/late departures.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a comfort.
(But Wait, There's More! - My Random Observations!)
- The Vibe: It's… a Baymont Inn. It's functional. Don't expect luxury. Expect clean, comfortable, and a good location.
- The Staff: They were friendly and helpful. Nothing to complain about.
- The Overall Experience: Look, it's a solid choice if you're visiting Mt. Rushmore. It's not going to win any awards for glamour, but it's clean, convenient, and won't break the bank. Just don't go in expecting a five-star experience, and you'll be perfectly happy.
- My Random Thought: Would I stay here again? Probably. The location is just THAT good.
- My Rating? 3.5 out of 5 stars. Could be better, could be a LOT worse.
- Most Important Fact: DO NOT FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's painstakingly planned travel itinerary. This is…well, this is my attempt at surviving Keystone, South Dakota, a stone's throw from Mount Rushmore, while residing at the Baymont by Wyndham. And let me tell you, after hour 3 on the road, a Baymont started sounding like the Ritz.
The Keystone Chronicles: A Series of Potentially Ill-Advised Adventures
Day 1: Arrival, Assimilation, and a Questionable Pizza
Afternoon (God, it's only the afternoon?): Finally land in Rapid City. The drive from… well, let's just say "far away" felt like navigating a beige sea of asphalt. My car is a testament to how much coffee I consume – a mobile espresso machine on wheels. Check into the Baymont. First impression? Clean enough. The complimentary breakfast, however, gives me pause. "Continental breakfast" translates to "a sad collection of processed carbs and questionable fruit," apparently. I grab some of the processed carbs.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (aka, the time the sun starts getting judgey): Keystone. Okay, Keystone. Population: Apparently, a lot of souvenir shops and a whole lotta tourists. My initial impression of the town? Charming in a "staged Wild West movie set" kind of way. Actually, it's kind of endearing, in a desperate for your tourist dollar kind of way. The Baymont, by the way, is strategically placed. Thank the heavens.
Dinner (or the Pizza Apocalypse): I'm famished, tired, and frankly, a little overwhelmed. The brochure for "Pizza Paradise" looked promising. Lies, all lies! The pizza was… well, let's just say the cardboard box it came in probably had more flavor. The crust tasted like the soul of a forgotten gym sock. The cheese? I'm pretty sure it was a new, experimental form of plastic. My emotional state? Somewhere between "mildly disappointed" and "contemplating a midnight run to the gas station for chips and a Twix."
Post-Pizza Debrief (in the Hotel Room): The TV remote's batteries are dead. Of course. This is life, right? The internet is… okay. I give it a C+. I try to plan tomorrow, get my adrenaline pumping, my senses at peak performance. Fail. I attempt a pre-sleep meditation. I think about falling, I think about my life, I think about that pizza. I fail. The thought of the buffet breakfast tomorrow is a big worry.
Day 2: Rushmore, Reflections, and a Possible Meltdown (of a Delicious Variety)
Morning (Bright and… underwhelming): Okay, breakfast. I steel my nerves and head down to the "continental" buffet. I'm not going to lie. I see a waffle maker. Hope! I make a waffle. I add a concerning amount of fake syrup. I eat a waffle. I'll live. Barely.
Mid-Morning (Rushmore, baby!): Mount Rushmore. Finally! Driving up is a little like the buildup before a rollercoaster, that feeling that you are about to experience something amazing and that you are going to poop your pants. The monument itself is…impressive. Monumental, even. The faces are huge – you feel small, insignificant in the face of American history, and yet, utterly obligated to take a selfie with Teddy Roosevelt. "Merica," I mutter, snapping a photo. The crowds… oy vey. Pushy, loud, and eager to block your view. I spend a good ten minutes dodging selfie sticks and trying to maintain my sanity. There's a great view, though and it is worth it.
Lunch (A Necessary Escape): Found a little cafe called "The Gold Pan." I need a break from the tourist hordes. Ordered a burger. Actually, a good burger. Proof that even in a town built on tourist traps, you can find a hidden gem. Or, perhaps, I was just really, really hungry. I sat there, watched the other tourists. Some were loud, some were obnoxious, others, like me, are just trying to survive.
Afternoon (Driving and Contemplation): I decide to drive the Needles Highway. Oh. My. God. The road twists and turns, snaking through the Black Hills. The views? Stunning. The hairpin turns? Terrifying. I'm pretty sure I aged ten years in that hour. I was terrified, utterly, positively terrified. I love it.
Evening (Dinner and the "Black Hills Burger"): My mood is improved. My courage is high. My stomach is rumbly. I order the "Black Hills Burger" at a different restaurant. It's huge. It's messy. It's delicious. I eat it like a caveman. I'd say I had a good day.
Nighttime (in my safe, and lonely room): Tomorrow I promised I will go to the Crazy Horse Memorial. I think. I’m not entirely sure. I can’t entirely process. I eat some chips and watch something on the TV. I look at the brochure for "Pizza Paradise" one last time before turning off the lights.
Day 3: Crazy Horse, Caves, and the Bitter Sweet End
Morning: Actually woke up feeling somewhat rested. The waffle-fueled breakfast, I think, saved me. Onward!
Mid-Morning: Crazy Horse Memorial. Much bigger than I expected. Actually. Much. Much. I can't even process. It felt right. It felt powerful. The sheer scale of the thing is mind-boggling. I spend a good chunk of time just staring at it. I feel a deep, profound, and slightly overwhelming sense of… something.
Lunch: Back in Keystone. One last sad buffet breakfast, with more waffles and dubious syrup.
Afternoon: I take a quick trip to the Black Hills Caverns. Pretty. But after the immensity of the Crazy Horse sculpture, I'm a bit jaded.
Later Afternoon - The Sad Goodbye: Packing up. Driving away from Keystone. I am sad. I am happy. I am mostly tired. But I'm changed. I'm full of good food and bad memories. I'll be back.
Final Thoughts & Baymont Verdict:
The Baymont? Three stars. Clean, adequate, and a safe harbor in a sea of souvenir shops and cheesy restaurants. The pizza? Avoid at all costs. Keystone? Worth a visit. But bring your own snacks, your own sense of humor, and a healthy dose of skepticism. And maybe, just maybe, you'll stumble into some magic, like I did. Or, you know, a decent burger. Either way, it's a journey. And mine, at least for now, is over.
Pittsburgh Cranberry TownePlace Suites: Your Perfect Stay Awaits!
Okay, Unbelievable Keystone Deals! Mt. Rushmore's BEST Baymont Inn... Really? Is this some kind of joke?
So, "best" is relative, okay? And UNBELIEVABLE is… well, it depends on what you’re comparing it to. I’d been staring at hotels that looked like they hadn't been updated since the Reagan administration, charging a king’s ransom. This Baymont? Felt... clean. Relatively speaking. And the price? Lets just say it didn’t make me weep openly.
What's the room *actually* like? (Be honest!)
But! The bed was surprisingly comfortable. Actually. I slept like a log after a day of chasing squirrels through the Badlands. And the shower? Pressure was *okay*. It wasn’t a trickle. It wasn't a firehose. Adequate. Which, given the circumstances, felt like a victory. My second stay (oops) was better! Better smelling, better bed! Maybe I got lucky the first time? Maybe I learned?
The "Unbelievable Deals" – Spill the tea! What makes them "unbelievable"?
The real "unbelievable" factor? Finding a place near Rushmore that DIDN'T require selling a kidney. I mean, seriously, you *know* what I mean.
What about the continental breakfast? I'm a breakfast person!
I'm not going to lie. The highlight was the waffle maker. And that's only because I adore a waffle maker. And the satisfaction of those little golden squares! Let’s just say I made friends with the waffle iron pretty damn fast. My waffle skills improved. It was a love affair. A golden, crispy, carb-filled love affair.
Location, location, location! How close *is* close to Mt. Rushmore? Because I want to run there!
Bonus: This is important. You're also near the main drag, the one with all the… let’s call them "charming" souvenir shops. And the slightly-less-charming, but still essential, ice cream parlors. (Pro tip: Find a place that serves "buffalo ice cream." You'll thank me later. Or maybe not. It's an experience.)
Any hidden fees? I *hate* hidden fees.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? or do they look like they're being held against their will?
I did witness one amazing moment! A small child, maybe five years old, decided to try and sneak a handful of cereal into the elevator. One of the staff members saw and calmly guided the child out, explaining to the child the rules of the breakfast area. It was strangely charming, and I appreciated their patience.
Would you stay there again? Knowing what you know now?
Let's be honest. You're going to Keystone to see Mt. Rushmore. You'll be spending most of your time *outside* the hotel. You really just need a place to crash after a long day of driving and taking selfies with some pretty cool rocks. And for that… it’s worth it. Plus the waffle maker! That alone is worth it! My personal waffle rating? 4 out of 5 golden squares.
Any major downsides? I'm looking for the *Hotelicity
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