Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner

Boise 43.62087900, -116.21640400 , 1800 Fairview Avenue (Show on Map)
6.0
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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsThe Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner garners positive remarks for its prime location, providing convenient access to downtown Boise, local attractions, Boise State University and various event venues. Guests appreciate the ease of freeway and airport access as well as the availability of parking options. While the surrounding area may seem sketchy to some, the overall consensus is that the location is a major advantage, especially with its affordability compared to other central hotels.

Breakfast offerings receive mixed reviews. Many guests praise the selection, quality and taste, singling out the biscuits and gravy and coffee as particularly good. However, issues such as inconsistencies in breakfast cost, quality and service timing are noted. Despite these concerns, the friendly staff and the value provided often win guests over.

Dining options are limited with the on-site restaurant and bar being closed beyond morning hours, necessitating guests to venture out for dinner. This closure can be inconvenient, especially for tired travelers, though the central location helps alleviate some of the inconvenience with various nearby dining options.

Rooms offer a diverse experience; many guests find them spacious, clean and comfortable with modern amenities like refrigerators and balconies with mountain views. However, dated decor, maintenance issues and cleanliness inconsistencies present challenges. Noise disturbances, faulty air conditioning and occasional cleanliness lapses detract from some guests' experiences.

Cleanliness presents a mixed picture—with several guests highlighting the clean and comfortable rooms and commendable housekeeping efforts. Nonetheless, common areas, bathrooms and some guest rooms suffer from significant cleanliness issues, including dirty carpets, unpleasant odors and dated furnishings.

The staff at the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner consistently receive high praise for their professionalism, friendliness and helpfulness. Standout individuals at the front desk and housekeeping add to the welcoming atmosphere. Despite occasional understaffing, the team remains dedicated to ensuring a pleasant stay for guests.

WiFi performance is generally positive, offering free and easily accessible internet, though some guests experience unsteady or non-existent connections in certain areas.

The gym, though described variably in terms of size and condition, is a welcome amenity. Guests appreciate the availability of equipment and an adjacent heated outdoor pool, despite some cleanliness and upkeep concerns.

The pool area receives mixed feedback. While some find it enjoyable and refreshing, others point out significant maintenance needs and a lack of privacy, along with cleanliness issues.

Beds are mostly praised for comfort and cleanliness, contributing to a restful night's sleep. Occasional complaints about firmness and sagging are noted but are outweighed by positive reviews.

Overall, the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner offers a fair price/value ratio for its three-star classification, especially appreciated for its excellent location. However, the hotel could benefit from updates and better upkeep to meet guest expectations consistently. Amenities beneficial to business travelers, such as meeting rooms, gym and free parking, add to its appeal as a budget-friendly option for business travel.
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Hotel near Ski Resorts
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is located 12 miles from Bogus Basin Ski Resort. It offers outdoor activities including skiing, snowboarding, and hiking nearby.

Family Friendly Hotel
Red Lion Hotel is centrally located and offers comfortable accommodations. It is close to family-friendly attractions and dining.

Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel allows dogs and cats with a fee per night. There is no size limit, with a maximum of two pets per room.

Hotel with Swimming Pool
Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner features a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub. These amenities enhance the guest experience, providing a relaxing and enjoyable stay for those seeking pool facilities.

  Outdoor Pool  


Business Hotel
Located in Boise, this hotel provides standard accommodations with amenities suitable for business travelers. It offers meeting facilities, on-site dining, and easy access to local businesses and attractions.

Accessible Hotel
This hotel offers wheelchair access throughout its grounds and includes handicapped parking. They provide a King Room with Disability Access. The hotel also offers a complimentary airport shuttle and free parking.

Hotel with Gym
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner includes a fitness center, making it suitable for travelers who value exercise facilities.

Hotel with Outdoor Pool
This hotel provides a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub. It is a full-service hotel conveniently located in downtown Boise. The hotel offers various amenities for both corporate and leisure travelers.

Hotel for Honeymoon

Hotel with Parking

Cheap Hotel

3-Star Hotel

Room Types
King Room Featuring a 55-inch flat-screen TV, this room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and microwave. Please note that the room rate is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 3 guests (see Hotel Policies).

Double Room with Two Double Beds Featuring a 55-inch flat-screen TV, this spacious room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and microwave. Please note that the room rate is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 4 guests (see Hotel Policies).

Premium King Room with Balcony Featuring a 55-inch flat-screen TV, this spacious room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and microwave. Please note that the room rate is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 3 guests (see Hotel Policies).

King Room - Disability Access This room features a 55-inch flat-screen TV, a microwave, and a refrigerator.

Double Room with Two Double Beds - Disability Access This room features a 55-inch flat-screen TV, a microwave, and a refrigerator.

Premier Corner King with Balcony Offering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The spacious air-conditioned double room offers a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe as well as mountain views. The unit offers 1 bed.

Queen Room with Two Queen Beds This air-conditioned quadruple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with pool views. The unit offers 2 beds.

Double Room with Pool View Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The spacious air-conditioned double room features a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe as well as pool views. The unit has 2 beds.

King Suite with Spa Bath Featuring a private entrance, this air-conditioned suite is comprised of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. The spacious suite offers a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a wardrobe as well as city views. The unit offers 1 bed.

Guest Reviews
6.0
Rated
Location
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is frequently praised for its prime location. Situated conveniently near downtown Boise, guests can easily access the city's vibrant center, restaurants and nightlife. Many found it ideal for reaching Boise State University, the Basque district and local hospitals such as St Alphonsus, all within a short drive or manageable walking distance. The hotel's central positioning offers easy freeway access, making it suitable for both short stopovers and extended stays.

Additionally, the proximity to the airport and various events venues adds to the appeal. For those who enjoy exploring on foot, the 15-20 minute walk to downtown is seen as a significant advantage. Guests appreciate the convenience of having parking options, local attractions and beautiful views of the foothills and mountains.

Though some mentioned the price can increase with additional fees and a few remarked on the surrounding area being somewhat sketchy, the overall consensus is that the location is excellent. Its ease of access to downtown Boise and affordability compared to other central hotels make it a popular choice among travelers.

Breakfast
Guest reviews of the breakfast at Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner reveal a mix of opinions with both positive and negative comments. Many guests appreciated the breakfast, describing it as good, very good and even exceptional. Several reviews highlighted the extensive selection with plenty of options available. Guests found the breakfast to be tasty, hot and well-prepared with specific mentions of delicious biscuits and gravy and fantastic coffee. The meal service was noted as fantastic and the breakfast presentation received compliments for being wonderful, pleasant and varied.

However, there were significant issues reported as well. Some guests found the breakfast quality to be below average, subpar or even horrible with complaints about runny gravy, cold biscuits, overly salty potatoes and bland eggs. The inconsistency in the cost of breakfast was a recurring theme with some guests experiencing confusion about whether breakfast was included or if there was an additional charge of $7. This sometimes led to frustration and disappointment.

The breakfast area also seemed to face issues with understaffing and timing with some guests noting that items were not replenished promptly and breakfast hours were not long enough. Despite these concerns, many guests still found value in the breakfast, especially for the price and appreciated the friendly staff and the overall experience when everything ran smoothly.

Dinner
Guests of the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner might find themselves on the lookout for dining options as the on-site restaurant and bar are closed. Many reviews indicate that the restaurant does not operate beyond morning hours and there are limited dining places within walking distance from the hotel. Visitors have consistently noted that the closure of the restaurant and bar leaves them with no food options on the property, highlighting the need to venture out for dinner. Despite the hotel’s accommodation efforts, the lack of an open restaurant or bar can be an inconvenience, especially for tired and hungry travelers.

Rooms
The rooms at the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner offer a mix of experiences, featuring both highlights and drawbacks. On the positive side, many guests found the rooms to be spacious, clean and comfortable, often mentioning modern amenities such as a refrigerator, TV and well-equipped spaces. Some rooms even enjoy balconies with mountain views, which add a pleasant touch to the stay. The cost is often described as providing good value and those who stayed in updated rooms found them quite nice and functional.

However, several aspects detract from the overall experience. Common complaints include issues with cleanliness such as dust, stains and unpleasant odors. The hotel suffers from dated decor and furniture in disrepair. Air conditioning problems are frequent with many guests reporting rooms that remain hot and uncomfortable despite temperature controls. Additionally, issues like missing furniture, faulty locks and general noise disturbances (especially near the pool area) have been noted.

Although some guests appreciated the large size of the rooms and the comfort of the beds, many found the property overall in need of significant updates and maintenance. While some enjoyed a quiet stay, others were disturbed by noise and cleanliness issues, indicating inconsistent upkeep and service levels across the hotel.

Beds
Reviews of the beds at the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner reveal generally positive feedback, focusing on comfort and cleanliness. Many guests found the beds to be comfortable with several noting specifically that the beds were very comfortable and had soft, clean bedding. The pillows also received positive mentions for being cozy and fresh. Some guests highlighted the spaciousness and cleanliness of the beds, contributing to a restful night's sleep.

However, a few reviews noted issues like beds being hard, having dents or sagging in the middle or being too firm. Some mentioned uncomfortable pillows that detracted from their comfort. Despite these occasional criticisms, the majority of reviews appreciated the cleanliness and comfort of the beds with descriptions ranging from clean and cozy to luxurious and amazing.

Overall, while there were some isolated complaints about firmness and sagging, the hotel’s beds are predominantly praised for their comfort and cleanliness, suggesting that most guests experience a good night's rest.

Cleanliness
The cleanliness of the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is a mixed bag according to guest reviews. On the upside, several guests noted that their rooms were clean, featuring clean sheets and a comfortable atmosphere. Housekeeping is commended by some for doing a good job, leading to a generally pleasant stay with fresh and clean spaces. The clean lobby area and overall clean ambiance in specific rooms received positive mentions, creating a cozy environment for guests.

However, numerous reviews highlight significant issues with cleanliness throughout the hotel. Common areas such as the hallways and carpets were frequently described as dirty, stained and worn out. Bathrooms were another point of concern with reports of musty smells, moldy shower walls and dirty floors. Some guests encountered unpleasant smells of cigarettes and body odor, both in rooms and common areas. Dust and grime seemed prevalent and several noted that their rooms were not cleaned properly during their stay with issues like sticky floors, dirty carpets and unemptied trash.

The overall state of the hotel was critiqued for being dated and in need of significant updates and refurbishments, including worn and stained furniture and broken fixtures. Despite some clean rooms providing comfort, the hotel's inconsistent cleanliness and maintenance issues appeared to detract from the overall guest experience significantly.

Staff
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner consistently receives praise for its exceptional staff. Guests frequently describe the team as kind, friendly and helpful, establishing a welcoming and warm atmosphere from the moment of check-in. Receptionists, including individuals like Becky and Sarah, stand out for their cheerful and accommodating nature. The housekeeping team also garners positive feedback for maintaining cleanliness and being attentive to guests' needs.

Despite occasional challenges such as being understaffed or handling difficult situations, the hotel staff remains professional and composed. They are described as hardworking and supportive, often going above and beyond to resolve issues and ensure a pleasant stay. Management, particularly Heather, receives commendation for effective leadership and positive interaction with guests.

Guests appreciate the proactive service and the willingness of staff to assist with various needs and inquiries. Instances of staff apologizing and addressing previous encounters show a commitment to improving guest experiences. While there are a few mentions of less favorable interactions, the overall impression is one of a dedicated and responsive team making notable efforts to provide excellent service and create a friendly environment.

Wi-Fi
The WiFi experience at Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner has some mixed feedback but leans towards the positive. The hotel provides a free and easily accessible WiFi network, which guests have described as good on multiple occasions. While several reviews mention that the WiFi can be unsteady, unsecured or non-existent in some areas, others found it to be functional and passable. Generally, the hotel does offer a reliable internet connection, though improvements could be made to ensure consistent performance throughout the property.

Gym
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner offers an on-site gym, much to the relief of guests who noted it wasn't mentioned on the website. While described variably as 'nice' and 'great', opinions on the gym's size and condition vary. Some have referred to the space as small, akin to a broom closet, while others find the cleanliness to be lacking and the equipment outdated or non-functioning. However, positive notes highlight efficient equipment and overall a positive experience in the gym. The addition of a heated outdoor pool complements the gym facilities, providing a complete workout and relaxation option for visitors. Despite some cleanliness and maintenance issues, the gym still serves as a convenient fitness option for hotel guests.

Pool
At the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner, the pool area receives mixed feedback from guests. On a positive note, the pool and hot tub are often described as enjoyable and refreshing with some visitors highlighting the pool as a great spot for cooling off and relaxing. The poolside rooms and outdoor swimming facilities also received favorable mentions, offering a nice bonus to the overall hotel experience.

However, several guests pointed out that the pool area is in significant need of maintenance and updating. Common concerns included broken furniture, outdated amenities and cleanliness issues with reports of debris and dirt scattered around the pool and patio area. Additionally, some guests found the pool area to be less private than desired and encountered problems such as unavailable towels and broken pool locks.

While the pool has the potential to enhance the stay at the Red Lion Hotel, attention to detailed cleaning and regular updates could vastly improve the guest experience.

3 Star
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is a three-star establishment that offers a fair price/value ratio, particularly appreciated for its good location. However, many guests feel the hotel is in desperate need of a refresh and better upkeep. The building, along with its worn-out carpets and somewhat depressing views, demonstrates its dated and tired nature.

While the hotel used to be very pleasant, it currently doesn't live up to the previously respectable Red Lion chain reputation. Guests frequently mention feeling the cost per night is too high, especially considering the budget hotel experience they received. Many were disappointed by the disconnect between the advertised premium accommodations and the reality, feeling the hotel was not worth the price they paid.

In summary, while the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner has potential and a good location, it is overpriced for the current state of its facilities and services. Updating and renovation are much needed to meet guests' expectations for a three-star hotel.

Business
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner provides several amenities beneficial to business travelers. The hotel offers a commendable game room and gym, making it an excellent choice for those who wish to balance work with leisure. The meeting room facilities have received positive remarks, highlighting their suitability for business needs. Additionally, the hotel offers free parking, which adds convenience for guests with vehicles.

The staff's professionalism and dedication are noteworthy, as they manage to maintain the property and attend to guests effectively, despite being busy and facing increased workloads. This level of service is especially appreciated within the context of the hotel's reasonable pricing, making it a good budget-friendly option for business travel.

Outdoor Pool
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner features an outdoor pool that has received mixed reviews from guests. While some appreciated the heated outdoor pool and noted it was clean, others encountered issues such as the pool being closed during their stay and the pool being cold. Access to the pool directly from some rooms is a convenient feature. However, some concerns were raised about the overall maintenance and cleanliness of the pool area and other hotel facilities, indicating room for improvement, particularly regarding the carpets in the hallways.

Dog Friendly
The Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is a pet-friendly establishment that welcomes guests traveling with their furry companions. The hotel stands out for its dog-friendly and pet-friendly policies, allowing pets to accompany their owners in the rooms. This accommodating approach provides ample space for families and their pets, making it a convenient choice for those traveling with animals. However, some guests have noted occasional issues with cleanliness and noise, such as uncleaned dog waste and barking dogs at night. Overall, the hotel offers a welcoming atmosphere for pets and their owners, though it may benefit from clearer communication about pet-related amenities and rules to enhance the experience for everyone.


Yes, Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner.

Yes, Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner welcomes dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner.

Yes, Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner has a gym.

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