Book with the little guys

A Few Things You Probably Don't Know About the Lodging Industry

We are always grateful when our guests choose to book their stay at the Big Sky Motel. It keeps the legacy of our family strong.

Nostalgia and Legacy

As a kid, I often played Innkeeper with my cousins in the living room of the Big Sky Motel. If it were up to them, we most certainly would have played something else. I would collect all the unused keys from the office and take the old triplicate credit card copier—chunk chunk—to make pretend reservations.

I remember watching my grandma, Donna, build a thriving business using just a spiral notebook, a formidable work ethic, and a meticulous eye for detail. She had a unique way of welcoming each guest as if they were friends—many of them were.

I recall the surprise of callers when she would tell them that the rate was $45 for one person and $55 for two. My nostalgia for those days as a toe-headed grandkid is incredibly strong. Sadly, the lodging and travel industry has changed dramatically since those early years.

I genuinely care about your journey to Roundup and around the world. There are a few things I want to share with you to enhance your travels.

Hilton vs. the Big Sky Motel

We believe the stories of independent roadside motels are the essence of our towns, states, and country. These big brands often make it exceedingly difficult to support our community during disasters, like the fires in the Bull Mountains.

Roundup is fortunate to have three independent properties ready to welcome you, which is indeed rare. Today, 72% of properties in the United States are affiliated with a big brand. While these brands may not always be named "Hilton" or "Marriott," chances are the places you stay are part of the larger corporate narrative.

The Big Sky Motel has never been, and will never be, part of that story. While joining a big brand might allow us to access discounts on products and market to a larger audience, it would mean losing track of our unique story—a story that many of you have helped build.

Choosing to remain independent is not a decision we take lightly. Yet we make that choice with pride every single day.

Are the Points Worth It?

Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, and similar platforms provide significant marketing boosts to small properties like ours—but at a cost. Did you know that every time you book through one of these sites, nearly 20% of your transaction goes directly to them, not to the small-town motel where you're staying?

This system can become a predatory trap. It keeps your money from reaching the property, all so you can earn loyalty points to spend on your next booking with them, thus ensuring another 20% is withheld from the property.

For fifty years, the Big Sky Motel has operated without relying on these sites, with only a few exceptions during COVID. However, it's not always easy. Google searches favor these larger sites and typically prioritize their links over ours, where a direct booking ensures that 100% of your transaction goes to the team that will take care of you during your stay.

Our Commitments

First and foremost, we will always be an independent family-owned motel. Each decision we make prioritizes our guests, our team, and our community. We understand their needs better than any corporate brand ever could.

Secondly, we strive to make it as easy as possible for you to book directly with us. You can always call and chat with a member of the Big Sky Motel family about your reservation at 406.323.2303. Chances are, that same person will be there to check you in!

We’ve also developed a mobile-friendly website that allows you to book directly with us online, avoiding that pesky 20% taken by the giants of the industry.

Finally, we are dedicated to telling our story. We are building a brand of our own and enhancing our reputation every single day. Decades of guests have created cherished memories here at the Big Sky Motel. I believe these brick buildings standing proudly on Main Street hold something special, and my team and I will do everything possible to celebrate that special essence—from check-in to check-out.

Support Independent Lodging

The lodging industry has changed faster in the past five years than it ever has before. We are committed to standing strong through these changes as a family-owned, independent roadside motel.

Our request is simple: When traveling to Roundup (or anywhere else in the world), please consider booking directly with an independent property. Help keep these important icons of our nation alive.

The next time you travel to Roundup, we would love for you to become part of our story. There are also two other great independent properties in town that value direct bookings:

• The Autumn's Inn: (406) 323-1000

• Ideal Motel & RV Park: (406) 323-3371

  
  

We look forward to welcoming you to the family on your next trip through Eastern Montana.