Bavarian Inn, Black Hills
4.6 (780)
855 N 5th St, Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-2802
bavarianinnsd.com
Claimed
Chalet-style property offering simple rooms with free Wi-Fi, plus dining, 2 pools & a tennis court. Off Route 16 and surrounded by forest, this relaxed, chalet-style hotel is 14 miles from Jewel Cave National Monument and 18.9 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Straightforward rooms feature free Wi-Fi, and include minifridges, microwaves, plush linens and flat-screen TVs. Upgraded rooms have 2-person whirlpool tubs, and suites add pull-out sofas. Afternoon cookies and milk are complimentary. Additional amenities include heated indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, a tennis court and 2 playgrounds. There are self-service laundry facilities, as well as a Bavarian-themed grill with stone fireplaces.
Reviews
Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.
Ariel Shatz
2 months ago
This place was like a little magical oasis right outside the main strip of Custer, SD. We were pleasantly surprised with everything about this place. We stayed in October, so we weren't able to utilize the outdoor stuff, BUT we loved the indoor pool &. hot tub, game options, arcade game tables, and the lively decor that was homey and welcoming. We traveled without our son, but, Oh my Gosh, he would have loved this place. The staff was very friendly, and the onsite Cafe was adorable! They had amazing food, and we took advantage. :) If I am in Custer again, I will definitely book my stay at the Bavarian Inn.Rooms: The room we stayed in was clean and cozy. We sprung for a Deluxe King room with a jacuzzi tub. It was nice to have the tub and shower, and there was a mini fridge for beverages and such, and a table and chairs for two. There was also enough space to lay out both me and my husband's suitcase without getting in the way. My only criticism would be that the door to the room is a double, full glass panel door and it's right next to the bed. There were shades, obviously, but they weren't flush against the door, and you could see through on an angle. Luckily, I did not notice a lot of people walking by our room, and it felt quiet and private, but that might turn some people off.Nearby activities: Right down the road, there are several restaurants, stores, and there is even a great spot for Axe Throwing (Old Pine Social)! All the touristy stuff is within an hour's drive, and the Crazy Horse monument is 15 minutes away. Wind Cave National park is a short drive, as well as Hot Springs. Mount Rushmore isn't very far away either.Food & drinks: We had breakfast one morning at Hjem A.M. It was absolutely delicious, and the ambiance and friendly staff and clientele truly made this place special. We also got to eat at the Skogen Kitchen, which I couldn't recommend more highly.The Custer Wolf and the Buglin' Bull were also good. The Feel Good Cafe at the Bavarian Inn was a wonderful place to grab breakfast each morning. Honestly, we had a great experience everywhere we went. :)
Jeri Hough
2 months ago
Really pretty place just off the road in the middle of beautiful pine trees. The room was a little small. It would have been fine, but the walls were like thick cardboard. The guy next door was sick and kept me awake ALLNight coughing and sneezing. I had paid for 3 nights, but took the loss and checked out after 2 and found an awesome Marriott than was cheaper in Rapid City which felt wonderful to me!
Kelli Goforth
4 months ago
Such a cute little place to stay. It was so quint and cute. Nothing fancy but just cute. Very nice and very peaceful. It was chilly when we were in town so we didn t do much of the outside things but we did swim in the pool and sit in the hot tub. It was close to town. The rooms were nice and clean. The staff was very friendly. I would recommend to stay. We did not have any problems or issues with check in or check out. Worked out great.
Melody Shaw
6 months ago
We stayed at this lovely little inn and we LOVED it! The room was clean and the bed was really comfortable. It was very quiet and peaceful. The desk clerk was polite and very helpful. It was away from downtown, which was nice. They offered free use of washers and we only had to pay to use the dryers for just $1.25. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again!
Sam Sam Palser
7 months ago
My family loves this cozy Inn, with many amenities and fantastic service. It's evident that the owners and staff love what they do and have a passion for it. I've never experienced such excellent customer service at any hotel I've ever stayed at. They are looking for, aware of, and eager to assist with any way they can help make your day better. They let you know their expectations of you and what you can expect from them. The three swimming pools, yes three, are all perfectly maintained and refreshing. They offer many games, books, and play areas for kids of all ages and are dog-friendly. I highly recommend you and your family visit this place.Rooms: Very clean and recently updatedNearby activities: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer Park are all within 20 minutes or less.Safety: Felt very safeWalkability: It is right on the edge of town so you can walk it's not a huge town but you probably want a carFood & drinks: They have a smoothie machine in the lobby and for breakfast there's the Bavarian Cafe right next door.Noteworthy details: There are electric vehicle Chargers on the property, a dog park, a tennis court, a basketball court, three pools, and a playground for kids, a couple of them, actually. Hammocks hanging around the property. Coin-operated laundry machines with laundry soap provided. Vending and ice machine located inside laundry area. If you forgot toiletries or something, they are happy to help find you whatever you need. Cookie delivery to your room each night at 8:30.
Bree M
2 months ago
Our stay was good, but they put a FRAUDULENT charge on my credit card.I would have given them a better rating, but they Refused to admit that they charged a second charge for a fancier room with a hot tub (signed by a random guy who lives in South Dakota), and then doubled-down and refused to remove the charge.I won the credit card dispute.
Mark Kieda
6 months ago
We recently spent 4 nights there and I highly recommend a stay while visiting the Black Hills area.The rooms and grounds are neat, clean and well kept up.The friendly staff provided great service in a way that seems to be coming more the exception than the rule nowadays. Very nice pool and hot tub. The Feel Good Cafe next to the Inn is a breakfast only restaurant with a friendly staff, good lattes and a healthy menu.
Heather Swearengin
8 months ago
We stayed for 2 nights and it was wonderful! The room was a standard hotel room, but it was clean and bed was comfy. The board games and afternoon cookies are fun. I appreciated that they were not stingy with towels. The staff is super friendly. The indoor pool is very nice and not humid or smelly like most indoor pools I ve been to. The outdoor pool was nice too. It was a great location.
Courtney Venard
6 months ago
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Brandon Walker
6 months ago
This was the most pleasant stay I have ever had at a hotel in The Black Hills. As Northern Hills locals, we decided to spend a few days in the Custer area. The Bavarian Inn was charming, pleasant, and accommodating in every way. Dog friendly, with plenty of areas for them to play and go potty. Delightful patio area for us to enjoy (our own) drinks by the fire, heated indoor pool and jacuzzi with a relaxing atmosphere; the lo-fi music playlist fit the mood perfectly. We didn't have time to take advantage of the outdoor sporting courts, or the outdoor giant Chess and Connect Four games, but we will next Spring. With how pleasant the atmosphere was, the friendliness off the staff, and lets not forget about the delightful complimentary fresh cookie and milk happy hour, this will be a regular retreat for us to visit for a local getaway.Rooms: Our room with a king bed included a Cafe table with chairs, a loveseat, and all modern amenities one can expect. Plenty of outlets and USB ports available. The bed was INCREDIBLY comfortable. Definitely felt like an old room upgraded with modern appliances, but that contributed even more to the charming atmosphere.Nearby activities: Plenty to see and do nearby. Just down the road into town you can find the best burger I've had to date at Black Hills Burger and Bun CoFood & drinks: The on property Feel Good Cafe made an awesome coffee, and a great breakfast crescent. The fresh baked cookies every day are delightful.
Lisa M
7 months ago
We stayed here for three nights while in Custer. The property is beautiful and the room was great! We stayed in the Queen Deluxe and it was definitely worth upgrading to. Our dog loved it too! The two pools, hot tub, pickle ball & basketball courts were awesome. Plus, the staff was really nice. It s also super close to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park! We ll definitely be back!
Angela Shonblom
6 months ago
This place is absolutely charming and beautiful. All my family and friends who have ever stayed here have had the best experience here and at their cafe. Our daughter has worked for them for 4 years and the owners and management are the most kind and thoughful people you will ever meet. They take very good care of their employees! We have been so blessed by them! This place is by far the best place to stay in Custer!
David Smith
7 months ago
We stayed here on our way to Mt. Rushmore and loved it so much we stayed an extra night. The rooms were clean and comfortable. Loved the cookies & milk option. Front desk area had a lot of games for the kids to play. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They even tracked down an airpod we left behind and mailed it to us. We hope to be back some day.
Paul Smith
7 months ago
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Nic V
11 months ago
Found the Bavarian Inn by chance when doing a Google search for Wind Cave National Park, and so glad I booked here because it's hands down one of the best places we've stayed.My family of four stayed in one of the two-room suites for five days, and each room was big and spacious. Super clean, updated and decorated so nicely; even the quilts on the trundle bed were adorable. The beds and pillows were awesome - so comfortable. If (more like when) we return for a visit, we'll definitely re-book a two room suite because of the spaciousness. The only drawback is that the two-room suites are located on the second floor, but that wasn't that big of a deal as everyone in my family are able-bodied, but other guests may want to take this into consideration.As for the staff at the Inn, they all went out of their way to ensure we had a great stay. So helpful, friendly and welcoming. We took advantage of their cookie happy hour, from 3:30 to 4:30 everyday, which was such a sweet touch to our stay.Grounds are well kept and there's lots do do to keep the kids busy when not sight-seeing in the Hills. My family took advantage of the pickle ball court, which my teenage kids loved. Also, take advantage of the Feel Good Cafe for breakfast on the other side of the grounds.Everything about our stay and the Bavarian Inn was exceptional. I highly recommend this cozy spot for its amenities, clean and spacious rooms and the staff. Not one bad or even slightly disappointing experience and I can't wait to return again someday.
Olivia Martin
6 months ago
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D. Lopez
7 months ago
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S. Matisko
6 months ago
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Robyn Mangold
7 months ago
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Autumn Fisher
7 months ago
We loved this cute little Inn! There are so many basic motels/hotels this was a breath of fresh air.The pools are warm, hot tub, board games to play, tennis, and lots of other things to do. Also, the Kuchen is amazing! Highly recommend treating yourself to these treats.
Tim Brown
7 months ago
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Will Durman
8 months ago
We stayed at the Bavarian Inn for four nights and everything was fantastic. We stayed in the family suite which gave us some extra room for our family of four. It was such a friendly and calming experience after days on the road. I can tell that the staff takes great pride in the hotel. The indoor pool and room is spacious and lovely. I'd recommend this hotel for anyone visiting Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and many other close attractions.
Kenny Webb
6 months ago
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Mikayla Troudt
7 months ago
My mom and I spent four nights at the Bavarian Inn while on vacation and we absolutely loved it! The rooms are super cute and quaint and the beds are very comfortable. Every employee we encountered there was always incredibly cheerful, friendly, and always smiling. We didn't have a single bad day there. My mom was completely obsessed with the salt-water pool, and I was enchanted with the Feel Good cafe! My only recommendation would be to bring a roku, fire stick, or other streaming device because the in-roon cable TV channels are very limited. This wasn't a big deal for me and my mom because we don't watch a lot of TV while we are vacationing, anyway.Otherwise, our stay was perfect and we know where we will be staying in the future whenever we visit the Black Hills!
Jill Stromberg
7 months ago
What a gem! We stayed late August with our 2 girls and goldendoodle. It was close to all the sights and the Bavarian Inn was almost as good as our car getting nuzzled by buffalo at Custer State Park. The pools, pickleball, super friendly staff, nighttime lighting (felt so safe walking my dog around the property and doing laundry late at night) and activities like the huge chess board and holy cow the Feel Good Cafe pastries and fresh cookies were amazing. My family isn t used to camping in any way, and this felt like the perfect intro to wilderness fun. I highly recommend this place to anyone! It was magical and a highlight of our trip. Thank you so much! My kids couldn t stop smiling and they didn t want to leave!Food & drinks: OMG the Cafe!!!!!Noteworthy details: The attention to detail was outstanding!
Ashley Fargen
11 months ago
We just absolutely loved our stay here. The staff were wonderful, the mood of the place was so relaxing and inviting. The nektar bed was really comfortable and the room was very clean. We loved the feel good cafe and being able to walk a few feet and grab gourmet coffee and breakfast. The indoor heated pool was unique and refreshing. We told each other after night 1 that we would definitely be back. ( We stayed 3 nights). They offer a milk and cookie service from 8:45 to 9 where they deliver fresh hot cookies to your door. We loved being able to park right outside of the room. Will recommend to anyone staying in the hills!
Tiarr Dahlen
7 months ago
My family of 5 just stayed for 3 nights and we couldn't be happier with this property! The service was so welcoming, all the staff was extremely polite and willing to go above and beyond for guests. There were so many amenities to keep my kids busy, 2 pools (inside & outside), hot tub, sport court for BB or pickleball, countless boardgames, and even a cookie and milk daily happy hour!The location is great as we can get around to all attractions easily. The beds were comfy, flowers and plants everywhere, and coin operated laundry on site, we drove our tesla which conveniently had a (free) charging station right outside our room. We were sad to leave, I would recommend this place to anyone looking to see/ explore the black hills and surrounding area!!
miah sands
8 months ago
My family and I stayed at Barvarian Inn this summer. We had an AMAZING STAY! The hospitality was unmatched. We enjoyed coffee and breakfast at the happy cafe multiple times which was very reasonably priced and great food. The workers were so nice all through Barvarian inn. My kids loved the cookie delivery to our room! There is so much for kids to do right on site also they will not have time to be bored! We WILL be back!
Josiah Robinson
11 months ago
Very reasonably pricing, and decent bedroom furnishings. Absolutely excellent service, I was impressed that every single employee was friendly, and helpful far beyond what I was expecting. One of them especially, Henrietta, gave me some great info on routes to take and places to see in the area.I thought there was a tennis court in the back, it isn t but it is a half court basketball court and a pickle ball court.There s also a cafe a short walk away that I d highly recommend. Just Feel Love Cafe or something like that. Also great service, and great food too. Nice place to sit and eat breakfast with good scenery.
Ryan Wischmeyer
8 months ago
This is a no frills motel. Although the room is clean, it has several detractors, especially for this price point. We paid rough $180 per night and we d expect to have at least premade coffee and tea/hot water in the lobby, but no, they want you to buy it at their restaurant next door. The ac unit in the room never turns off and it s loud. We were on the second floor (no elevator if you need it) and the entire room shook every time someone went up and down the stairs outside our room. The shower head is very low, tall people need to bend down to wash your face and head. Location is good though and the staff is friendly, I attribute the problems with the owners than the employees who are just doing as directed.