We recently spent a couple of nights at the Montage Big Sky, as we were in town to attend an event (unrelated to the hotel). I’ve been intrigued by this 139-room resort since it opened in late 2021. Not only was this my first stay at a Montage property, but I was also curious to…
Continue reading: Review: Montage Big Sky, Montana
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Given that Residence Inn Marriott Big Sky is there right next door available free on points (and many other reasonable cash options) there is absolutely zero reason for anyone to spend $1000+++ on Montage outside ski season unless they really hate money. Even during ski season you really must value ski on ski out at $500++ to consider this property vs others
Everything about this resort looks generic and devoid of personality and thoughtful design. The room in particular looks very basic. Everything's just big.
Ben I don’t really care for these reviews of properties that aren’t available on points or miles. Anyone can fork over a ton of cash to stay at a really nice hotel and there are plenty of really nice places happy to charge them. The whole fun of this hobby is in the deals!
While I appreciate that you review properties like this I'm always surprised that people pay these huge amounts of money. I agree with the other comment that there are other options that do just as well for so much less money!
Still, those breakfast nipple muffins looked like an interesting breakfast choice!
I am genuinely confused, do you tip for a massage in the US? What you are essentially buying is 1 hour of time from someone, the whole fee is already a tip. What else is the initial 280 usd for?... How they split this fee between the hotel and the worker is up to them, shouldn't not be up to the client.
One of my pet peeves at hotels is larger rooms that are just larger with no thought put into them. They didn't bother to think about the layout, the space, etc. and just ordered several hundred cookie cutter items to stuff into each space. That is fine but don't then charge a premium for something that doesn't offer more.
Not so much just offering more rather just wastes the space you are given. I don't need a larger room to just do yoga on a more spacious floor.
Looking at the photos, the furniture throughout the public areas and your room scream Hyatt Regency. Seriously, it almost looks like the Hyatt Regency Tahoe in Incline Village. That place is a nice property, for a Regency, but heck, this is supposed to be a high end property. The Hilton Munich Airport has nicer decor and ambience than this. And I totally get the service complaints. It's like the Ritz Carltons - cookie cutter luxury for the non-discerning American traveler that has money but no style. And like you, I don't need for someone to call me by my name or kiss my behind, just provide seamless and genuine service.
@Ben, given your review, how on earth does it rate 4 stars? I vaguely recall that you score each flight/property based on its peers (luxury vs. luxury, etc.), but even by those standards, this would be 2 or 3 stars, *at best* and *very* generously. I wouldn't return to a $200-300 HH/MR/WoH/IHG with similar lapses, let alone a $1k high-end property.
$1000 / night in Montana, cray cray does not even begin to describe this
Let alone the hilarious rating, 4/5
How do you go from a $280 massage to $350 with tip? That's $70! $280 for an hour is already a high price. Same with valet parking, the $55 charge is insane already and tip should never be expected. (although very common these days at US luxury hotels).
Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I started working at 16 in a Dutch grocery store for €4 an hour. I did my best and never expected tips (which I didn’t get). Tips make people greedy, and now a $70 tip is the expected? If I had gotten $70 tips on my €4 wage, I would've stayed in that job forever instead of moving on.
Lucky, what are some of the luxury resorts in the US you feel offer comparable service overall to what you get in Europe? Just curious.
If anyone is planning a ski trip to Big Sky some local suggestions to consider are; skiing a day at Bridger Bowl, having a sub at the Pickle Barrel and stopping for breakfast at the Kountry Kornel Cafe on your way to Big Sky. All three will cost you around $100. Please take some of the savings vs an extra day at Big Sky and tip the wait staff well at the cafe.
My father always referred to Montana as God’s Country. Hopefully some of you get a chance to visit and come to the same conclusion.
This review basically sums up US "luxury" and why I couldn't imagine ever paying for it.
I totally get your perspective that US luxury resorts lack in the way of exceptional service - especially considering the prices paid. I have not been to Montana but in this particular case, I have to wonder what the employment pool is like? I mean, in such a remote place, I just wonder if the pool of applicants is diverse enough to be able to select a very high quality of service personnel? I don't know?? Perhaps that's a consideration in this case. Granted, with proper training, this maybe should not be an issue.
Also - you should have gotten the avacado toast (on the menu) for breakfast!!! See what happens the ONE AND ONLY TIME that you do not order avacado toast???? You only have yourself to blame. You let us down Lucky!!! I demand a boring picture of avacado toast!! I'm feeling deprived! 🙂
As he stated numerous other times the vote is influenced by the hotel location, price point and category. In Europe this kind of hotel and service would get 3 stars, in the US it's a solid 4 stars. Not that I agree with this system but this is how OMAAT ratings work.
I agree that many US hotels could improve service with training. Visited Switzerland recently and I was so impressed by the service-even in mid-tier hotels.
And the spa thing is a pet peeve of mine. I am not willing to pay 2-3x the cost of a massage at home simply b/c I am on vacation. I enjoy, however, using the sauna or the indoor pool and appreciate that high end European hotels welcome all guests to use spa facilities.
Yes you should always tip for a massage in the US. A huge amount of the cost of a massage is going to the hotel, not the worker.
Is tipping culture in the US annoying? Absolutely. But please don't apply a non-US orientation of how it "should" be because workers in the US are not compensated in the same structures as elsewhere. For example, restaurant employees who receive tips are allowed to receive below minimum wage or below market wages because of the fact that it will be made up or made whole with tips. So not tipping causes them to receive a lower wage than they would otherwise expect / warrant at their location and skill level.
Absolutely - almost looks like a very nice Westin (or Hyatt regency as someone else mentioned).
It is helpful for some of us who have shifted to paying cash for nice hotels. As you can see in the review, a high price point does not guarantee a great hotel or experience. Similarly with Four Seasons - they are not created equal so it's helpful to have a first hand perspective.
Ben - highly recommend the Four Seasons Jackson Hole for a better US luxury ski town experience. While service isn't perfect, it's far better than I've experienced at other similar ski hotels in the US (Park Hyatt's, Ritz Carlton, etc.) and the rooms are quite nicely done. The entry level room is spacious, has great views of the valley, and the fit and finish feels much more high end than the generic design of this hotel (and rooms look recently renovated).
A person usually comes to a resort like this is because of the resorts location. Mountainside. Believe me, you will pay a premium elsewhere if the resort was ski-in ski-out. The skiing at Big Sky is good and the resort is normally no where near as crowded as the big name US resorts. It’s cold too. I live in Montana and we don’t mind if you stay home.
Of course no one was tipping you $70 as a grocery store clerk in the Netherlands — the tipping culture in Europe is completely different from that in the United States.
A masseuse doesn't make $280 — they probably make minimum wage ($10.30/hour in Montana) and the tip is meant to show appreciation for a service well done. This is the same with other service providers such as hairstylists, masseuses, wait staff, bartenders. Tip amounts can vary based on the profession and quality of service, but if you plan on eating in a restaurant you should be planning to tip 15-25% on your total bill.
This is not a defense of American tipping practices but rather an explanation.
Ben - do you think Ford gets special treatment during these trips because he is a travel advisor?
Could someone not in the trade visiting these hotels expect the same amenities such as the welcome platters?
I'm curious how much extra they charged for bowling... $50/game? $25 for shoe rental?
The way they booked (Virtuoso) usually includes a "welcome amenity"
Its a variable in HNL it was a local chocolate bar ($6 retail) at a $400 per night place (Hyatt also where I am a Globalist)
In KIX (Osaka) Ritz Carlton ($400 ADR) it was a platter of Strawberries, ($18) Macarons ($12) and a split of Moet. ($25 Retail Value) $55 welcome amenity value
(Bonvoy Silver, which they didn't know until I arrived)
Both Stays were in February of 2024
Exactly my experience with all Montage properties, and your 4-star rating hits the nail on the head.
I feel like they view themselves as "luxury+," but I always see areas where they have cut corners in décor, staff, etc., and especially food compared to true luxury brands. They feel a bit like they hired middle-of-the-road safe designers, cooks, etc. for everything. It's very Chip and Joanna Gaines crowd, inoffensive but unremarkable.
None of the services match the prices they normally ask for. The Laguna Beach property was really bad the last time I stayed there, and the Park City (Deer Valley) is overshadowed by much better properties.
I also wouldn't expect great service from the people who can't even afford to live in the same area they work. I would suggest a reality check -- your $1,000 a night stay is 1/2 the average rent residents pay to live in the Bozeman/Big Sky area, and around 1/2 of their monthly income. It's difficult to "provide genuine service from the heart" when you're exhausted and unsure of where your next meal is going to come from. Not that you can't enjoy your over-priced charcuterie board, but please have more respect for the hard working people who put it together.
That's the general feeling I get every time I visit. People who live there hate the tourists, but gladly welcome the tax revenue. I seriously have not met more prlcks who think their state is the best and no one else is welcome, than native Montanans. Maybe you shouldn't leave your state either. Ever.
I think they tip more because of who they are... so the gravy train can continue.
It's the decor I can't get over - plastic-looking wood everywhere. For that price, surely they should decorate it with genuine wood and some sense of style.
Accidentally skiied there after last lift, and our great airbnb at the bottom of another lift was ~20 min by car but only about 8/10 of a mile as a bird flies without ski boots. Asked them if we could use the car service to get us back for $100, they said sorry, guest only. Hours for a taxi or uber... Offered $50 to a construction worker finishing his shift across the street and he said no problem, then refused our money at the end. Humanity does exist, just not at that hotel.
An absolute 5* mountain paradise with fantastic location, rooms and breakfast.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
The room looks super generic. Not a $1000 a night room.
Totally get the concept of lack of customer service in the US. Mainly travel to asia where it's just on another level. It is what is is.
I would love to stay at such a place for the right price. 2 days would be very nice if the hotel had some outdoor activities.
"It seems many staff are trained with how they should structure sentences, rather than how to provide detail oriented service from the heart." Love that. Sadly this captures a lot of customer service in the US these days.
Wow lol, McCallan 12 and Clase Azul in the minibar. It looks like the liquor manager is the only guy who heard "luxury" and understood the assignment. Probably the nicest offerings I've seen in a room.
Not sure how this place comes across in photos to you guys, but it is in no way a Hyatt Regency. I have stayed at most Park Hyatts and I would say this is on par with the best PH and equivalent to the PH Nisekno. It blows any other winter hyatt destination out of the water. Is it expensive? Yes. But is the room, service, food, and access to the resort amazing? Yes it is