Name: Budget Inn Express Helena
Address: 524 North Last Chance Gulch, Helena, Montana, United States of America, Helena, Montana, US
Price range: US$79–US$99 per night
Rating: 7.3

What guests think

At Budget Inn Express Helena, travellers describe a basic budget stay with generally clean rooms and comfortable beds, but dated interiors, noticeable wear, and recurring maintenance issues, especially with bathrooms, showers, and doors.

The location is praised for being walkable to downtown restaurants and shops, but multiple reviews mention a rougher feel with homeless activity nearby that made some travellers uncomfortable. Service is often friendly and helpful, yet a few guests reported rude encounters or long waits at check‑in, especially late at night. Expect a no‑frills, good‑value stopover if you prioritize price and access over modern finishes and polish.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Facilities are limited for a budget motel; notable mentions include complimentary morning coffee and a guest laundry. Parking can be tight, and snow removal in the lot was lacking during one stay.

Related guest reviews

8

Jill

17 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

it has the cutest little lobby. I could smell smoke from other guests that were smoking outside.

6

Jackie

30 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I wasn’t expecting a motel style experience with a lobby I needed to be buzzed into. But it was clean and conveniently located in Helena’s downtown area. It was nicer than I expected from my initial impression.

6

Jeannie

22 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

In this case, budget equals sketchy, especially if you are traveling with a child. Property is dated/run down. Bedding & bathroom were basically clean, but mildew in the grout & on the ceiling of the bathroom. Bedroom furniture old & beat up. Big gap at the base of our door, easily a half inch of daylight showing through. People were sitting on the benches & on the stairs smoking cigarettes, weed, and drinking (both at night & in the morning) and barely would shift a little to let us by as they glared at us. The complimentary coffee offered in the morning at the office was good.

8

Sara

24 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Great location and access to downtown. Parking was tight at night but that didn’t affect me. Staff was attentive to my needs- mainly a used lightbulb. The room lacked a sheer curtain which would have been nice since I was on the lower level and many people passed by. Also bathroom door stuck.

8

Graham

19 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

A good spot with easy access from the highway. A good breakfast, and well priced when we stayed.

8

Stephen

11 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The property and its amenities were good to very good.

4

Savannah

12 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Had to change rooms when I arrived because mine had stuff on the sheets and the fridge was warm and wet. The next room had one bed that was more clean, but I was surprised at the state of these rooms with the high ratings it got. Staff were nice. Good laundry room. At least a mile from food and grocery store unless all you want is a bar.

6

Douglas

4 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

They did not clear snow from the parking lot. It was very dangerous moving to and from the vehicle.

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Cleanliness

Many guests found rooms clean with fresh bedding, but several reported dirty rooms, lingering odors or mildew, and one bedbug incident. Overall upkeep feels worn, especially in bathrooms.

Related guest reviews

10

Jody

10 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I honestly was expecting a half clean room or worse based on the immediate look, but was pleasantly surprised by how clean my room was! No dust, no ring around the toilet and fresh bedding. They can definitely use a remodel, but everything else was great. Awesome staff as well! Would absolutely stay again!

10

Joel

13 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a clean quiet budget motel. Good value.

6

kirk

7 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This is a perfectly serviceable hotel. Nothing fancy. A little on the run down side, but clean

4

Tyler

7 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Room wasnt clean, but at least the bed was. Just needed a place to crash, atleast it was decent for that. Beds werent super comfy but the clean white sheets made it nice. The tv didn't work and neither did the wifi. Room came with soaps, 2x shampoo but not conditioner. Fridge and microwave.

2

Naomi

10 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It was a sketchy neighborhood. A run down suite. We were checked in for 2 hours before I was bitten by a bedbug. The service was great. She immediately gave me a refund, and we headed out.

10

Brent

4 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean

4

Shannon

24 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was dirty . For $139 dollars find somewhere else

6

Jeannie

22 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

In this case, budget equals sketchy, especially if you are traveling with a child. Property is dated/run down. Bedding & bathroom were basically clean, but mildew in the grout & on the ceiling of the bathroom. Bedroom furniture old & beat up. Big gap at the base of our door, easily a half inch of daylight showing through. People were sitting on the benches & on the stairs smoking cigarettes, weed, and drinking (both at night & in the morning) and barely would shift a little to let us by as they glared at us. The complimentary coffee offered in the morning at the office was good.

6

Phil

24 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room is dated but clean . The bathroom needs some work . Could use new tile around the shower and caulking needs to be replaced .

8

Jamie

11 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This hotel is older, but the beds were very comfortable and the room was clean. The service was friendly and helpful.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are dated and basic with comfortable beds, but recurring issues include weak or fluctuating shower temperature and pressure, dripping or running plumbing, stuck doors or hard‑to‑use locks, noise from walls, and occasional odors; one guest noted a smaller‑than‑advertised bed.

Related guest reviews

6

Edwin

17 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The door lock is really hard to open.

6

John

12 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Dated property. Shower switched from boiling hot to cold every 30 seconds.

6

Darwin

16 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Bed was comfortable. Shower water pressure was very low. We couldn’t set the water temperature properly. It was either too hot or too cold.

8

Karen

29 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very comfortable bed. Good value. Badly dripping bath faucet.

6

Jeannie

22 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

In this case, budget equals sketchy, especially if you are traveling with a child. Property is dated/run down. Bedding & bathroom were basically clean, but mildew in the grout & on the ceiling of the bathroom. Bedroom furniture old & beat up. Big gap at the base of our door, easily a half inch of daylight showing through. People were sitting on the benches & on the stairs smoking cigarettes, weed, and drinking (both at night & in the morning) and barely would shift a little to let us by as they glared at us. The complimentary coffee offered in the morning at the office was good.

6

Neil

9 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The motel is tired and needs a refit.

6

Phil

24 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room is dated but clean . The bathroom needs some work . Could use new tile around the shower and caulking needs to be replaced .

8

Erica

27 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was wonderful and helpful. I’d give her 10 stars if possible. Room was disappointing. Toilet barely flushed, very run down feeling. Wouldn’t recommend but better than some places I’ve stayed.

8

Michael

3 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice property. Falsely advertised a Queen bed for a full.

8

DONALD

7 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Wonderful staff, pleasant place to stay. My room had a funny noise coming from within the wall all night? Bother me that much, but I’m sure it would bother somebody else.

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Service

Service sentiment is mixed: many praise friendly, helpful staff and thoughtful assistance, including after‑hours help, while others encountered rude interactions, long waits, or no attendant at check‑in/out.

Related guest reviews

10

Salli

9 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Cute property. Would be neat to see it fully restore to vintage style. It’s dated but clean. The staff was wonderful.

2

Jonah

15 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

When I arrived to check in for my reservation, just after 7 pm, there was a sign on the door saying ‘15 minutes.’ I stood around for a bit and then realized the sign was up before I got there, and it had to be getting on about fifteen minutes, so I rang the bell. Another five minutes or so later, the person working the desk emerged from the bathroom, or whatever, and they were profoundly high. They started right in bawling me out that the sign said fifteen minutes. I even apologized at first, but they kept on, “*mumbles something* fifteen minutes for a reason *mumble, mumble*,” so I said I’d changed my mind, and I hoped the desk attendant would have a better night. I hope we all have a better night.

10

Kurt

13 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Great spot for safe, clean, economical lodging. Great staff, friendly and knowledgeable

10

STEVE

25 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Just there for one night. Room was clean and comfortable. I had reserved two rooms but when I checked in she only had a record for one and no other empty spaces. I was in the parking lot kind of grumpy and looked for another place on my phone and she burst out of the office to say she found a listing from the same area code and realized it was my phone number but with another persons name. I forgot that I had reserved the second room under my friends name so there were actually two rooms reserved. The mix up was totally my fault but she was a great detective and figured it out and saved us from finding a different hotel. Kudos to that young lady. Very pleased!

2

Terry

10 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Arrived at 2am ready to check on and go to bed- instructions were followed - 30 min later got someone on the phone and had to wait 10 more minutes…

10

Michelle

18 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I loved the frint desk attendant Jo. Our vehicle broke down while on a road trip and she was so welcoming. We only stayed one night but as she saw me tge next morning she asked if our vehicle was now ok and offered us some coffee before we left. She was great to talk tp. The reception area is quaint and smells so great with whatever scents they use.

10

Thomas

1 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

It’s a Budget Inn. It’s a bit worm & dated BUT it’s clean & safe and worth the money - staff polite and welcoming. 3rd or 4th time we’ve stayed here

8

Erica

27 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was wonderful and helpful. I’d give her 10 stars if possible. Room was disappointing. Toilet barely flushed, very run down feeling. Wouldn’t recommend but better than some places I’ve stayed.

2

Kelly

27 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Well, since I was refused a room, I dont know what the rooms are like. After careful research about which motels allow cats and dogs, I was told they only allow dogs. I looked it up, and the motel's ad on Hotels.com stated that pets were allowed, so I called to confirm it was okay to bring my cat. I was told it was fine. So, I went ahead and made the reservation. And had the person at the front desk been at least nice about it I could accept that we're all human and mistakes were made but nice she was not nice. She was snotty about it. She told me that according to their website, it says dogs, I said I didn't go to their website and explained once again how I came about my belief. She said that wasn't even possible. Hahaha I have to pay the cost of the room but I think I'm ok with that once I see the area and parking lot. It was all very sketchy. And if the room is a reflection of how they take care of the property it's a whatever. $95 lesson learned.

10

Jason

4 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Everything was clean and functional, and the staff came to the front desk after hours to check us in. We visited several nearby shops and had a great breakfast across the street.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Central, walkable location near downtown shops, restaurants, and breweries. However, multiple reviews note visible homelessness and a rough feel around the property that affected perceived safety for some.

Related guest reviews

4

Jackson

2 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Cheap room lots of homeless ppl around

6

Susan

5 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The location is great to walk the gulch area with all its shops, restaurants and stores. The hotel had multiple men standing outside smoking. It didn’t feel safe. You get what you pay for. The woman who checked us in was great. No one was there at check out.

10

Douglas

1 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a regular, no frills stay for me. Worth the money. Easy in and out Great downtown location.

2

Riley

23 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Everyone there was on so many drugs and there were literal drug deals in the parking lot in broad daylight. It was disgusting. Didn’t even end up staying there and I felt so unsafe and gross.

8

Sara

24 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Great location and access to downtown. Parking was tight at night but that didn’t affect me. Staff was attentive to my needs- mainly a used lightbulb. The room lacked a sheer curtain which would have been nice since I was on the lower level and many people passed by. Also bathroom door stuck.

4

David

27 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is old, rundown, and poorly maintained. The room smelled of old cigarette smoke. The area has a significant homeless population.

4

Terry

9 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lots of homeless people hanging out in the park across the street. The room smelled. The plumbing badly needed maintenance. It barely made 2 stars, probably more like 1 1/2 stars.

8

andrew

27 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Quiet, right in the center of town

10

Steve

3 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very close to downtown restaurants, I especially liked the Parrot Candy and Ice Cream Shop on Last Chance Gulch, and the Windbag restaurant for dinner.

8

Jan

5 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Really quite safe though it initially doesn’t look so. Very quiet all night! Liked it all & it’s walkable location to busy downtown breweries & restaurants.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Not enough information in reviews.

Related guest reviews

6

Jeannie

22 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

In this case, budget equals sketchy, especially if you are traveling with a child. Property is dated/run down. Bedding & bathroom were basically clean, but mildew in the grout & on the ceiling of the bathroom. Bedroom furniture old & beat up. Big gap at the base of our door, easily a half inch of daylight showing through. People were sitting on the benches & on the stairs smoking cigarettes, weed, and drinking (both at night & in the morning) and barely would shift a little to let us by as they glared at us. The complimentary coffee offered in the morning at the office was good.

8

Graham

19 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

A good spot with easy access from the highway. A good breakfast, and well priced when we stayed.

10

Jason

4 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Everything was clean and functional, and the staff came to the front desk after hours to check us in. We visited several nearby shops and had a great breakfast across the street.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$60
February	US$59
March	US$62
April	US$64
May	US$73
June	US$91
July	US$102
August	US$103
September	US$79
October	US$74
November	US$68
December	US$62

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17 $79	18 $92	19 $95
20 $92	21 $99	22 $99	23 $99	24 $99	25 $98	26 $98
27 $98	28 $98	29 $98	30 $98

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $98	2 $98	3 $98
4 $98	5 $98	6 $98	7 $98	8 $98	9 $98	10 $98
11 $98	12 $98	13 $98	14 $98	15 $98	16 $98	17 $98
18 $98	19 $98	20 $98	21 $98	22 $98	23 $98	24 $98
25 $98	26 $98	27 $98	28 $98	29 $98	30 $98	31 $98

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds, Refrigerator & Microwave

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Refrigerator & Microwave

Guest reviews

Good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Budget Inn Express Helena

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Prices for upcoming dates