Holiday Inn Rapid City-Rushmore Plaza

Holiday Inn Rapid City-Rushmore Plaza takes its name from the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, the city's main arena and event venue, and the name suggests a location in the central part of town. That can be a real advantage if you are in Rapid City for a concert, a convention, a hockey game or a similar event, and it can also be useful for travelers who want to be closer to downtown than the suburban chain hotels allow. As with other properties in this guide, confirm the exact distance to downtown and to the venue when you book, along with the details that matter for your stay, including restaurant, pool, parking and room types. The Holiday Inn brand tends to offer a familiar, mid-range experience with options for families, and a full-service property of this kind often serves group travel and events as well as leisure guests.

If your trip is built around an event, check the calendar before you book. Event weekends can raise rates and reduce availability, particularly in a property named after the civic center, and booking early is wise. For leisure travelers, a central location means that walking to Main Street Square, the City of Presidents statues and downtown restaurants may be realistic, which is a pleasant change from the drive-everywhere pattern of much Black Hills travel.

Check the map for the actual walking distance to the places you care about, and ask about parking if you are arriving by car.

From a central base, the major day trips are easy to plan. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park lie in the Hills to the southwest, the Badlands and Wall to the east along the interstate, and Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon to the north, and each is a long day or a half day by car.

Rapid City's position makes it the logical hub, and a hotel near the middle of the city shortens the first and last miles of each trip. Remember that Rapid City is on Mountain Time, so allow for that if you are crossing into the eastern half of the state.

The hotel suits families, groups and event-goers who want a traditional full-service option with a recognized name. It is less likely to appeal to travelers looking for a boutique atmosphere, for whom the historic downtown hotel is a better match, or to those who want the lowest possible rate, who may prefer a budget brand.

As always, read recent guest comments for details on rooms, noise and service, and compare rates across the dates you can be flexible on. In shoulder seasons and winter, a central full-service hotel can be a good value, and the indoor attractions of the city make it a pleasant base for a low-key getaway.