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Irma Hotel
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
4 reviews for Irma Hotel
I was looking for a good restaurant after landing in Cody and was immediately drawn to this place.
Located on the "main strip" in Cody, WY, this restaurant/hotel is what I had envisioned when coming to Wyoming and eating at a place that is over 100 years old. The interior has a real nice comfy western feel to it and the staff are very hospitable. This places oozes history.
In addition to being the most historic hotel in town, the Irma also offers a real nice lunch buffett with about 15 or so different western style dishes. There is no doubt that you will find something that you will like including an all you can eat prime rib. If there is one thing the folks at the Irma know is how to cook red meat. Good stuff!
Buffalo Bill aka William F. Cody helped found the city of Cody, Wyoming in 1895 and he built the Irma Hotel in 1902. I had read some mediocre reviews online, but I booked a room anyhow and just set my expectations very low since I wanted to experience a night in this historical setting. Not only were my low expectations not met, but I would go so far as to warn others not to stay here.
The Irma Hotel is a tourist trap. As such, there are many tourists busy getting trapped there. So first issue is parking. We had to park a couple of blocks away which wasn't so fun since we had gravel, uneven pavement, traffic and rain to contend with just to get inside and check in. Service at the front desk was slow. Then, moving the luggage through the restaurant (!!) and up the stairs one at a time was just sheer joy.
The room was nondescript. The main issue I had with the room was the huge skylight above the bed for which we had no way to shut out the light. Might have been a nice idea if you could see the stars, but you couldn't really see anything at all. So much for sleeping in.
Certainly part of the draw for me was the Wild West Shootout show. June through September, daily except Sunday, a shootout is staged on the porch of the hotel (see photos). I mean, who doesn't love a good shootout, right? Didn't get a seat since it was so packed. Seats had been reserved for bus loads of tourists and other paying guests. Half the show was devoted to raffles and sponsorships. I didn't think it was entertaining at all, nor did I feel like I learned anything. My wife and I left before the show was over. I don't think I would make my kids sit through that.
Happy to check out, get out, and on our way.
I can see Steve S.'s point: The hotel has a lot of long hallways and stairs and getting your luggage from the parking lot into your room can be a bit challenging. The hole place feels old and a little worn, but not at all dirty or anything. I would normally rate it three stars, but we really liked the western feeling it had. We stayed in Rm # 12 which was a 2 bedroom room. It was really cool, everything very old school with a real saloon feel to it. The beds were very comfortable and the stay was a very unique experience for us and our European friends. The receptionist was not very friendly, very cold, she basically tried to rush us out of her tiny lobby at 1pm, telling us that check-in is not until 3pm. Hmmm, we had lunch next door in the Grill and were able to get into our rooms by 2.30pm. Overall a great Inn, try to stay in the OLD part of the building!
Wow. I thought this place was a little creepy but it was awesome! Very comfortable and cozy. Big rooms, charming decor, lots of history in this place. True Buffalo Bill cowboy country. I think it is named the Irma because that was Bill Cody's wife's name. The bar and restaurant add to the historical setting. Have the bartender tell you about the bar. I can't remember, but I think it was imported from Europe by Bill Cody himself. One added tidbit: after my first night in the hotel I asked the hotel manager if they'd had a wild night playing poker up on the floor above me. He asked what I was talking about-- no, there hadn't been a night of cavorting... and added I was on the top floor. After a brief pause he said that people hear ghosts all the time! I kept waiting for them to come back (I stayed 4 nights) but they didn't. Now I'll have to go back to the Irma!