Red Lion Hotel Pocatello stands on Pocatello Creek Road in the northern part of the city, adjacent to Exit 71 off Interstate 15 — the primary north-south artery connecting Salt Lake City (170 miles south) with Montana. Idaho State University's campus is three miles south. Pocatello Regional Airport is four miles west. The hotel is within five miles of Pocatello's Old Town dining district and the Portneuf Greenway trail system along the Portneuf River.
The property is a full-service motor-lodge–style hotel built in the 1970s and updated through several renovation cycles under the Red Lion Hotels brand. The layout uses a sprawling single-story and two-story wing configuration with surface parking on three sides — a design that serves road travelers, large group events, and conference attendees more than boutique-seeking guests. Interior public spaces feature mountain-themed décor, including exposed-wood accents in the lobby and regional photography on corridor walls. The aesthetic is practical Northwest hospitality rather than architectural ambition.
Standard King rooms include queen-size or king beds with pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen televisions, work desks, mini-refrigerators, in-room coffee makers, and free Wi-Fi. Standard Double rooms are generously sized for the price point and accommodate families with children. Junior Suites add a separate sitting area with a sofa sleeper, extending the useful footprint for longer stays or small family groups.
Morgan's Restaurant is the on-site full-service dining room, open for breakfast buffets and dinner service. The breakfast spread is the kitchen's busiest and most popular offering — a carve-station–style buffet with eggs, meats, potatoes, and pastries popular with conference and event groups. Dinner features Idaho-influenced comfort food: steaks, salads, and potato dishes. The adjacent lounge operates as a full bar through the late evening, with local draft beers and cocktails serving post-event crowds.
A large indoor heated pool and adjacent hot tub are the property's primary leisure amenity, open year-round and family-friendly with a shallow end. A fitness room provides cardio machines and basic weight equipment. The hotel is Pocatello's largest full-service event property, with ballrooms and meeting rooms handling conferences, trade shows, weddings, and receptions for groups of up to 400 guests. Front desk operates 24 hours. Free surface parking accommodates cars, pickup trucks, and RVs — an important practical feature for guests traveling through on extended road trips.
Room types
- Standard King
- Standard Double
- Junior Suite
Amenities
- Pool
- Fitness center
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Free parking
- Business center
Location
1555 Pocatello Creek Road, Pocatello, ID 83201
42.8789, -112.4200 View on map
Highlights
- Largest full-service event and conference facility in Pocatello, with ballrooms handling up to 400 guests
- Indoor heated pool with shallow end — one of the few year-round aquatic facilities among Pocatello hotels
- Interstate 15 exit-adjacent location makes it the most convenient full-service stop between Salt Lake City and Montana
- Morgan's Restaurant breakfast buffet is a popular gathering point for conference and group travelers
Tips for visiting
- Room rates spike during Idaho State University graduation weekends (May) and football home games (September–November) — book at least four to six weeks ahead for these dates
- Request a room in the east wing for the most recently renovated finishes; the older west wing rooms are quieter but have older decor
- The Portneuf Greenway paved trail is accessible within a 10-minute drive and offers 10+ miles of flat riverside cycling and walking — useful if traveling with bikes
- Rates on the IHG website and third-party OTAs can vary by $20–$40 per night; compare both before booking