A Beautiful Black Hills Holiday at the Bavarian Inn

If you are looking for a charming, relaxing, and worry-free stay while exploring all the wonders of the Black Hills, The Bavarian Inn is your place. You’ll find this European-inspired inn resting on 5-acres that are tucked in the pines on the outskirts of Custer.

I had a friend visiting the area with me, so we opted to share a comfortable, 2-queen bedroom. Spotlessly clean and offering a no-fuss, yet warm and inviting atmosphere, it had all the amenities of home, flat screen TV, free wi-fi, microwave and mini fridge. We took advantage of their “Fill your Fridge” add-on option which gave us all the goodies we would need for a delicious picnic lunch. Once settled in we stepped out to explore this little piece of heaven.

Just outside our room was a big, luscious lawn across which lay the outdoor pool. As we headed towards the on-property fitness trail I remarked on the abundance of flowers that were everywhere! Bright and cheery, they were in flower boxes, huge hanging baskets, along the pathways and hanging over the railings. Made me feel like I was walking through a quaint European town. We discovered the fitness trail and proceeded along the ¾ mile walk at a leisurely pace. It was nice to see families, a few with their 4-legged friends, walking ahead of us and enjoying the day.

At the end of our walk, we headed for the on-site Feel Good Café – which is aptly named. There is nothing but “good vibes”, great aromas and tasty treats there! A delicious scone, warm muffin, smoothie, and espresso were thoroughly enjoyed on the cozy patio. I learned they offer take out and delivery service to Bavarian Inn guest rooms or poolside. Open daily from 6:30 to 11 am – it’d be a convenient way to enjoy breakfast in your room or a snack by the pool.

It was time to go exploring the Black Hills. Welcoming and knowledgeable help was found in the office, telling us where to go and how to get there. One of the reasons we chose to stay here was because Custer is located minutes (not miles) from all the major sights. Just the city (or rather town) of Custer is fun. Great history can be found in the 1881 Courthouse Museum, boutique shops and various dining options are found along the wide main street. Just a bit farther out is Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial® and of course, Mount Rushmore. A full day of discovery was at hand.

After a long, but wonder-filled day of beautiful sights, amazing wildlife and friendly people, we were happy to be back at our comfy room. We had signed up earlier for their “bedtime milk and cookies” which was delivered promptly to our room at 8:30 pm. What a wonderful evening treat!

After a peaceful night’s rest on the most comfortable beds, we rose and wandered back over to the Feel Good Café. So much to choose from for breakfast delights… sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, fresh fruits, biscuits and gravy – oh my!

Our idyllic little holiday had come to an end. The only regret was we couldn’t stay longer. I highly recommend staying at least 2-3 nights or more if possible. There is so much to see and do and it’s all so close. The Bavarian Inn and Feel Good Café are high on my list of favorite places – I’ll be back!