Sonesta Essential Rapid City

2/10

Poor

15 Oct 2025

Vincent

CLOSED

When we arrived there was a sign on the door that said CLOSED. I better not get charged for this stay!!!!!!

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

15 Oct 2025

Mario

Thank you so much

2/10

Poor

13 Oct 2025

Suzan

Difficult experience actually getting a room that I reserved at this hotel.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

26 Sep 2025

Larry

Property in process of being sold or closing. Staff was very helpful.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

24 Sep 2025

Paul

Very friendly staff, however many issues with the room: black mold in the shower, dark long hairs plastered to shower wall x2days (even though I reported it and asked for the bathroom to be cleaned on the first day), broken treadmill and no towels in the fitness room, and no cups for water. I wouldn't stay there again.

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

23 Sep 2025

Donna

Billy Joe is a terrible manager and canceled our reservation.We were driving and we were not able to be reached as were driving so many hours and no reception.And my husband's phone died and she canceled our rooms.Absolutely.Unacceptable and two rooms were charged and she needs to refund us

2/10

Poor

17 Sep 2025

Yunlong

Run down property.AC extremely noisy and not adjustable. Room is old and hallway is filthy and smells of chlorine.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Sep 2025

Kevin

This Sonesta is an older, multi-time re branded hotel, just off I-90 in Rapid City. It is clean with spacious rooms. The staff has been excellent. The breakfasts are good.It is close to all sorts of dining and shopping. I believe there are plans to add onsight restaurant or lounge.

Self

8/10

Excellent

12 Sep 2025

James P

Good room with king bed. Generally clean. Staff was very friendly.

8/10

Excellent

08 Sep 2025

Angela

They had a great spread for breakfast. Our room was cleaned fine but the beds weren't very comfortable. The carpet had a slightly damp feel like they had shampooed it but it hadn't thoroughly dried.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

05 Sep 2025

Nathan

A Nightmare. They give away reservations on busy nights. Stood in line with 12 others for almost an hour. FOUR out of FOUR people who got there key came back saying there were people in the room they gave them! All of us were unable to stay and had to find rooms on memorial day weekend, after 11:30 PM. Some people had small children. I had to drive 2.5 hours to Murdo SD to find a room, checked in there at 2:20 AM.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

05 Sep 2025

Johanna

Staff was friendly and room was exactly as described. Would stay again.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2025

Jesse

Consistently reasonable rates, especially in comparison to other hotels in Rapid City and the surrounding area; clean, comfortable, ample-sized rooms; and the employees are always friendly, respectful, professional and helpful, especially the housekeeping department and Adam (Matthew?). And I love the full breakfast! Sonesta Essential has become my go-to hotel for my regular trips to Rapid City. Thank you so much!

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

01 Sep 2025

Frankay

A little run down…torn curtains.

4/10

Poor

31 Aug 2025

Wade

Old and filthy. Blood on the shower curtain and shower wall. Food smeared on the desk. Non smoking room still smelled like smoke. Pillows were like big cotton balls. Sorry for poor rating but true

2/10

Poor

31 Aug 2025

Lakota

The first two rooms were unacceptable. The third room we accepted, Howe we didn’t foresee that the toilet didn’t work (we had to seek out a plunger) the heater didn’t work and was blowing loud cold air even though we set it in the mid 70’s) some loud Additional fan kept turning out, which we shut off eventually. The internet didn’t work, so the TV was unwatchable with apps not working. The floor carpeting was damp. We froze and didn’t sleep well. The complimentary breakfast continued to be out off . Ended up not having breakfast here as items were out.

Business_and_leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

31 Aug 2025

Rodney

Room are ok

Business_and_leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

30 Aug 2025

Shane

Check in was long and tiresome with a new girl

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

30 Aug 2025

Verified traveler

Terrible place

Room smelled like a very damp basement, was very dilapidated and there were damages to the walls and lots of water stains on the ceiling in the bathroom. There was a lot of noise like an AC noise or water running in the pipes that didn’t go away even after I turned off the ac and did not let me sleep well. I needed to check out early at 5 AM and the receptionist at the checkout was very rude and unprofessional. The best thing about this hotel was leaving it.

Self

2/10

Poor

30 Aug 2025

ASHLY

Poor, the front desk staff appeared to be on drugs and the room they gave us was occupied

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

28 Aug 2025

Sanjay

Room was decent. Beds and bathroom amenities were nice. But there was no laundry detergent and housekeeping was tardy. The 3 guys at the front desk were very helpful.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

27 Aug 2025

Linda

Not at all like a Sonesta

The service was super friendly!! The lobby is gorgeous. This is more \"motel\" style with the doors/room access from outside...
It's an older building - could use tlc, but was clean and comfy

Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 Aug 2025

Michele

There were cleaning rags left in the bathroom. There was leftovers from the previous occupants left in the fridge. Bathroom fan was filthy. The air conditioner fan was rattling and clicking all night.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

23 Aug 2025

Justin

No complimentary soap in the shower.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2025

Emma

Great staff

Staff at check in was brilliant, really friendly, funny and helpful - especially with loading our cases into our uber!

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

23 Aug 2025

David

The staff are very nice and accommodating. They made us feel safe in a very unsafe area. The partial remodel of the property looks good. Our bed was broke and lower at the head than the foot, i woke up with a head ache. Our ac worked but made a very awful noise that woke us up at 4am. We didnt get a lot of rest.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Aug 2025

Lee

Visiting family. Convenient location and good for dog traveling with me.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

18 Aug 2025

Adam

We were at breakfast seven mornings. They were always out of the main foods. Yogurt machine empty. Out of sausage. Waffle machine empty. coffee etc....

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 Aug 2025

Andrea

There were dirty towels in the bathroom. Hair in the sink. Bathroom floor was dirty.
Front desk person the night of check in was rude. Would not recommend!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2025

darleen

Bed was comfortable and clean

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

16 Aug 2025

Mark

Cleaning staff was good, conveniently located off the interstate with good parking, family diner down the street and lounge across the street were convenient and enjoyable. TV didn't have a remote, coffee maker was missing the tray you put the coffee into, didn't bother with addressing either.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

15 Aug 2025

Leland

It is a nice place to stay. But overall, could use more color. But i loved it

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

15 Aug 2025

Steve

The TV won’t let me to adjusted the closed caption to on.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Aug 2025

brian

Happy

Was in town for Sturgis Rally was treated great would stay there again

8/10

Excellent

15 Aug 2025

Jason

Good budget hotel

Hotel was clean. The restaurant was closed during our stay but was being completely remodeled and looked like it will be nice. I’d stay here again when I’m in the area.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

15 Aug 2025

Boni

I liked the amenities offered: hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner, iron, etc…
The room was fairly clean.
The room was very quiet!!
We requested a refill on the body soap and never received it.
The breakfast was out of food every morning we came down regardless of the time, and there was no one around to ask to have it replenished. We had to eat at a restaurant every morning we were there.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

13 Aug 2025

Kia

meh

The workers where very polite to me explained everything very well… The tv remote barely worked and the shower barely drained… it was ok for a one night stay but i wouldn’t of been able to stay more than one night. :/

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

12 Aug 2025

Ed

Stay away. I showed up after a 1600 mile ride only to arrive to a hot room with black mold, no hot water and bugs. I was offered a refund and can go else where at 10:30 at night from the manager. I was told he was in the back drinking with a staff member and he wouldn’t come talk with me when the issues were brought up to the front desk. The property owners were on property somewhere, wish I ran into them. It was during Sturgis bike rally so everywhere was booked. After two days still no contact from the manager or any other management staff. I come back after a full day of riding to my room left open by housekeeping with the lights on and blinds open, all my camera gear and riding gear was in the room. I was offered a refund and still have not received it. What a horrible management staff. Sadly I heard other guests complain at breakfast one morning about the property and lack of hot water. Day of check out I finally get to talk with the manager face to face and he played dumb like he never heard anything about my room. Only if he checked his security cameras he would see that he was aware of the issues. Guess he was to drunk to recall the conversation with his staff. The health department and BBB are on my contact list this week.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

12 Aug 2025

Jennifer

Stayed in the Family suite. Worked well for my group.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

11 Aug 2025

jason

Room was bigger then expected

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

10 Aug 2025

David

Check in was EXACTLY like other reviews of this place. Arrive 10 min to 3 (3 is check in) and was told that the room wasn’t ready yet and to give them 30 minutes. 45 minutes later I go to check in and room still not ready, “give us another 30 minutes” so we do. After another 30 minutes I go and see and at shift change the new front desk girl rudely says your room isn’t ready, it will be another hour and a half. Now I’m pissed, so we leave for Sturgis and come back around midnight and go to check in and the guy now at the counter needs to verify our reservation???? Are you kidding me!!!!! Finally get our room.

Room is ok, doesn’t feel clean and Cobb webs in the corners and on the drapery. Shower has what appears to be mold where the walls meet the shower pan, behind the toilet is a gigantic amount of white caulking that is dirty and terribly done.

The next day no room service, ask for clean towels and I was brought a hand towel and a floor towel. I ask for the rest of the towels and she says “oh you need more towels”? She comes back with a package of new towels and gives me 3, but these towels haven’t been washed. I just gave up.

The next day we got room service, our used washcloths and hand towels were still under the sink and we were given 2 hand towels and another floor mat. Took trash but no trash bags in the bins.

Skip to day 5, no room service in 3 days.

DO NOT STAY HERE.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2025

William

2025 Rally

Nice place to stay. We were there during the motorcycle rally. Things were busy and the staff seemed to be tired. They got things done though. The place has been upgraded from the last time I stayed there. The information online doesn't seem to correctly depict the property. I'm glad we chose this hotel. Would defiantly stay again.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2025

Jonathan

Highly recommend this hotel. Very clean ,turn down service was excellent.Bed was soo comfortable. I will be staying here again.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

09 Aug 2025

Osvaldo

No bar or restaurant in the hotel. Not too happy about that

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

08 Aug 2025

Darin

It ⅜a

8/10

Excellent

06 Aug 2025

Javier

It was ok overall, thats all

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

06 Aug 2025

Becky

was walkable to restruarants

2/10

Poor

05 Aug 2025

Erik

Never stay here

There was no hot water, according to the front desk because the hotel was full. The “always hot and fresh” was constantly out and cups weren’t available. There was mold in the shower ceiling, the air conditioner was obnoxiously loud. Other parties were waiting over a hour due to the hotel overbooking and overnight staff not checking people in correctly. Great location for highway access, too bad it’s such a poorly run place.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2025

Curtis

Lobby was impressive number of units they have gives a huge variety of rooms

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

04 Aug 2025

Maria Grazia

Space

2/10

Poor

03 Aug 2025

Casey

Just got in and was told there was a delay on our room for an hour (which was the window we had to cancel without a fee) then when we returned the rooms were told were double booked and the manager was being aggressive. We could tell that it was a stressful issue so we asked to cancel, and then we were told there would be no refund. We just want a refund.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2025

Gary

For the cheaper place in town, great parking for Sturgis, excellent beds, good breakfast, terrific value

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

31 Jul 2025

Tamra

NEVER AGAIN! Should’ve left after we found the cat

Went to sleep about 11 o’clock at night and woke up to a huge cat on our bed. We have a 12 pound dog that was going nuts but we couldn’t see anything and we finally saw a tail that was just about as long as our entire dog. And the cat was easily twice as big. We tried to catch it, and we also tried to shoot it out the door, but it hid in the cubby opening underneath the bed.
Of course, we went to the front desk and told them and switched rooms. They moved us to the room next-door, which we didn’t notice that had curtains that were shredded probably from a cat being in there. This is obviously a dirty feral cat. We’re just grateful we didn’t go to the movies like we planned because we would’ve come back to a dead dog. It was really disturbing, even after we switched drones we couldn’t sleep.
Beside that horrible experience that I’ve never had before… The ceiling tiles were all water stained. The floor felt moist and dirty. Light still came in because the curtains were torn. It was very busy at breakfast and they had one older gentleman trying to replenish everything so they were constantly out of coffee, out of yogurt, out of waffle mix. Actually, they were out of everything except onion, bagels, and slices of bread for you to toast. And that wasn’t one instance we were there two mornings in a row and the food was very sparse. Walking through the hotel there were tiles chipping off, stairs that needed repair and the only thing that looked normal was the lobby.

Partner

2/10

Poor

31 Jul 2025

Christine

They had key card stolen and they tried to break into our room in the middle of the night. The room and

8/10

Excellent

31 Jul 2025

Jesse

Decent, clean rooms and consistently excellent customer service from all employees encountered. Thank you!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2025

Ashley

Check in was easy and staff were friendly. The room was super spacious and modern, and we loved how comfortable the beds were. The hot breakfast was a nice touch!

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2025

Ann

King Suite was great!

Rented the King suite with jacuzzi, was surprised at how big this room was, it was like a little apartment with 2 bathrooms, a separate bedroom from the living room
- even a sofa bed and little kitchen area with a sink, counter, microwave and fridge. Would definitely stay again!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Jul 2025

Candice

All was food scleanxx.

Business_and_leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

29 Jul 2025

Zhijia

Overall, this hotel has a good value in it. Location is very good. The staff is nice. The room is furnished with a lot e.g. microeave, fridge, soft and to the size is reasonable. The continent breakfast is okay. The facility appears to be old, but it generally functions.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2025

Bobby

Would stay again.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

27 Jul 2025

Michael

Ok for the money

Hotel was in a very good area, close to stores, restaurants and I-90. We booked two rooms. Each room had no less than 5 annoying flies. Also, the smoke detector in our room had a plastic shower cap around it, seemingly to block its intended use. At breakfast, the coffee ran out (couldn’t fill my 1st cup) and there was no one around to replenish it.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

27 Jul 2025

Lucinda

Bad experience and not pleasant

Our stay was absolutely gross and not a bad experience.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Jul 2025

Zetana

Interesting layout, but great for a quick trip. Breakfast was also great!

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jul 2025

Michele

When I checked in the gentlemen at the desk was very pleasant. The room was okay, could use a little update, the bathtub looked awful, probably stained but I didn't want to even use it. Our room was freezing cold and we couldn't adjust the thermostat so I went to the front desk, they offered to bring blankets to the room, but we never received them. I guess the price was good for the room we received, we only needed a place to sleep for the night.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

25 Jul 2025

Michelle

Dinning, Rushmore, the black hills..

6/10

Pleasant

25 Jul 2025

Thomas

Friendly check in. Ac wouldn't shut off so switched rooms. Hair dryer didn’t work and 3 of 6 pillows were without covers. Reported to gentleman at front desk, never resolved. We were checking out so didn't push it.
Sketchy ppl in lobby, guests or family of staff, hard to tell. Back parking lot sketchy too. Appeared to have recent vehicle break in. Moved our vehicle to safer well lit area

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

23 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

No clean room in the Inn

We arrived later in the evening ready to unload and go to bed only to find that the room we reserved was still dirty and there were no other options avaliable for us for the night so I had to find new accommodations after traveling all day

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2025

Nikki

The lady at the front desk was very friendly and helpful. Our inner room was dark, comfortable, and quiet. We enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep!

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

21 Jul 2025

JoAnne

We did not check in until 4 pm, they said our room was not quite ready, which was fine. When they said it was ready, we went, unloaded our luggage, got to our room and they were still there cleaning our room. We had to stand in the hall, waiting while they finished. It was a little awkward.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2025

Pam

The room was clean Great bed overall I would stay there again!!!

Leisure Pet

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2025

Desiree

Very quite & I did feel safe.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

21 Jul 2025

Rachael

looks better on the inside than the outside; our room was nice, but there were oodles of yucky water spots on the bathroom ceiling; only given one roll of TP, which wasn't a full roll; coffee maker didn't work and spewed water everywhere; breakfast was yummy & staff was nice. Wouldn't want an extended stay here, but one night was fine

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Jul 2025

Finley

Decent stay, given the area.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

18 Jul 2025

Crystal

...

Business Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

18 Jul 2025

Dionne

Nice, clean and comfy

6/10

Pleasant

18 Jul 2025

Linda

Hotel is in the process of remodeling

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

18 Jul 2025

Leona

At check-in the first room they gave was occupied. Returning to front desk they were unsure to give me a room different than my reservation and hard time figuring out which room was clean. They apologized multiple times. A staff member helped me move my things into room otherwise it do it yourself and no elevator. Shower limited water heat, at max capacity it was warm, not hot. It off major road so interior room avoided the noise.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2025

Bobby

Convenience

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2025

Katherine

We liked the outdoor room entrances

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jul 2025

Mark

Thumbs up

2/10

Poor

15 Jul 2025

Michael

First room we were put in had a clogged shower and rusty tub. 2nd had a toilet that wouldnt stop running so had to fix it myself and the AC was stuck at 61 so froze the night.

Business_and_leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

15 Jul 2025

Shree Ram Abayankar

No hot water service, the sheets were not changed. The lock was broken for the restroom.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

13 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

Visible signage to entrance not seen, parking for entrance was non-existent. The staff were friendly, but gave me poor walking directions. I use a cane due to my lower back pain and knees that are in the process of being replaced. The hotel looked like it was under construction. They told us we could walk to our room from the front desk. My husband drove and I tried to walk with my cane and had turn around go to the front so my husband could drive me to it. There was no pool even though the online advertisement stated there was one. We chose this hotel because it had a pool. Wrong decision.

Negative issues:
Bathroom~
Bathtub needs replaced as it looked dirty, but actually was stained.
Two ceiling panels had stains that made it appear a pipe had leaked and has mold.
Door paint is peeling
Door handle needs to be tightened as it felt like it was about to fall off,
Air conditioner fan was making a ticking sound all night while we tried to sleep and we left the television on to drown out the noise.
Need more pillows
Not enough outlets as I had to unplug lamps so I could plug in my hearing aids to get charged, phone, & watch. However, most hotels don't so I really can't count that as a negative

Positive:
Easy to access the road we needed to get on to get to my family's home we were visiting.
Beds were very comfortable,

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2025

Jerwyn

Good Stay

Good stay and good breakfast. We stayed for 2 nights while visiting the Black Hills from CA. Looks like the hotel is in the middle of a renovation.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

10 Jul 2025

Cyla

It was okay other than when I went to check in,

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

10 Jul 2025

chris

Did not stay there. Looked at three rooms all dirty and smelled. Feces on the wall. A local told us it had been shut down and condemed for months. It really needs to be burned down. It's terrible. Stay far far away

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2025

Darren

Very convenient access to nearby restaurants and Interstate 90. The bed and pillows were very comfortable.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2025

Nancy

Thunderstorm and all

I was extremely comfortable with a room that was right from my car to the door....severe thunderstorm and didn't even bother me, I felt safe...I only stayed a night but it was super nice.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

08 Jul 2025

Cindee

Close to mall and shopping center, toilet didn't work

6/10

Pleasant

08 Jul 2025

Jamie

I felt safe sleeping here, which is a big deal for me and my kids. It was quiet which is also nice. The only things that I did not care for were as follows:

*Two bathrooms in our suit, but only 1 soap.
* AC did not work well so we were super warm while trying to sleep.
*They did not keep up with restocking breakfast so even with over an hour left of breakfast, most things were gone.

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

08 Jul 2025

Keith

Junky cheap motel. facilities in poor condition. Lots of creeps lurking around in the area, sitting outside drinking and smoking. One of the desk staff was very friendly and helpful, the other was the most rude apathetic unhelpful individual I've ever encountered. All-in-all it was just meh. You get what you pay for I guess.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

07 Jul 2025

Leland

Bathroom has water stains on ceiling and stains on comforter

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

07 Jul 2025

April

The Lobby was nice, but the room not clean. Q-tips, and candy on floor by one of the beds. Also the bathtub didnt drain well, so standing in water during shower. And the bathroom had lots of hair on the floor etc.

Leisure

2/10

Poor

06 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

Dont waste your money.

Not worth any money you would spend.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jul 2025

Dennis

Reasonable price, but the rooms need to be refreshed. Walls had marks, indentations, and scratchs in some areas. Ceiling tiles had water marks in bathroom. Toilet paper holder on wall was loose and fell off. Iron in room had missing cap on water funnel, thus leaked. The iron board was missing a rung on leg to secure it when opened. Restaurant was closed.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2025

Travis

For the price it was great a lot of times cheaper places like that are just horrible but this was clean friendly quite and comfortable definitely will astray there next time and also easy access to I 90

6/10

Pleasant

02 Jul 2025

Leland

Don’t let the Sonesta name fool you, this place is a dump. Homeless drunk people outside the lobby. This is a motel from the 70’s with lipstick.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 Jul 2025

Mike

kinda wondered when saw had weekly rates on the sign!!

Business_and_leisure Family

4/10

Poor

01 Jul 2025

Pedro

The property is not maintained. The bathroom had mold. The carpet smelled bad.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

30 Jun 2025

Laura

I stayed in room 124. It was loud above and around me from something like the cleaning closet or the kitchen or something. Pounding over and over, cart noises, etc. Super annoying and I hardly slept.

Business_and_leisure