Like most industries in Boise, the hotel industry has been growing rapidly over the past decade due to a skyrocketing population and an increase in tourism to the area. The hotels that have been around for a while are upgrading, and new hotels are popping up all over the downtown area.

Downtown Hotels

There are two distinct areas that contain about 80% of Boise’s hotels, the downtown area and next to the airport. We will first cover the downtown area as these are more popular and typically of higher quality.

The Grove Hotel

The Grove Hotel has been a mainstay in the heart of Boise’s downtown since it was built in 1997. Boasting 14,000 square feet of meeting space, 6,800 feet of Grand Ballroom, and a terrace for receptions or gatherings, if you’re looking to host an event The Grove is a great place to have it. Along with all this, Idaho Central Arena is attached to the hotel, which regularly hosts concerts, events, and is home to the Idaho Steelheads semi-pro hockey team.

If you aren’t coming for an event, The Grove still has numerous amenities to make your stay special. A full service spa, 12,000 square foot workout space, The Trillium Restaurant, and a 5th floor indoor pool that looks out over downtown Boise are sure to keep you entertained and comfortable during your stay. The hotel is just part of the experience, once you step outside the hotel is when the fun really starts. Located on Front St and Capitol Blvd, you are within walking distance of the Basque Block, numerous restaurants, and the State Capitol building.

Inn at 500 Capitol

Just a couple blocks south of The Grove is the Inn at 500 Capitol. The Inn boasts that it’s “A Very Special Boutique Hotel”. They back up this claim with accommodations such as themed rooms, a James Beard nominated chef, and a stylish atmosphere that is pleasing to anyone. Situated right next to the Boise Art Museum, the Boise Zoo, and the Idaho Black History Museum, you are able to soak in plenty of history and fun without traveling more than a block away from your hotel.

Hyatt Place – Boise Downtown

The Hyatt Place in their downtown location is a great option for business travelers and families alike. A modern hotel with a clean, comfortable feel is great for anyone that is looking for an affordable option in a great location. With a fitness center, pool, and a free breakfast it has all the typical amenities you need at a hotel, while also offering perks such as being a pet friendly hotel, a coffee bar, and laundry service.

Residence Inn – Boise Downtown City Center

If you are looking for modern luxury, The Residence Inn in downtown Boise is the place for you. Built in 2017, this hotel offers 10 stories of all-suite rooms with no shortage of modern amenities when you come to stay. An on-site bar paired with a 2,000 sq ft outdoor gathering space offers a relaxed environment for guests to kick back and take in the city. One of the newer hotels in the downtown area, the Residence Inn is giving the other hotels a run for the money, winning the Traveler’s Choice Award in 2021.

Airport Hotels

If you are just stopping in Boise on a layover or have an early flight to catch in the morning, these hotels offer easy access to the Boise Airport while still only being about a 10 minute drive to downtown and other popular locations.

Hampton Inn Boise – Airport

A 4.5 star rated hotel at just $125 a night, the Hampton Inn offers a quality hotel at an affordable rate. They offer a free airport shuttle to make getting to the airport that much easier, as well as a free hot breakfast to have one less thing to worry about before hopping on your next flight. If you are traveling with your furry friend they also have numerous pet-friendly rooms.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Airport

Another Traveler’s Choice Award winner in 2021, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites gives you everything you need in a hotel near the airport. A business center, airport shuttle, and black out shades to help you rest up before your 5 AM flight.

If you are looking for things to do in Boise during your stay, check out our recommendations here.

Boise’s climate is relatively mild, with hot, dry summers, paired with cold but not very snowy winters, it provides all four seasons without getting too extreme in any of them.

Overall Climate

Boise’s climate has been classified as “semi-arid continental” or “a local steppe” climate. What that means is it’s at a relatively high elevation, it has 4 distinct seasons, and there is less than average rainfall.

Boise averages around 12-13 inches of rainfall each year, which is about ⅓ of the national average at 38 inches. Boise is also slightly warmer than the national average, with a July average high of 91.6℉ compared to 85.8℉.

According to Best Places Comfort Index, Boise comes in at a 7.3 out of 10, compared to the national average at 7 out of 10.

Spring Weather

Spring is a great time to be in Boise. There is ample precipitation and the vegetation bursts into color all around the city. Temperatures are usually relatively mild, varying between 40℉ and 60℉. There are definitely days that can appear to be winter or summer, sometimes within the same week. There’s been snow as late as April, but there’s also been 70+ days in February and March.

Summer Weather

June and September are some of the best months when it comes to comfort and consistency in Boise. With highs in the low 80’s it’s warm but comfortable for outdoor activities. There’s much less of a chance for a chilly day or any precipitation during these months as well.

July and August are usually toasty straight through with no breaks. For these 2 months it’s almost a guarantee to have a high over 80, with most days getting into the 90’s and a handful creeping into triple digits. There’s basically no rainfall so the foothills dry up and become less green and more brown. One saving grace for these hot months is that there is really low humidity, which helps it feel not quite as hot as an equal temperature day in a tropical location or the east coast of the U.S.

Fall Weather

In the Fall Boise will stay relatively warm deep into October, but will show a distinct drop in temperature when you hit November. Fall is somewhat strange in Boise, you might get a snowfall in October, but could also experience sunny, relatively warm days into November. There’s slightly more precipitation during these months, mostly in the form of rain. Similar to spring you just never know what you’re going to get, you can get all 4 seasons within a span of a week or so.

Winter Weather

Winter in Boise is typically cold and dry. There’s been years with massive amounts of snowfall, the latest being in 2016-2017 where the valley saw 39.1 inches of snow through the winter, locals dubbed this Snowmageddon. The average yearly snowfall is around 17 inches, which usually doesn’t stick around for long, most days in December and January get below freezing at night, but get up in the mid 30’s to low 40’s during the day which helps melt the snow.

Miscellaneous Weather Information

When it comes to natural disasters and extreme weather, Boise sees almost none of it. Ada county has reported 12 tornadoes since 1956, none of them injuring or killing a single person. There’s very little data about how many thunderstorms affect the area, but as a resident I would put it at about 6-10 per year, none of them being very severe. Wind can be an issue in the city, with 1-2 severe wind storms a year which can knock down trees and cause power outages.

For more information about Boise, check out our page at cleverneighbor.com.

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