The Alex Johnson Hotel - Rapid City, SD

Hotel Alex Johnson - Rapid City

Hotel Alex Johnson

Locals call it "the Alex." Everyone calls it a piece of South Dakota history. The nine-story brick building that first opened its doors in 1928 is a familiar and comfortable landmark to downtown Rapid City. It suits the historic hotel to be called by first name only. After all, the formality of its appearance cannot compare to the hospitality of the staff and the hominess of the rooms.

Alex Johnson - Rapid City, SD Architecture & Art

The Alex Johnson Hotel combines Germanic Tudor Architecture with consistent tribute to Native American cultures throughout the building's design and decor. Take the carved Indian heads in the main lobby, or the magnificent arrows and Lakota symbols that make up the chandelier in the two-story lobby. Intended by the hotel's namesake as a shrine to the Sioux Indian Nations, the hotel boasts a collection of Native American artwork and symbolism. The hotel also proved a luxurious stopover for railroad patrons, and visitors will find photos of past guests, including six American Presidents and Cary Grant.

Alex Johnson Hotel - Rapid City, SD Guest Rooms

Guest rooms vary in size and atmosphere, due primarily to the hotel's commitment to accurately restoring the historic property without taking away from today's travelers' expected conveniences. (After all, at one point, guests would have not thought twice about sharing a restroom.) All rooms have quilts or comforters with Lakota designs on the bed, along with remote control televisions, alarm clocks, telephones, coffee makers, ironing board and iron, table and chairs. Bathrooms are stocked with shampoo and conditioner, shower cap, and soaps. Guests can choose rooms with two double beds, two queen beds (with a queen-size Murphy bed that pulls out of the wall), a king room, or a king-family suite (with two bedrooms, one with king bed, one with two double beds that share a connecting bathroom).

Alex Johnson Hotel - Rapid City, SD Dining

The Landmark Restaurant is a AAA-rated, three-diamond restaurant within the Alex Johnson Hotel. Local game is a specialty, and you'll find buffalo, pheasant, elk and trout on the menu. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch (until 2:00 p.m.), and reopens for dinner (5:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.). For a quick bite to eat, or to take in the live music that is often offered, you can visit Paddy O'Neill's Pub and Casino (open 2:00 p.m. — 2:00 a.m. daily). The pub offers the largest selection of domestic and imported beers in the area.

Alex Johnson Hotel - Rapid City, SD Amenities

The hotel offers one-day laundry service during the week, and, for those that don't want to take a vacation from their workout routine, complimentary passes to the newly renovated YMCA, only a short walk from the hotel. And the Alex Mercantile sells works by many local, Native American artists, jewelry, and souvenirs.

Alex Johnson Hotel - Rapid City, SD Nearby Attractions

The Alex Johnson Hotel is right in the heart of downtown Rapid City, within walking distance of gift and antique shopping, the Dahl Fine Arts Museum, the Journey Museum, and the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Within driving distance are all of South Dakota's favorite attractions: Mt. Rushmore (30 min.), Bear Country & Reptile Gardens (20 min.), Custer State Park (45 min.), Crazy Horse Memorial (60 min.), Deadwood (60 min.).

The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a member of Historic Hotels of the Rockies, and a recipient of the South Dakota Governor's Great Service Award. The service is impeccable; the atmosphere reminds you that you are staying someplace that is one of a kind. But to the locals, it's just "the Alex."