Hotel McCall

Historic lakeside hotel in downtown McCall. Classic mountain charm, an indoor pool, and fine dining by Payette Lake.

Hotel McCall has anchored the downtown waterfront of Payette Lake since 1904, serving as a historic cornerstone in Idaho's high-mountain country. Originally built by the town's namesake, Tom McCall, the property arose on land that had long served as a seasonal hunting and fishing rendezvous for the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) and Shoshone-Bannock tribes. In its early decades, under the stewardship of Mrs. Wm. M. Deinhard, the inn gained renown for modern luxuries like hot and cold running water in its 25 rooms. After a devastating fire in the winter of 1937, the community rallied to rebuild the hotel on its original footprint, reopening the doors in 1938. Mid-century owners Lawrence and Blanche Luce maintained its vintage hospitality with eleven-dollar room rates and nightly chocolates on pillows. Acquired by the Carey family in 1995, the property underwent thoughtful expansions and a comprehensive 2007 renovation that preserved its historic integrity while updating its infrastructure.

Today, the hotel features 22 uniquely curated guest rooms, suites, and condominiums that blend classic mountain charm with contemporary comfort. The interior design showcases a curated collection of global art, from large Spanish Art Deco posters in the lobby to Romanesque columns and Moorish arches framing the heated indoor pool. Hallways are dotted with antique writing desks, encouraging guests to pause with a book, while the central library features a massive stone hearth, deep leather couches, and windows facing the water. Accommodations range from Deluxe King rooms with jetted soaking tubs and local artwork to spacious Studio Kings and one-bedroom condominiums equipped with full kitchens, fireplaces, and private laundry facilities. The lake-facing rooms look out across the water to the Salmon River Mountains, where the scent of ponderosa pine and crisp mountain air drifts through open windows.

Dining at the hotel centers on Rupert's, where James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Gary Kucy crafts a menu that highlights regional ingredients with Southwest, Asian, and Mediterranean influences. Instead of the typical resort fare, the kitchen focuses on honest, flavorful dishes, sourcing wild morel mushrooms, huckleberries, and local meats like venison and elk. Guests can gather on the lakeside patio in the summer or inside a cozy tipi during the winter months, pairing their meals with flights of rare Japanese whiskey, bourbon, or selections from one of the largest wine lists in town. The hotel's central location on Third Street allows for easy strolls to the adjacent marina, local craft breweries, and downtown shops. Whether returning from a day of skiing at Brundage Mountain or boating on the clear waters of Payette Lake, the historic lobby and courtyard bocce courts offer a welcoming space to unwind in the heart of McCall.

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