New Hotels Popping Up All Over Billings. Here’s the Latest

Wondering what they're building next to REI?

Last week our family was running around Billings so my kids could spend the gift cards they received for Christmas. We hit the mall and then went to a variety of shops in Shiloh Crossing. As we approached the Shiloh/King Ave West roundabout, the conversation in our vehicle centered around "I wonder what they're building next to REI?"

A new Billings hotel in an interesting location.

Three, four-story elevator shafts dominate the construction scene, and we debated if the large new building was going to be something similar to the residential/retail concept like at Shiloh Commons, or if it was going to be a hotel. If you guessed a hotel, you are correct. 

According to property tax information, the land where the new hotel is being built is owned by a group called Billings Shiloh Hotel, LLC. The company has a PO Box with an Idaho Falls address. Of course, the actual name of the hotel may be something entirely different. We were unable to determine at this time if it will be branded as a Hilton, a Days Inn, Marriot, Best Western, or something entirely different.

There are at least 30 hotels in Billings. More are on the way.

In the spring of 2022, multiple local media outlets reported hotel occupancy rates in Billings hit a record of 87% (they normally hover around 60%). Perhaps this spurred the development of several new hotel properties. The new Avid Hotel (seen above) recently opened across the street from Rib and Chop House.

Construction on the new hotel on Overland Avenue continues.

At the site of a former movie theater, construction has been moving along slowly for a  new, locally-owned hotel on Overland Avenue. The old theater building next to the hotel is being remodeled into a convention center.

Ah yes. Another bank too.

As I turned into the REI parking lot today to grab some pictures for this article, I noticed another smallish building under construction in the same area. If you're hoping for a new restaurant, you'll be disappointed. It's going to be a new Billings Federal Credit Union. At least it's not a casino, car wash, or coffee shop?