I've stayed at the Red Lion Boise several times over the years and it's a great hotel. Clean, updated rooms, friendly staff, one of the best hotel sports bars around! It might not be in the heart of downtown but it is within walking distance and in an area that I feel is safe to walk in.

We got this hotel through hotwire for $49 so we weren't sure what to expect. As it turns out, we enjoyed our stay here thoroughly. We were especially nervous after reading some of the reviews on here but were pleasantly surprised by how nice the room was.

The breakfast buffet for $4.95 is a bit of a rip off. It was scrambled eggs, crusty bacon, and dried up sausages. Most hotels would have given it away for free. Skip it and go downtown to a Denny's or something...

The staff at the front desk were friendly when they were there... It seemed like whenever we needed something they were in some office on the computer (facebooking would be my guess) and it took a lot to get their attention but once you got them they were very helpful.

All in all it was a great value and we will most likely be going back there again as it really is conveniently located to a lot of great downtown places. It might take you 20 minutes to walk downtown if you're 90 and crippled otherwise everything was within a 10 minute walk or a 2 minute drive...

we have stayed here many times and always love he staff...we got our usual room, by asking, and the staff saved it for us!!! and wow, they have done a facelift....new beds, new pillows, new bedding , new flatscreens...and the bathroom is totally redone, great new shower head...yipeee, and well, get this,the sheets are ironed..where do you get that ??can't wait to go back, slept like a baby...thanks again to the great red lion.

I just stayed in Boise at the Red Lion Hotel Downtowner. I frequently stay there because of the friendly staff, GM, sales department and food not to mention the cleanliness of the hotel everytime I stay there. You can't beat the location either, close to the Capitol, downtown, freeway and all the city has to offer. Best value for all you get there. 5 out of 5 stars in my book.