There were a lot of potential places we could've stayed on our girls trip to Boise but the Modern ended up with our vote on based on the following: 1) free breakfast: every morning there was free coffee/tea from Flying M, fresh squeezed orange juice (!!), banana bread, bananas, and then a small variety of made to order options including yogurt parfait, veggie frittata, and a bacon frittata. loved everything about this. this was a hard selling point for me. 2) free bike rental: ultimately ended up being too big for our petite frames but this is well worth it if you wanna bike around downtown or on the greenbelt 3) proximity to downtown: honestly if it wasn't so cold we'd be so much more inclined to walk more but everything was super close to the hotel. was nice to have the option to walk or drive downtown bc we were so close 4) free parking: this was a big one! we needed a car for our excursions so needed a hotel that would have free parking. there's not many spots between the front and back lots but we never were unable to find a spot during our time there 5) added a mini fridge to our room upon request..self explanatory lol All in all, a very good experience staying at this hotel and I'm glad we spent a little more to stay here. To top it off, the lady working the front desk late Thursday night was super super nice. Great first impression of Boise based on that alone! read more

Quiet rooms great location. I would stay here again. Staff was helpful and got me in early

Stayed here twice and love the comfort & cleanliness , atmosphere, the turn of the century feel, great customer service, too. And don't forget to try their drinks at bar. Yummy!!! Can't wait to stay here a third, fourth, heck, many more times!!!! read more

I love this place! Whenever I'm in Boise, I make sure to stop by here. We tried some delicious appetizers and a refreshing drink that had cucumber sherbet in it--it was a real treat for my taste buds! The staff behind the bar was friendly, and the overall atmosphere of the place reminded me of the charming vibe of the Rose Motel from Schitt's Creek. It's truly a gem, and I particularly enjoyed the tempura cauliflower with dukkah--it is a unique and tasty bar food! read more

Modern Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Boise, Idaho

We were trying to find a decent hotel that was easy walking downtown and decided to stay at the Modern Hotel. What a good choice, the staff was super friendly upon arrival and were really kind to our daughter. The room was really clean, great set up. The chair is really comfortable, I'm going to have to find out who makes it to get one. Bed was really comfortable as well. The bathroom was perfect with the walk in shower and rain set up. The whole family rested well and had a good experience. The bar and restaurant has a great indoor and outdoor set up. Service at the restaurant and bar was good, food came out quick and was quite delicious. I highly recommend the crispy cauliflower. read more

Modern Hotel - Crispy Cauliflower and Donuts - Hotels Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Loved this hotel! The rooms were clean and the staff were attentive and very helpful. We had to get a package delivered to the hotel and they immediately called when it arrived. Would definitely stay here again. read more

First off, let me say that the beds were super comfy and my husband loved the shower. So, two stars. And here we go... I don't understand from where all the positive reviews are coming. Were they bought? Let's start with - this is a motel and not a hotel. I don't know the legalities between labeling it a hotel vs motel, but upon first glance (and the fact that the you enter your room directly from the outside) you would absolutely call it a motel. We arrived to find that the property is not as nice and shiny as it looks in the pics. The front of the property is a bit run down (needs paint, signage upgrades, etc.), to enter our room it took three tries after getting the green light to turn the door knob, and then we couldn't tell if our deadbolt was working which is pretty important when the door leads to the outside. While the rooms appear nice initially, you quickly begin to notice all the shortcuts they took during the remodel. The walls are the old 1970's spackled type that debase all the clean lines they worked to achieve, the cheap upgrades used in the bathrooms (I mean the tiniest of sinks and zero counter space), and that they didn't bother to paint the two internal windowsills - they're just the old bland wooden sills. The neighborhood... I'm from Chicago and grew up on the Southside, so I understand the time it takes to gentrify an area. However, from what staff told me, the neighborhood has been in the process for at least a decade? Anyway, my husband tried walking our dogs in the evening and was approached by a woman who was half naked wearing a blanket yelling to get his attention asking for money. All that said, we were just disappointed from the get go and want to warn everyone. One can polish a turd, but it's still a turd. There is not enough upgrading that can turn what was once a seedy motel into a "hotel" that prices out at $180/night. They should have done a complete teardown. I've taken to calling this property the Seurat as it looks nice from far away, but once you're close enough, you see the all the tiny dots and the cracks in between holding this place together. Good luck weary travelers! read more

What a great place! I had a quick weekend trip to Boise and my wife found this very cool hotel that use to be a travel lodge now converted to a very hip and unique vibe. Everyone there was so nice and accommodating. The rooms are very quiet and comfortable. The bar is super cool! Great signature drinks by the bar tenders. I went with Megan's delish mixology drink! Bravo. Great place, great drinks, great environment, and I will be staying there again soon! read more

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I've stayed at the the Modern many times--it is one of my favorite places to stay anywhere in the country. Love the rooms, shower is amazeballs, restaurant is fantastic, prices are reasonable, staff is always gracious, and it's located within an easy walk to downtown hubbub. I could do without the complimentary Idaho Spud Bar, but it's a quirky local touch. And contrary to Peter D's completely asinine hit piece, I've never once had an issue staying here. Not once. read more

Re-imagined from a former TraveLodge and located in Boise's Linen District, the Modern property is both mid-century modern hotel and a gem of a bar and restaurant serving dinner nightly and weekend brunch. The restaurant reviews were originally posted on the Modern Hotel Yelp page but in June 2019 looks like owners set up a separate Yelp page for the Modern Bar and Restaurant. Among my hubby's and my top 3 favorites of all eateries in Boise and after umpteen visits over the last 6 years we easily opine 5 stars for it - see review posted at that Yelp page - https://www.yelp.com/biz/modern-bar-and-restaurant-boise-3. But we stay-cationed at the Modern Hotel with a 'one time is enough' experience. I imagine that had as much to do with our demographic as with the hotel because the Modern Hotel consistently wins "Best of Boise" ratings from a local alternative newspaper in a yearly contest and gets high mention in travel publications. So this is likely one of those issues where "it's not you, it's me" for relationship fit. We are in the "Boomer" demographic - but clearly adventurous enough to appreciate the Modern Bar and Restaurant as regular diners and imbibers there, - and the hotel may better suit a younger age group. In fact, when we shared with neighbors of about our age who are more hip and well traveled than we that we were planning 'staycation' at the Modern they urged us to reconsider based on their disappointing experience. "We shoulda listened to you!", I messaged her early on the evening of our stay. So I share here for setting expectations. Different strokes for different folks. There is much to commend the Modern Hotel but also things that might not work so well. An out of state traveler-guest who struck up a conversation with me in the parking lot and who was about my age said he and his wife were surprised to find this hotel that was highly touted by a college age relative to be so not a fit for them. But, he said, "It's a hell of a good restaurant here - what a find!" Yes, indeed. LOCATION: The Linen District is far enough from downtown to be out of the chaos but close enough to provide easy access to everything. Fun Basque wine bar and eatery Txikiteo, same owners as this, is just a couple of blocks walk away. But there is a goodly amount of noise in the rooms, either from the nighttime 'hot-rod cruising' or from the revelers on the bar patio in the courtyard some of the rooms face. For some that is no worries. For others, now you know. The hotel provides ear plugs on request. PROPERTY: Two stores, no elevator. Some first floor rooms can be accessed from hall and from outside door. Many rooms accessed only via outside door. Nice exterior patio with tables for hotel and restaurant guests. There is a small parking lot in front which is a good thing. ROOMS: Comfy beds but the low slung chair in the room is not the easiest to get in and out of for guests of a certain age. If you're planning on staying more than overnight the closet space is uber-limited - a 'hang 'em horizantal' cabinet for clothes. Large desk-top with TV above it. Wi-fi was not working for sign in and we had to go to the front desk for a work around. (See Service) Walls are thin, as the saying goes, and your neighbors can be heard. BATHS: Spacious step-in doorless shower with two heads and a small window thru which one can gaze into the room or vice versa. I imagine all that is much fun for some but our issues with the bathroom were practical functional ones: the tiny pedestal sink lacked any counter space, the door into the bathroom from the bedroom was only about 23" clear width (I'm size 2, my hubby is 32 waist - not big people but this 'skinny door' felt just odd) and had obscure glass through which one could see with the light on in the loo and the commode was placed directly along the inside of wall that paralleled the bed so... We've been married nearly 40 years but for a couple newer in acquaintance this might not be such a 'romantic' set up. EXTRAS: Free continental breakfast Mon - Fri for hotel guests. Not on Sat & Sun given brunch is served 8 - 2. (Highly recommend the unique brunch!) We didn't know free breakfast wasn't served on Saturday until after check in on Friday night when a server in the restaurant at dinner told us. Now you know too. SERVICE: The young woman who helped us book our staycation night was so helpful. In the dozens of times we've been through the hotel lobby on our way to or from the restaurant, always friendly folks. Alas, on the night of our visit when we couldn't connect to wi-fi and had to go the lobby where the guy on duty had to use an employee password on our phones to make wi-fi work, he was in constipated service mode showing his frustration on that issue and answering a question we asked about the hotel. Everyone can have a bad day. ACCESSIBILITY: ADA parking in lot. Level in at lobby. Didn't check for ADA rooms. read more

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Not very kid friendly and does not give all that great check in service unsafe look and very adult so I cannot recommend this as a dad and a husband. My wife said if this was our honey moon noooooo waaaay!. They did comp my additional bed because they knew they got caught ripping a from what we paid for to what we got no microwave as advertised and multiple times misquoted our reservation this hotel is like trees that cannot be trusted very shady So I stand corrected in an email about what they gave us. Even screen shots from them. In my defense and the defense of out awesome travel agent, who did an amazing job, it still does not match what she set up for us. So I still keep my one star as a family man because this trip is my daughters and I want her to have the best time ever and they still do not live up to kid friendly. I do thank the staff for being nice and accommodating, and that they competed our additional bed. And I also want to end by saying our travel agent is amazing and jumped right in to assist us. Thank you so much. And again because of screenshots I stand corrected read more

Update: The manager at Modern Hotel called me the next day, apologized, and let me know there was a miscommunication; our pets ARE allowed on the beds and the extra blankets are for them! The manager also comped our night, which was so thoughtful! Thank you! read more

Tiffany was very friendly and helpful. The beds were very comfortable and breakfast was delicious. Be sure to book directly.

Great hotel within walking distance to many things. There is construction work going on around the hotel but nothing that interrupted the stay. I did stay in the interior rooms and requested a mini fridge be added which I would recommend. The breakfast provided in the mornings was great along with the bikes guests can access. I did have issues with the Wifi some days in that it would say connected but nothing loaded. If you book directly on their site, they provide an Uber to and from the airport which is a great add. 10/10 would recommend. read more

We visited the restaurant for New Year's Eve dinner for the first time. Made reservations one month in advance (6pm slot was already booked so we ate at 9pm). I requested plant based menu and my husband had regular menu. The food was delicious (my most favorite was roasted celery root and fermented collard greens) but the portions were a bit small considering the price ($75 per person + $35 per alcoholic drink pairing per person + we gave 25% tip). The staff was helpful and eager to make our dinner pleasant. Limited parking. read more

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The Modern Bar & Restaurant - four stars. The Modern Hotel - three stars. Ok, the hotel: You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. This hotel (a former Motel 6) is still a concrete Motel 6 dressed up. The bed was comfy, as were the pillows, so price depending, this is a great deal. I believe they offer complimentary cruiser bikes and downtown Boise is literally a 5-7 minute walk, so location wise it's also on point. But, I found the rooms sad. No art adorned walls, digital television with limited channels, not a lot of natural light and if I did decide to leave the curtains open, the entire street would see me. Walls were thin, I could hear pretty much any noise outside, including the maids vacuuming at 9am and the doors didn't close well, but the internet was strong. The complimentary breakfast highlight was the coffee and fresh juice. Food wise it was also a little sad: Chobani yogurt and meh looking bagels with butter, a block of cream cheese or jam. Add some fresh fruit into the mix and then we'd be talking. ____________________ The restaurant was good, albeit a tad bit over priced. Those corn fritters, tho. They were almost like corn beignets. So good, that we had them two nights in a row. My dining companion enjoyed her gnocchi and the lamb kofta was good, but again the price didn't quite live up to the hype. Drinks were nice and strong and a fairly local and inexpensive beer list. Overall, not a bad option in Boise especially when I'm not aware of the competition. I would stay here again if options were limited. read more

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After an ill fated trip here with a large group, I decided to give this place a try sans large group. What a difference. Sat outdoors on their amazing fire bedazzled patio. Our server approached immediately and took our drink order. Their cocktail menu is inventive and unique. I ordered their Rattlesnake Cocktail while my friend enjoyed a glass of red from their wine list. My cocktail was perfectly mixed and lovely (if you have any affection at all for the green fairy--try this cocktail. The absinthe isn't overwhelming, but just the loveliest of hints). We ordered their bleu cheese brussels sprouts and sesame toast to start. The toast was awesome. The brussels sprouts had an amazing flavor but I'd have fancied them cooked a bit longer. For my entree, I ordered their gnocchi. My people! Some of the best gnocchi of my life! Amazing. Flavorful. Perfect. The service was perfectly on point throughout. I would definitely and without hesitation recommend this place for intimate, small group dining. Get to it! read more

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We had a great time staying at the Modern!! The rooms are cool, comfortable and functional. The location is ideal for exploring downtown Boise and the restaurant is excellent- fabulous food and cocktails!! The staff was super friendly and helpful. The entire property has a groovy vibe, down to the in-room TV channel dedicated to short films. Oh- and the breakfast is lovely!! read more

The Modern has a unique food offering and wonderful drinks. They offer quick, friendly service and food and drinks were made as specified and served in a timely manner. The patio dining at night was a lot of fun. I also had a room here. My stay was great, but parking is very limited and when I first got into my room it smelled like old cigarette, muggy carpet. I guess I got used to it because it didn't both me. Those were the only cons. It's in great proximity and walking distance to everything downtown, as well as the Farmer's Market. You can even rent bikes for free. read more

This motel turned modern lodging is a solid win for me. I stay here most often when I travel to Boise. It's location, the staff, the amazing bar and speedy WiFi have it on my favorites list. I find the low beds comfortable and I particularly like the lighting in the rooms. The long desk/shelves are super useful and the linens are greats. A slow clap for the air conditioning. Boise can get sweaty y'all, and the rooms here are kept cool and comfortable. Parking onsite (Win!) The bar has won tons of awards (Woohoo!) and the cost per night is reasonable. If you're gonna take something vintage and remodel it, you should check out what they've done here. The patio feels like a separate little land and its a popular gathering spot. Snag a table and some wine early before retiring to your room. Such a nice way to say good night before a sleep in Boise! read more

I'm giving my homeboys and girls here at The Modern, 5 Stars *****. One for originality, one for authenticity, another for the food, another for the drinks and another for the vibe and stylishness of it all. CAN I GIVE a 6th Star for the outdoor dining space with gas fire pits and ample seating with privacy to boot?........Oh, and a 7th STAR, for the jammin' vintage record album in the bathroom that you get to play with while having a slash (That's English for going #1?) I have been frequenting this establishment since my obsessed with mid-century modern everything, friend Amy invited me out for a drink one day. I was so impressed with the drinks. OMG. They are up there with the best in town and might just even be "The Best". The food is high end. It's a little pricey, but worth it. The last meal I had there was with another friend that frequents the place pretty often. I ordered the octopus salad which was gorgeous. It was presented impeccably and had fresh, crunchy celery with very tender octopus, grilled to perfection and warm potatoes and picked peppers! I found this to be a very unique way of preparing it. It's now one of my favorite dishes (appetizer to be exact). My friend ordered BREAD which came with olives and pickles. She also got some homemade soup (sorry but I cannot remember what kind it was, but it looked divine!). I saw that someone posted comments about the location. The building has been there over 70 years, so other things will happen and pop up around it, but the Modern will remain, strong and unimpeded. That is not something that you have control of and to boot, Boise is a relatively safe place to live and explore, so the person who mentioned that it was a bad area.......well, that's just not true. It's just fine and I think that the growing diversity of this town, not to mention people who might be suffering in the area is no reason to avoid any establishment, and instead of criticizing the location and the "Other people" that you consider lower class citizens, that make you uncomfortable, maybe reach out and help instead? These are people in need and hurting. I like that the Modern is where it is and I bless them with good vibes and prosperity. See you all soon! read more

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This spot is so inconspicuous! I have driven by it for years, never thinking to stop in and check it out. Last week I stopped in for the first time, and I am so glad I did! *Disclaimer, this review is about their Bar only.* We sat out on the patio around 5 pm and ordered drinks. Gin being my drink of choice, I, of course, ordered a Gin and Jous! It was 1) so pretty to look at (the garnishings were gorgeous), 2) not too sweet or sour but a perfect blend of flavors and 3) so refreshing for a 100°+ day. Along with these drinks, we munched on The Modern's Cheese Plate. This bad boy came with an assortment of five different cheese, grapes, bread, a balsamic reduction, and toasted almonds. This is one of those dishes that just makes you feel fabulous while you eat it--it's classy, indulgent, sophisticated, and tasty all at the same time. The atmosphere is phenomenal--it's a dream for those who gravitate towards mid century design. The style here is very simple and clean with charming details (such as a record player in the bathroom). The Modern is a unique spot with a style of its own, and dare I say, an experience you won't find anywhere else in Boise (at least I haven't yet)! read more

Modern Hotel - CHEESE - Hotels Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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This is a review for the bar and "restaurant". Are you ready to kick sugar out of your life? Start taking a liking to savory cocktails? Try the Virginian, a savory mix of peppers and an aromatic syrup of southeast Asian spices. Goes well with the austere modern architecture. Especially pleasing is the steam punk vibe of the staff contrasting with the Bauhaus design of the setting. The food took a long while to arrive, there were many other people's dishes coming out of a motel room converted into a kitchen. On our tartines, the tomatoes were nothing spesh which is a shame this time of year when they should be busting out the fat garden jucies. I would go back for lunch maybe and try a sandwich. read more

Loved this hotel so much! We stayed for one night while visiting downtown Boise and I wish we'd had the chance to stay longer. Great location, awesome amenities (we didn't get to check out the bar scene OR brunch - musts for next time - but I hear they both are outta this world!). The amenities are fabulous - we especially loved the spacious 'room' showers and the toiletries (I am weird and I also have somewhat picky tendencies). The hotel also has bikes guests can take out to explore and a very swanky looking courtyard with year-round fire pits. Love the unique mid-century modern vibe and want to stay again soon! read more

Really good bang for your buck. This is obviously one of those cheap motel's converted into a hipster boutique but for the rate of $129 (including tax) per night its well worth it. Parking is free and walking distance from all the downtown shopping. They have every cable channel and the crowd is young. The furnishings are spartan but done well with class. The desk clerks were friendly and checkout time is noon instead of the usual 11am that you find at most lodgings. The shower was a bit overcomplicated and angled oddly with an interesting amount of pressure but overall we were very pleased with our experience. COVID messed up the hours and service of the bar so we weren't able to try it out but it looked nice enough. read more

My husband and I spent a night here and were pleasantly surprised at every turn. Customer service was genuinely amazing.... Early check-in? DONE! Spotless accommodations? DONE! Delicious food and yummy custom cocktails? DONE AND DONE! The bed in the King suite was very comfortable the rooms were decorated in a fun, mid-century style. My only recommendation would be slightly brighter lighting in the bathroom, it's dim if you are trying to get ready. Awesome shower and tub though. Everyone who works at the Modern seems truly invested in providing an exceptional experience for their guests. They couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. LOVE the unexpected details (turntables with a selection of rad 45's in the bar restrooms?!!). Super cool without "trying too hard". Awesomeness read more

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What a cool little boutique hotel. I think I'm to old to be a hipster and I actually hate that word. But I think that this place could be describe as genuinely hip! I love how they give you a little potato candy bar upon your arrival, (not vegan) so it looks like this one is going home with me! The place is not fancy by any means but it's cool, it's an older hotel dressed up bit to make it feel like a modern take on the 50's or 60's road side fancy hotel! The rooms were not huge but had a nice set up of retro-esque modern furniture, a little wall desk for working, and a nice modern tv. My view (not mountain side) was of a car repair shop, but I loved the area of the hotel! Record stores, book stores, coffee shops, shopping, bars, music venue all within walking distance. I did fall in love with the bar/eatery. The food was great and they served it late. And the bar had great assortment of local craft beer and the bartenders were really fun to watch, do their thing! I also loved that the bathroom's had little portable record players with 45 singles to play while going the bathroom! Fun idea and want to incorporate in my own house if I wasn't such a germaphobe! The staff was super nice and I would stay here again in a heartbeat! read more

Modern Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Sadly, I haven't stayed at Modern Hotel yet. I was supposed to stay last night through Sunday, but my flight was cancelled and there weren't any other flights I could take. But, Modern Hotel was gracious enough to cancel my booking without charge. When I finally make it to Boise, I'll definitely be staying at Modern Hotel. read more

Great spot. Very unique and creative cocktail menu and the food is extremely well crafted. I had the Venison Carpaccio and the grill endive salad. Really good stuff. The atmosphere is very nice and clean, but abtad weird because it's basically the lobby of an old motel. But don't let that scare you away. It's awesome and the staff is great. read more

I love this hotel. Not only is it groovy and stylish, the bed was super comfortable and the bathroom is remodeled and deluxe. Located in the heart of downtown Boise, there are cool shops and excellent breakfast nearby - jackpot! This will be a place I return to again and again whenever I am in Boise. So good! read more

I'm so satisfied with my stay here, and I can't wait to come back to Boise just to stay in this hotel again. The price was amazing for what you've got. Areal Boutique Hotel feel decorated in mid-century modern decor. A really cool restaurant and bar, and free bicycles to use. The staff was amazing, my room was clean, and I felt like I was really part of the up-and-coming Boise scene. They also have a channel dedicated to small Independent films from small filmmakers playing on a loop, that are in the boise film festival. You can tell they really care about keeping things local and supporting the community. read more

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Modern Hotel was great. Dog friendly which was key for us as we were traveling with our pup. The location is convenient to Downtown Boise which is a short 10-15 minute walk away from restaurants and more. We only stayed one night but enjoyed the stay. Clean room with a small fridge and spacious shower. The breakfast had a choice of a few items including a frittata which was nice. The front desk was friendly and gave our dog a treat making her a fan for life. My only critique would be the limited parking, but it wasn't a deal breaker. If in the area, we'd consider staying here again. read more

Service: great! The servers were helpful in pointing out suggestions on the menu. They seemed very knowledgeable as well. Pork Belly: amazing! Fork tender and the greens were so fresher and paired so well with the pork! Dumpling App: great way to start a meal. Seemed so simple, but cooked so perfectly and melted in your mouth! Apple Bread Pudding: just as amazing as the rest of the food. So simple but done so well! Overall: ambiance was so quaint and unique! The ambiance was so perfect! Who would have thought a simple motel can be converted into one of the best restaurants in the area! HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more

Modern Hotel - Pork Belly - Hotels Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Cool vibe, great food, clean rooms. Received Idaho spud candy bars upon check in and the staff was incredibly friendly. Can't ask for anything more! Oh wait- but I did! My dear hubby left his wallet ( !!! ) in our room. We didn't realize it until we were halfway to Jackson, WY. I called and Polly had housekeeping find it and then she personally overnighted it to our next destination! The sweetest part- she just called me to make sure we received it. /tear Thank you Polly!!! Amazing customer service, wonderful food. Hands down would stay here again! read more

This is a review for the bar/restaurant of The Modern. I wouldn't like having a bar located smack in the middle of the courtyard of the hotel if I was a guest. As a bar patron only though, I really liked the concept. The buildings and the trees provided plenty of shade to keep us cool on a 90 degree evening. The Modern has an extensive selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. One of our friends ordered the Frau Holle. He seemed to really enjoy it though having an entire sprig of rosemary in the drink was a bit much for me when I tasted it. I opted for the City of Trees IPA which was really good, although I wish they served it by the pint instead of in a smaller glass. I feel like anytime a restaurant serves beer in a small volume than a pint, they should note it on their menu. Another one of our friends had an Aperol soda which was perfectly fine. The menu had many enticing options, but the general consensus from our group was that the meals failed to deliver on their promising descriptions. I ordered the gnocchi with wild mushrooms and greens. While the gnocchi was pillowy soft, the mushrooms were a bit rubbery and didn't seem to really go with the dish. Maybe a different type of mushroom would have worked better. The "greens" in the description were actually just two spinach leaves. The leek fonduta was underwhelming. I probably wouldn't order this dish again. My wife had the bean salad and wasn't very impressed either. Our food also took a long time to be prepared and was relatively expensive for the portion size. The gnocchi was nearly $20 and there were maybe 15-20 pieces of gnocchi. While we all agreed that while The Modern was good place to get a drink, it was definitely our least favorite place that we ate at in Boise. If you are looking for a cool bar with good service and a chill vibe, it is worth checking out though. read more

Great place as the food and reviews indicated. Our friends Michele R. and Mike brought us to this place and amazingly her review of over 4 years ago is still valid and good. Read it for the best picture of this find. I think back then, she wanted to keep it a secret, but no way is it a secret now. The cocktails are fun and tasty. The ladies had French 75s, not on the special drinks, but they knew how to make good ones. The guys had the Long Weekend, a tall refreshing rum based drink. I'd have that again, for sure. The menu is always changing depending what is in season and available. With the cocktails, we shared a wonderful terrine pate with pickled accompaniments and baguettes slices. Perfect with our drinks. Each couple decided on soup and an appetizer to split.Wines by the glass were summery and light for these dishes, roses and sauvignon blancs. The fresh peas soup, cold, was very refreshing and a big enough bowl to split. The appetizers were the Benton Country Ham served with fruit and pickled mushroom accompaniments. A country ham can be salty, so be prepared. Best of all was the Morels and Polenta with fava beans and spruce butter. The flavor of the morels was enhanced by the cooking treatment. Yummy. Finished up with a couple of coffees and a butterscotch pudding and a delicious panna cotta. A wonderful night with friends, good food, and wonderful weather. Who could ask for more? read more

You ever been to one of those restaurants that are super pretentious, the staff is chock full of hipsters with elitist attitudes and the food is overpriced and overrated? Welcome to The Modern. My wife and I were there last night for the first time meeting another couple for dinner, and we got there a few minutes early. We ordered a drink at the bar and perused the menu. My wife is a vegetarian. Of the 7 or so entree choices only one was vegetarian---wild mushroom gnocchi. She loves gnocchi, but mushrooms are her least favorite food. I politely asked the bartender if they could not add the mushrooms to the gnocchi. He responded, in the most condescending voice he could possibly muster, "We don't do ANY substitutions or changes to our dishes." Now, mind you that the mushrooms are not PART of the gnocchi itself. The chef simply grabs a handful and throws them in the sauté pan during preparation. Nonetheless, at The Modern, it's not possible for the chef NOT to grab those mushrooms and NOT put them in the pan. He's compelled to do so by their very strict NO substitutions policy. Our friends arrived and we sat down. After sitting there for about 10 minutes our grumpy and annoyed server arrived. My friend's wife pointed to a cocktail on the menu and asked if she could have it with vodka instead of gin. I knew the answer before the server uttered it. The server responded, in HER most condescending and annoyed voice, "We don't do ANY substitutions." Really!? Instead of grabbing the gin, isn't it pretty simple for the bartender to simply grab the vodka!? It's not like the bartender has to go down the street to get the f'ing vodka, it's right next to the gin! But still, no substitutions. I then ordered my second cocktail, which was a Makers Mark Old Fashioned (my first was a dirty Bombay martini). A few minutes later the bartender came over and told me that they hadn't "gotten their liquor order in" and they'd have to SUBSTITUTE my Makers Mark with another bourbon. You don't know how badly I wanted to remind him of the strict no substitutions policy. Anyway, we eventually ordered our overpriced meals, got them, ate them, and left. To sum up, The Modern was overpriced and pretentious, the service was rude, the menu limited, the food mediocre at best, the atmosphere stark and boring and God help you if you want to deviate from the menu in any way. There are a lot of great restaurants in Boise. Way too many for us to ever return to The Modern. read more

This hotel is fantastic! I was lucky enough to stay here recently and had a really lovely (albeit short) stay. The staff at the hotel front desk was extremely kind and they offered great suggestions for the restaurant/bar attached. From an online perspective, what drew me to this hotel most was the price. It's extremely affordable! But in person it gets better. The room I had was really cute, really clean, and had some mid century modern flair with some hyper modern finishes and amenities. I was really impressed with the shampoo/conditioner dispenser in the shower. Hard to explain but I'd love that set up for my own home! The actual products themselves were high quality as well. Things I like in a hotel that this hotel had: -Free WIFI -Full length mirror -Full size hairdryer in room -Shampoo AND conditioner, not a combo -Soft, clean towels -Comfy mattress, lots of pillows Was sad that it wasn't a little closer to other downtown amenities but they make up for that by having a great restaurant/bar attached. You don't have to go far for food. I also loved the courtyard though during wet winter months it's not as usable. Still made for some super sleek ambience! I don't know how often I'll be in Boise but I don't plan on staying anywhere else when I visit. This hotel pretty much has it all. read more

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Quick update about my most recent stay at The Modern: Accidentally left my brand new pair of glasses in my room. Called the hotel the very next day and they shipped them back to me within 2 business days. It's been my experience that forgetting something in a hotel room means you'll never see that item again. Not so much in Boise, they're genuinely nice, honest people. Thanks to the gals at the front desk! I'm officially four-eyed again. read more

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The best cocktail bar in the United States is not in New York. It's not in Chicago. It's not in Las Vegas. It's not in any city with a population above 1 million. Or even 500,000 people. 250,000 people? Keep going. The best cocktail bar in the United States is in Boise, Idaho. With a population of just over 205,000 and with some of the friendliest people I've ever met, the Modern Bar (located in the Modern Hotel) is unequivocally the best. I've had a lot of mixed drinks in my life. Every new/fusion/haute cuisine establishment in Chicago will try to push a specialty drink on you. Oh look, here's a fancy drink with a pretentious main ingredient made from flavored/infused alcohol. *sigh* Consider this: the best cocktails in Chicago aren't made in a new fangled bar. They're in places like Miller's Pub and Maggianos. I kid you not. Custom House in the South Loop makes a mean old fashioned, but for the sake of this argument, it's not entirely "old fashioned." So in Boise, I found the mecca of old fashioned cocktails. Sure, they have a "modern" list (associated with the name) that mixes ingredients you'd usually not think to put together, and some of the drinks on the "modern" list include sparkling wine. But there's no storebought juice here. There's no soda water flavored with caramel. The juices and syrups are hand made. And with the longest preface area, we're finally onto the review: Location: 4 out of 5 Walking distance from downtown Boise. Free street parking Decor: 4 out of 5 Classically designed, low ceiling, nothing aggressive, obnoxious, or flashy on the walls. Tables are simple with ergonomic chairs, and "natural" lighting comes from candles after they open. Check out the bathroom though - there's a record player in there. I kid you not. Servers: 4 out of 5 Oh, Modern Bar. How you amuse me with a waitstaff that dresses like a mix between Jason Mraz and Al Capone and Hipster central. Beneath their short and narrow ties and argyle vests, however - are some very knowledgeable and friendly guys and gal(s). They'll speak to you with a great amount of gusto, and get this - even if you've been helped by someone else, one of the other guys or gal(s) will inevitably come around to make sure that you don't need another drink. But you have to understand something - these guys get busy at night, and logistically they just can't shoot the shit with you until the sun comes up. Between taking orders, making the drinks (which takes time), getting the drinks out, going to the kitchen to get food orders or supplies, etc - they're busy. Please don't take their quietness as being distant... Quality and Taste: Infinity. Classic Cocktails include: Maple Leaf, Metropole, Alaska, Martinez, and Irish Coffee. Modern Cocktails include: Five Strangers, El Quetzal, Devereaux, Layover Redux, Devil Heart, Zig Zag, Le Schuss, and Hot Buttered Calvados. In my two visits there, I had two Maple Leafs, one Irish Coffee, one Zig Zag, and one Hot Buttered Calvados. If you even remotely like a sidecar, you'll LOVE the Maple Leaf. The Zig Zag was fierce but enjoyable, the Irish Coffee came with real home made whipped cream the top, and the Hot Buttered Calvados...oh gracious. Please see my pictures for the menu and the drinks I had. Also, consult their blog (not the website) for the menu (http://blog.themodernhotel.com/?page_id=14) And they're not skimping on the quantity or quality of alcohol, either. Each one of the drinks I had was not only delicious, but had a very substantial alcohol content. My buddy had the Devil Heart when we went back together - oh la la. Pricing: 5 out of 5 The most expensive thing was about 9 bucks. Really? That's it? If you charged 14 for one of these drinks in Chicago, no one would bat an eye. Not only did the drinks go down deliciously, they were also easy on the wallet. Overall: 5 out of 5 I'm sad writing that, because now that I've had what I perceive to be the best drinks I've ever had, it's hard to come back to mediocrity. Remember they don't open till 4pm on most nights. read more

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