The Lodge at Deadwood expansion includes executive suite like no other
Nov. 3, 2022
This paid piece is sponsored by The Ramkota Companies.
Anthony Galbraith isn’t exaggerating when he says there’s no other hotel suite in South Dakota like the one that just opened at The Lodge at Deadwood.
“This is special,” said Galbraith, who has served as general manager of the Deadwood destination hotel since 2010, shortly after it opened.
“It’s an amazing view. You get about a 300-degree view of the Hills and out onto the prairie. There’s nothing like it.”
The two-story executive suite offers a first-floor living space with a fireplace, full kitchenette and bar.
A king-size bedroom features a bath with soaking tub and walk-in shower.
And the outdoor space is impressive, with a fireplace and large seating area, television and spectacular views.
“We get calls daily wondering when it’s going to be ready, so we know it’s going to be rented all the time,” Galbraith said. “People want to book it now, and we anticipate we’re going to be able to begin doing that in the coming weeks, so we encourage them to check back or monitor our website.”
It’s an example of owner The Ramkota Companies’ commitment to the hotel and visitor experience, said Josh Schmaltz, Ramkota’s president.
“We’re really happy that The Lodge at Deadwood now is ready to offer guests even more, including a suite that’s absolutely spectacular,” he said. “As a company, we want to be evolving what we offer and always improving our properties, and this is a great example of that.”
The Lodge also has five other suites, which all will receive large decks before the end of October and feature fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs.
The executive suite is part of a 45-room addition to The Lodge, bringing it to 185 rooms. The new addition, which was built onto the front of the lodge, includes mostly king balcony rooms with some double queens.
“It’s more of a modern look than the rest of our hotel, which is a rustic western theme,” Galbraith said. “And we offer more modern amenities, like walk-in showers in all the rooms. I’m sure they’ll become super popular.”
The Lodge itself already is as popular as ever, coming off record visitor business in 2021 that hasn’t leveled off much.
“We’re close to last year and definitely still busy, plus we’re starting to add a few more employees, and that’s been helpful,” Galbraith said.
There also are new reasons to visit The Lodge, including its sportsbook that opened earlier this summer.
It features a 42-foot video wall, stadium seating and recliners.
“We can seat about 85 people. and it’s become really popular since college and NFL football started,” Galbraith said.
“And then in Oggie’s, our sports bar, we put a 16-TV wall in there that’s simply amazing. So we’re all-in as a one-stop shop for sports.”
Other popular attractions at The Lodge include a water play land that includes a slide, lily pad walk and basketball; full on-site casino; and fine dining restaurant.
Galbraith advises leisure travelers to plan ahead in making reservations, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
For events and corporate business, interest is increasing, and there is availability, he said. The Lodge at Deadwood offers a full convention center
“We’re seeing meeting groups really coming back now. They’re filling in when it’s slower time for leisure travel,” he said. “And we’re definitely a popular destination for Sioux Falls. We get a lot of traffic from there, residents and businesses, because it’s a pretty simple drive out to the Hills.”
