"Thank you so much for a wonderful time at the Old Irwin Lodge!  Wow - what a fabulous jewel you have created in the middle of beautiful Swan Valley.  As "southerners" we're supposed to be known for our hospitality - The Bottomley family elevated that to a whole new level!  Our suite and the whole lodge were exquisitely and wonderfully furnished, especially for my hunter husband.  Our meals were fabulous, especially the "catch of the previous day" which just happened to be our trout!  There was more to do than we possibly could have imagined.  We enjoyed our hike up your mountain to watch the sunset.  We loved horseback riding the Palisades Creek trail and definitely had fun fishing The South Fork of The Snake River.  You guys are the best and we had a ball!  Thanks again for your wonderful hospitality.  We left feeling like we had made four new friends!"

 

 

"My husband and I recently stayed at the Old Irwin Lodge, and what an amazing time we had!  The Bottomley's were the perfect hosts, making sure that our stay was comfortable, enjoyable and memorable.  Thank you to you and your staff for their great hospitality, we will return as often as possible!"

 

 

"My wife and I stayed at the Old Irwin Lodge over Valentine's Day weekend this year, and we can't possibly say enough good about our stay.  We were welcomed Friday by Dick, the lodge owner.  We were immediately struck by the beauty of the building and the surrounding landscape - pictures simply can't do it justice.  The decor is very tasteful - perfect for a romantic getaway, but still western enough for a summer fishing trip.  The Yellowstone Suite was amazing.  The giant vaulted ceiling, amazing natural wood finish, and the natural stone fireplace caught our attention first, followed by the artistic color scheme and the other nuances which made the room so charming.  The room was completely spotless, bathroom included.  The bubble tub was glorious after a day of skiing!  The refridgerator was kept stocked with a variety of beer and iced tea, and the innkeepers had chocolates and a bottle of sparkling cider waiting for us.  Friday's dinner was spectacular - crab cakes for starters, sweetheart salad and incredible bread, filet mignon with port wine reduction, roasted red potatoes and grilled asparagus, followed by french apple pie a la mode with champagne and coffee.  We had a window table overlooking the amazing scenery of Swan Valley.  The table service was top-notch.  This could easily be the best restaurant in the area, and even if you have other accommodations, I heartily recommend contacting the Lodge for dinner reservations.  Saturday's dinner (pork tenderloin with peach sauce) was accompanied by live fiddle/bluegrass Valentine's Day music - very entertaining.  Breakfast was excellent as well - the Eggs Benedict are wonderful.  I would go back anytime.  Their prices are very reasonable considering the value received.  I spent considerable time looking for a great place to stay in the MT/ID area, and this was perfect!  The staff truly puts maximum effort into making the stay perfect and personalizing the service. We felt like a King and Queen!"

 

 

"A week ago today, we were on the road driving away from the Old Irwin Lodge after a stay celebrating Pete's 60th birthday and our 37th wedding anniversary.  We found ourselves looking back to catch one last view of the lodge with the hope of seeing it in its unique and beautiful setting. 

 

During our drive home we reminisced on all the things that had made the overnight stay so special.  When we arrived and started to carry our bags in, Dick was there to greet us with a friendly handshake and warm invitation to come in.  Debby and Bridget were just inside the door and met us with sincere hospitality and charm.  Dick then took us to the Yellowstone Suite, a magnificent room, spacious and rustic with a great high roof beam and stone fireplace.  He showed us all the special features, wisely selected with an eye towards comfort and utility. 

 

We spent the afternoon taking in the varied and interesting features of the lodge.  Pete was most impressed by the fantastic display of taxidermy; foxes, bobcats, and many other animals placed in authentic settings, designed to show the animals in their wild habitats.  Meanwhile, Charlotte was fascinated by the paintings, subtle but beautiful decor, and elegant table settings.  In these surroundings, Dick took the time to explain to us how the Bottomleys had come from San Diego to Idaho and how the Old Irwin Lodge came to be.  As time permitted, Debby and Bridget came out and joined us in the pleasant and relaxing conversation.

 

We won't try to describe every course and nuance of the dinner on Sunday evening, but the words "gourmet" and "delicious" are not even close to being adequate to describe the feast that Debby and Bridget prepared for us.  It certainly made for an anniversary meal to be remembered and the chocolate fudge cake was the crowning piece for Pete's birthday.  And though we have no family with us here in Idaho, the Bottomleys made the rest of the evening a family celebration.

 

A fresh snow fell that night and the sky cleared as the dawn broke.  The views from the Old Irwin Lodge as the sun brought forth the new day were both calming yet inspiring.  We enjoyed those views through breakfast as we ate the lodge's trademark Eggs Benedict and other treats.  As we ate, we asked Dick more about the lodge and his plans.  He shared with us his vision of the future and his quest to provide for the personal satisfaction for every guest.  After breakfast, we could see that it was with great pride that he showed us other rooms in the lodge and how each had been planned with highest regard for the needs of his guests.

 

Finally, it was checkout time and, as when we arrived, all were there as we reached the door.  This time it was to bid us a farewell and there was no doubt that every word they spoke was sincere and heartfelt.

 

May God bless you greatly for all you have done for us,"

 

 

"My husband and I experienced a memorable end-of-May visit at The Old Irwin Lodge.  Dick and Debby Bottomley have carefully and patiently built and decorated their Lodge to capture a sense of beauty, local ambiance, and serenity for their guests.  They, along with their daughter (Bridget) and son-in-law (Shawn), are very gracious hosts.  We highly recommend a stay at The Old Irwin Lodge!"

 

 

"The Lodge is owned by Dick and Debby Bottomley. Their daughter Bridget and son-in law Shawn help them run the lodge.  We were greeted as we approached the door by Shawn who gave us a tour of the lodge.  We felt at home from the moment we pulled into the parking lot. The lodge is truly a work of art, with amazing attention to detail.  We stayed in the Yellowstone Suite for our 24th anniversary.  Our room was beautiful with vaulted ceilings, and a large rock fireplace. It was very clean and comfortable.  It was tastefully decorated in warm inviting colors.  The room has a private patio with a gorgeous view of the tree covered mountains.  If that was not enough, they offer an option of staying in for dinner.  Huh, fine
dining, or go out for hamburgers, yea, we stayed in.   They served a gourmet 4
course dinner.  We were seated at a beautiful romantic table for two by the window
with an amazing view of the mountains.  The table was elegantly set with fresh
flowers, and lovely china plates.  We had individual menus at each place setting.
The top of the menu started with the Old Irwin Lodge Welcome our special guest with
our first and last name on them.  Appetizer Shrimp cocktail with Costa Brava Sauce,
Salad Classic Caesar  with sourdough rolls and butter,  Entrée Chateaubriand with
Béarnaise sauce, oven Roasted Red  Potatoes and  Broiled Tomatoes with Feta Cheese.
It was the most romantic meal we have shared in a long time.  They even brought us
each a glass of champagne.  We shared a toast for our 24th anniversary with our most
gracious hosts...  They served us dessert at the end of our meal.  They made me a
special Apple Pecan crisp pie a la Mode. The other guest had the chocolate cake.
Bridget and her mother Debby prepared the meal.  Dick and Shawn were our servers.
Everything was first class, it was the perfect evening.  We watched the sunset on
our private porch with a glass of wine. 

When we got up too late, they served breakfast to our room for us in the morning.
It was delicious as well. 

We will make this a regular get a way in the future.

 

 

"The Yellowstone Suite is spotless, and elegant. The food is very well prepared, and the service is excellent. The owner serves dinner. The Chateaubriand is fantastic. Red potatoes, Caesar salad, chocolate cake, ice cream. UHM!!. The location is beautiful. The quality of the lodge is wonderful, but it's about the service. From the moment you arrive at the Old Irwin Lodge Dick and Debby go out of there way to provide excellent service. For the cost, the food, and the service, this lodge is a steal. Do yourself a favor. If you’re in the area, treat yourself to a real bargain, and stop in. You won't be sorry. Oh, by the way, when you go make sure and give Rudy (big black lab puppy) a scratch behind the ears for me. He'll be your friend the whole time your there."

 

 

"David and I would like to thank you all for a wonderful experience.  We are very grateful for your hospitality, delicious food, and beautifully appointed & comfortable rooms.  We will not hesitate to stay at The Old Irwin Lodge again when we next visit the special state of Idaho."

 

 

Although we arrived late at night, we felt welcomed from the very first minute.  Our flight to Jackson Hole was delayed and we had to eat something on the way.  So it was 11:20 at night when we finally arrived at the Lodge, but Shawn & Bridget had waited patiently for our arrival.  Our suite was wonderful.  Very tasteful, wonderful woodwork, great bed, very clean, and with a nice little patio to watch the sun go down.  Breakfast was just great, and dinner on Saturday night was great with our names printed on the menu cards.  Shawn gave us very helpful suggestions about what to do during the day at Grand Teton National Park.  We followed all of them, and had a wonderful day.  I would go back there any time again whenever we come back to Idaho.

 

 

Julie and I just want to thank you guys from the bottom of our hearts.  We've stayed in beautiful places before, but your family really made the difference.  I could go through all the details of what we loved about the lodge, but it looks like that's already been reviewed pretty extensively.  You were not only excellent hosts but very knowledgeable about where a couple who obviously loves to "wing" their vacations could have a good time.  Even your dog Rudy was really kick ass!  The meteor shower on our second night was a really nice addition, even though I'm not entirely convinced Dick didn't somehow plan that.  We're looking forward to returning soon, hopefully in the fall so we can see some of the migrations.  Thank you again so much!

 

 

The term gracious hospitality seems to understate what you will experience at The Old Irwin Lodge.  From the relaxed check-in up to our departure, Dick and Debby did everything to insure our stay was memorable.  You are treated more like family or dear friends than guest.  The meals prepared by Debby and Bridget were fabulous.  What a truly relaxed atmosphere in which to unwind and relax.  We will not hesitate to return should the opportunity present itself or highly recommend the lodge to friends and family.  It was also nice that "Rudy the lodge dog" took my morning walk with me.

 

 

Immaculate accommodations, delicious homemade meals, honest old-fashioned hospitality.  Thank you so much!  This is exactly the getaway I was hoping for.

 

 

We stayed in the mountains for the beauty and to get away from it all.  We knew from past experience that staying in Jackson Hole means crowds and traffic.  In looking for an alternative in the general neighborhood, I found this.  It proved to be an unexpected treasure.  This brand new lodge is built with blue knotty pine paneling, full log timbers, and plaster in a combination best described as western elegance.  The original artwork, luxury sheets, unimpeded mountain views, very spacious suites with vaulted ceilings, and western sculptures add to the ambiance.  Debby and Bridget are gourmet cooks, and dinners range from $15 to $35 per night depending on the menu (only one entree' per night).  Our dinner was memorable both for the food, having the large living area to ourselves and the view.  The Bottomleys are very enjoyable people without being at all intrusive.  Someone has a real eye for architecture and interior decorating.  We frequented elegant B&Bs throughout our 22 years of marriage, and this is in the top 2 or 3 we have ever found.  Gerry looks forward to fishing when we return to The Old Irwin Lodge.  This trip we were on was on our way back to Montana after dropping our only son off for his freshman year at college.  This was the perfect place to have our last night away from home.

 

 

LODGE NOTE:  The following review was sent to Michael Dawkins/World Cast Anglers from Rick Caudle of the Caudle Fishing Group.  Please visit our photo gallery to view pictures from their trip.

 

Michael, I just wanted to let you know that our trip was basically perfect.  The only glitch was the thunderstorm on Monday.  The South Fork is a beautiful river and the fishing was great.  Everyone thought the fishing was challenging which made the trip even better.  The Salt River was also nice.  Some locals questioned why we were fishing the Salt the next day, but they were way off base.  The guides (Keith, Chuck, Trevor and Greta) were awesome.

 

 

If we were to decide to return next year, what other streams are near The Old Irwin Lodge?  We do like to see different water though some of the guys said they would like to do a two day camp on sections two and three of the South Fork.  Please contact me if you have any recommendations.

 

Some members of the group have been taking these trips for almost thirty years and they were very impressed with the rivers, the fishing and the lodging.  Thanks again for arranging such a great trip.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Many thanks for your grand hospitality that made our fishing trip such a pleasure and delight.  The rooms were great, the meals outstanding, and your graciousness showed in all aspects of our visit!  We can't thank you enough for making our stay so relaxing and enjoyable.  I failed to thank you on departure for getting the special water and for the good times together.  We also enjoyed your other guests, especially Robert and Charlie, what fun folks.  We always want to return to the special places we visited and never are sure where we will be next year,  but we will always have lovely memories of you and your lodge.  My thanks to everyone for taking such good care of our group!

 

 

Carl and I wanted to thank all of you for making us feel welcome and comfortable during our stay at your lodge last night.  The food was absolutely fantastic, both at dinner and breakfast!  Neither of us could choose a favorite out of all of the tasty courses we were served during our stay, they were all so very good.  We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and our personal tour of your beautiful lodge.  We are very happy that we chose to celebrate our 21st anniversary at your lodge and are already thinking about when we can make it back there to enjoy your hospitatlity again.  We hope it will be soon!  Our son will be very pleased to spend a night at your lodge when he returns from Iraq.  We will save that news as a surprise to thim when he returns from his deployment.  Your offer touched our hearts deeply and we appreciate it greatly.

 

 

I am back in Provo now.  I just had to drop you a note to tell you how wondeful our stay at your Lodge was.  Your hospitality and graciousness made for a perfect evening that we will always remember fondly.  The food was superb and more.  I have told friends about The Lodge and our stay.  You are wondeful hosts.  I hope your Lodge has as many guests as you can joyfully handle!  You deserve the absolute best.  Thank you again for all that you did to make our special evening and morning as wonderful as it could have been.  I consider you friends.

 

 

I want to take a moment and send a special thank you for a most memorable stay in your lodge.  Tony and I truly had a wonderful time.  What a unique experience!  Your kindess and professionalism was way beyond belief.  Just to let you know, I had five of your business cards, and I have zero left.  I am sure everyone will enjoy their stay as well!  Again, thank you and we hope to see you all real soon! 

 

P.S.  Dick - you gave us good luck.  We "nailed-em" fishin' on Sunday!! 

 

 

Outstanding Lodge!  This is a place you wish to stay the rest of your life.  Friendly owner and his wife.  The all wooden lodge is just beautiful.  You will enjoy it!