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Sonesta Essential Rapid City

2.5 star property
Hotel with free breakfast, near Rushmore Mall

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Rapid City

Lobby sitting area
Room, 1 Queen Bed
Free daily continental breakfast
Room, 1 Queen Bed
Flat-screen TV

Reviews

6.8 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Housekeeping
  • Gym
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View map
1902 N Lacrosse St, Rapid City, SD, 57701
  • Rushmore Mall
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • The Monument Civic Center
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Central States Fairgrounds
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Select Comfort bed
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Select Comfort bed
Sofa bed - queen
Blackout curtains
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Select Comfort bed
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Select Comfort bed
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Double Beds

Room, 2 Double Beds

Room, 2 Double Beds

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Select Comfort bed
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Suite, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Suite, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Select Comfort bed
Sofa bed - queen
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Suite, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Suite, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Select Comfort bed
Sofa bed - queen
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds

Suite, Multiple Beds

Suite, Multiple Beds

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Select Comfort bed
Sofa bed - queen
Blackout curtains
  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Select Comfort bed
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds (Pet Friendly)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Pet Friendly)

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Pet Friendly)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Premium bedding
Blackout curtains
Select Comfort bed
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed

Suite, 1 King Bed

Suite, 1 King Bed

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Flat-screen TV
Renovated in 2020
Select Comfort bed
Sofa bed - queen
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About the area

Rapid City

Sonesta Essential Rapid City puts you in the centre of Rapid City, 1 km (0.6 mi) from Rushmore Mall and 3.3 km (2 mi) from Central States Fairgrounds. Highlights at this hotel include free continental breakfast, free self-parking and a conference centre. .This business-friendly hotel offers free WiFi in public areas and a fitness centre, and has a business centre. Other amenities include a 24-hour business centre, coffee/tea in a common area and laundry facilities. Each morning free breakfast is served. There's also the convenience of free RV/bus/truck parking. .Sights within a 10-minute drive of this Rapid City hotel include Dinosaur Park and Storybook Island.

What's nearby

  • Rushmore Mall - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • The Monument Civic Center - 4 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Watiki Water Park - 4 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Central States Fairgrounds - 5 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Main Street Square - 5 min drive - 4.5 km

Getting around

  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Culver's - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Texas Roadhouse - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Freddys - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Five Guys - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Golden Corral - ‬9 min walk

About this property

Sonesta Essential Rapid City

Hotel with free breakfast, near Rushmore Mall
A computer station is on site and WiFi is free in public spaces. A 24-hour business centre and 6 meeting rooms are available. Free breakfast is available daily. Event space at this hotel measures 9060 square feet (842 square metres) and includes a conference centre. A fitness centre, a vending machine, and a garden are also featured at the business-friendly Sonesta Essential Rapid City. Free self parking is available. A complete renovation of Sonesta Essential Rapid City was completed in June 2020.

This Rapid City hotel is smoke free.

  • 199 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • 2 buildings
  • 9060 sq ft of conference space
  • 842 sq. m of conference space
  • Built in 1964
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Business centre (24 hours)
  • Conference centre
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front desk safe
  • Wedding services available
  • Corner/local shop
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • ATM
  • No smoking on site
Sonesta Essential Rapid City offers 199 accommodations with free newspapers and coffee/tea makers. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Select Comfort beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit and hairdryers.

This Rapid City hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as telephones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and blackout curtains. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

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  • Parking included
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includes taxes & fees
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available
  • Onsite parking includes off-street options

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Gym

Family friendly

  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre
  • 6 meeting rooms
  • Computer station
  • Conference centre (9,060 square foot of space)

Outdoors

  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1964
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Reception hall
  • Renovated entire property - June 2020
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding
  • Select Comfort mattress

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Free local calls
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 25 per pet, per night
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 4 children 17 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 500 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 25 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of Commitment to Clean (Choice)
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and cash. This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of Commitment to Clean (Choice) guidelines.

We should mention

  • Up to 4 children aged 17 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
  • Pets are welcome in certain rooms only; other restrictions apply (please see the Fees section for related charges). To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Ramada Hotel Rapid City
Ramada Rapid City
Rapid City Ramada
Ramada Rapid City Hotel
Ramada Wyndham Rapid City Hotel
Rapid City Ramada Hotel Rapid City
Ramada Wyndham Rapid City
Clarion Inn
Ramada by Wyndham Rapid City
Sonesta Essential Rapid City Hotel
Sonesta Essential Rapid City Rapid City
Sonesta Essential Rapid City Hotel Rapid City

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at Sonesta Essential Rapid City?

Sonesta Essential Rapid City offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

Is parking available at Sonesta Essential Rapid City?

Yep, Sonesta Essential Rapid City has a free self car park and free RV/bus/truck parking.

Does Sonesta Essential Rapid City serve breakfast?

Yeah, free continental breakfast is available daily from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Sonesta Essential Rapid City?

No, Sonesta Essential Rapid City does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Sonesta Essential Rapid City?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.

Sonesta Essential Rapid City Reviews

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 109 out of 378 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 89 out of 378 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 80 out of 378 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 37 out of 378 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 63 out of 378 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Room comfort

Won’t be back

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness

Stayed for the discount

Dusty, found an ancient spice of pizza under the fridge, one of the electrical outlets didn't work, and smelled like an ashtray even though it's supposed to be non smoking room. Small tables in front of the room were frequented by randoms, whom I doubt were guests, that smoked cigarettes. AC did not work well, made the ashtray smell worse.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Derrek

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Brian

Business traveller, Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Sean

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Had to book a room last minute from Mt. Rushmore. No Elevator. Booking a ride to the airport was horrendous. I waited in line multiple times requesting help for an airport ride at 0430. Finally had to book an uber at 2359 to ensure airport travel. I will accept some responsibility, but otherwise, a ride to the airport was very cumbersome.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Joshua

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Laura

Travelled with family
The laundering services were broken so we couldn't get into the room at checkin time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pat

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Julianne

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Very hot and hallways seemed dirty.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Matt

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Kaycee

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
the front desk kyle was helpful. however the manager is not. he knows for the fact that
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Odilia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Matt

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
One of the worst experiences I have ever had with a hotel. In 20+ years of traveling for work this is, by far, the most poorly run establishment I've seen - either overbooked or no staff to clean rooms, an MIA manager, staff not equipped to deal with a deluge of unhappy patrons. I was given a key that, at first, did not work. After two tries, the key functioned but the room was occupied. I was told to have some food and return in 30 minutes. After half an hour I returned to a dozen or so customers with no rooms ('not ready yet'). After three hours I called Expedia to get a refund - Expedia was working on it as of 6/22. The manager finally appeared and promised a refund. I booked a second hotel successfully. Avoid Sonesta like the plague.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nathan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful place in a beautiful setting! 100% recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Jill

Travelled with group
Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Decent place to stay

It was a decent place to stay. It was an older motel, and we had an exterior door that you just drove up to. Beds were comfortable and the room was clean for the most part. Our check-in was terrible and a very rude person. However, the manager did address the issue. Breakfast was ok, just wish they had healthier options. One day they had some fruit, and the yogurt machine was never working. One day on our stay, the kitchen person must’ve not came in and in the steamers the sausage was frozen along with the eggs and the biscuits. People were warming them up in the waffle irons and the person at the front desk doesn’t seem to care said he didn’t know what he was doing. This time of the year it was the cheapest motel in the Rapid City area. If you’re just staying for one night, it would be fine.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

LYNEL

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Bathroom was not clean. I overpaid. Rates for the next 7 days was $80 cheaper. Furniture was worn out. Check in clerk not very helpfully. They did have a good breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Mark

The room I was first given was not cleaned and had the housekeeper cart in it. The person at the front desk asked me to wait to see if the person responsible for cleaning was coming back. After more than 30 minutes I returned to the front desk and was given a clean room. From the discussion I overheard with another party at the front desk, I was not the only person this happened to that night. Things like this happen, the staff handled the situation very well.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sarah

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I booked this room 5 hrs before needing it. Hotels.com allowed me to book this room and took my money but I was not notified that the staff would not be there until 11pm. My flight got in at 10:30 PM Hotels.com would not refund my money for representing a hotel that cannot follow through with service. Absolutely unbelievable and I will never use Hotels.com again
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Alan

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

jose

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dirty place, breakfast was awful, coffe was like water, people running around in the hallways late at night, no available refreshments or snacks for sale, personal in from desk were not happy to assist, housekeeping never cleaned room for my 3 day stay. Will never stay in this hotel again
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Janiene

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Do not stay here unless you are desperate. We had a reservation and arrived at 5pm to check in, and were told that our rooms were not ready yet, with no time estimate of when they would be ready. We were told maybe one hour, maybe 4 hours. We got lucky- our rooms were ready at 7pm. There were people waiting in the lobby for their rooms until after 10pm. Overall, our rooms were okay, the air conditioners were working (I overheard others in the lobby complaining that their rooms were 90 degrees), but the level of cleanliness was poor. The refrigerator had brown juice/ slime in it, the countertops and toilet seat were streaked/ smudged, and there were a few crumbs on the carpet. The hallways and stair steps of the rest of the hotel also appeared unclean and needing a good vacuuming. But the worse part was having to wait so long for a room to open up. We were told it was due to a lack of housekeeping staff. The manager was unavailable when I asked to speak with him, and later when I tried again there was a line of angry people waiting for him.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Miriah

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
After 6 hours of trying to check in I was never allowed to check in. Constantly told "no clean room". I reserved the hotel 6 months in advance knowing we were attending the Rushmore Classic fastpitch tournament and it would be very busy. Very disappointing to drive around at 9 pm with 2 your children to find another hotel. I luckily found 1 but paid 4 times the cost for the weekend as i had reservations for.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Barbara

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Did not receive a warm welcome. Breakfast was Ice Cold on our second day stay. Went to complain all he could say was I don't know. No forks, no coffee. Everyone was complaining. Second day we left all day to come back to find that they did not take our dirty towels left one towel for the 3 of us. When I went to desk to complain he said did you request towels. I have never had to request towels, maid always replaced the dirty towels. I told him to get towels, Never received. Carpet was never vacuumed. It was so dirty my white socks were so dirty. The room was so Cold. We tried everything, the girl from the desk came and did something to the control which only lasted an hour. Then back to the same thing we slept with blankets on our heads. I must say all the girls that worked there were very nice. Hotel needs a lot of work. Paint chipping, ceiling tiles had water marks which should have been replaced. The men were awful. They should be replaced as they were cocky. When working with guests they should be very nice and accomadating .. not here. Owner should take a good look at what is going on. I never thought of taking photos I am now regretting it. Look around there are better hotels.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Ann

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025