The Vision
Modern Throwback
When I bought the motel, I had no intentions of marching forward with the status quo. I always had a passion to amplify the work of grandparents in a big way. When The Backporch was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation's best new restaurant in the country, I saw a tidal wave of people thinking differently about what my home town could be.
My vision for the motel is no different. What if Roundup Montana was home to a destination roadside motel that drew people from far and wide with retro charm, rockstar hospitality, and modern conveniences.
This climb started in 2021 and its a big climb but one my team and I are very excited about.
I grew up with the Big Sky Motel in my life, but it started long before I was around. My great-grandparents, Dorothy and Tom McCleary, opened it in 1977. They were the kind of people who just naturally made others feel welcome. Dorothy was known for her pies, and Tom had endless stories and fishing advice. They raised seven kids in Roundup, and the Big Sky Motel was more than just a business—it was part of the family.
Later, my grandma Donna took over. By then, the motel had become a kind of gathering place—clean, comfortable, and full of heart. Donna worked hard to make every guest feel at home. People came back year after year, not just because of the rooms, but because of how they were treated.
One night when I was a kid, we were completely booked when a man showed up late with nowhere to stay. Instead of turning him away, we rolled a bed into the laundry room, made it up with fresh linens, and set him up with coffee in the morning. That moment stuck with me. It showed me what this place is really about: no one gets left out in the cold.
In 2020, I stepped in to carry on what four generations before me had started. I’ve made some updates, fixed things up, and put my own energy into it. But the heart of the place hasn’t changed. This motel has always been about hospitality with a personal touch. Around here, you’re only a stranger once—and I plan to keep it that way.
