COVID-19 having mixed effects on Havre's hotels

Editor’s note: This version corrects the name of the Best Western Plus Great Northern Inn.

Some hotels around Havre have seen significant losses in business in the wake of COVID-19, but not all have been adversely affected.

Hotels the Havre Daily has been able to contact gave mixed reviews of the impact of the pandemic.

Makenna Davis, who works at the front desk of the AmericInn said the past week has seen the establishment's business decrease drastically.

"We usually get three or four (guests) a day... usually we're half-full," she said.

The Best Western Plus Great Northern Inn and Best Western Plus Havre Inn and Suites said they have seen a significant reduction in their business, but said they are making do as best they can, and won't know the extent of the damage until the pandemic is over.

They said much of the loss of business is due to reservation cancellations either by those who are more wary about travel during the pandemic, or by those who planned to attend events in the area that were canceled.

Staff members said last week looked "pretty dead," although they did say they had a handful of Canadian guests the previous week, who were traveling back across the border to avoid being trapped in the U.S. before the northern border was closed.

The Hi-Line Motel on Second Street has also had some Canadian guests, but unlike many other establishments their business has seen gains amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hi-Line Motel Owner Maxine Munson said she believes the establishment's weekly rates have been drawing people in. Specifically, people looking to get some social distance between themselves and their relatives.

"Mine has been pretty darn busy, some of them are separating from older people in their house." Munson said, "Our business has been up."

However, she said things may change in the future. In the days since, Munson said, she has had some reservations cancel.

Some hotels in Havre that have seen virtually no change in their business at all.

Jessica Allen, manager of the Quality Inn on First Street said business has been good during these past few weeks.

"We have a couple of contracts that keep us going," Allen said.

She said Quality Inn has seen some reservations canceled in the wake of COVID-19, but business in general has not dipped. She said she doesn't expect this to change going forward.

Kim Otto, general manager of Super 8 also said the pandemic is having no impact on her business because of a steady and consistent customer base.

"We have regulars that come every week," she said.