“I have always liked small family-owned businesses that have a personal approach large chain hotels don’t have,” said Starla Pressley of Deadwood’s Cedar Wood Inn.
Pressley started as a general manager of the Inn, owned by a family friend starting in 2021, and then became co-owners of the motel in April of 2024 with her husband and friend. It’s a family-owned business, with the oldest daughter as the office manager, Pressley’s husband as the maintenance personnel (and mingling with guests) her son mowing the lawn, and the youngest daughter helping cleaning rooms or watching the desk.
Cedar Inn, family-owned business, with the oldest daughter as the office manager, Pressley’s husband as the maintenance personnel (and mingling with guests), her son mowing the lawn, and the youngest daughter helping cleaning rooms or watching the desk.
“A lot of love goes into our Inn, and I hope it shows,” said Pressley.
Six blocks from downtown Deadwood on Charles Street, the city trolley gives easy access to everything the town offers, or it can be a quick walk. The motel has 24 rooms and a custom-made cedar sign in the courtyard designed by Gordy Mack.
Since purchasing the Inn, Pressley has given her own spin to the entrance.
“Our number-one feedback is cleanliness. We get compliments daily about how clean our rooms are.”
-starla Pressley
“Our special touches are the flowers I hand-pick over a few weeks every year,” she said. “I try to find variety, and we change the style annually. We plant mint, basil, lavender, and a variety of different flowers from local greenhouses and flower shops.”
Pressley says the rooms “are small, but mighty.” Some have been updated with new light fixtures, comforters, and décor, and some still have hand-paintedporcelain light fixtures.
“We are slowly modernizing, while keeping the rustic charm people have come to love and expect from Cedar Wood,” she said.
Guests often gather in the courtyard at a bonfire or at the upstairs covered patio. Next to the Inn is a playground and tennis court.
Mikaela Heller and Starla Pressley
Pressley says with the unique atmosphere, she often sees returning customers.
“In our almost four years of owning it, we have developed our own relationships, in which our regulars have our personal cell phones or Facebook they contact us to book,” she said. “We also have our guests where we just know their favorite room and what time a year they’ll be here.”
As a family-owned boutique motel, Pressley says she adds her own personal touch to stays if requested.
“I myself also love arranging flowers and surprising people,” she said. “I have had many guests ask me to decorate rooms or pick up flowers for anniversaries.”
“We want an experience that has nothing to do with gambling, but something you will definitely remember when you leave Deadwood.”
-Starla pressley
Upcoming Deadwood Events
July 4-5
Independence Day & Freedom Weekend Celebration
July 6-11
3-Wheeler Rally
July 11-13
Deadwood Blues Festival
July 20-26
Days of ‘76 Rodeo
They also brew coffee in the mornings, and for larger events, they put donuts and pastries out from local businesses.
“Tatum with Baked With Love here in Deadwood bakes custom Cedar Wood cookies for larger events like Sturgis Rally and Kool Deadwood Nights,” described Pressley. “We also have a small book store, Novel Nomad, in our office owned by my daughter and office manager.”
As Deadwood is infamous for casinos, Pressley says the intimacy of the motel gives a reprieve from that.
“We treat our guests like more than just a room number. We are small, personal, and have character,” she said. “The courtyard was my main draw to Cedar Wood. Having a place that is so bright with the flowers and just a place to relax while on vacation away from the hustle and bustle of town.”
For more information, visit CEDARWOODINN.COM+
