Inspired to move to the area from Switzerland after a visit in 1996, the owners of the two-and-a-half pearl Coyote Blues Village B&B have created a charming bed-and-breakfast with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The property is surrounded by the quiet natural beauty of the Black Hills, and is only a 30-minute drive to Mount Rushmore. The 10 rooms have different themes -- Mediterranean, Turkish, and Swiss, for example -- and some have private balconies with hot tubs. A Swiss-style breakfast is included in the room rate. Wi-Fi and cellular service can be spotty, so the bed-and-breakfast is definitely a place to get away from it all. Travelers wanting proximity to Mount Rushmore in a livelier setting should investigate the boutique Adoba Eco Hotel Rapid City/Mt. Rushmore.

The mid-range Bavarian Inn is a relaxed motel set on five acres near Custer's main drag. The inn lives up to its name due to the alpine chalet look of the architecture, and a charming, laid-back vibe to the common spaces. For a motel, there are plenty of options to keep guests busy, including indoor and outdoor pools, a European-style fitness trail, and a steakhouse. Free breakfast consists of pancakes and there's a cookie happy hour. The 65 guest rooms are clean and include nice extras such as outdoor space, coffeemakers with coffee, and empty mini-fridges. It's about a six-minute drive to the Crazy Horse Memorial, but 30 minutes to Mt. Rushmore.