Lodging

The image that Motel 6 has is of basic lodgings at a value price, and that is a fair assessment of what I received during my stay at the chain’s property located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Standard 2 Double Bed Motel 6 Room

The motel is actually, technically, in the city of Lake Delton, but Delton and the Dells are twin cities separated only by an invisible barrier. For all intents and purposes, most everything in this twin city area is considered The Dells.

But I digress. The motel is located where I-90/94 and Hwy 12 intersect and it is a three-story lodging with very basic rooms offering 1 king or 2 double beds, a TV with cable, an indoor pool and hot tub, free morning coffee in the lobby and that’s about it.

There’s no on-site restaurant or fitness center, no indoor waterpark like the Great Wolf Lodge and Kahlahari just up the road, and no free toiletries, other than a bar of no-name soap. The walls are also thin enough to hear a loud conversation next door and even with a non-smoking room, there is still lingering smoke smells as soon as you step into the hallway.

But for $50 or less, on average (AAA discounts available), you do get free WiFi, free parking, indoor hallways for security and a clean, comfortable place to sleep. Restaurants are less than a mile away, next to the Tanger Outlet Mall, and it’s about a five minute drive from both the main tourist strip of Dells attractions and Ho Chunk Casino. This is also a pet-friendly lodging and does have rooms to accommodate those with disabilities.

This is definitely a place to pick if you’re more concerned with price over amenities, but sometimes, all you need is a cheap place to crash.

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Motel 6 Lake Delton
I-90/I-94 at US 12, Exit #92
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-355-0700

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[Photo by Michelle Snow]

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When I was a kid, mom and I camped out quite a bit and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park was one of the places I remembered most fondly. It was close to home, and I loved the whole kid-appeal of Yogi Bear.

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Campground

As an adult, perhaps I’ve lost the rose-colored glasses, but the current day campground doesn’t mirror anything I remember from childhood.

The majority of the campsites, including the one I stayed at with a friend, were set up on uneven ground. Many had pieces of leftover garbage lying around, even pieces of broken beer bottles in a few, as if the staff didn’t even bother to check the sites between rentals. The community areas were unclean and the two days we were there, the bathrooms were often closed for one reason or another. Our site also was near the interstate, so there was a lot of noise to deal with.

The worst part of the stay was the indifference and rudeness of the staff. Complaints were either ignored or quickly foisted off to someone else. Many other campers we spoke with were unhappy, though the kids didn’t seem to mind as long as they could play in the pool or caught glimpses of Yogi and his friends.

I didn’t get a chance to check out the campground’s cabins internally, but it appeared there was quite a variety of them. They even had two sites with yurts on them for those who forgot their tents, but didn’t want to book a cabin.

Rates started at $29 for the bare bones campsite, $59 for sites with water and electric and $109 for the cabins.

Honestly, though, even for free I wouldn’t stay here again and neither will my friend. But at least I still have my memories.

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Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
S1915 Isnala Rd
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-254-2568
Open May 1 – September 30

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[photo courtesy Michelle Snow]

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Looking at the outside of the Paradise Motel is like being transported back to the 1950s, when the single story motel was king. Owner-owned and managed, this property is a clean, no-frills place to crash when in Wisconsin Dells.

Paradise Motel in Wisconsin Dells

The rooms are reasonably well-maintained, though the mattresses may seem old to those used to the lush pillowtops of most resorts. Rooms smell a bit musty and even a non-smoking room may smell slightly of smoke. Shower temperature varies depending on if others in neighboring rooms are bathing at the same time and if you do want to wash up, you’ll need to bring your own toiletries. You’ll also need to hike down to the office if you want any ice, but you’ll find the owner to be a friendly gentleman willing to help your stay be the best it can.

Paradise Motel is located in the heart of the tourist corridor, directly across the street from the behemoth Mt. Olympus Waterpark and Theme Park. As such, you may not care that the pool is small and only boasts a diving board and traditional plastic slide, or that said pool is completely packed in the heart of the summer heat.

They also offer charcoal grills and a picnic area for guests to use and have a playground with swing set for the kids. A variety of restaurants are within walking distance and each room comes with a mini-fridge and microwave. It should also be noted this motel is pet-friendly.

Rates for a standard room during the peak season summer months start at $99; the family suites at $159. These rates do include passes to Mt. Olympus for each person in your party, though, saving about $20-$30 per person. Expect to pay about half of that during the off-season, since the 49-room motel doesn’t have an indoor pool or any other fancy amenities.

Those who just want a basic place to sleep while vacationing on a budget in the Dells and don’t mind the older qualities of this property should consider this motel for their stay. Tbose used to more modern hotels might be more comfortable sleeping elsewhere.

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Paradise Motel and Suites
1700 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-254-7333

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[Photo courtesy of Paradise Motel]

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Dwarfed by the nearby megaresorts with their huge indoor waterparks, the smaller Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, looks a bit out of place. The outside of the resort resembles a Victorian-era English cottage, so it should come as no shock that the Wintergreen carries that theme inside.

Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center

I didn’t get a chance to stay here but took a walk through of the property. The manager on duty was kind enough to allow me to to peak into a variety of the rooms they offer. The interior decor of the resort features flowered wallpaper and early-1900s style furniture. During the brief tour, I was informed the Wintergreen was a popular place to hold wedding receptions, a statement confirmed by the fact that two of the conference rooms were decorated for such events that day.

I also viewed both the indoor and outdoor pool areas that were each themed with a winter-wonderland playground for the kids, complete with small waterslides. I could see families having fun here, though both were rather quiet on the day of my visit.

The guest rooms are a decent size, but sparsely furnished. and some are showing a bit of wear and tear. A couple of the beds I sat on felt as though they were close to needing to be replaced, too.

Standard Two Queen Bed Guest Room

And I have to admit some of the suite layouts were a bit puzzling. For instance I viewed a “deluxe whirlpool” suite that featured the whirlpool tub right in the middle of the main room area, with a regular tub in the bathroom.

But it might be easy to overlook such minor details when looking to save money, as each room comes with free passes to the Mt. Olympus theme/water park complex about five minutes away – a great deal for families. I can also see the resort being popular for romantic getaways and girlfriend shopping weekends, as it’s located right next to the popular Tanger Outlet mall, where I found some amazing deals (a pair of $75 Liz Claiborne jeans for $8!).

For those looking to vacation in Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton is mere minutes from the main Dells attractions, as the two cities are actually connected to each other.

Rates with the Mt. Olympus ticket package start at $115 a night on average during the peak summer months, with the off-season package rates starting at $85 a night.

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Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center
60 Gasser Rd
Lake Delton, WI 53940
1-608-254-2285

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Though the push is on for hotels in this midwest tourist destination to expand and include guest amenities like indoor theme parks, sometimes you just need a comfortable bed in a clean room that is close to everything without costing an arm and a leg.

A Basic 2 Queen Room at the Comfort Inn

The Comfort Inn in Wisconsin Dells fulfills all the criteria. It has easy access to Interstate 90/94, as well as the cute downtown area and the major attractions like Noah’s Ark Waterpark and Mt. Olympus Theme Park. It’s also within walking distance of the Greyhound stop, as well as less than a mile from the Amtrak station (a mere $5 taxi ride).

During my two stays, the rooms were basic but clean and outfitted with a small sitting area by the window, along with a small fridge/microwave combo and cable TV. The rooms did show signs of wear and tear, but they were minor.

The Comfort Inn Indoor Pool

The hotel has a nice indoor pool area with a jacuzzi pool and in addition to free continental breakfast, there are plenty of name-brand dining options within walking distance.

The staff was friendly and I had no troubles during my stay. I also appreciated the indoor corridors for safety and the free Wi-Fi.

Nightly rates start around $65 during the off-season months and $109 during the peak months (holidays/summer). It also offers special packages that include attraction tickets for extra savings during the summer months. AAA/CAA members can generally save 10% off the rates year-round, and don’t forget to sign up for Choice Hotel’s free frequent stay program which awards points for free future stays.

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Comfort Inn
703 Frontage Rd. N.
Wisconsin Dells, WI, US, 53965
1-608-253-3711
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What’s left for a family resort that already has an indoor and outdoor waterpark and a multiplex movie theater to entertain the guests? How about adding an indoor theme park?

Ferris wheel at the Kalahari

In an effort to bring in even more guests year-round, the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin has done just that.

Featuring a carousel, ropes course, climbing wall, go-carts, laser tag, arcade games, golf simulators and even a six-story Ferris wheel, the new indoor theme park inhabits over 110,000-sq-ft of space at the resort.

Day passes to the resort’s newest entertainment venue are currently priced at $19.95 for resort guests and $29.95 for non-resort guests, with separate charges for the bowling and golf simulators. For those without the time or inclination to spend an entire day inside, each attraction also has individual pricing starting at $3 per ride

In addition to holding a wild opening celebration featuring 80s hit artist MC Hammer performing at the resort’s sports bar, the Kalahari is welcoming people to try out the new entertainment venue with a promotion that runs from now until March 1, 2010. Simply show up on your birthday between these dates with proof that it is (driver’s license, passport, etc) and the Kalahari will give you a free day pass to the indoor theme park.

The African-themed resort is already a popular lodging choice for families vacationing in the Midwestern town of Wisconsin Dells, and I can imagine having this additional indoor entertainment option will prove to be a hit, especially in the cold and snowy winters.

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Kalahari Resort
1305 Kalahari Drive
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
1 (608) 254-5466

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