OT: Families from IL/WI/IA

[sz9144]

Just got back from a weekend trip- and wanted to share a great hotel I found. we were scheduled to spend 2 nites in wisconsin dells, but the "waterpark" at the hotel was so awful we left after 1 nite. we were going to go straight home but decided to drive through Galena on the way back to chicago and decided to stay the second nite at the Country Inn and Suites in Galena.

I am so glad we did!! It was great! The hotel is beautiful and clean inside and out. The rates were very reasonable, and with AAA even better! We got a room near the pool. They call it a waterpark but it is really just a nice pool area. The entire pool area is very small child friendly. There is a main pool that ranges from 3 ft to 4 ft deep, so perfect for little ones with floaties (and mom/dad close by). There is a gated, enclosed toddler wading pool with a froggy mini water slide. It was perfect for my preschoolers, who could have played there for hours if I let them. There was also a nice sized whirlpool immediately next to the froggy slide, so if your kids are over 3 they can play safely enclosed in the froggy slide and you can soak in the whirlpool in easy watching range of the kids.

And the breakfast was to die for!! They had plenty of everything- and it was gerat. They had a staff member making fresh waffles, there were fresh donuts, bagels, muffins. There was french toast and bread for the toaster, 3 kinds of cold cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, hard boiled eggs (already peeled!), orange and cranberry juices, and even sausage links!

we had a great time- we plan to go again. Just wanted to tell people about this unknown gem!!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I love Galena. Have been there several times growing up. Even went skiing in the area. I want to take my kids there when they are a bit older.

Sorry to hear the Dells were a downer. I want to get there sometime it just seems so expensive. I would rather use the money in WDW!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

What was the bad place in the Dells so I can avoid it????

 

[mom2fivecs]

What was the bad place in the Dells so I can avoid it????

Yeah, I'm curious also...we visit the Dells on occasion.

 

[mantysk8coach]

I'm curious too...we go to the Dells almost every summer (only live about 2 hours away). There are some awesome waterpark resorts, and then there are some that claim to be, but really are a joke.

 

[amarberry]

DH and I stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Galena probably 3 or 4 years ago (pre DD) and enjoyed it very much as well. I am also interested in which Dells hotel you had a bad experience with. We go up at least once a year. I've been going to the Dells since I was a kid so luckily my standards for the Dells isn't too high!

 

[chop456]

Ohhh! Thanks! We were looking for a 1-night getaway over Spring Break! I'll have to check this one out!

I have to admit, we do not go to the Dells. Just too much for DH - he is not a crowd person. We just keep on driving north to Manitowish Waters to my grandparents cabin!

Thanks again!

 

[sz9144]

we went to chula vista- the waterpark was actually a freezing pool and a small wading area for toddlers. they charged us $75/pp per nite ($150 total since our two 3 yrs olds were free). supposedly all you could eat, but when you check in meal plan does not start til 2pm, when the restaurant is already closed- so we had to eat at the bar, and we all ended up with diarrhea from it. and all you can drink- please! we had to beg at the bar for a pepsi refill.

and the people there were trash of all varieties- I should have known when at noon we passed several people carrying plastic cups of beer around.... and I actually watched a little boy stand at the edge of the pool and pee into it while his mom watched and chugged beer.

ugh, I am so upset to have wasted money!! my husband lost his job 2 weeks ago, so we thought we would dip into savings and treat ourselves to a much needed break- how I wring my hands over the money we could have used for bills and instead wasted there!!

 

[mom2fivecs]

- how I wring my hands over the money we could have used for bills and instead wasted there!!

I am so sorry to hear you had such a bad time...we have gone to a few of the hotels in the dells, Treasure Island, Wilderness and Polynesian...we actually considered staying at Chula Vista last summer, and I can't remember why not, but we didn't...sounds like we made a lucky decision not to. Well keep your chin up and I'll send some good thoughts your way

 

[tazdeb]

Next time your in Galena drive an extra 15 min and stay here http://www.grandharborresort.com/ have fun ...TAZ

 

[WAHMto5]

We also love Galena! We used to go every summer for a weekend, just me and dh. We go to the Kalahari in the Dells every winter and have a blast!

 

[tatooed goofy]

Sorry to hear about your experience at chula vista. We went to the Kahlari and it was fabulous. We had a wonderful time. The room was clean and it was a great time. We know where not to go now.

 

[IMISSDISNEY]

Thank you for the information on Country Inn and Suites in Galena it sounds wonderful. Ill have to mark this down and keep it in mind next time we decide to get away for a long weekend with the kids.

 

[savs]

Next time your in Galena drive an extra 15 min and stay here http://www.grandharborresort.com/ have fun ...TAZ

I 2nd this one. I live in Dubuque, which is where this waterpark is at

We live 20 mintues from Galena and have spent many weekends exploring the fun shops on thier main street.

We plan a Wisconsin Dells trip every year, you need to try another hotel. They have some fun and affordable hotels there, sorry for your misfortune

 

[McKelly]

We went to Chula Vista once too and will never return! I did NOT like the fact that you had to walk through the very crowded bar to get to the swimming pool! What were they thinking?!?!?

 

[petrymom]

I am sorry that you had such a bad time. Good luck with your husband's job situation. Mine works construction and should have been back to work already and isn't. Ouch - so I know what you are going through.

If you get a chance to try the Dells again, we usually go to the Wilderness Resort. If you watch their website, you can find some pretty good deals and the resort is Beautiful. Lots of things for the kids to do.

 

[pedro2112]

If you get a chance to try the Dells again, we usually go to the Wilderness Resort. If you watch their website, you can find some pretty good deals and the resort is Beautiful. Lots of things for the kids to do.

I concur. We stay there every summer. It's a blast.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Whether in Galena or elsewhere... I seek out Country Inn & Suites. Great hotel chain. There's one in Dalton, GA that we stay in on the way north from WDW.

Sending for better employment!

 

[noahynav]

I live about 1 hour from the Dells. Next time try Kalahari or the Great Wolf Lodge. My family actually stayed at Great Wolf just last week in one of their newer condos. Absolutely wonderful hotel and waterpark!! We had a great time!!

 

[Scotch]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been interested in visiting the Dubuque/Galena area for awhile now. We've only stayed at a Country Inn & Suites once in Minnesota. The suite we had was separated by a glass/french door with drapes. It didn't provide as much of a divider as we would like for suites as the reason we want suites on vacation is so DH and I could watch TV and do other stuff after DS goes to sleep (by 8 pm Central Time). What kind of door separated the bedroom from the living room at the Galena Country Inn & Suites?

And as to the smaller waterpark/pool area at this hotel vs. the larger fancy water park at the Grand Harbor Resort, is it worth the money to stay at the much more expensive Grand Harbor Resort (looking at suites only) when we only have a 2 year old? I'm guessing it is not since I doubt DS would really appreciate the difference.