45 Hillman Road, P.O. Box 830, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States | (501) 232-4463
Surrounded by forrest but near a major highway
Rooms with full kitchens, and one to three bedrooms, available
Eight water parks, some of which are indoors
Mini-golf, zip-lining, and go-carting
Multiple restaurants, bars, and coffeeshops
Fully equipped fitness center
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Free parking
Children two years old and younger stay free
Can get noisy with children
One of three hotels on the enormous Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, the Glacier Canyon Lodge is a 460-room mega-hotel that's popular with families and corporate guests. Rooms range from simple Queen Doubles to huge three-bedrooms with full kitchens, which can accommodate large families and groups. The biggest draw for many guests are the property's numerous theme-park activities, and eight water parks (some of which are indoors), but the possibility of noisy children running around might make it a less-than-ideal choice for those seeking a romantic getaway, or a peaceful respite.
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Scene
Modern hotel with neo-rustic decor that's popular with families
The Glacier Canyon Lodge is the newest of three properties located on the gargantuan Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, and guests can use the amenities of the other two sister hotels. All three properties seem to be going for a log-cabin, rustic-chic vibe, but the Glacier Canyon is arguably the most sophisticated. From the outside, the hotel looks a bit like a modern apartment building, albeit one that integrates stonework and rustic woodsy shades of red. It's set on pretty, forested grounds with grills and picnic benches. The lobby has a big stone fireplace and furniture in shades of red and brown, yet doesn't quite manage to escape the generic hotel look. It attracts both families, with its many water parks and kid-friendly amenities, as well as business travelers and conference attendees who make use of the property's numerous meeting spaces.
Location
In the forrest, just off Highway 12
The Glacier Canyon Lodge is set just off Highway 12, making it easy to reach despite being surrounded by nature. There's not much within walking distance of the resort except for trees. Nature spots, including Mirror Lake State Park and Lake Delton, are within a few minutes' drive. The nearest airport, Baraboo Wisconsin Dells Airport, is within a 10-minute drive.
Rooms
Modern, faux-rustic rooms and apartments
Rooms range from Double Queens, some with sofas, to enormous three-bedroom apartments with living rooms and kitchens. Rooms and apartments are modern but with an intentional rustic look that includes knotted pine doors and wall skirting, and a fuchsia- and olive-green color scheme. All have terraces and free Wi-Fi. Apartment lodgings have full kitchens with enormous fridges, four-burner stoves, ovens, and toasters. All rooms come with microwaves and coffeemakers. Room configuration varies -- some of the apartment lodgings include bunk beds for kids. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos and, a bit of counter space around the sinks. All guests can use the the water parks for free. Children two years old and younger stay free.
Features
Plenty of water parks and family-friendly activities, plus numerous restaurants and meeting spaces
The Glacier Canyon Lodge is part of a larger resort filled with special features for both families and business travelers. There are 10 restaurants on-site serving steaks, pizza, and typically American fare, as well as numerous coffee shops, a smoothie joint, and an ice-cream shop. There's also a bar, the Canyon Ridge Taproom, with pool tables. Other on-site amenities include a large laundry room with washers and dryers, a spacious fitness center with new weight machines and cardio equipment, and plenty of conference space. There are also eight indoor and outdoor water parks with numerous slides and activities, as well as an on-site shop selling souvenirs, an indoor play area, zip-lining, go-carts, and mini-golf. Additional fees apply to some of the attractions, but Wi-Fi and parking are both free.