The Black Hawk Motel is a large, budget motel off Broadway, the main entertainment strip of downtown Wisconsin Dells. Its sister property is the nearby All Star Value Inn; the two are some of the best bargains around. Black Hawk has a retro 1950s vibe (it's been in the same family since 1945), and offers a range of room types, from basic rooms with multiple beds to suites with whirlpools to two-bedroom cottages. Decor is basic and dated, but the attentive service and charming old-school ambiance make for a memorable stay. A game room and indoor and outdoor pools also help make the Black Hawk Motel a cut above most budget properties. Wi-Fi is free. The 75-room property is removed from the busiest tourist area of Broadway and may feel too quiet for some guests. 

The two-pearl All Star Value Inn is a motel-style property with straightforward, exterior entry rooms. They're about as dated as they come, but outfitted with conveniences like microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Suites have full kitchens for the ultimate value. Other family-friendly perks include a game room, a playground, shuffleboard, and volleyball, along with an outdoor pool. There's nowhere to eat though, and no breakfast offered.

The Indian Trail Motel is a family-friendly budget property on the edge of downtown Wisconsin Dells with a retro-motel vibe many guests find charming. Though it’s in a quiet wooded area, it's just a short walk to downtown shops, bars, and restaurants. Its 46 rooms are generic and dated -- but clean and tidy -- with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. However, most have old tube TVs.  Amenities include heated indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool hot tub, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and a large grassy area with a playground. Rates are attractive, but the property frequently sells out during high season. 

The Cedar Lodge & Settlement is nestled into a forest on the shores of Wisconsin River, about 10-minutes outside of downtown Wisconsin Dells. There are 33 units total, some are individual log cabins while others are within the main two-story building. Each is owned by a different family or individual so all of the rooms are unique in their furnishings. The two-and-a-half pearl property looks like a large, expansive campground. The location is great for Wisconsin Dells visitors looking for a quiet location away from busy streets and for those who fish, there's a dock and boat launch. However, the cabin units are across the road, and away from the river. A heated outdoor swimming pool, water park passes, and open backyard don’t make up for the weak Wi-Fi, but they certainly do help take minds off of that fact.

Baker's Sunset Bay Resort is a budget-friendly property that sits on a small spot off the shore of Lake Delton. Eighty rooms are spread over seven buildings and the property has a friendly condo/community feel. With a lake and sandy beach, it’s a find for couples looking for a retreat away from bustling city streets, but an even better option for families with kids. Suites offer fully-equipped kitchens and patios, while standard rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges. Baker's Sunset Bay is neither gleaming nor modern, but it has plenty of on-site activities.

Ambers Hideaway is a 42-room, two-floor motel on the main drag of Wisconsin Dells. It's close to water parks and other attractions in the downtown area, and the grounds are surprisingly quieter than expected (minus the noise from guests.) The property is clean, family-owned, and not fancy, instead it is rather simple and functional with a few add-ons. Tickets to Chula Vista Water Park are included with the stay, and there are an indoor hot tub, a seasonal outdoor pool, barbecue grills, and laundry facilities. Free (spotty) Wi-Fi is also available. Rooms are neither modern nor glamorous, but are functional with generic decor, making it a budget-friendly choice. 

Located right on Lake Delton, the Aloha Beach Resort and Suites is a 62-room, family-friendly getaway that's easy on the budget. Dated rooms have ample space, lake views, and nice extras like free Wi-Fi and microwaves -- first floor rooms include balconies. In the summer, on-site activities include everything from canoeing to campfire pits; the indoor pool and free passes to Noah's Ark are big draws in the winter. Note that there isn't a restaurant or breakfast on-site. Overall, this is a solid option for budget travelers looking to stay close to nature with plenty of water activities and restaurants available at their fingertips.

The Ramada Wisconsin Dells is a two-pearl hotel with a heated indoor pool and hot tub that's geared toward budget travelers. It also caters a bit to business travelers with rooms that have work desks, ergonomic roller chairs, and microwaves, and the hotel also has a meeting room and a business center. It's pretty far from the main attractions in the downtown area, but within walking distance to the Kalahari Resort, which has its own water park.

The Baymont Inn & Suites Wisconsin Dells is a budget hotel right off the freeway just outside of the downtown area. Its rooms come in several configurations to suit couples, families, or larger groups, and most suites have whirlpool tubs. In the land of water parks, the small outdoor pool here is forgettable, but there's also a heated indoor pool with a sauna. Continental breakfast is included and children under 17 stay for free