Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel

I was hesitant about coming this weekend after reading negative reviews, but I’m glad we went. The place didn’t match what those reviews claimed. One person mentioned the wood around the surfing and bodyboarding area was rotted. It doesn’t look great, but I’ve seen much worse. We drove 2.5 hours yesterday and the check-in line was long, though not terrible. Arrive early rather than right on time. It’s a small place, but it also doesn’t cost as much as other parks we’ve visited. It’s winter and cold outside, and with three kids we wanted a nice weekend away. The rooms were nice and clean, and the hotel wasn’t too noisy. Bathrooms were clean too, and the pools and slides seemed well taken care of. The chlorine is STRONG, so you’ll need to get used to it. I’d come again, 10/10. Glad I didn’t let the negative reviews put me off.

The water park was a good time, and we didn't have to stand around for long to use the slides. We took a quick overnight trip with a few teenagers. The room was pretty standard, though the bed frames made odd noises whenever anyone sat down or shifted. A lot of the arcade games were out of order. Still, it was a nice little break for the price.

The staff were a real bright spot. Restaurant staff had gluten-free and dairy-free choices, and the hotel and water park teams were great too. The lifeguards were alert, and they acted quickly after we reported poop in the water park shower area. Our daughter got to try a few things there on Sunday when it was quieter and had fun with our help, though Saturday was far too busy for her to manage. Cleanliness was the biggest problem throughout. Our room still had things left by the previous guests, hair all over the bathroom, and grime in the tub. We also ran into clogged toilets. The room was small for our daughter, who uses a mobility device, and it was hard to get her wheelchair and walker around. She can't safely sleep alone without bed rails, so she needs to be between her dad and me. We asked for one king bed for the three of us, but were told we had to take two beds because there were three guests. We ended up squeezed into a tiny, squeaky bed. We wouldn't pay to stay here again.

The water park was much smaller than we expected, and my 7-year-old was bored after about an hour. It seems better suited to toddlers. The snack bar had just one worker, so the line got extremely long. The regular pool and hot tub, which don't require a water park pass, were small and poorly maintained, with wear and tear easy to see everywhere. If the water park is your main reason for coming, I'd look elsewhere. Frankenmuth would be a much better choice. We picked this hotel for a hockey tournament and hoped the water park would be fun for the kids. Check-in went smoothly, but the resort fee felt ridiculous for a place that isn't remotely a resort. Prices were high across the board, including $3.50 for a bottle of water. Dinner was a mess. The restaurant had dirty tables all over, though our server was kind. My daughter's chicken tenders were burned, my salad came without chicken, and the chicken they added was very tough. The lettuce was brown, and my husband's salad wasn't good either. The bill was nearly $80 for two salads and tenders, which is outrageous for food like you'd get at a diner or coney island. Our room was filthy and dusty, with dirty spots throughout. There was no comforter, only layers of sheets. The beds made an incredibly loud noise whenever we sat or moved, and we could hear every step, conversation, and movement in the rooms beside and above us. Several outlets were too loose to hold chargers, there was no hot water in the shower, and a teammate's toilet didn't work. The rooms are very outdated and nowhere near as nice or spacious as the online photos suggest. The lobby is easily the best part. My husband thought there was a fitness center. When he asked the desk if he could take the shuttle to the Soaring Eagle Casino hotel to use its gym, they said that wasn't part of our amenities. The shuttle will take you there, but only if you're gambling. We paid for a late checkout, yet housekeeping knocked at 10:45 am to ask if we were there. That should have been noted. Overall, this was among the worst hotels I've stayed in, and I've stayed in some sketchy places. Motel-level quality at resort prices. Read the reviews and don't waste your money.