Wyndham Garden Otsego-Minneapolis

Our six rooms were grouped together, which was great, and the rooms were a nice size. Getting there was easy, parking was good, and check-in and checkout were quick. But the new tile floors carried every sound. The family above us sounded like a herd of elephants at 6:30 in the morning, so sleeping in wasn’t an option. The water park was decent. The water was warm, the lazy river carried you along, and the waits for the water slides weren’t long. I waited in line 20 minutes before opening to get a table, but the place lets in so many outside guests that it was PACKED. There weren’t enough tubes, so kids asked to use ours. We guarded the one we found and took turns on the slides, but people wanted it as soon as we got off, sometimes while we were still climbing out. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, which I understand. One attendant told me I could bring an empty water bottle and fill it at the bar. I did, but then other attendants told me I couldn’t have my water Yeti after all, even though one of them had said I could. There were several tables with them. The snack shack had lots of food and drink choices but only one person working, so at lunchtime we waited 30-45 minutes just to be served and get water, then I was told I couldn’t have it in my cup. I couldn’t find any notice that children 42" or shorter can’t use the water slides. If we’d known before going, we would have gone somewhere else. The kids had also seen something saying there was mini golf, but I can’t find that information now. We were told they do have it, but you need to request it a month before your visit so they can set it up. ?? We ate at the restaurant after calling 1.5 hours ahead to check they could manage our large group. There was one person taking orders, working the bar, and bringing food out. It took 40 minutes from the first plate to the last, most of the burgers were burnt, and one steak was burnt too. Read reviews and decide what matters most to you. We were extremely disappointed and don’t plan to return.

We had a great snowmobiling weekend with the kids, and the staff were amazing, especially Sandy. The rooms were decent, although the drafty windows made it hard to keep the temperature steady overnight. We had a lot of fun at the water park. I just wish it had opened earlier on Friday, when we had our free day. We’ll definitely be back.

We slept okay even though the bed was harder than we like. The water park was a lot of fun, and the hotel breakfast buffet was the best we’ve ever had. Sandra in the dining room was so welcoming, too.

The water park felt like it was falling apart. The slides leaked, rust was collecting under the stairs, and several attractions weren’t working. There was also a snow pile in the middle of the parking lot. I saw about two people hit it, and it was still sitting there when we left. We’re locals and came for the water park, not an overnight stay, so I can’t speak to the rooms. Admission was 25 a head, which was fine, but the bathrooms were tiny, with two stalls that had broken doors and group showers. There were about 20 lockers and no benches, so I’m glad we arrived wearing swimsuits. There was nowhere private to change. We were told we couldn’t bring water bottles in. They reluctantly let me bring ours in empty, after the poorly paid teens at the entrance gave us a round of eye rolls. We tried to buy food and water, since bringing any in seemed to require spending a few hundred on a “party.” The snack bar had one employee, and it took 45 minutes to get pizza and water. Other staff were chatting with friends at a party table. Afterward, I was reminded about five more times that I couldn’t have my water bottle because it was on the table. The pizza was worse than Chuck E. Cheese and cost 30 a pop. The chicken fingers were 17 for four, and cooked to hell. It’s fine if a hotel pool doesn’t cater to people who aren’t staying there. But if that’s the case, don’t advertise it as a fun weekend spot for families. Even if you stay there, be ready to get nickel and dimed, use plastic cups and styrofoam plates, and feel like a nuisance to the staff. I assume that’s because they’re treated like crap by management, get no training, or are beaten regularly.