Big Spirit Resort

We’d happily stop here again when we’re nearby. It’s a little gem tucked off the main road, and we liked having a takeout restaurant next door. The room was comfortable, clean, and had everything we needed.

I didn’t stay overnight myself, but my relatives did, and I was really impressed by the room. It felt like a studio apartment with everything you’d need. The place has a small, mom-and-pop resort feel. I worried about the glass front door at first, but it was heavy duty and had blackout drapes, which put me at ease about my relative’s safety. There’s a chicken takeout place next door that smelled heavenly, though none of that smell got into the room. I hope to stay here myself next time I’m in Spirit Lake.

Judy, one of the owners, welcomed us with a big smile and made sure we knew our way around town. She shared some Spirit Lake history, walked us through the trail map on the wall, and suggested good spots for food and drinks. My sister’s family and I had a great weekend in a huge room with two bedrooms, fold-out beds, and two bathrooms with showers. We’ll be back next summer to see more of the area.

The kitchenette and dining table were especially handy, including for meals during the covid pandemic. Everything looked new or remodeled, and the motel is close to Spirit Lake and Lake Okoboji. We had two adults and two kids in the one-room suite for two nights. It worked fine as a place to sleep after being out all day, but it’s not somewhere I’d want to spend much time. The room was pretty tight, with the beds close together and little space to get in from the sides. The glass door also meant people could see in unless the curtain was fully shut, and moving in and out with it drawn was awkward. There was no inside lock such as a chain or bar.