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Bavarian Inn Lodge: Traveller Reviews

1 Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Hotel amenities
Bavarian Inn Lodge
Ranked #4 of 7 hotels in Frankenmuth
4.0 of 5 stars 309 Reviews
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309 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Great time(11)
  • Fun center(6)
  • Perks Club(6)
  • Mini golf(6)
  • Arcade games(5)
  • Front desk staff(3)
  • Very good(3)
Traveller rating
    142
    73
    45
    32
    17
Only show reviews for Family (136) | Couples (65) | Business (13)
Date Rating
Sydney
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Unimpressed”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 February 2012

My husband and I travelled to Frankenmuth after Christmas with my 85 year old father. We booked 2 king size bedded rooms. We were very surprised by the cost, the lack of TLC the hotel appears to have and how little was included ( no breakfast). We found the hotel very tired and rooms badly in need of updating. In fact shabby would be the only description I would use. The staff was pleasant enough but l agree with jettygwk, the hotel has such a large turnover they won't care if they ever get our business again. And they won't.

Room Tip: Stay somewhere else.
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  • Stayed December 2011, travelled with family
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask modenn about Bavarian Inn Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
jimengel, General Manager at Bavarian Inn Lodge, responded to this review
6 March 2012
Dear Modenn:

I am sorry that you were disappointed with your stay. We continually perform upgrades to guestrooms. Our Bavarian motif does not change as we are a thematic hotel. Regardless we work on making sure bed spreads and carpets are fresh and recently upgraded to 4 pillows for all beds (2 firm and 2 soft) so you can select which pillow to sleep on. Also all TV's are wall mounted LCD TV's and we have purchased new alpine styled dressers. The list of improvements continue. If you had specific items in the room that disappointed you I would appreciate the particulars as I and the owner and housekeeping are inspecting rooms continuously.

Regarding breakfast, we offer two restaurants in the Lodge that offer ala carte and full service breakfast. Hotels with 200 guestrooms are not able to offer breakfast included in the rate for all guests as we commonly overnight 800 - 1,200 guests on a given night and could not possibly give good service to that many people in the mornings at the same time. The expansive public facilities and five indoor pools; 3 whirlpools and family fun center are primarily funded by the guestroom rates for the hotel. We strive to keep our rates as competitive yet profitable for reinvestment in the company.

We will work hard to make improvements and have shared your remarks with the appropriate staff and leadership team. I hope you will consider returning to the Lodge again!

Sincerely,

Jim Engel, COO
Bavarian Inn Lodge
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Grand Blanc MI
Top Contributor
76 reviews 76 reviews
Reviews in 38 cities Reviews in 38 cities
39 helpful votes 39 helpful votes
“50/50 chance from excellent to poor service”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I have stayed at the Lodge many times taking advantage of perk club specials. I had issues with this visit and spoke to Mr. Engel, C.O.O. which enlightened me in ways that may help other guest.
If you have a problem it is your responsibility to make clear how you feel things should be handled. If a manager offers a room that is unsatisfactory, please ask to see another, even if they didn’t offer. Use the perk club special, but remember that you are paying such a small rate that you should feel grateful for what you get. Bring snacks/food so that you can eat in the room. Swim because this is what is offered at no additional costs. No food is allowed to be brought into the fun center, so keep the birthday cake in your room, and call Little Ceasers, instead of ordering pizza on site.
Stay away from rooms that are near or above the entry doors, because on very busy times like snow fest, and cold days, smokers will smoke by the entrance. If you have smoke induced asthma you should have your inhaler. It is also loud and it seems like the people are talking in your room. I am told there is no way smoke-smell can get into a third floor room, but if you can hear noise from below, then maybe the same air will allow smoke in too? Either way, plan accordingly.
They do such a high volume of sales that one family having issues will not bother them if you never return. There are other hotels in the area, but you cannot get them at the perk club special rate. Then again, you just may find you can.

Room Tip: Stay away from rooms by the entrances if you have smoke-induced asthma.
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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See 2 more reviews by gwkelley for Frankenmuth
Ask gwkelley about Bavarian Inn Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
jimengel, General Manager at Bavarian Inn Lodge, responded to this review
6 March 2012
Dear GWKelly;

I am sorry that my efforts and the efforts of the managers working with you on your recent stay did not give you satisfactory results. As I promised you I have met with and counseled the staff involved so that we may learn from our mistakes regarding moving guests to other rooms when they are disappointed. I agree with much of your advice to other guests such as bringing your inhaler and taking advantage of loyalty club special rates. But we DO value every guest and we MUST value every guest. Business is not such that we can let guests leave frustrated because so many others are waiting to replace them.

I am confident that our team learned from the experience and I understand your frustration. Please take me up on contacting me personally if you decide to reserve again and I will personally arrange the guestroom for you in our system.

Sincerely,

Jim Engel, COO
Bavarian Inn Lodge
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Friendswood, Texas
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“pleasant but pricey”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We have a family reunion gathering here every July for the last 7 years and we always stay here. Lodge is impressive but the rooms are smallish and even with the recent update still seem dated. WiFi is spotty, TVs are small, and thin walls make it pretty noisy. My kids love the pools and the mini-golf but the pool area is not friendly for those without kids or even older (12+) kids. Arcade area is like Chuck E Cheese and just as noisy. You can get golf and dinner packages. Breakfast buffet is nothing special but the staff is great. For what you get it seems pretty expensive, even with group discounts and packages.

Room Tip: Rooms in the corners have larger balconies, but they must be reserved far in advance and you'll...
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  • Stayed July 2011, travelled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask ICness about Bavarian Inn Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
jimengel, General Manager at Bavarian Inn Lodge, responded to this review
6 March 2012
Dear ICness:

Thank you for your candor regarding your seven year run of visiting Frankenmuth and the Bavarian Inn Lodge. I appreciate your comments and will share them with the appropriate departments and leadership. I am sorry that you feel our updates are dated? The flat screen TV's that are now wall mounted in all guestrooms are of course brand new and are hotel featured TV's sold to thousands of properties across North America. I am getting lots of compliments on them. I am sorry the size of the TV was disappointing to you.

Regarding WiFi... please report any WiFi situations that you have with any hotel. We can help trouble shoot weak signals. Again, I usually have road warriors telling me that they are not use to such a good signal, so I suspect something was wrong. So sorry.

When you next visit us please take advantage of the Adult-only pool area. You mentioned they areas are not friendly to people without children. The adult pool and whirlpool (off the main lobby) is for you!

Again, thank you for your continued patronage... hope to see you all again soon!

Sincerely,

Jim Engel, COO
Bavarian Inn Lodge
jimengel@bavarianinn.com
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Kalamazoo, Michigan
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Always something going on!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2012

I've stayed at the hotel numerous times and find the hotel to be extremely clean. The staff is always very friendly and accomidating. Several places to eat within the hotel or even outside the hotel and most eatries are walking distance. I typically stay at the Lodge when there is a Hotair Balloon event and all the pilots and there crew are always very friendly as well. This hotel has a "German" flare to the decore, which isn't everyone's style, but it is the style of the entire town. Some may see this as outdated, but it's really just the German feel they are trying to give. They have recently replaced the pillows (2 firm and two soft- LOVE THIS) and also got new flat screen TVs. Did I mention how clean it was? Very nice place to stay.

Room Tip: Get a Suite with hottub and glass walk in shower- You will be glad you did!
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Jon K about Bavarian Inn Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
jimengel, General Manager at Bavarian Inn Lodge, responded to this review
6 March 2012
Dear Jon:

Thank you for sharing your insights into your recent stay at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. I am personally tickled that you enjoy being apart of the Memorial Weekend Hot Air Balloon event as I am the chairperson for this balloon competition! We again will have 40-45 hot air balloons flying from Friday - Monday morning of Memorial Weekend. Thank you for your kind words about the facilities and our bavarian motif! Glad you enjoy the experience and I would love to meet you upon your return visit... perhaps in May?

Sincerely,

Jim Engel, GM / COO
Bavarian Inn Lodge
jimengel@bavarianinn.com
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Toledo, Ohio
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“wonderful stay”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 February 2012

We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary at this wonderful lodge. Our room was near the elevator in the main section, so we could be near the
adult pool and restaurant. There is a tower section good for families with
children and many pools and games. The room and food, especially the
walleye was very good.

Room Tip: older people should stay near the main part where the restaurant and adult pool is located
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
See 4 more reviews by soberman70 for Frankenmuth
Ask soberman70 about Bavarian Inn Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
jimengel, General Manager at Bavarian Inn Lodge, responded to this review
6 March 2012
Thank you for sharing your 30th anniversary celebration with us at the Lodge in Frankenmuth! So many guests, as you did, select Frankenmuth and the Lodge for their special anniversaries. It is quite an accomplishment today to reach this wonderful mark of wedded bliss! Congratulations! Hope you can visit us again soon! Did you enjoy a whirlpool suite while here... we have 23 of them!

Jim Engel, COO
Bavarian Inn Lodge
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Additional Information about Bavarian Inn Lodge

  • Bavarian Hotel Frankenmuth
  • Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn
  • Bavarian Inn Frankenmuth
  • Bavarian Resort Frankenmuth
  • Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Lodge
  • Frankenmuth Bavarian Lodge
  • Bavarian Inn Frankenmuth Mi
  • Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Lodge Resort
  • Bavarian Lodge Frankenmuth
Address: 1 Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Price range (per night):* 144 AUD - 221 AUD

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