Pros

  • Outdoor water park with large water slides (seasonal)
  • Indoor pool with a hot tub and adjacent sauna
  • Large suites for family visits
  • Close to Wisconsin River and down the road to restaurants
  • Children 10-years old and younger stay free
  • Game room on-site
  • Free parking and Wi-Fi
  • Coin-operated laundry machines on-site
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Cons

  • Undergoing large scale renovation with a mid-2015 expected completion
  • Dated scene with stained carpets and worn sheets
  • Indoor water park is falling apart
  • Seasonal and outdoor water park open only on weekends
  • Spotty Wi-Fi
  • No on-site dining options
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Bottom Line

The Polynesian Resort Hotel was originally built in the early 1990s as the first indoor water park in Wisconsin Dells. Rooms and common areas are about 30-years out-of-date and tattered around the edges, though the hotel is in the midst of a much needed renovation that is expected to finish by mid-2015. The 227 guest rooms are dated with stained carpets, damaged ceilings, and peeling wallpaper. While prices here are budget-friendly, visitors should know that the hotel is just adequate in terms of having a place to sleep and entertain the kids at the indoor pool and seasonal outdoor water park. An alternative hotel is Aloha Beach Resort and Suites, which has better-maintained rooms and offers free passes to Noah's Ark water park.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Polynesian Water Park Resort

Scene

Worn hotel undergoing drastic renovations

After a period of bankruptcy, this hotel is under new management that is looking to revive the once fun water park scene. Construction is in progress and rooms are being completed in phases so operations are still running, though some guests have stated it’s far from smooth. Until completion, parts of the hotel are in poor shape with dark halls, dirty carpets, and peeling wallpaper. The lobby is kitschy and styled like an island hut with the help of straw-lined ceilings, wicker chairs, faux stone walls, and a bamboo lined front desk. Outside and around the water park, there are Polynesian indigenous statues to evoke the feel of a tropical escape.

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Location

Quiet area on the road to downtown restaurants

Located right off of Interstate 94, the hotel is conveniently situated for driving with most attractions under 10-minutes away. In the surrounding area, there is another motel and an open field. 

  • Seven-minute drive to Noah's Ark 
  • Seven-minute drive to Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
  • Two-minute drive to Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty
  • Six-minute drive to Wisconsin Dells Amtrak
  • 54-minute drive to Dane County Regional Airport
  • Two-hour drive to General Mitchell Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee
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Rooms

A weak stab at tropical decor

Guests have the option of standard rooms or family suites. Each is spacious and comes with mini-fridge, iron and ironing board, old tube TV, and microwave. Dark green carpets, floral bedspreads, and framed tropical prints on the wall make a weak attempt at tropical decor. There is free Wi-Fi but the connection is weak. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and generic toiletries. Balconies, and coffee- and tea-facilities are convenient pluses, but rooms are neither modern nor clean. Unlucky guests may get rooms with damaged furniture, water-stained ceilings, and musty odors. Newer, renovated rooms are available, but management has not yet advertised them, so guests may have to call in to make the request.

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Features

Indoor and (seasonal) outdoor water park, game room, and coin-operated laundry

The Polynesian Resort Hotel is touted as one of the first indoor water parks in the Dells area. While it holds the title, it falls short of holding any prestige. The outdoor park is newer and better maintained, but only open in the summer. The indoor pool is just plain weird and decrepit. Think: crumbling Polynesian figurines, a bizarre frog waterslide, and pirates with missing hands. A hot tub looks clean.  There's a sauna, but it's in poor condition. The game room is a better bet. It's equipped with skee ball, a claw crane machine, and arcade games. The Aloha Pavilion is currently closed, and there are no eating options on-site. Spotty Wi-Fi is free, as is parking. There's a coin-operated washing machine and dryer available.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Polynesian Water Park Resort

Scene

Worn hotel undergoing drastic renovations

After a period of bankruptcy, this hotel is under new management that is looking to revive the once fun water park scene. Construction is in progress and rooms are being completed in phases so operations are still running, though some guests have stated it’s far from smooth. Until completion, parts of the hotel are in poor shape with dark halls, dirty carpets, and peeling wallpaper. The lobby is kitschy and styled like an island hut with the help of straw-lined ceilings, wicker chairs, faux stone walls, and a bamboo lined front desk. Outside and around the water park, there are Polynesian indigenous statues to evoke the feel of a tropical escape.

See More Scene

Location

Quiet area on the road to downtown restaurants

Located right off of Interstate 94, the hotel is conveniently situated for driving with most attractions under 10-minutes away. In the surrounding area, there is another motel and an open field. 

  • Seven-minute drive to Noah's Ark 
  • Seven-minute drive to Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
  • Two-minute drive to Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty
  • Six-minute drive to Wisconsin Dells Amtrak
  • 54-minute drive to Dane County Regional Airport
  • Two-hour drive to General Mitchell Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee
See More Location

Rooms

A weak stab at tropical decor

Guests have the option of standard rooms or family suites. Each is spacious and comes with mini-fridge, iron and ironing board, old tube TV, and microwave. Dark green carpets, floral bedspreads, and framed tropical prints on the wall make a weak attempt at tropical decor. There is free Wi-Fi but the connection is weak. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and generic toiletries. Balconies, and coffee- and tea-facilities are convenient pluses, but rooms are neither modern nor clean. Unlucky guests may get rooms with damaged furniture, water-stained ceilings, and musty odors. Newer, renovated rooms are available, but management has not yet advertised them, so guests may have to call in to make the request.

See More Rooms

Features

Indoor and (seasonal) outdoor water park, game room, and coin-operated laundry

The Polynesian Resort Hotel is touted as one of the first indoor water parks in the Dells area. While it holds the title, it falls short of holding any prestige. The outdoor park is newer and better maintained, but only open in the summer. The indoor pool is just plain weird and decrepit. Think: crumbling Polynesian figurines, a bizarre frog waterslide, and pirates with missing hands. A hot tub looks clean.  There's a sauna, but it's in poor condition. The game room is a better bet. It's equipped with skee ball, a claw crane machine, and arcade games. The Aloha Pavilion is currently closed, and there are no eating options on-site. Spotty Wi-Fi is free, as is parking. There's a coin-operated washing machine and dryer available.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.