
Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth
Best for families and travelers who want included waterpark access, multiple on-site restaurants, nightly entertainment, and event/wedding space.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth is a Bavarian-themed family resort with an indoor waterpark, multiple restaurants, nightly entertainment and event spaces — read this if you want a family-focused, activity-rich Michigan stop. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bay City is an IHG limited-service hotel in Bay City's business district with free breakfast and an indoor pool — read this if you want a simple, dependable overnight on a Great Lakes Bay road trip or a business stay.
Updated · about 30 miles (roughly 30–35 minutes by car)

Best for families and travelers who want included waterpark access, multiple on-site restaurants, nightly entertainment, and event/wedding space.

Best for budget-conscious road-trippers or business travelers who want a predictable IHG stay with complimentary breakfast, free parking, and a small indoor pool.
When Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth wins: choose Bavarian Inn when you’re traveling with kids or a mixed-age group and want on-site activities (four indoor pools, waterslides, Family Fun Center), multiple dining choices, and event space so you can stay, play and eat without driving.
When Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bay City wins: pick Holiday Inn Express Bay City for a straightforward, efficient stay near Bay City's business district — a compact property with free breakfast, meeting space, free parking, and a high guest rating for travelers on a schedule or looking for simple value.
Bottom line: Bavarian Inn is an activity-focused resort for families and event groups; Holiday Inn Express Bay City is a practical, limited-service hotel that makes a good base for exploring Bay City and the Great Lakes Bay region.
| Category | Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth | Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Family-focused resort with Bavarian theming, nightlife in the lounge, and waterpark energy. | Clean, limited-service IHG hotel aimed at business and budget travelers. |
| Location | Next to the Holz Brücke covered bridge and a 1-minute walk to River Place Shops in downtown Frankenmuth. | In Bay City's business district (3959 Traxler Court), a short drive from Lake Huron and local attractions. |
| Size (rooms) | 360 rooms/suites. | 77 guestrooms (supplier listing). |
| Ages / audience | All ages — family resort with adult-only Courtyard pool and adult areas for 21+. | All ages — not adults-only. |
| Pools / signature amenity | Bavarian Blast indoor waterpark: four indoor pools, three whirlpools, waterslides, children’s pool and an adult-only Courtyard with swim-up bar. | One indoor pool and fitness center (listed amenity). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site options (Oma's Restaurant, Lorelei Lounge, Bootlegger Bar swim-up bar, Spritz & Sips, Chef Willy's Cafe, Fritz's Frozen Fun). | Complimentary buffet breakfast and coffee/tea in common areas; no full-service hotel restaurant listed in the supplier facts. |
| Spa | Serendipity Wellness Spa nearby in Frankenmuth River Place Shops (off-site partner). | Not published |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive: multiple ballrooms and meeting rooms (over 15,000 sq ft) for weddings and conferences. | Small meeting spaces / 1 meeting room and a banquet hall listed. |
| Parking | Free self-parking, EV charging station available (listed). | |
| Accessibility features | Accessible rooms and public spaces; family-friendly pool rules and supervision policies. | Wheelchair-accessible registration desk, paths, rooms, meeting spaces, accessible room types listed. |
Bavarian Inn sits beside the Holz Brücke covered bridge and is steps from the River Place Shops and downtown Frankenmuth attractions.
Choose Bavarian Inn to be in the heart of Frankenmuth’s tourist area and within easy walking distance of local sights.
Holiday Inn Express Bay City is in Bay City's business district, with driving distance to Lake Huron and Bay City attractions.
Choose Holiday Inn Express Bay City if you want a practical location for Bay City area driving and business needs.
Bavarian Inn offers 360 European-themed guest rooms and suites, including family and whirlpool/spa-bath suites.
The property has a wide variety of family- and suite-focused room types that support multi-person stays.
Holiday Inn Express Bay City has a compact set of standard rooms and suites with accessible variants.
Holiday Inn Express provides standard, accessible and occasional suite options suitable for individual travelers or small families, with predictable IHG room standards.
Bavarian Inn has multiple on-site dining and drink venues ranging from family restaurants to bars and a swim-up pool bar.
Plenty of on-site food and beverage options let you dine without leaving the property, from family meals to adult-only bar time.
Holiday Inn Express includes a complimentary buffet breakfast and common-area coffee/tea service; no full-service hotel restaurant is listed in supplier facts.
Expect a reliable breakfast and basic grab-and-go options; plan to eat off-site for full meals or evening dining.
Bavarian Inn’s signature amenity is its Bavarian Blast indoor waterpark and multiple pools, included for registered guests.
If pools and a waterpark are a priority, Bavarian Inn is the clear choice — it’s built around pool-based family entertainment.
Holiday Inn Express Bay City offers a single indoor pool and fitness center as part of its limited-service amenity set.
Holiday Inn Express provides basic indoor pool facilities appropriate for a short stay, but not a waterpark experience.
Bavarian Inn mixes family entertainment with adult-focused evening options and an off-site full-service spa partner.
Bavarian Inn supports both lively evenings and quieter adult-focused relaxation via an off-site spa and adult-only pool area.
Holiday Inn Express Bay City focuses on straightforward guest services rather than nightlife or spa experiences.
Choose Holiday Inn Express Bay City for practical wellness basics (fitness center) and to find nightlife or spa services off property.

Bavarian Inn — included waterpark, family entertainment center, and multiple child-friendly dining and activity options.

Bavarian Inn — extensive ballroom and banquet capacity with on-site catering and ceremony options.

Holiday Inn Express Bay City — compact layout, business-district location, meeting room and reliable complimentary breakfast.

Holiday Inn Express Bay City — predictable IHG limited-service amenities, free parking and strong guest ratings.
Bavarian Inn — it includes the Bavarian Blast indoor waterpark, children’s pool, Family Fun Center and family-friendly dining options, all included for registered guests.
Holiday Inn Express Bay City — located in Bay City's business district with meeting space, a business center and complimentary breakfast for a quick start to the day.
No — neither property is all-inclusive. Bavarian Inn offers many on-site dining options (paid separately) while Holiday Inn Express includes a complimentary buffet breakfast.
Bavarian Inn partners with Serendipity Wellness Spa nearby in Frankenmuth River Place Shops; Holiday Inn Express Bay City does not publish an on-site spa in the supplier listing.
Explore how Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·