Is Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth worth your stay? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth is worth staying if you want easy access to downtown Frankenmuth, on-site family entertainment, and included indoor waterpark access. It’s especially strong for families and groups; couples can find quieter adult-only spaces, but expect a lively, family-oriented atmosphere overall.
In this guide
What this place is like
Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth is a Bavarian-themed, family resort located at 1 Covered Bridge Ln in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The property advertises 360 European-style rooms and a mix of family and adult-only spaces.
Registered overnight guests receive included access to the indoor waterpark (four pools, three whirlpools, waterslides, and a children’s pool), nightly live entertainment in the lounge, free WiFi, a fitness center, and free self-parking.
- 360 guest rooms and suites
- Free waterpark access for registered overnight guests
- Free WiFi and complimentary fitness center
- On-site restaurants, bars, and nightly live entertainment
Location and nearby attractions
The Lodge sits beside the Holz Brücke covered bridge on the Cass River and is an easy walk to River Place Shops and downtown Frankenmuth attractions. Walk times listed on property materials put River Place Shops at about 1 minute and the Frankenmuth Historical Museum within roughly a 5–10 minute walk.
Nearby day-trip options include Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland (about a 5-minute drive) and the Fortress Golf Course (about a 15-minute walk). The nearest commercial airports are Saginaw MBS International (MBS) and Bishop International (FNT); direct public-transport connections are not listed by the property.
- River Place Shops — about 1 minute on foot
- Frankenmuth Historical Museum — about 5 minutes on foot
- Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland — roughly a 5‑minute drive
| Nearby | Typical walk/drive |
|---|---|
| River Place Shops | 1 min walk |
| Frankenmuth Historical Museum | 5 min walk |
| Bronner's Christmas Wonderland | About 5 min drive |
Rooms and suites — what to expect
Room types include Whirlpool Suite w/Spa Bath, Premium Room, Deluxe Room, Standard Room, and Family Suite, Multiple Beds. Every room is listed as having a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, iron/ironing board, and hair dryer.
If you want an in-room spa tub, book the Whirlpool Suite w/Spa Bath (listed with 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed). The Family Suite includes 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed for larger parties.
- Whirlpool Suite w/Spa Bath — 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Premium Room — 1 King Bed
- Deluxe Room — 2 Queen Beds
- Standard Room — 2 Double Beds
- Family Suite, Multiple Beds — 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed
| Room type | Bed setup |
|---|---|
| Whirlpool Suite w/Spa Bath | 1 King Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Premium Room | 1 King Bed |
| Deluxe Room | 2 Queen Beds |
| Standard Room | 2 Double Beds |
| Family Suite, Multiple Beds | 2 Queen Beds + 1 Double Sofa Bed |
Waterpark, pools and family entertainment
Bavarian Inn’s Bavarian Blast indoor waterpark is included for registered overnight guests and features four indoor pools, three whirlpools, waterslides, a children’s pool, and a swim-up bar pool. The property also provides family oriented attractions such as a Family Fun Center with arcade games, indoor ropes course, mini-golf, laser tag, and more.
Pool hours and rules are posted by the property: family pools are generally open 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays; the adults-only Courtyard pool is open daily 8 a.m.–11 p.m. All pools close briefly each day (typically 8–8:30 p.m.) for maintenance/chemistry checks.
- Four indoor pools and three whirlpools (one adult-only pool/whirlpool)
- Swim-up Bootlegger Bar located in the adults-only Courtyard (21+)
- Wristbands for waterpark admission distributed at check-in; lost wristband replacement fee is $15
- Slide rules: minimum heights, ride positions, and attendant instruction apply
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Waterpark access | Included for registered overnight guests |
| Adult-only Courtyard pool | Reserved for guests 21 and older |
| Wristbands | Given at check-in; $15 replacement fee if lost |
Dining and evening entertainment
On-site dining options include Oma's Restaurant (breakfast and lunch, with extended weekend hours), Chef Willy’s Cafe (coffee and light refreshments), Lorelei Lounge (German-inspired lounge with nightly live entertainment), Spritz & Sips, Bootlegger Bar (swim-up, adults-only), and Fritz’s Frozen Fun for frozen treats.
The property runs nightly live entertainment in the Lorelei Lounge and family entertainment options by the pool and Family Fun Center. Oma’s also serves a Sunday Brunch Buffet on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. as listed by the hotel.
- Oma’s Restaurant — breakfast & lunch, weekend hours extend to dinner service
- Lorelei Lounge — daily happy hour and nightly live entertainment (children allowed until 10 p.m.)
- Bootlegger Bar — swim-up bar for guests 21+
- Fritz’s Frozen Fun — casual frozen treats and coffee
Who should stay here: families, couples, groups
Families will find the property's included waterpark access, children’s pool, arcade and activity center to be the main draws. The Family Suite and multiple in-resort entertainment options make it convenient for multi-generation trips or parents with young kids.
Couples can use the adults-only Courtyard pool and on-site lounges for quieter moments; the nearby Serendipity Wellness Spa (located in the River Place Shops, not inside the Lodge) is an off-site option for spa treatments. Groups and wedding parties can use significant meeting and banquet space the property advertises.
- Good for families wanting on-site activities and included waterpark access
- Suitable for couples who prefer quieter adult-only pool and lounge areas
- Large meeting and wedding facilities available for groups (capacities listed in property materials)
Practical tips, policies and things to watch
Check-in is listed as 4:00 p.m. and check-out at 11:00 a.m.; the property requires an 18+ minimum age to check in and photo ID plus a credit card are requested at arrival. A refundable damage deposit of $100 (charged to a credit card) is commonly required at arrival and refunded after check-out pending inspection, per booking sources.
The resort is a non-pet property (service animals are accepted). Free self-parking and at least one EV charging option are available. Note that some items (late check-out, wristband replacements, cabanas/sun lounger surcharges) may carry extra fees; the property posts specific fee amounts and availability at check-in or on its site.
- Check-in: 4:00 p.m.; Check-out: 11:00 a.m.
- Minimum check-in age: 18
- Refundable damage deposit commonly $100 (credit card)
- Property is non-pet (service animals welcome)
- Free self-parking; EV charging available on site
