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Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.0
#6 of 8 hotels in Baxter
Location
4.4
Cleanliness
4.1
Service
4.0
Value
3.8
The Holiday Inn Express Brainerd Baxter is home to the fun and exciting Three Bear Waterpark. Reserve a Waterpark Package & enjoy over 30,000 sq. ft. of water fun, including 3 water slides, lazy river, activity pool with water walk, zero depth Spray Deck with 1000 gallon dumping bucket, family hot tub, and adults only hot tub! A visit to the waterpark can really work up an appetite! Stay the day and grab a bite to eat at Three Bear Grill then onto more fun at Grizzly Arcade Room with a ticket/redemption & prize counter. Business travelers will enjoy our great business amenities such as free high-speed Internet with wireless and hardwire access, fitness room, 24 hour business center, complimentary business services such as FAX and print at the front desk, complimentary beverages for all Priority Club members, corporate quiet floor and discounted access to the FitQuest Athletic Club located 2 blocks behind the Holiday Inn Express Brainerd Baxter.We are conveniently located to all attractions the Brainerd Lakes Area as to offer; closest hotel to Brainerd International Raceway, minutes away from Legacy Golf Courses, Paul Bunyan Trail, and Paul Bunyan Land.We are dedicated to satisfying every guest's needs and desires for an extraordinary Brainerd Lakes experience. Business or Pleasure we ll be right for you!We ll see you soon at the Holiday Inn Express in the Brainerd Lakes Area!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
268 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
I've stayed at this location before several times but this is the first time I've experienced an issue. My fridge's freezer was filled with ice/frost and it should have been defrosted because the fridge wasn't cooling. So I defrosted it the first night I was there. Plus the bathroom sink drain was slow to the point I could barely turn the water on without it filling the sink up. These are things that should be fixed before someone stays in the room. They are things housekeeping should clearly see when then clean the room.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHGService, Guest Relations Manager at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
Responded Feb 2, 2020
Hello suzb_00, Thank you for choosing to stay with us among your many hotel options. We greatly appreciate your willingness to share your feedback. We strive to continue being your top hotel choice where you can have a simple, engaging place to rest and recharge, and I am happy to see the almost-perfect score you've given us on both our staff's service and on your sleep quality. It is also great to know that you frequent our hotel. I am really sorry about the fridge not defrosted and for the bathroom sink issues encountered. Know that your feedback is extremely valuable to us. We use feedback, such as yours, to continuously improve our hotel and service for a more elevated hotel experience. We'll be delighted to welcome you back so we can provide you with a more refined hotel experience. Best, Kenneth F. Case Manager IHGService
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We checked out today, and had a good experience. overall.
The water park is awesome-it was perfect for my 3 kids aged 2, 4 & 6! However, first day there was no towels available. Also it was super crowded (rain day), and no one would share their tubes. The female employee at the top of the water slides was on her phone, and completely unattentive. The grill was nice, but slow service. The grill employee was friendly.
The room was nice. However, there was dirty sock under the couch, and in the bathroom the shower gel was completely empty. Also there was no fan in the bathroom. After 5 of us showered it was very steamy.
The breakfast situation is not good. You have to order by 10 pm on the night you arrive, and those are your selections for your stay. We were missing some items, and ate while sitting on the floor of the hotel room. Covid precautions are minimal now....if the waterpark can be open and crowded, so should the continental breakfast.
I like the location of the hotel, and all the nearby restaurants, and fun things to do. Overall would stay again.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHG Service, Owner at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
Responded Jul 22, 2021
Hi karleighs2014, Thank you for your stay and for posting a review of your hotel experience. I appreciate you highlighting our hotel location, room and water park. I am happy you enjoyed your time with us. We are committed to ease and make sure everything works well. I am sorry for the issues you encountered with the water park services, upkeep of the room, and breakfast situation. I have shared your valuable comments with the hotel management for review and service correction. Your insights are appreciated. We all look forward to having the opportunity of welcoming you back so we can provide you a better experience. Warmest regards, Zel N. Case Manager IHGService
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I checked in on 15 October, there are a lot of guests with kids because of the water park. My room was in the first floor, right above me was like a race track. I guess there were kids running around and it was already 8 pm. I went to the front desk and ask Dillon an told him about the noise, Dillon informed that he will call the room upstairs which he did, the noise stop. Thank you Dillon, he is very helpful and attentive to guess when you need something. Dillon is a great example of a caring employee for this hotel. Thank you Dillon! For caring the needs of the guess and keep up the great job. I know he cares for the guess needs. He also recognize your status once you checked in. Again thanks Dillon.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Don’t get the first floor during the weekend a lots of kids
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Thomas V, Owner at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
Responded Oct 18, 2023
Thank you Alex M for sharing your praise about our staff member at the Front Desk. He's a great example of the service we strive to provide. I will certainly pass on your praise. Safe Travels!
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Facility doesn’t deal well with occupancy. Short staffed revels in poor room cleanliness and acceptance. Integral build quality allows your to hear clear conversations of neighbors and floor noise from above brings fear of student living. Mold on the ADA bench in room, shower wand head broken, tub stopper stuck closed, shower rail hanging, chips in walls. Urine stains around toilet caulking. No ashtray facilities at exterior. Smokers in stairwells! Just not a rounded experience. Worst hotel dynamic my family have experienced in sometime. Would never return! If occupancy is high, avoid? Dinning incapable of operating respectfully at busy periods. Stayed at MTA week…. Dull, dark and depressingly dated.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Originally booked 3 nights while in town visiting family. We amended our stay after night #1! This hotel is located in a prime tourist location, but severely run down and needs HELP! It does have the waterpark, which we didn’t partake. Overall, it just felt grungy. The elevator was filthy. They need to get rid of the carpet due to the waterpark foot traffic, because the whole place smelled musty. The room was musty, as well. Our room was not clean. There was all kinds of “crumbs” and debris around the base bed. We decided to stay elsewhere for our remaining two nights. Pretty disappointing for a Holiday Inn property and for $200 a night. This was a one and done for us!
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from IHG Service, Owner at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
Responded Aug 31, 2020
Hi misssarahg, We welcome feedback from our valued guests like you. It is good to know you found our hotel location beneficial for your trip. We aim to exemplify a worry-free environment by providing a pleasant hotel experience and efficient services. I am sorry for any uneasiness you may have experienced because of the issues with the general upkeep of the hotel and the cleanliness standards of your room. We work hard to deliver an exceptional guest experience. Your overall comments are taken seriously, and I'll make sure to pass it to the relevant departments for their review and action. To discuss this further, I sent you a private message. I look forward to hearing from you. Best, Zel N. Case Manager IHGService
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We have a wedding planned for 10/2021. The bride and groom to be blocked rooms for the wedding guests. I tried 3 weeks prior to the wedding to book 2 rooms at the wedding room rate. The first call i made I was told the hotel is sold out. NO room available. I contacted the groom and asked him to call the Holiday Inn and request they release more rooms. He did and I was told to call and the rooms would be available. So I called and Laura took the reservation, and the credit card info. 3 minutes later she called me back and said "the manager said the room rate will not be honored because the due date was 2 weeks ago. But I could get a room for an additional $60.00! I again contacted the groom and shared what the result of the 2nd call was. The groom contacted the Holiday Inn himself and complained and the end result was for me to call yet a 3rd time. The front reservationist changed the rate on 2 rooms outside the wedding block. Its good to know that there many other lodging options in the area. Because I will not bother with this hotel ever again.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Thomas V, General Manager at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
Responded Sep 20, 2021
Thank you Anita1629 for your review on your booking experience. You are correct the wedding party had booked rooms at our facility to be booked by September 1st. At the time of booking 2 weeks had already passed and the block was not longer available. My apologies that the information was not communicated to you properly and there was confusion if we'd honor rates after the fact. I will work on coaching our team to ensure that we are giving everyone the same message. Safe Travels during the celebration, Thomas V Manager
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Heater in room didn't work at all, nor did the fan in the bathroom..
Not sure if interior walls are insulated could hear hallway noise all night plain as day.
Hot tubs are supposed be hot, this one was felt like jumping into lake superior..
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Date of stay: November 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do not stay here, it's quite run down, especially for what they charge. The staff was incredibly rude, gave very little information when checking in and was very put out anytime you dared ask a question. At least half the staff did not even bother to put on a mask! Half the guests were also walking around mask-less, which made it a very uncomfortable, and possibly dangerous, stay. They basically were not following ANY Covid protocol. This was the worst experience I've ever had in a hotel.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Thomas V, Owner at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
Responded May 12, 2021
Thank you nancybR8938VZ for your review. We are very sorry to hear about your thoughts on your previous stay with us, based on the information from your name we were able to pin point your stay and will make sure to do an investigation of the conditions of your room also masking for our staff. We are most certainly following all COVID19 protocols at our facility that is set forth by IHG that is through guidance with the CDC. Please be aware that masking while swimming is the only time people should not be masked. As the state does we do our best to encourage masking and safe practices of all our guests but have minimal ability to hire on security for that specific task due to staffing constraints in the current market. We will though certainly discipline all staff members as masking is part of their uniform while in risk of not being able to adhere to the 6 foot distance rule. We will continue to use commercial grade disinfectant in all rooms along with public areas, maintain our safe capacity limits, and ensure that we are enforcing the CDC guideline along with stay safe MN. Safe Travels, Thomas V Manager
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This hotel is also a waterpark, but we really didn't feel 'crowded' anywhere in lobby, eating room. Our room was plenty big, comfortable, clean, and bathroom especially very nice. Free breakfast was above the standard with many choices-all stocked and area clean. I forgot my coat in room when we checked out(locked door and handed key in)-Staff(Juan) very helpful in getting it out for me.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hotel was terrific: easy check-in/out, clean updated room, comfortable beds and pillows, good hot breakfast, and a fun waterpark and arcade. Our kids loved the lazy river and water slides, and it was nice to have a family hot tub option as well as an adults only hot tub. Location is excellent with great proximity to Nisswa and Brainerd. Rates were expensive during prime summer season, though 🤷♀️
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Baxter area.
PRICE RANGE
$141 - $210 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
holiday inn express hotel and suites brainerd-baxter, holiday inn baxter, baxter holiday inn, holiday inn express baxter
LOCATION
United StatesMinnesotaBaxter
NUMBER OF ROOMS
98
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES BRAINERD BAXTER AN IHG HOTEL - Updated 2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd Baxter an IHG hotel?
Nearby attractions include Three Bear Waterpark & Craguns Laser Tag (0.02 miles), Salvage Sisters, A Repurposed Store (0.2 miles), and Craguns Laser Tag and Three Bear Waterpark (0.01 miles).
