The Black Hawk is a family owned motel that started out as a small cottage park. The second generation owners (Dick and Shirley) put vast amounts of time, money and effort into upgrading and maintaining the motel. Now, the third generation (Brad and Tena) and their excellent employees carry on the tradition, keeping this quiet little motel a best-in-class example of how to run such an establishment.
I'd like to say that the Black Hawk is the best kept secret in The Dells. But, with the advent of internet reviews, this isn't true any longer. They're not a secret anymore. And people are learning why my family have been repeat visitors to this motel for well over 40 years.
When you pull up, the motel seems to be something straight out of the late 50's or early 60's. A nice, relaxing atmosphere that puts you in mind of a simpler time.
Then you step into the office to check in. For such a "little" place, it's an impressive office. Quite comfortable and welcoming. You get a friendly face behind the counter with a wealth of knowledge about the area and the goings-on. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
You receive a real key (none of this plastic swipe card nonsense) to your unit, your welcome packet and any information you need for your stay.
All parking is in front of the unit you're staying in (during busy season this can present a problem for multi-car travelers sharing a room, if you're going this route call ahead so they can make arrangements for you).
If you're just using the motel as a stop-over or seeing the sights, pretty much any unit on the property, even the more distant ones, will serve you just fine. All their units are clean, well-kept. Each unit has, at minimum, a small kitchenette with a microwave, mini refrigerator and a coffee maker. The bathrooms are spotless and all of them have a gel soap dispenser for those who wish to shower in their room before going to the pool, as opposed to using the shower room at the indoor pool area.
If you're there to relax and socialize with your fellow travelers, call ahead and ask about pool-side rooms (especially in the cooler off-season). Most of the rooms are fairly spacious, however, some of the rooms (mainly the ones sporting triple beds), can feel a bit cramped (then again YOU HAVE THREE BEDS IN THERE!) Roll-away beds are available for most units if needed. When making reservations, it's always a good idea to call once you receive your confirmation. This way you can let them know about any special needs well ahead of time, and they can have everything prepared in advance.
Both pool areas are excellent. The outdoor pool varies between 3 and 9 feet. There's also a shallow kiddie pool in the fenced-in outdoor area too.
The indoor pool area is where the sauna, whirlpool and a shower are located at. The indoor pool varies between 3 and 6 feet. Lots of chairs and a towel dispensary at each end of the pool.
Just outside the indoor pool is a billiards and video game area. And the pool hours, even now, are still some of the latest in The Dells.
The hotel is within walking distance of Downtown Dells (about 4 blocks due west). The nearest restaurant is Mitzi's, which is less than half a block east of the hotel, across the street on the main drag.
If you're staying for several days on a budget (and/or with young children), there's a modest supermarket, Zinkes, about half a mile due west, and units with full kitchens available. On top of that, there's a grill area just outside of the on-premises laundry area (right by the pools). Charcoal and lighter fluid are available at the front desk. There are also vending machines for quickie snacks as well.
Again, this is NOT one of the mega-hotels that are going up in the area south of The Dells. And that's a Good Thing! You don't have to put up with the hassles of large hotel life.
This is a quiet little corner off of Downtown Wisconsin Dells where you can just sit back, relax and not have to worry if your kids are out of sight for more than a minute.
You can check the various travel sites for deals and the like, but your best bet at getting the room you need at a decent price is to hit the website and use their new registration system to pick a room (and again, once you get confirmation, call and discuss any additional needs/wants). In season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), prices are fairly reasonable. Off season, they're a downright steal! So, if you want to plan a short getaway, and you're not terribly picky about when, look at dates in mid-May and mid-September when the weather's still good, though keep in mind that several large conventions come through in late September and early October.
The best piece of advice I can give you for staying at The Black Hawk? Talk to the staff/owners. They're Dells natives and have a VAST wealth of knowledge to help simplify your trip. Moreover, they're great people who will bust their butts to make your stay as accommodating as possible. read more