August 2, 2021
Themed Hotel Rooms That Take You to Africa, the Circus, Mythical Greece, a Wolf Den and More
Whether you’re a kid or kid at heart, overnighting at Wisconsin hotels with themed rooms is just more fun, and we have at least a dozen places in Wisconsin Dells to prove it.
With so many themed hotels in Wisconsin, we thought it would be helpful to organize this list by type of travel group. So, look below and see which one would best suit your crew.
Themed Hotel Rooms for Families with Toddlers
- Great Wolf Lodge: This is heaven for toddlers, with all the cute character appearances and bedtime stories in the lobby, and of course the waterpark with its Fort Mackenzie treehouse. Reserve the Wolf Den Suite with an in-suite, cave-themed bunk bed sleeping area.
- Wilderness Resort: The Northwoods theme of this resort is so well done, from the multiple indoor and outdoor waterparks to the new Camp Social restaurant with coffee canteen, burger bar, and candy cabin. You could say all the rooms are themed here, whether you stay at the main hotel, or Glacier Canyon, or Wilderness on the Lake, or one of their large cabins, with interior décor that transports you to a Northwoods experience. Think antler chandeliers, log staircases, stone fireplaces, and sink-in leather chairs.
- Mt. Olympus Resort: Take a trip back in time to ancient Greece where mythical gods ruled the waters and sky. Massive wall murals set the tone in all the guest rooms. The Grecian theme can be clearly seen throughout the water and theme parks where aptly named slides and rides have become area landmarks, the Trojan Horse Go-Kart Track and Hades 360 being two of the most popular.
- Meadowbrook Resort: This classic resort delights little ones with its logging camp theme, where geysers gush at the Mount Gushmore water playland and slides and sprays at the Baby Bears Bubbling Brook are sized just right. For overnight accommodations, the Tall Timber Lodge with its high log ceilings and a crackling fire in the lobby will make you feel like you’ve just stepped foot in one of those great historic timber lodges at a national park. The Bunkhouse Suite is a kid-favorite with a “cabin within the suite” just for the little ones.
- Natura Treescape Resort: What kid hasn’t dreamed of sleeping in a treehouse! The treehouse units here have modern amenities including air conditioning, microwave, and fridge. You can also rent a tiny home here. All rim the natural lagoon with a white sand beach and water kept crystal clear using self-cleansing wetland bog principles instead of chemicals.
- Yogi Bear’s Camp-Resort & Water Playground: Kids still love the Yogi Bear cartoon characters that debuted in the 1950s. Ask for a Yogi Bear themed campsite, bungalow, cabin, or chalet. Even the water playground is themed to those lovable characters.
Themed Hotel Rooms for Families with Tweens and Teens
- Kalahari Resort & Conventions: The owners of this resort bring the magic of Africa to their guests, sourcing African products that support local artists and craftsmen during their many trips to the African continent. Their love of Africa translates through all the guest rooms and public spaces with custom-crafted artwork, furniture, recorded music, and original crafts. Make time to explore the Zambezi Outdoor Waterpark and the indoor waterpark too with the famous Sahar Sidewinders and Tanzanian Twister waterslides.
- Chula Vista Resort: For a feel of the Aztec empire, trek to Chula Vista Resort and thrill to the Flyan Mayan Water Coaster at the Lost Rios indoor waterpark. For a theme change-up, stay in one of the new H.H. Bennett Guest Rooms with artwork by Bennett, a pioneer of landscape photography and the man credited with making Wisconsin Dells famous.
- Woodside Ranch: The most favored accommodations at this Wisconsin version of an out-west dude ranch are the rustic log cabins nestled throughout the property. They’re pet-friendly too. There’s also the Ranch House, which puts you close to The Trading Post and the dining hall (the dinner bell ringing is your cue to head to the hall for a family-style, home-cooked meal).
Wisconsin Hotels with Themed Rooms for Couples on Getaway
- Atlantis Family Waterpark Hotel: A must stay for all the water bugs in your family. Reserve the Mermaid Whirlpool Suite, Roman Palace Suite or the Tropical Volcano Suite for a true water-themed adventure. All guests are granted access to three on-site waterparks: AquaKingdom, Coral Reef and Volcano Island (seasonal).
- Cliffside Resort: Perched above Lake Delton, this family-owned property has all the charm of an eastern European seaside resort. It starts with the entrance sign and the word “Witomy” which means “Welcome” in Polish. The hand-painted flower designs on the building feature the szarotka, a protected species of Polish mountain flower. Enjoy the outdoor pool, bonfire pits, sandy beach, and paved walking path that runs the full circumference of Lake Delton
- Ringling House B&B: Yes, that Ringling family of circus fame. More specifically, the family of Charles Ringling originally lived in this home, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Georgian Revival in Baraboo (Baraboo was the winter headquarters for the Ringling Brothers Circus) has all the flourishes you’d expect of a grand residence, including some of the original furnishings and finishes. Each of the six rooms, all exceptionally well appointed, offers a different glimpse into the life of the Ringling family and circus culture.
- Thunder Valley Inn: An overnight at this farmstead will make you feel as though you’re in Scandinavia of old without leaving the states. Thunder Valley Inn is located just outside Wisconsin Dells in Newport Township, an area originally settled by Norwegian immigrants, including the ancestors of the Nelson family who own the inn. The Nelsons continue to maintain that rich heritage with great food, lodging, and even entertainment at their farm dinner shows. Ask for the Norskevalley Room with a lovely antique Norwegian desk.
- Seth Peterson Cottage: To call this a themed hotel room is a misnomer, we concede. Still, it deserves a place on this list for Frank Lloyd Wright fans who would jump at the chance to spend a night in one of his iconic properties. This pretty little cottage feels bigger than its square footage thanks to a soaring wedge roofline that leads your eye to the sky above and Mirror Lake below.