Ho-Chunk Gaming and Resort, Baraboo, WI Review

 

My wife and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary this weekend and decided to change things up a bit by having an overnight trip out of town. As luck would have it, there was a Michael Jackson tribute concert at Ho-Chunk Gaming and Resort in Baraboo, WI so we decided to go there.

We've been here before, but the last time was when they were still going through a major remodel. Unfortunately, our most recent stay wasn't as enjoyable as we were hoping.

To start, for the record, yes, we did gamble at the casino and did not do very well on the slot machines. However, we also went to the casino fully expecting that as a possibility and because of that, kept to a very strict limit on what we were willing to lose. So, as far as that is concerned, it wasn't a positive nor a negative as far as my overall opinion is concerned.

I'll start out with the good. The concert, which featured tribute artist Barry Dean, was better than expected. The sound quality probably could have been a bit better, but it was entertaining and free, other than the $5 we spent on the autograph.

The hotel left me with mixed opinions. The room was spacious and had a balcony, all for about $150/night after tax, which I thought was reasonable. I also thought it was reasonably quiet, unlike so many other hotels we've stayed at.

That said, the room was also somewhat dark, even with all the lamps turned on. Plus, the balcony didn't offer any sort of view, just of a small yard and other balconies. So, while a slight upgrade versus other hotels, wasn't as special as it originally seemed.

The bed was one of the more comfortable hotel beds I have slept in. It did, however, only have one think sheet on it, which proved not to be enough to keep us warm. Had I known that was going to be the case, I would have requested additional blankets when I checked in.

The hotel also does not have a complimentary breakfast. Instead, there is Wo Zah Wa Lounge, where you can purchase coffee and things like Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches (the same ones they sell in grocery stores). The food, admittedly, wasn't too expensive but it did seem a bit tacky, especially since most cheaper hotels offer better quality food for free (and aren't supplementing their incomes with a casino).

One of my biggest complaints about the overall resort was the layout. The hotel is on one end and the restaurants, other than the previously mentioned Wo Zah Wa and Copper Oaks (which required reservations and was outside our price range), are on the other end, on the far side of the casino. We ended up with a whole lot of walking this weekend as a result, much more than we would have expected at a casino.

There also wasn't a whole lot to do when we weren't at the 90-minute concert or in the casino (the latter was maybe a half hour total because we did VERY bad at the slot machines). Actually, let me correct that, there wasn't anything to do, other than maybe swimming and neither of us brought our suits or were interested in being in a crowded pool. The resort itself is also somewhat isolated, with only Baraboo Candy Company (which we went to before going home) and a couple convenience stores nearby. 

Yes, we could have hopped in the car and been in either Wisconsin Dells or Baraboo in a matter of minutes, but it would have been nice to have had an option that didn't require that, especially since there was plenty of unused space for a video arcade, escape room, movie theater or various other options. Frankly, we were getting kind of bored waiting for the concert and regretted not bringing our Nintendo Switch with us.

Final Opinion: We didn't hate our experience and, if all you're looking to do is gamble, then this is as good of a place as any. However, while I wouldn't rule out visiting again, it wouldn't be another overnight stay.

My Grade: C

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Here are some other travel reviews:

Wisconsin Maritime Museum (Manitowoc, WI)

The Inn at Long Beach (Long Beach, Mississippi)

Museum of Wisconsin Art (West Bend, WI)

EAA Aviation Museum (Oshkosh, WI)