Business Details
About
HotelWedding VenueBusiness Meeting LocationsHoliday Inn Express
Enjoy Our Brainerd, MN Hotel's Central LocationWhile in Brainerd, MN, patrons lodging with us enjoy excellent amenities like free Wi-Fi access, as well as a great location near major businesses and attractions. The Holiday Inn Express® Brainerd - Baxter Hotel is nestled in the heart of Minnesota, best known for its beautiful lakes and awesome outdoor recreation.Corporate travelers appreciate our modern facilities, which boast an on-site Business Center with print, copy and fax services and a 975-sq-ft meeting room. We are near St. Joseph's Medical Center, and numerous businesses, including Costco and Mill Motors, also call Baxter, MN home.Our hotel's guests enjoy access to Three Bear Water Park, our on-site water park that boasts everything from a lazy river to a 1,000-gallon dumping bucket. Water Park hours are seasonal. Please call for hours. Check out the area's other attractions, including Brainerd International Raceway and Legacy Golf Course at Craguns. During the spring and summer the area boasts over 400 miles of well-kept biking and hiking trails.After a busy day in Brainerd, MN, guests lodging with us can order an excellent meal from Three Bear Grill or spend the evening in the on-site arcade. "Stay Smart" while you're in Baxter, MN and enjoy our hotel's complimentary, hot Express Start Breakfast Bar, which features such items as scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and fruit.
Location
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd-Baxter by IHG
15739 Audubon Way, Baxter, MN
56425, United States
Hours
Reviews
4.2
942 reviews
5 stars
522
4 stars
247
3 stars
87
2 stars
35
1 star
51
What are people saying?
AI-generated from recent customer reviews
Cleanliness
Many customers praised the cleanliness of the rooms and hotel facilities, although some noted areas needing maintenance.
Staff Service
The staff received high marks for friendliness and helpfulness, with specific mentions of individual employees going above and beyond.
Water Park Experience
While the water park was a highlight for many families, several reviews mentioned issues with water temperature and maintenance.
Breakfast Quality
Breakfast options were frequently criticized for being limited and not up to standard, with some guests expressing disappointment.
Noise Levels
Several guests reported issues with noise from other guests, particularly in the evenings, affecting their overall experience.
- JMJessica MeyenburgJan 2, 20265.0Great clean rooms, awesome support and help. The water park is perfect for kiddos. It has enough fun areas but isn’t too big and overwhelming. Closes from 3-4 each day.
- POPedrito OrozcoJan 2, 20261.0Esta gente es bien. Cochina todo el cuarto huele a vómito
- JJJohnClark JarbiDec 29, 20251.0The manager or whoever it was was extremely rude and humiliating, I felt that I was being racially profiled by her. The man who works at the front desk overnights is absolutely lovely and helped me stay safe in my travels during the snow storms. I will not be back.
- MFMatt FormanDec 11, 20252.0Note: I didn't use the water park, I was here on work travel. Rooms are somewhat dated. Bathrooms need updating, they're showing their age. Beds are so-so, again showing their age. Location is fine, near a bunch of restaurants/shops. The walls between rooms are so thin I can hear each neighbor constantly (one snoring, one with kids visiting the water park). Hotel cleaning staff was great, no complaints there.
- JHJenna HessOct 18, 20253.0We stayed here Thursday October 16th, 2025 and checked out Sunday Oct 19th, 2025 in room 346. The rooms are nice. However the price of the room is not worth it if youre here solely to enjoy an indoor waterpark. This is our 2nd time here. The 1st time the heaters in the waterpark were broken (spring 2025), so we let it slide and decided to give it another try with coming up for MEA break for a mini get away. The waterpark would be warm if it weren't for the staff propping open the outside doors all day long letting out the warm air and bringing in the colder outside air. The kiddie area with the kids slide and water spouts were freezing. The pool water was cold. We will not be back as its hard to enjoy the waterpark when you're trying to stay warm. The hotel values the comfort of their staff over the comfort of the guests trying to enjoy the waterpark. They allow the doors to be propped open for their staff to cool off according to the front desk staff. I mean how much cooling off do the staff need when you have guests comfortably sitting around the waterpark in sweatshirts and long pants? The staff are in shorts and a tshirt I mean who wants to go to an indoor waterpark with freezing cold water and cold air temperatures? My daughter was an icicle after going down the kiddie slide a couple of times with how cold the water is. When I attempted to address the front desk about the issues on 2 different occassions during our stay, they were very dismissive both times and could of cared less. Only gave excuses pf preventing overheating thatas occurred in the past. Sure i can see overheating in the middle of the summer when its 80-90 degrees outside, but when its 50s outside and barely 70 degrees inside pretty sure the heaters are not going to overheat and the doors dont need to be propped open all day. When i explained the doors had been propped starting at 10am and didnt get closed until I and others found the pool manager around 1:30pm. The response i got was ok have a good day. No apology or anything. Just have a good day. Very poor guest service. We will not be staying here again. We will spend our money elsewhere that has a warm indoor waterpark that we can comfortably enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd-Baxter by IHG
What time can I check in and check out at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd-Baxter?
Check-in time is at 3:00 PM and check-out time is at 11:00 AM.
Does the hotel offer free breakfast?
Yes, the hotel offers a complimentary hot Express Start Breakfast Bar including buffet breakfast options such as scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, and fruit.
Are pets allowed at the hotel?
Yes, both cats and dogs are welcome at the hotel as pets are allowed.
What amenities are available at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brainerd-Baxter?
Amenities include free Wi-Fi, a business center, a fitness center with elliptical and free weights, an indoor pool with lifeguard, hot tub, sauna (not available), room service, gift shop, laundry service, and a water park on-site.
Is the hotel accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Yes, the hotel is mobility accessible and has an elevator and accessible parking available for free.
Does the hotel have enhanced sanitation and cleaning protocols?
Yes, the hotel uses commercial-grade disinfectants, cleans guest rooms and common areas thoroughly, removes high-touch items where possible, offers sanitizer, and staff are trained in cleaning and hand washing procedures. Contactless check-in and check-out are also available.
Does the hotel allow kids to stay for free?
Yes, kids up to 19 years old can stay free at the hotel, making it kid-friendly.
What nearby attractions can guests visit during their stay?
Guests can visit Three Bear Waterpark, Brainerd International Raceway, and Legacy Golf Course at Craguns, which provide fun activities nearby.
Are there any nearby restaurants close to the hotel?
Yes, guests can dine at nearby restaurants such as Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que and Boulder Tap House for barbecue and American-style meals.
Where can guests go for fitness or wellness near the hotel?
Guests can visit Crossfit Grow gym, Great North Pilates studio, Infiniti Med Spa, Glow medical spa, and other wellness centers nearby for fitness and relaxation.