Great Wolf Lodge: Profiled Destination

Great Wolf Lodge = Fun + Safe + Memorable

The Great Wolf Lodge is a winning combination of Fun for all ages, from babies to grandparents; Safe in the water under the eagle eyes of numerous lifeguards; and Memorable for special occasions. The only site in the West Coast at Grand Mound, Washington was our destination for a combined First Communion for my daughter and Mother's Day weekend. In fact our family had such a wonderful time, that this trip inspired me to start a series of Profiled Destinations for my readers.

Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Fun Times

As a full service family resort, you don't have to leave the lodge to play, relax and eat.

Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Play: At the indoor water park open exclusively to hotel guests, they have many choices for all ages: 6 slides, from tame ones to exhilarating rides; 3 pools including a wave pool; a waterfort where a bucket full of 1,000 gallons of water is released on a regular basis; and indoor and outdoor hot tubs.

Relax: Adventures for the kids in all of us, from a Junior Lifeguard Program, MagiQuest, a Renaissance fantasy game equipped with wands like in Harry Potter, and an exclusive area for teens to hang out. There's Bingo, Story Time, and the Spa for adults and their tweens.

My favorite was the wave pool. It reminded me of body surfing in Hawaii. My kids really enjoyed the MagiQuest game. In fact, we took a break for lunch at the nearby small city of Centralia, and came back to the Lodge to continue the game.

The Wave Pool: Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

MagiQuest game: Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Eat: We had pizza and wings on our first night which took 15 minutes from order to delivery, so we can maximize our time at the waterpark which closed at 9pm, and to play the MagiQuest game up to 10pm. Note: Playing in the waterpark and going on the MagiQuest wand adventure is a workout, so having a Starbucks on site was handy for the parents. To please the kids, they have ice cream and sweets. Plus, beer was available inside the waterpark to quench the thirst of the adults.


Safe

Throughout our stay, families of all sizes, shapes and color were mingling around the grand lobby and up and down the stairs. On our first night, my husband and I accompanied the kids on their MagiQuest game. By the following morning, we felt completely at ease to allow them to go on their adventure along with the other children roaming the Lodge. There were always people to get assistance from, and the crowd was courteous to one another. It gave us an opportunity to relax in the huge lobby filled with comfortable chairs and sofas.

Hotel Lobby: Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

In the waterpark, I was so impressed by the diligence of the lifeguards. Each guard had a small territory he/she oversaw, and did it so professionally, looking to their right, then the left of their "territory" with their eagle eyes. I never felt so safe in a public pool ever!

Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Memorable

Since it was Mother's Day, we had to try out the breakfast buffet. I was pleasantly surprised! The food was quite good from the made-to-order omelets, strawberry smoothie and a nice selection of fresh fruit. In fact the coffee was so delicious with my soy milk that I stayed behind for another two cups, while my family went to the waterpark.

Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge 

What made this weekend trip to the Great Wolf Lodge memorable was the Quality. From the soft absorbent towels to the decor of the room. Our room had a bunk bed "cabin style" equipped with a tv for the kids. In an adjourning area, separated by a wall was our Queen bed, fireplace, sofa bed, a small dining table alongside a kitchen area equipped with a medium sized fridge and microwave.

Great Wolf Lodge had the amenities, which made it so convenient for a family getaway. And great customer service too. We can't wait to return.

Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Insider Secret Tips:

1. You can invite up to 6 guests to use the waterpark with a "Day Pass" as long as you have stayed overnight.

2. Check in before the designated check in time. You are allowed to use the waterpark even if your room is not ready.

3. You have 4 days to use the wand for the MagiQuest game. And, the wands are your take home souvenirs, which can be reused on your next visit.

4. Come back to the Lodge and play the MagiQuest game without having to stay overnight. Having the wand allows you to start the game wherever you left off.

5. Request a late check out. One extra hour means one additional hour at the waterpark and having a shower at the privacy of your own bathroom instead of the locker room.