Ham Lake's Hidden Gem: AmericInn Review & Booking!

AmericInn by Wyndham Ham Lake Ham Lake (MN) United States

Ham Lake's Hidden Gem: AmericInn Review & Booking!

Ham Lake's Hidden Gem: AmericInn - A Review with Baggage (Metaphorically, and Surprisingly Literally)

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the murky, yet surprisingly comfortable, waters of the AmericInn in Ham Lake, Minnesota. This isn't your polished, PR-approved guidebook. This is my experience, warts and all, because let's be honest, who trusts those perfect reviews anyway?

First Impressions & the "Accessibility" Angle (and Why You Should REALLY Check on This Stuff)

Okay, so my first thought, after wrestling my suitcase (which, by the way, started exhibiting a weird "exploding seam" situation - more on that later) through the door was, "Wow, this place is…AmericInn." That's not a diss, more like an observation. It's exactly what you expect: clean, functional, and emanating a subtle scent of chlorine and, well, hotel.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. I always try to look at accessibility, you know? Gotta be mindful. The website said things (they always say things). The elevator was present and accounted for, which is a huge win for me. The hallways were wide enough for… well, for my suitcase to explode through at any moment, haha. Anyway, the actual rooms? I didn't specifically ask for a wheelchair-accessible room, so I didn't get one. Make sure to call, folks! The website claims "Facilities for disabled guests" but it’s always smart to call and clarify. It’s a little thing that saves a HUGE headache. So, yeah, A for effort on the accessibility front, AmericInn, but double-check your specific needs when booking. Don't rely on my anecdotal experience!

Room for Improvement (and My Exploding Luggage's Dramatic Debut)

Let's talk about the rooms! Yes, rooms. Available in all rooms! (duh). The rooms, in true AmericInn fashion, were… a room. Clean, yes. With "carpeting," yes (which, admittedly, does have a cozy factor). It had an "air conditioning" (bliss!). A "desk" that doubled as a potential laptop workspace. A "refrigerator," which I gleefully filled with… you guessed it: Diet Coke. There was FREE Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi [free]), thank the gods! Honestly, I need it.

The "extra long bed" was actually a delightful surprise. I’m a big person, and I often feel like I'm sleeping in a shoebox. This felt… roomy. The "slippers" were a nice touch, but honestly, I’m more of a "socks and no shoes" type of gal. But hey, they had them. And they had a "reading light." Which I appreciate, because I'm a bookworm. I even had a "hair dryer" – essential for avoiding the "wet dog look," and a "coffee/tea maker" (but I needed a LOT of coffee, so, to the nearby "Coffee shop" I went!)

NOW, about my suitcase. Dramatic, right? Well, while unpacking, I noticed a significant… uhm… "bulge" in my luggage. And not the good "after a delicious buffet" kind. Seam had busted, clothes spilled everywhere. A minor inconvenience, but it's the kind of thing that makes you feel like you are secretly "cursed." I had to call "dry cleaning." Thank god for the "ironing facilities," because I definitely needed it.

The "soundproofing?" Mmm, not perfect. I could hear the faint murmur of the TV from next door, but hey, it’s a hotel. You get used to sharing. I should have asked for those "soundproof rooms," but I didn’t think of it at the time. Damn.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Sort Of)

Okay, the food. This is where things get… interesting. Breakfast! The "Breakfast [buffet]" was… well, it was there. Eggs (questionable), sausage (possibly sentient?), and the standard continental fare. I'm not going to lie; I’ve had worse. The only real high point? The waffles. The waffle iron was my best friend. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant" was okay, but be prepared to grab a to-go cup.

There was also a "Snack bar". I didn't frequent it. The promise wasn't a strong one. I think that’s fair.

The "Restaurants" were… outside. Which really isn't the biggest issue. I mean, I'm there to travel. There were some "Asian cuisine in restaurant" somewhere. "Asian breakfast." I don’t know. I ate waffles. If you are looking for fine dining, I probably would not recommend the AmericInn.

Relaxation & Rejuvenation (Did Someone Say "Sauna"?!) Okay, here's where AmericInn sort of shines. I say sort of because my experience was… limited. There’s "Swimming pool [outdoor]"! But, hey, it’s Minnesota. I’m not a polar bear! I didn’t go!

The brochure promised a "Fitness center", which I poked my head into, but it was… well, it looked like it was built in the early 90s. I stuck with my normal, slightly less intense, routine of walking around the perimeter of the property and wondering if I’d be able to get an Uber back to the airport.

There's a "Spa/sauna", which I'm always up for. I mean, a "Sauna" is a sauna. But seriously: Check the hours, check the availability. I’ve learned my lesson. This time.

Cleanliness, Safety, and Staff (They're Trying, Bless 'Em)

I’m a stickler for cleanliness, especially these days. The rooms seemed clean. But seriously: call ahead to ensure your concerns are met. They had, according to the website, "Anti-viral cleaning products" and staff obviously trained in "Safety protocol". The website claimed "Rooms sanitized between stays," so that was a plus.

The staff were friendly, bless their little hearts. The "front desk [24-hour]" folks were helpful. And the "doorman," well, he wasn't actually a doorman (this is Ham Lake, not the Ritz!), but they were friendly people. They were polite. "Daily disinfection in common areas," so that’s great. "Cashless payment service", a good thing as well.

The Little Things & Random Rambles

There’s a lot of "services and conveniences" listed. Here are some of the details:

• "Air conditioning in public area," a good thing.
• They have a "Business facilities."
• There’s even a "Concierge." (But no concierge, I think.)
• "Invoice provided," a great thing!
• "Laundry service," a plus!
• "Luggage storage," definitely a plus, given my suitcase situation.
• "Safety deposit boxes," smart!
• "Smoking area," sure, if you need it!
• "Terrace," a nice thing!
• "Car park [free of charge]" and "*Car park [on-site]" – Awesome!
• "Air conditioning" and "Alarm clock"
• There are, in the rooms: "Additional toilet," "Desk," "Alarm clock"  and "Wake-up service."

Now, for the kids. I did notice they had "Kids facilities". If you have kids, you should go. I don’t!

I thought about the "Family/child friendly" status.

My Verdict: It's No Ritz, But It's Fine (Maybe)

Look, the AmericInn in Ham Lake is not going to win any awards for luxury or design. But it's clean, it's functional, and it provides a perfectly acceptable place to lay your weary head. Just be prepared to manage your expectations, double-check accessibility if needed, and maybe bring your own waffle toppings.

My Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5 exploding suitcases. Would I stay again? Maybe. The waffles were really good. And the staff was so nice. Plus, it’s got that certain… charm. It has a certain "AmericInn-ness" I can't deny.

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AmericInn by Wyndham Ham Lake Ham Lake (MN) United States

Okay, buckle in, buttercups. This isn't some polished travel brochure, it's a real-life, slightly-off-kilter adventure at the AmericInn by Wyndham in Ham Lake, Minnesota. My goal? To survive. And maybe, just maybe, find a good cup of coffee.

Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic

• 1:00 PM: Landed at MSP. Ooof. Travel always hits me like a freight train. I swear I packed everything… except maybe my sanity. The drive up to Ham Lake was… well, it was Minnesota. Lots of trees. And lakes. Pretty, sure, but after a coast-to-coast flight, my brain's still yelling, "WHERE ARE THE PALM TREES?!"
• 2:30 PM: Check-in at the AmericInn. Okay, first impression: Kind of beige. VERY beige. Like, a beige-on-beige apocalypse. BUT the lobby smells faintly of chlorine and waffles, which oddly, is comforting. The front desk clerk, bless her heart, had that Midwestern friendliness mastered. She practically radiated niceness. Made me feel momentarily better, even though I was convinced I'd forgotten to pack underwear. (Turns out, I didn't. Victory!)
• 3:00 PM: Room check. The room itself? Clean. Functional. Predictable. Again, beige. But the AC works. That's a win in my book. Pro-tip: Always check the AC, especially if you're, you know, prone to spontaneous combustion.
• 3:30 PM: Attempt to unpack. Failed miserably. My suitcase exploded. Clothes everywhere. This is going to be a long trip.
• 4:00 PM: Pool check. Yes! The pool. I needed that. It was more… tepid than I would have liked. But the kids were having fun splashing around, so I just went with it.

Day 2: The Coffee Quest & Unexpected Bingo

• 7:00 AM: The coffee situation. This is critical. The in-room coffee maker? A plastic death trap. I ventured forth, fueled by caffeine desperation. Found a gas station down the road. Coffee passable. (I am not a coffee snob, but I swear it tasted like burnt pennies.)
• 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The "complimentary breakfast" was… an experience. Scrambled eggs vaguely resembling rubber, a sad pile of pre-packaged pastries, and watery orange juice. I opted for a piece of toast and a banana.
• 9:00 AM: Went to the park, Ham lake park. I was expecting to go, spend some time, relax, get some nice pictures. But the humidity was high and the mosquitoes were like tiny, bloodthirsty vampires. I lasted 30 minutes.
• 1:00 PM: I stumbled upon a local diner called "The Cozy Corner" for lunch. The food was alright, nothing to send home about, but the atmosphere was pure small-town charm. The waitress called me "honey," and I genuinely smiled.
• 7:00 PM: I was bored. And I saw the hotel held bingo. I don't know why I did it. I've never played bingo. But there I was. The crowd was a mix of retirees, families, and me, the bewildered tourist. The caller had a booming voice, numbers flying. And… I almost won. Lost by one number. Heartbreak. But hey, I got a free bag of chips.
• 8:30 PM: Sat on my bed, staring at the TV. I felt lonely.

Day 3: Retail Therapy & The Burger Revelation

• 9:00 AM: More coffee. More desperation. This time, a slightly better gas station. Progress!
• 10:00 AM: The outlet mall beckoned. I needed to buy something, anything, to feel like I wasn't just existing. Bought a new scarf. And a weird t-shirt. I'm easily influenced.
• 1:00 PM: Lunch. The food truck arrived. I ordered hamburger and fries. It was a revelation. One of the best burgers of my life! I ate it quickly, with a guilty pleasure.
• 3:00 PM: Return to The Cozy Corner for pie and coffee.

Day 4: Departure & The Beige Goodbye

• 7:00 AM: Final coffee run. It was starting to taste slightly less like burnt pennies.
• 7:30 AM: Check out. Said goodbye to the beige.
• 8:30 AM: The end. I leave the AmericInn with a strange mix of relief and nostalgia. This was not some luxurious escape, but it was an experience. I saw a different side of life. And maybe, just maybe, I'm a little bit better for it.

Final Thoughts:

The AmericInn Ham Lake? Not glamorous. Not life-changing. But it was… a place. And in its own quirky, slightly beige way, it helped me survive for a few days. And for that, I'm grateful. And hey, at least I didn't forget my underwear.

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Ham Lake's AmericInn: The Good, The Bad, and the Maybe-Worth-It? (A Messy FAQ)

Okay, spill the tea. Is the AmericInn in Ham Lake *actually* a "Hidden Gem"? I've seen some pretty questionable gems in my time.

Look, "Hidden Gem" is a *strong* term, okay? Let's just say it's... *present*. Think of it less as a glittering pirate's hoard and more like... a comfy shoe you find in your closet that fits just right, even though it's slightly scuffed. It's... functional. It might surprise you. Honestly, I went in expecting beige misery, the kind where the wallpaper's seen better decades. And… it's not *that* bad! But it *is* Ham Lake, so adjust your expectations accordingly. This isn't the Ritz, people. This is where you crash after a long day of... well, whatever people *do* in Ham Lake. (I'm still trying to figure that out.)

Let's talk about the rooms. Are they clean? I'm a germaphobe, and the thought of questionable bed linens is my personal nightmare.

Okay, listen. Clean? Well, my standards are... evolving. They're certainly *tidier* than my own apartment after a particularly rough week. I'd give it a solid... B-minus on the cleanliness scale. I'm not talking hospital-grade sterility, mind you. You *might* find a stray hair or two. I *did* find a tiny, suspiciously-shaped black mark on the headboard during my last stay. I'm choosing to believe it’s a coffee stain, not… well, not something else. But the sheets *felt* clean. They smelled... faintly of bleach, which is my personal signal that the linens are at least *trying*. Honestly, if you’re truly terrified of germs, bring your own sanitizing wipes. I’m not gonna guarantee anything. I'm just a person, not a hotel inspector. And I’m a relatively *lenient* judge of cleanliness, I'll admit.

The Breakfast. Tell me about the breakfast! Is it the standard sad continental spread? Because I need something to live on.

The breakfast... *sigh*. Yes, it's the standard, but… with a *twist*. The twist being… it's *slightly* better than you anticipate. They had… waffle makers! And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love making a waffle, even if it comes out slightly… oddly shaped? The fruit was surprisingly fresh one day. The next, it was… slightly past its prime. One day the eggs looked suspiciously yellow, like they *might* be real. The next, I was pretty sure they were from a powdered mix. It’s a gamble, folks. A breakfast roulette! Just... don't expect gourmet; expect sustenance. And possibly, a slightly burnt waffle. Embrace the imperfections! That’s the Ham Lake way! Don’t forget to grab extra cereal, because you *know* you'll need a pre-lunch snack after you've seen all of Ham Lake.

What about the pool? Is it actually a pool or a glorified bathtub?

The pool? Okay, this is where things get interesting. Let me paint a picture. Picture… a fairly small, indoor pool. Picture… a slightly chilly atmosphere. Picture… kids. Lots and lots of kids. And maybe (and this is purely speculative, mind you) a faint aroma of chlorine mixed with… something else. I don’t know what that something else was, but it was… there. I took a quick dip once, and I wouldn’t say it was a *highlight* of my life, but... it was there. It's a pool. It's functional. But don't expect Olympic-sized lane swimming. Think more… splashing zone suitable for small children. And maybe avoid it during peak hours. Trust me. Trust me on this one.

I've heard AmericInns can be a bit… noisy. Truth?

Oh, absolutely. *Absolutely*. The acoustics are… questionable. You *will* hear your neighbors. You'll hear them slamming doors. You'll hear them talking. You'll hear the kids screaming (probably from the pool). You might even hear… other things. Okay, I *did* hear… *someone*… practicing the tuba late one night. Tuba practice. In a Ham Lake AmericInn. I swear. I swear! So, pack earplugs. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, bring your own horn and join the symphony! But seriously, noise is a definite factor. It's part of the charm, I guess? (I'm still debating that.)

Parking? Is parking a nightmare? (Because I *hate* circling for parking.)

Parking? Surprisingly, no. Parking is not a nightmare. There's generally *plenty* of parking. It's… abundant. I think I saw more parking spaces than guests once. Maybe everyone was at the… uh… *attractions* of Ham Lake. Whatever those might be. So, yes, you're good on parking. You can park your car, your monster truck, your… whatever vehicle you’re driving. No problems there. Another plus!

How's the staff? Do they seem… friendly? Or are they just going through the motions?

The staff… well, they're… *present*. They're not the super-enthusiastic Disney World cast members, but they're generally… okay. I've had some interactions that leaned toward genuinely helpful, and some that felt a bit more… perfunctory. It depends on the day, I guess. And maybe on *your* attitude. Be polite, be patient, and don’t expect miracles. One time, I needed extra towels, and the front desk guy looked like he'd just woken up, but he got them for me. So hey, I'd say they're trying. Mostly. They're *almost* friendly!

Booking! How do I actually *book* this… experience? Any insider tips?

Booking... Well, you have the usual options. Online travel sites, the AmericInn website... You know the drill. My *personal* tip? Call them directly. Sometimes, you get a better deal. *Sometimes*. And sometimes, you get to chat with someone who might be able to answer some of your more… *specific* questions. LikeOcean By H10 Hotels

AmericInn by Wyndham Ham Lake Ham Lake (MN) United States

AmericInn by Wyndham Ham Lake Ham Lake (MN) United States

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