Outdoors Inn at Balsam Lake

"It is an absolutely disgusting little motel with no on-site employees that hooks you with false advertisement and turns a $98 one night stay at a dingy little trap hole into a $383 lesson. The place was not ready (as promised) to check in for nearly 45 minutes after we showed up. The passcode they gave us didn't work and the lady on the phone tried to pass it off like she was "changing the keypad code" when in reality she hadn't done a thing. The new code? The one that's supposed to keep out people while we're gone to our event? It was 0000. So, obviously they don't value your security while staying with them and have no idea how to remotely control their own security. At this delightful little trash pile you can expect: -Fecal matter smeared over the light switch and on the inside of the door to the bathroom -Blood on the unwashed sheets -Snot and some other fluids smeared on pillows and the curtain - Stained towels and washcloths, also with the smattering of blood -Critters scrabbling around in the walls and the cupboards -A shower wall peeling off with the beginnings of black mold growing -Their 24/7 phone number being absolutely ignored after 4 pm I tried to call them regarding all these issues. No one picked up during normal business hours after calling about the key code, and because we weren't able to get in for 45 minutes we were in a rush to make the event we had rented the room for. Before all of this we had requested a single room with a single bed, but were told that they were completely full up and only had a two bed (the advertisement claims you can fit five people to sleep in there) room to accommodate us. Surprise, surprise, the only other people we saw are entire stay were another group that went to the same event. Literally two cars in the parking lot the entire time. When I contacted them about a refund for the absolutely abhorrent state of the motel room, I received an email three or four days later telling me I would be refunded a $50 cleaning fee. I wonder how I can get a refund for a service that hasn't even been provided, but management was eager to pass it off on their housekeeping crew instead of taking responsibility for a poorly run establishment. This place is an absolute bait and switch scam with disgusting accommodations. I guess it's in the name-- the outdoors will be in your room. Shame on these owners."

"If I could rate my experience with this hotel, it would be all negative. Completely false advertising and very disappointing, it started with seeing this place on their website and taking a chance on booking a room for a night. When we got there, the place was a ghost town and not at ALL what the pictures represented of this hotel it was very run down and all around dirty inside and out. When we opened up the room door, it was dark inside and looked like it had not been stayed in for months. The floors were filthy little or no furniture to sit at. The room sink was on a makeshift counter and placed next to the bed, the bathroom was gross standing puddles on the floor with moldy tile in a shower that I would not get into if you paid me too. Basically, we tried to call the property owner or manager and got the run around. They kept our 220 dollars it was nonrefundable, she said. Complete joke. There are so many better run establishments to stay at DON'T waste your time or money."

"This hotel was beautiful inside. Loved the plaid themed room - bed and bedding was awesome and I slept like a baby with absolutely zero back pain in the morning. Definitely will stay here again next time I'm in town."

"Super cute place with an awesome decor! Probably one of the best local hotels you can find. I was worried about some of the reviews, but it felt like everything was renovated and clean. Location is in the heart of Balsam Lake. Walking distance to the local restaurants was definitely a big plus! We are definitely coming back!"

"The room was good sized but not very clean. High priced for what we got. There were dirty underwear under the bathroom sink. A large hoop earing on bathroom floor. They charge an extra $30+ for a cleaning fee. Kitchen floor dirty and register without cover and dangerously sharp. You never see a person. Check in online and receive a door code. Bed did have new linens. Can't get past the dirty underwear left behind. Especially with an extra cleaning fee. Difficult to work with. Called them my concerns and just said "we will talk to our housekeeper""