Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark Facts
OWNERS: Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth
CEO/CHAIRMAN: Al Zehnder
LOCATION: 1365 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth (at the southernmost border) located next to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. Approximately 90 miles north of Detroit; 20 miles from Flint or Saginaw, Michigan
DESIGN TEAM:
Neuman Pools and Water Technology, Inc., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Architectural Design Consultants (Phase 1), Lake Delton, Wisconsin
Open Aire, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
WTA Architects, Saginaw, Michigan
Homespun Design, Riverview, Michigan
The Weber Group, Sellersburg, Indiana
Phase 1 General Contractor: Wolgast Construction, Saginaw, Michigan
COST:
2005 – $14 million hotel expansion and new waterpark
2014 – $20 million hotel expansion and Atrium Waterpark addition
PHASE 1 OPENING DATE: June 17, 2005
PHASE 2 OPENING DATE: October 31, 2014
HOTEL:
• 178 Guest rooms with 74 suites offering accommodations for 4-8 guests – includes 22 new guest rooms with Atrium Waterpark views
• Main lobby featuring a towering and playful 26-foot tree with a large gas fireplace built into the trunk. The tree is the work of NatureMaker, a California-based firm and the originator of the Steel Art Tree.
• Meeting rooms
• Exercise room featuring Nautilus equipment
• Indoor arcade with 45 games
• Elf Hollow Cafe – 160-seat dining room serving breakfast and lunch
• Complimentary shuttle service to Zehnder’s Restaurant and The Fortress Golf Course
ORIGINAL WATERPARK:
• 20,000 Square feet indoor year-round waterpark
• Two, four story tube slides – Giggling Gorge and Perilous Plunge
• Splash Landing Play Area with 400-gallon dumping bucket
• Tree Dwellers Tower with tube stairs
• Crooked Brook Creek – a lazy river that winds through the waterpark
• Whimsical Whirl hot tub
• Dragonfly Pond – fun water play features
• Wee Folk Springs – toddler fun
• Geysers and water sprays
NEW ATRIUM WATERPARK:
• 30,000 Square feet indoor year-round waterpark
• 6-Story, 4-person Family Raft Ride
• 6-Story Super Loop Body Slide
• Zero-entry activity pool with water geysers, water basketball, water volleyball and an Action River
• 20-Person hot tub
• Retractable roof
• Cabanas: 12×12 feet to accommodate up to 10 guests with mini refrigerator, safe, house phone, towels, flat screen TV and personalized food and beverage service
• Family outdoor pool
• 75-Seat Mushroom Grille
RESERVATIONS: (800) 863-7999 or www.zehnders.com
HISTORY:
Built in 1972 by Walter and Maria Palmer, native Germans who arrived in Frankenmuth, Michigan after immigrating to Canada in 1950. The original Bavarian Haus Motel consisted of only 48 rooms. The couple renovated the facility in 1978 (and later in 1985) and added an indoor swimming pool and spa facility in 1985. In 1988, Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth purchased the motel.
In 1992, Zehnder’s expanded the Bavarian Haus Motel from 114 to 137 romos, including four new suites. An indoor swimming pool, exercise room, game room, garden courtyard and an enlarged lobby were also added. Samuel Deyo, architect, Highland, Michigan, designed the expansion and William Bronner & Son of Frankenmuth served as general contractor.
In September 2004, a portion of the hotel was demolished to make way for the Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark. The hotel remained open during the construction period. At the time, Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark featured 146 rooms including 63 Family Suites, the new indoor waterpark, 2,000 square foot video arcade, 125-seat restaurant and a new lobby with a gift shop. The indoor swimming pool and spa facility remained in the hotel.
Work began on the $20 million hotel expansion and Atrium Waterpark addition in 2013. The Atrium Waterpark and new hotel guest rooms opened on October 31, 2014.