I often gravitate towards booking rooms at corporate hotel chains because it helps set my level of expectation. I like budget friendly and safe, but also enjoy spacious and luxurious accommodations. Of course that doesn’t mean our stay is always as expected, but I am fairly confident when booking the room. Some places don’t offer many big chain hotels, so you just have to go with the flow and hope for the best. The Blue Gate Garden Inn is a perfect example of booking the unknown and loving the hotel.
This summer my mom and I took my boys back to the Potawatomi Inn for another family reunion. We decided to add on a side trip and head to the Amish country of Shipshewana, Indiana, after our family reunion. Amish culture was completely foreign to us, so we thought it’d make an interesting adventure. After a little research we ended up booking the Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana and couldn’t have been more pleased. The property was modern and clean with plenty of extra amenities that kept my boys happy!
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Blue Gate Garden Inn Review: The perfect Hotel for Amish adventures in Shipshewana, Indiana – Photo Credit: Karen Heffren/ Desert Traveling Mom
Our stay at the Blue Gate Garden Inn was second only to our adventure at the Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park, and we’d definitely recommend both places. In fact the boys are begging to go back and we will return the next next time we head to the midwest for a family reunion!
The Room
The Blue Gate Garden Inn offers a variety of room layouts that will accommodate families up to eight. Our room had a king bed and set of bunk beds, separated by a partition. The kids’ bunk area including a desk, separate television and their own bedside lights. The layout allowed us plenty of space to separate and relax without the adults having to watch kid shows. It also had a mini fridge, microwave and small kitchen table perfect for snacking in the room.
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Kid Space at Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana – Photo Credit: Karen Heffren/ Desert Traveling Mom
Dining
A full breakfast buffet with omelet bar is included each morning of your stay. They offered a good selection that included everything from biscuits and gravy to fresh fruit and cereal. There is also an ice cream shop located in the hotel which my boys loved stopping by each afternoon.
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Ice Cream Ship at Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana – Photo Credit: Karen Heffren/ Desert Traveling Mom
Amenities
The hotel offers a variety of gathering spaces both indoors and out, perfect for families to hang out and chat. In addition to the ice cream shop, my boys loved the arcade and indoor swimming pool. They also offer tetherball and a basketball court for some outside fun.
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Outdoor Patio at the Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana – Photo Credit: Karen Heffren/ Desert Traveling Mom
What Works for Families
- Variety of room layouts with space for up to 8
- Indoor swimming pool and spa
- Game room and ice cream shop
- Free breakfast
- Fridge and microwave in room
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Indoor Pool and Spa at the Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana – Photo Credit: Karen Heffren/ Desert Traveling Mom
What Doesn’t Work for Families
- No restaurant options at the hotel
The Blue Gate Restaurant (associated with the hotel) is located a few blocks away and offers a variety of dining options including an Amish family style meal. The tiny, home grown tomatoes in the dinner salads were amazing. We definitely don’t get amazing tomatoes like that in Arizona. We’d highly recommend eating there too.
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Amish Family Style Meal at Blue Gate Restaurant Shipshewana – Photo Credit: Karen Heffren/ Desert Traveling Mom
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