Fair Hills Resort – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota - Review 2025

What to Do

Fair Hills Resort has everything you need to make the most of your summer family vacation, from amenities included with your stay, numerous organized activities, and any equipment needed for the activities to just relaxing in the summer sun. The resort has an outdoor heated swimming pool, hot tub, heated kiddie pool, basketball, sand volleyball court, tennis and shuffleboard courts, 9-hole golf course, 9-hole disc golf course, kids playground, horseshoe pits, swings, benches, hammocks, and a beach fire pit. On Pelican Lake, you can swim, kayak, canoe, paddleboat, borrow a sailboat or rowboat, and fish. They are available if you need life jackets, fishing poles, or sand toys.

For anyone who wants to get out of the sun, head to the lobby, where you’ll find plenty of things to do. Besides a gift shop, there is a soda fountain where you can get an old-fashioned root beer float and a library where you can relax and watch a little TV. The kids can use the billiard or ping pong tables and various games, puzzles, and cards. Wifi is available in the lobby.

Other activities include yoga twice a week and daily water aerobics; you can also participate in aerobic classes twice a week, like Zumba and HIIT, or take a 2-hour bike tour around Pelican Lake. You can get a 50-minute massage and paint with a twist for an additional fee. In the evening, watch the Fair Hills Hootenanny (a hilarious variety show) on Tuesday nights, which has been the highlight of many guests for over 50 years, and don’t forget the Thursday Night Talent Show.

During the Sports Family Weeks, Fair Hills offers free sports lessons in water skiing, tennis, golf, sailing & swimming, and free scheduled recreation activities for all ages. All these offerings are included in the American Meal Plan and One Meal Plan rates. Kids ages 4-8 will have fun on a treasure hunt and play at the carnival, while kids ages 8-14 can enjoy the water slide, torpedo rides, and boat rides. Even older teens and adults stay busy playing tennis, golf, volleyball, etc.

What to Eat & Drink

A bell usually rings to signal the beginning of the meal hour. Hearty breakfasts can be had to begin your jam-packed adventure day. Try the infamous pancakes shaped like a dog, sun, or golf cart. Lunch is lighter with a salad bar, small entrees, and a dessert. Dinner is a three-course meal with entrees like Minnesota walleye, steak, or prime rib that change daily.  Beer and wine are also available for purchase during lunch and dinner. On Tuesday nights, there is a Smorgasbord dinner, a homage to the great Scandinavian buffet meal before the Hootenanny Show.

Room Guide

Fair Hills Resort has over 100 rustic individual lake cabins varying in size, including one to four bedrooms.

Cabins: All cabins include at least one bed, either a king, queen, double, or twin, depending on the number of guests staying in the cabin. The cabins have modern amenities, including a bathroom, table, and chairs, but do not have A/C, TVs, or wifi. But that shouldn’t be a problem as you will most likely spend all your time outdoors. Small refrigerators are available for an additional fee. For those with larger groups, a few cabins connect; think the 60s and 70s roadside motels. And Fair Hills also have eight larger cabins with fully stocked kitchens that you can reserve if you want to keep by yourself.

Special Experiences

For an additional fee, you can cruise on Pelican Lake Tuesday nights. Big Pelican Cruises has a 55’ pontoon boat that gives you a relaxing lake tour while you munch on popcorn and drink beverages. This activity is right before the Smorgasbord dinner and Hootenanny.

Another special experience Fair Hills offers is to new families that come to stay. If you book a stay at Fair Hills, you will receive your choice of welcome gift that includes a 45 Minute Private Sailing Lesson or 2 Rounds of Golf at Wildflower Golf Course, among many other options.

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