Don’t do like I did last year and wait too long, then end up getting screwed out of a room at the place I thought I reserved. Just checked and rooms are filling up fast. Hotel Mead is booked but that’s likely due to the ski show?
I got a real good price just now thru bookings.com
I booked a room at the Fern Hotel in the Rapids. Never stayed there but the reviews on TripAdvisor look good and the rate is good.
I stayed at the Shermolot last year. It was ok. The rate was ok and the location great. 3 miles. They don’t take reservations until the first of April.
The Mead blocks rooms for the water ski show. Some come one month prior they release rooms so check back then. The same for a lot of the hotels in the rapids.