Perched at one of Sioux Falls’ highest elevations is a new boutique hotel “where elevated hospitality meets compassionate care.”
Highpoint Hotel opened this past January integrated into the new Sanford Orthopedic Hospital on the Sanford USD Medical Center campus.
“It was conceived by Sanford Health to meet a practical need: many patients travel long distances for specialized care, and having on-campus accommodations allows them and their families to stay close before and after procedures,” said HEGG Companies VP of hospitality sales Maddy Bauman.
The 56-room hotel has warm finishes and thoughtful amenities for those in need of reprieve with direct access to medical facilities. Along with a fourth floor lobby adorned with a giant fireplace and bar and lounge area, there is a gym and other amenities like on-site laundry.
Bauman says Highpoint is important for many reasons, including supporting families and caregivers, reducing stress during medical care, improving continuity of care, increasing access for rural patients, and enhancing the overall patient experience.
Several of the rooms have a direct view of the Sanford Children’s Hospital, and having somewhere to stay so close during trying times brings a little comfort in between medical attention, Bauman says.
“Serious medical procedures affect entire families, not just patients,” she continued. “On-site lodging allows parents, spouses, and caregivers to remain close, which improves emotional support and recovery outcomes. For pediatric families utilizing spaces like the Children’s Castle, proximity makes long treatment days more manageable.”
Sanford Health partnered with HEGG Companies to bring in their hospitality expertise for the project.
“IN OUR REGION, MANY PATIENTS TRAVEL HOURS FOR SPECIALTY ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES. A CONNECTED HOTEL REMOVES BARRIERS TO ACCESSING HIGH-QUALITY CARE BY PROVIDING CONVENIENT, PURPOSE-BUILT ACCOMMODATIONS.”
Maddy Bauman
Room Service!
Don’t feel like leaving the room? Highpoint Hotel offers room service in the evening hours with small plates, beer, and wine.
“HEGG Companies is more than a hotel operator—it’s a multi-faceted development and hospitality organization with deep community ties, a long family legacy, and a focus on building experiences that matter for guests, partners, and the communities they serve,” said Bauman.
When designing Highpoint, it was a unique blend of hospitality, healthcare sensitivity, and accessibility into one experience.
“Several details would have been especially important: seamless physical connection to the orthopedic hospital and Sanford Health medical campus, accessibility-first room design, warm lighting, soft textures, calming color palettes, high-end finishes, and spacious common spaces throughout the lobby,” said Bauman.
An important element was making sure guests start the day with a good breakfast. The all-you-can-eat buffet is cooked fresh in the morning by a chef. Not loving what’s available? The chef can also take breakfast orders.
“OUR CHEF LIKES TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH FRENCH TOAST, EGG CASSEROLES, AND EVEN BREAKFAST NACHOS!”
Maddy Bauman
“Our chef is happy to whip up something special if you would prefer to eat something that isn’t on the buffet,” said Bauman. “In fact, he welcomes it and loves using his creativity in the kitchen. We have à la carte options available as well.”
There are also small plates available in the evening, including chicken wings, roasted red pepper and hummus, Bavarian pretzels with house-made cheese fondue, flatbreads, Baby Back Ribs, and crispy cauliflower bites. The bar has drinks available with one of the best happy hour deals, according to Bauman.
If guests don’t have time to sit down to eat, there are also grab-and-go items like fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, and other snacks.
Bauman says guests so far have been utilizing Highpoint for pre-procedure stays, post-surgery recovery, multi-day treatment plans, family and caregiver support, visiting specialists and clinicians, community and medical campus event goers, or even leisure guests visiting the city for sporting events, concerts, or local attractions.
“IN SHORT, HIGHPOINT ISN’T JUST A CONVENIENCE—IT’S AN EXTENSION OF THE CARE MODEL. IT STRENGTHENS PATIENT SUPPORT, ACCESSIBILITY, AND EXPERIENCE IN A WAY THAT STANDALONE LODGING NEARBY SIMPLY CANNOT.”
Maddy Bauman
Since opening, one story that stands out to Bauman is spending time with someone whose wife was in back surgery that morning.
“I arrived to work as I always do, coffee and laptop in hand ready to coach and interact with the team,” recalled Bauman. “This guest was in our lobby eating breakfast, and I quickly realized that although he was upbeat and positive, he was running on very little sleep, and was anxious while his wife was in the operating room.”
She continued, “It was at that moment that I realized my purpose was to pause and spend time with this gentleman in conversation. He talked to me for almost an hour while his wife was in surgery—about where they lived, his farming days, and managing his wife’s pain. At the end of breakfast, he was relaxed and ready to head up to his hotel room to try and take a quick nap or drink a bunch of coffee. He wasn’t sure, but the conversation we had was exactly what the guest needed.”
Whether it’s for a staycation, vacation, or needing a comfortable place to stay during medical procedures, Highpoint is there.
“The Highpoint Hotel represents the future of integrated care, reflects growth and innovation on the Sanford campus, and raises the standard for what medical-adjacent lodging can be,” said Bauman.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THEHIGHPOINTHOTEL.COM+
