Overall sentiment across the reviews is more positive than negative, but with clear patterns that will matter to prospective residents and families. The facility is repeatedly described as beautiful, pleasantly decorated, clean, and well-kept. Many reviewers emphasize the small, home-like atmosphere — it is consistently characterized as cozy, easy to navigate, and not overwhelming like larger communities. The location and physical environment (patio, homey dining area, comfortable lounges) are frequently praised, and numerous comments note that the facility fosters a warm, welcoming environment with a strong sense of community.
Staff and care quality receive a high proportion of positive mentions. Reviewers repeatedly call the staff friendly, caring, hardworking, and professional; several describe the staff as going out of their way to help and treating residents like family. Multiple accounts point to smooth transitions for new residents and a general feeling that staff genuinely care about residents’ wellbeing. At the same time there are service concerns raised by a minority of reviewers — notably complaints about slow responses to call lights and some nighttime noise — that suggest variability in responsiveness, particularly after hours.
Dining and food are a frequent topic with mixed but mostly favorable comments. Several reviews praise homemade, top-notch meals and note a longtime chef who prepares quality food. Other reviewers, however, describe the meals as bland, indicating that dining experience may vary by meal, personal taste, or specific circumstances. The dining room and mealtime atmosphere are generally described as homey, which supports the overall small-community feel.
Programming and social life are strengths. The facility offers a range of activities — exercise classes, tai chi, bingo, entertainment, and communal TV/lounge areas — and many residents are described as social and engaging conversationalists. These features reinforce the reported sense of community and make the facility a good fit for people seeking an active, social setting in a smaller, family-like environment.
Facilities and unit layout reveal a consistent trade-off: the community is small and intimate, but many units are small and lack kitchenettes or separate bedrooms. Several reviewers explicitly said rooms are extremely small and that they did not have a kitchen, making the space unsuitable for someone who wants a true apartment experience or more private living quarters. This is an important practical limitation to weigh against the community benefits.
Management and administrative feedback is mixed and perhaps the most important area of concern for prospective residents. While some reviewers praise hard-working management and dedicated staff, other reviewers raise troubling issues about the manager’s conduct, alleging favoritism toward particular residents and employees and asserting the manager does not listen to broader resident input. A small number of reviews also reported a “sketchy” tour impression or stated the facility was not a match for their needs. There is at least one strongly negative review urging avoidance, which should prompt families to ask targeted questions during tours and reference checks.
In summary, Brookdale Faribault appears to be a good fit for people who value a small, clean, well-decorated community with friendly, caring staff, strong social programming, and home-style meals. It delivers a cozy, family-like atmosphere and many concrete positives around staff attentiveness and community life. However, prospective residents should verify whether unit size and the lack of in-room kitchens meet their needs, confirm responses to call lights and nighttime staffing levels, and probe management style and resident governance during a tour. Also, check the absence of Memory Care if that service might be needed later. Given the mix of strong endorsements and a minority of serious concerns, an in-person visit focused on unit size, staffing patterns, meal samples, activity schedules, and direct conversations about management responsiveness is recommended before making a decision.
