The 8 Best Resorts on North Shore, MN | Hand-Picked for 2025

We looked through every lakefront property and found the best resorts on North Shore MN for travelers looking to experience the rugged beauty and freshwater serenity of Lake Superior.

The North Shore region of Minnesota, stretching from Duluth to Grand Portage, is a bit of a gem for outdoor enthusiasts, casual vacationers, and folks who, honestly, just want a peaceful break by the water.

It’s almost like this lakeside stretch brings together dense forestlands, rocky beaches, scenic hiking trails, and charming small towns in one pretty unforgettable lineup.

With Highway 61 guiding the journey northward, the area is home to some incredibly inviting North Shore MN resorts offering rustic comfort, upscale amenities, and very direct lakefront access.

Whether you’re planning a solo escape or a multi-generational family trip, this part of Minnesota often has something that suits the vibe, weather, and budget.

Methodology

For this ranking of the best best resorts North Shore MN offers, our editors compared dozens of properties based on guest feedback and aggregate scores from platforms like Google Reviews, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.

We looked at reviews for consistency and honesty, prioritizing those with detailed, recent feedback and clear praise for cleanliness, comfort, and customer service.

From there, we evaluated the properties using our internal scoring system, which weighs location, facilities, uniqueness, and overall experience.

Each property featured here not only ranks highly across review platforms but also offers meaningful value, great lake access, and memorable stays that make it onto our list of the best resorts on North Shore MN.

The 8 Best Resorts North Shore MN – 2025 Full Guide

8. Grand Superior Lodge

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Two Harbors, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Over 300 feet of direct Lake Superior shoreline
• Multiple lodging types, from log homes to lakeside suites
• Access to onsite restaurant and stone fireplace lounges

Grand Superior Lodge is a pretty large, cozy lakefront property that actually combines that “up north” cabin vibe with enough modern comforts to keep things easy.

It’s one of those North Shore MN resorts that works for couples just as well as families, thanks to the big selection of lodging setups, from classic lodge rooms to larger vacation homes with full kitchens.

The shoreline is rocky but gorgeous, and the lodge is literally steps away from Lake Superior. The lodge offers guests access to a relaxed onsite restaurant that serves American-style dishes, and a wood-burning fireplace in the lobby adds warmth in colder months.

For folks who want a bit of luxury without leaving the outdoors, this retreat usually hits a nice balance. You’re also a short drive from Gooseberry Falls State Park, which is, frankly, one of the most visited natural sites in the area.

No pool or spa here, but many visitors say the lakeside fire pits and hiking paths more than make up for it.

7. Cascade Lodge – Most Affordable

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Lutsen, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Located directly across from Cascade River State Park
• 16 historic cabins and 10 lodge rooms
• Onsite pub and affordable dining

If you’re after a wallet-friendly way to experience a North Shore resort Minnesota without skimping on atmosphere, Cascade Lodge is absolutely worth a look.

This retreat, sitting on the inland side of Highway 61, faces Lake Superior and is literally a few steps away from hiking trails and waterfalls inside Cascade River State Park.

The lodge is simple in the best way possible. Rooms are neat, classic, and include several restored cabins built in the 1930s, each with its own character.

While there’s no spa or pool, what you do get is a charming, rustic setting and access to one of the best trail systems in the region.

The attached Cascade Restaurant & Pub serves hearty fare with local ingredients, often praised by guests for both value and taste.

For travelers who want to focus more on hiking, fishing, and unplugging a bit from the digital world, this is a solid pick that’s hard to beat for the price.

6. Cove Point Lodge

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Beaver Bay, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Built on a secluded 150-acre peninsula
• Private hiking trails and rocky shoreline
• Indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna

Cove Point Lodge is, in a way, kind of tucked away in its own little corner of the North Shore, and that’s exactly what makes it appealing.

For those who enjoy some peace and quiet, this retreat more or less delivers that with pine trees, craggy bluffs, and practically private access to Lake Superior views.

The lodge offers Scandinavian-inspired rooms along with private lakehomes, each outfitted with wood interiors and large windows that often look directly onto the water.

The lodge has a warm, lodge-style restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner, with many ingredients sourced locally when possible.

Family travelers will find the indoor pool and hot tub useful during colder days, and couples enjoy the walking paths and quiet ambiance.

Located near Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche State Park, the resort offers easy day-trip options to some of the coast’s most popular scenic spots.

Overall, this one quietly ranks among the best resorts on North Shore MN for relaxed seclusion and nature-focused stays.

5. Country Inn Of Two Harbors

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Two Harbors, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Indoor heated pool and sauna
• Close to Gooseberry Falls and Lake County Historical Depot
• Free breakfast and family-sized suites

Country Inn of Two Harbors might not sit directly on the lake, but it’s just a little drive away from Lake Superior and some of the North Shore’s best attractions.

This property is frequently appreciated for its affordability, clean rooms, and hospitality that actually feels local and thoughtful.

Accommodations here include standard queen rooms, king rooms, and spacious family suites, some with whirlpools or kitchenettes.

The atmosphere is, honestly, friendly and very functional, which is ideal for travelers who want a reliable home base with plenty of indoor perks like a warm pool, sauna, and fresh breakfast options each morning.

While you won’t get direct lakefront here, the location keeps you close to places like the Two Harbors Breakwater and Gooseberry Falls, which are easily among the top natural draws of the region.

For many families, this makes a very good, low-maintenance choice among North Shore MN resorts.

4. Lutsen Sea Villas

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Lutsen, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Private villas directly on Lake Superior shoreline
• Access to pool, hot tub, and sauna
• Free shuttle to Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort

Lutsen Sea Villas practically hug the edge of the lake. Guests often say the best part is, well, that feeling you get when you wake up to waves crashing just outside your window.

These villas are more or less like small homes with full kitchens, fireplaces, and private decks. So, for longer stays or family trips, they’re extremely well-equipped.

This North Shore resort Minnesota also features shared amenities like a large indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna, and the complex feels more like a lakefront neighborhood than a standard hotel.

You’re also a short drive from Lutsen Mountains, which offers skiing in the winter and scenic gondola rides in the summer.

Each unit has a slightly different layout and decor, which gives return visitors some variety. The free shuttle to outdoor adventure areas also makes this a standout for active guests.

The combination of privacy and lake access makes it one of the best resorts North Shore MN has to offer these days.

3. East Bay Suites – Best-Seller

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Grand Marais, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Located right in downtown Grand Marais
• Modern lakeside suites with full kitchens
• Pet-friendly and steps from restaurants and shops

Located in the heart of one of the most artsy and walkable towns on the North Shore, East Bay Suites is actually a rare find for travelers who want convenience and scenery in equal parts.

The suites are spacious, modern, and most have direct views of Lake Superior, plus, you’re a few minutes’ walk from local cafes, breweries, and art galleries.

Guests can choose between one, two, or three-bedroom units, which are perfect for families, small groups, or couples wanting homey, yet cozy feeling.

The vibe here is relaxed and thoughtful, and beach access is literally steps away.

This resort stays busy nearly year-round, which makes sense considering the unbeatable location. It’s a solid favorite on review sites and a top performer among the best resorts on North Shore MN if you like being close to both nature and small-town charm.

2. Larsmont Cottages On Lake Superior – Top Value Pick

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Two Harbors, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Over 40 luxury cottages, many lakefront
• Indoor pool, sauna, and lakeside massage cabin
• Fire pits, bikes, and onsite restaurant

Offering a just-right mix of comfort and accessibility, Larsmont Cottages On Lake Superior sits on 40 acres of wooded lakefront and offers cottages that feel like upscale cabins without being over-the-top.

Each unit includes full kitchens, fireplaces, and many have outdoor decks that more or less hang over the water.

There’s a cozy restaurant and bar onsite called Ledge Rock Grille, and it’s honestly better than most hotel restaurants, with seasonal fare and cocktails worth a try.

Guests enjoy the saltwater indoor pool, wood-fired sauna, and massage cottage, which sits almost right next to the lake.

This is a family-friendly option that also appeals to couples. Many return here year after year for holidays or long weekends. With a balance of amenities, style, and lakeshore peace, it easily stands out among the best resorts on North Shore MN.

1. Surfside on Lake Superior – Top Overall

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Tofte, Minnesota
Key Highlights:

• Spacious luxury townhomes all with lake views
• Waves of Superior Spa and fine dining onsite
• Over 1,300 feet of uninterrupted lakefront

Surfside on Lake Superior is one of the most upscale North Shore MN resorts and frequently wins top marks from guests looking for peace, sophistication, and a full-service retreat.

The layout includes large, modern townhomes designed with huge windows and vaulted ceilings, most of which face Lake Superior directly.

The onsite Waves of Superior Spa offers massages, body treatments, and even yoga sessions in the warmer months. There’s also a fine dining restaurant, and the atmosphere throughout the property is elegant without feeling stiff or overly formal.

The shoreline is rugged and incredibly scenic, perfect for long walks or just sitting near the water and doing, well, nothing.

For travelers seeking the best mix of upscale design, spa relaxation, and Lake Superior’s natural drama, Surfside more or less delivers it all as the best resort on North Shore MN.

Articles You Might Also Like