Beautifully located along the northern shore of Lake Superior, Duluth is one of the most scenic cities in Minnesota. Pristine forests, architecturally stunning downtown, lakeside neighborhoods, and the world-famous Aerial Lift Bridge are the very things upon which locals pride themselves.
With sophisticated dining, world-class museums, historic mansions, plenty of city parks, and an ever-growing set of luxurious and snug lodgings, Duluth has all the characteristics of a great vacation destination.
From one-of-a-kind holiday homes to quaint-themed boutique hotels, here are the top cool and unusual hotels in Duluth, Minnesota (in no particular order)...
1. Sheraton Duluth Hotel – a luxurious and stylish hotel with great facilities
A lavish, downtown hotel located less than a mile from the shores of Lake Superior, with Duluth International Airport reachable within a 7-minute drive.
Snug, unassuming rooms at Sheraton Duluth Hotel are equipped with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Suites offer separate living rooms, pull-out sofas, and/or lake views. Guests lodging in club-level quarters have access to a lounge with complimentary snacks and breakfast.
The popular hotel also has a stylish restaurant, a communal lounge, an exercise room, a business center, meeting rooms, an indoor pool, and a hot tub.
Address: 301 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
2. Pier B Resort- a hotel with breathtaking views and waterfront restaurant and pool
A rustic-chic hotel housed in a redbrick building looking over the Duluth Harbor Basin. Located on Railroad Street in West Duluth, Pier B Resort is a 10-minute walk from Canal Park and Aerial Lift Bridge.
Genteel, streamlined rooms at this cool hotel come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minifridges, and water, city, or bridge views. Upgraded rooms have decks or patios, while suites add in-room soaking tubs. Two-bedroom family suites offer bunk beds and sitting areas and can accommodate up to eight guests.
Complimentary perks include parking and seasonal loaner bikes, kayaks, and paddle boards. Other on-site amenities include a rooftop patio, an elegant restaurant, an indoor pool, a gym, a hot tub with harbor views, a waterside fire pit, and boat docks.
Address: 800 W Railroad St, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
To book, check prices or availability for Pier B Hotel
3. The Oliver Inn – a historic hotel full of quirky, artistic decor
An upscale, boutique hotel featuring beautifully appointed rooms with en-suite bathrooms, fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, premium bedding, coffee and tea makers, free Wi-Fi, and blackout curtains. Some rooms offer saunas, minibars, and/or garden or lake views.
Located on East Superior Street, The Oliver Inn is a short walk from Canal Park Square.
An on-site sushi restaurant, a cocktail lounge, a bar, a casino, and a fitness center are also available. Other amenities include an ATM and a ski storage space.
Address: 132 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
To book, check prices or availability for The Oliver Inn
4. Lift Bridge Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection- a contemporary hotel with a touch of elegance well positioned for the lake and city
Poised on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior, Lift Bridge Lodge is an all-suite hotel with an indoor pool, a gym, a hot tub, and a game room.
All suites at this laid-back hotel offer lake or city views and come equipped with microwaves, coffee makers, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. Some come with separate sitting areas, pull-out sofas, and private balconies.
Advanced amenities like whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, and wet bars are available in upgraded suites. Guests also have access to a lobby/lounge with a fireplace, a business center, and a patio with lake views.
The hotel is a short walk from the Canal Park shopping area.
Address: 408 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
5. The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza- a quirky chic all-suite hotel perfect for business or pleasure
Set in a circa-1890 warehouse, this all-suite hotel is steps away from the Canal Park Lakewalk trail. The Great Lakes Aquarium and the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center are a short walk from this hotel.
One- to three-bedroom suites at this grand hotel offer flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and kitchenettes or full kitchens. Upgraded suites feature exposed-brick walls, whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, and/or pull-out sofas.
Guests receive complimentary breakfast and vouchers for happy hour at a nearby steakhouse. The hotel also has a gym, a business center, and an indoor pool/spa.
Address: 325 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
6. Fitzgerald Suite – a cool industrial-chic holiday home with a hipster vibe
A low-key holiday home located near Duluth Canal Park, less than a mile from Lakewalk Beach. There are two thoughtfully appointed bedrooms, two bathrooms, two bathrooms, a living room with a flat-screen TV and comfortable seating, a well-equipped kitchen, a dining area with a bar, and an indoor swimming pool.
With extra-large double beds in the two bedrooms and a sofa bed in the living room, the property can sleep up to six people.
Popular attractions near the property include Franklin Park Beach, Minnesota Point Beach, Great Lakes Aquarium, Aerial Lift Bridge, and SS William A Irvin Ore Boat Museum.
Address: 325 S Lake Ave, Duluth, 55802, United States
7. Duluth Apt with Fire Pit on Working Horse Farm!- a quaint apartment perfect for a quiet getaway
A down-home property located at a 17-minute drive from Duluth Canal Park. The holiday home has one bedroom, one bathroom, a small living area with a flat-screen TV and a fireplace, a kitchenette with a 4-person breakfast bar, a dining area with seating for four, a back garden with a small patio, and a front garden with outdoor seating.
With a large double bed in the bedroom, the property can accommodate up to four people. Popular attractions near the property include Spirit Mountain, and Enger Park and Tower.
8. Endion Station Inn- a form railroad depot now coined as a “brewtique” hotel
Located in the heart of Canal Park, one of Duluth’s liveliest districts, Endion Station Inn offers well-appointed suites, a large deck with a fire pit, a business center, a ski storage space, and a community sauna.
Rustic rooms at Endion Station Inn have en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, microwaves, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and patios with garden views.
Popular points of interest near the hotel include Duluth Canal Park, Great Lakes Aquarium, Lakewalk Beach, and Lake Superior Maritime Museum.
Address: 200 Lake Pl Dr, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
9. Willard Munger Inn- a quaint rustic-chic hotel great for families
Set in a 1950s building, Willard Munger Inn features laid-back, pine-paneled rooms that come equipped with microwaves, minifridges, cable TVs. and free Wi-Fi. Suites are fitted with whirlpool tubs, sofa beds, and private decks with barbecue grills.
A complimentary breakfast buffet is available for all guests. There’s also a garden with a fire pit and BBQ grills.
Willard Munger Inn is located six miles from downtown Duluth.
Address: 7408 Grand Ave, Duluth, MN 55807, United States
10. Hostel du Nord- a fun affordable option great for Millennials and Gen Zs
A utilitarian-chic hostel based in a former jewelry store on West 1st Street. It is within walking distance of many downtown restaurants and art galleries.
Laid-back dorms have free Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms, bunk beds with privacy screens and reading lights, and lockers.
On-site amenities include a shared kitchen, a lounge, a sauna, coin-operated laundry facilities, and a ski and bike storage space.
Address: 217 W 1st St, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Ireland, UK and the US but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting craving for culture, good food and great football. Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @scottbalaam
