My wife and I will be heading to Duluth and the north shore the first week end of April and we're looking for a nice hotel or lodge in the Grand Marais area. I'm not looking for Ma & Pa's Roadside Motel. Are there any places that stand out?

Thanks for your help.

Bluefin Bay in Tofte is nice!!
About 25 miles from Grand Marais.

I cannot say enough good things about the Naniboujou Lodge! It was recommended to me by members of this site a couple of years ago...It was incredible!

Naniboujou Lodge

you also might try the Lighthouse B& B in Two Harbors, another incredible experience!

Lighthouse B&B

Both a little pricey, but well worth it. My wife really appreciated them. The restaurant in Nanj was outstanding and mid afternoon, they have "tea time". I believe it was the Spartans that initially recommended Naniboujou Lodge to me.

Mike

+1 on Bluefin. A little farther up the shore is Chateau LeVeaux. I personally like the lodging at Lutsen ski hill. A few choices, all pretty nice.

Cascade Lodge at Cascade River SP is very nice. It’s an older facility but well maintained. Located about halfway between Lutsen and Grand Marais and very handy for hiking in the SP. They also have cabins.

Have you checked out VRBO or Air BNB? You can find some really nice places to stay for reasonable rates, especially in the off season.

If going to GM, my wife and I love East Bay Suites , its right in town so walking to anywhere is a breeze. Its on the water, VERY well run and managed, VERY dog friendly (based on availability) the list goes on and on. Rooms have a more updated warm contemporary feel so if you are looking for a rustic feel this is about the furthest thing from it. We have stayed at almost all of the places mentioned and have to say this has been our favorite thus far, we wont go anywhere else now. They are the one company I enjoy being on the email list for as it always features an amazing Paul Sundberg photo with a nice little blurb, I actually look forward to my "E-Break" as they call it.

We also REALLY like the Larsmont Cottages but those are near Two Harbors so not really applicable to this post but if you are ever looking to stay outside Duluth or near Two Harbors keep that in mind. The two places are actually owned and run by the same group, Odyssey, whatever they are doing is right, both places are North Shore favorites for us.

Check the reviews out, both seem to run in the 4.7-4.8 star range on Google.

We stayed at Chateau LeVeaux last September and it was very nice, quiet and right on superior with great views and access to the lake. Every unit is lakeside.

It is south of Lutsen, so it's a bit of a drive up to Grand Marais.

Chateau LeVeaux

perhaps a B&B? i believe the mayor of GM and his wife own/operate a B&B.
hungry hippie hostel. not a motel! but very unique. but also, maybe not as posh as you'd like for the first weekend of April.

If VRBO is your thing, I can recommend firsthand Heart of Superior . It is only a few miles from Bluefin and Tofte, and has modern luxury cottages on a private lot RIGHT on the big lake.

Naniboujou Lodge is really pretty sweet, as is East Bay Suites as per Ragged's suggestion.

Both have an incredible history, and if you go to either, try to find someone who knows said history-great stories!

Great ideas everyone. Thank you. Just what I was looking for.

Bluefin Bay-great

If you want to stay in Duluth I highly recommend the:

A.G. Thompson House in Duluth-bed and breakfast-its fricken awesome

Frenchy19: "Naniboujou Lodge is really pretty sweet, as is East Bay Suites as per Ragged's suggestion.

Both have an incredible history, and if you go to either, try to find someone who knows said history-great stories!"

Can't do better than these two IMHO? If you want to be in town, East Bay, outside of town, Naniboujou.