5 Top-Rated Resorts in Minnesota (2024)
Minnesota has its fair share of beautiful lakeside retreats, outdoor hot spots, and luxury accommodations. Popularly known as the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota is the perfect getaway for all ages. Whether you want to cozy up in a little cabin in the woods during the winters, or you want to go fishing and indulge in exciting watersports during the summers, there are many beautiful places to stay in Minnesota. Most of the resorts in Minnesota promote themselves as ‘four seasons’ getaways, meaning they are home to tons of activities for all times of the year – be it snow, cold, rain, or the summertime.
5 Top-Rated Resorts in Minnesota
Let’s check out the top-rated resorts in Minnesota.
1. Best Western Premier The Lodge on Lake Detroit, Detroit Lakes
One of the biggest hotel brands that can be frequently seen on the list of top resorts in Minnesota is the Best Western Premier, The Lodge, located on Lake Detroit. The resort owes its popularity to its scenic location. Sitting on a beautiful 550-foot stretch of stunning shoreline, this is a fantastic 4-star lakefront resort that is home to 54 rooms.
The rooms are brightly colored and offer a choice of one or two queen beds, a microwave and mini-fridge, a patio, a wet bar, and wonderful views over the surrounding shoreline and over the lake. You can even consider upgrading to the king suite, which also comes with a cozy fireplace, a jet tub, and a good-sized balcony. For people with mobility issues, there are a good number of easy-access units also available at the resort.
Some of the on-site amenities include boat slips, a private 150-foot-long beach only for guest use, kayaks, fire pits to enjoy the golden sunset over the lake, a large heated indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, steam room, and a full-service spa. There is also a 24-hour fitness center at the resort, and weekends often have live entertainment.
2. Chase on the Lake, Walker
Chase on the Lake resort is quite popular in Minnesota owing to its close location to some of the best dining, shopping, and entertainment options in the town of Walker. This is a higher-end 3-star property that is also known for the high quality of its rooms, which are made up of a wide range of options from standard rooms to spacious condo suites.
Regardless of the size unit you book, you will get to enjoy several standard features, including mini-fridges, microwaves, large bathrooms that come with bathtubs and stand-alone showers, and HDTVs. The condo suites are available in one, two, and three-bedroom configurations and come with many additional features like a master bedroom, a separate living room, and a full kitchen.
Some of the activities to enjoy at the resort include the on-site restaurant, a spa that offers massages, and many other treatments, and you can even enjoy the resort’s private bowling alley. An indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a private beach are some of the other features to enjoy. In the winter season, the resort has some great ice fishing packages, and in the summers, water activities include sailing, kayaking, and fishing.
3. Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior, Lutsen
The magnificent Lake Superior shoreline is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Minnesota. Guests who come to visit the majestic Lake Superior love to stay at the family-owned and operated Lutsen Resort. Constructed in 1885, this is a historic 3-star resort that is the oldest in the state and is known to provide a high-end vacation experience to its guests.
The resort is top-rated when it comes to fun activities and events to enjoy with the entire family in Minnesota. Some of the popular things to do here include going on nature hikes, enjoying the live music, and participating in guided canoe and kayak activities. Golf, biking, fishing, and swimming are some of the other popular summer activities families can indulge in.
In the winters, the resort turns into a winter wonderland with skiing (both cross-country and downhill), snowboarding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. The resort offers affordable ski and stay packages. There is an excellent on-site restaurant that offers a separate kids menu, a full-service spa, a kids’ play area, a games room, and a large heated indoor swimming pool.
When it comes to accommodation choices, you can choose from one and two-bedroom suites, some of which even come with loft areas. Living rooms with pullout couches, real fireplaces, large furnished decks with barbecues, and full kitchens are some of the other notable features of the rooms. Several pet-friendly units are also available.
4. Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, Alexandria
Located in Alexandria, this resort is an easy drive away from Minneapolis and St. Paul. The four-season Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center is the perfect choice for whosoever wants to visit the Twin Cities. This is especially popular with sports enthusiasts and convention-goers owing to its championship golf course.
This 3-star resort is home to a huge indoor all-season water park, which has made it very popular amongst families with children. With three thrilling waterslides, a kid’s splash area, and a lazy river, the water park is a big draw at the resort.
The guest rooms are clean and spacious, and you can either request for a king bed or two queen beds. There is also a mini-fridge and a microwave in each room. You can even request for one of the king rooms with a view of the lake.
5. Grand View Lodge, Brainerd
The Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake is known to be one of the best resorts in Minnesota. It is also one of the oldest and one of the most attractive resorts in the state. Constructed in 1916, this beautiful destination in Brainerd has many excellent amenities, including a full-service spa that highlights its use of mineral waters direct from the local springs as part of its treatment programs. There are both casual and fine dining restaurants on-site and two world-class championship golf courses.
Some of the fun activities that you can indulge in are the private beach of the resort and the heated indoor swimming pool with its own waterslide. There are many kid’s programs and activities that make the resort popular with families.
