A Minnesota port city on the north shores of Lake Superior, Duluth is the place to come for relaxing lakeside ambience and a touch of historical heritage. With landmarks such as the 1905 Aerial Lift Bridge and museums dedicated to its heyday of trade and industry, there’s more to this city than its beaches.
Though it’s a relatively small city, there are a surprising amount of places to stay in Duluth. To help narrow down the selection, here is a list of the very best hotels in Duluth.
1. Pier B Resort
Source: booking.comSet inside a modern building, Pier B Resort provides a comfortable place to stay along the waterfront. Its rooms are tastefully decorated and feature cosy armchairs, views of the pier, and spacious bathrooms.
The restaurant serves excellent meals and makes for a great place to unwind in the evening. There’s also the option of spending some time doing laps in the indoor pool, relaxing in the sauna, or hitting up the fitness centre.
Location: Situated on West Railroad Street, this hotel offers guests easy access to Duluth’s marina, meaning travelling around the islands and exploring the coastline is a breeze from here. The Great Lakes Aquarium is also nearby.
2. AG Thomson House
Source: booking.comA classic, historic home, the AG Thomson house is a veritable mansion. Though updated for modern comforts and contemporary convenience, there’s plenty of period features that make staying here feel like stepping back into another time.
Rooms are decorated in a mix of floral fabrics and boast open fireplaces, sash windows, and high ceilings. Amenities for guests include an award-winning garden to relax in. The breakfast deserves a mention, too; it’s a delicious affair served up every day.
Location: Set in Duluth’s historic Mansion District, this is a charming neighbourhood to wander around. It’s just a couple of minutes’ walk from here to the shores of Lake Superior, the buzz of Downtown Duluth, and Canal Park.
3. Sheraton Duluth Hotel
Source: booking.comThe Sheraton Duluth Hotel is a warm and friendly place to stay. Guests can enjoy a range of rooms, each with dark wood furnishings, subtle lighting, and large beds with crisp, white linen.
When you’re not spending time enjoying the area, there’s the chance to make the most of the hotel’s indoor pool, indulge in the hot tub, work-out in the fitness centre, or kick back in the evenings with a drink or two at the bar.
Location: Situated just across from the Lake Walk around Lake Superior, there are many bars and pubs in the vicinity. Canal Park Square and Great Lakes Aquarium are around half a mile away.
4. The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza
Source: booking.comIf you’re looking to stay in a historic building, you may want to opt for The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza. Set in a building that dates back to the late 1800s, rooms contain many original features mixed with functional, modern design.
In terms of things to do at the hotel, there’s a swimming pool for guests to use, a gym and a hot tub, and a games room. Each morning, there’s complimentary breakfast served up, too.
Location: Located in the heart of Canal Park, staying here means you’ll be right near the water’s edge, with Duluth’s Downtown Waterfront and Great Lakes Aquarium very close by.
5. Comfort Suites Canal Park
Source: booking.comComfort Suites Canal Park boasts fresh, contemporary interiors in its spacious guest rooms, making for a relaxing atmosphere; they even come with bathtubs, seating areas, fireplaces, and an outdoor terrace where you can soak up those lake views.
While some rooms boast small kitchens, guests can enjoy the free hot breakfast each morning (a great way to start the day). There’s an indoor pool and hot tub for guests to use at their leisure, too.
Location: Set in Canal Park on the shores of Lake Superior, from here the Lake Superior Marine Museum is within easy walking distance — as is the Aerial Lift Bridge, along with other museums and restaurants.
6. South Pier Inn
Source: booking.comSouth Pier Inn is a charming place to stay, made up of white-washed cottages that provide everything guests could need. The suites on offer boast private balconies with waterfront views and stylish interiors; some even have whirlpool bathtubs.
Outside, there’s a large lawn spread out along a 400-foot stretch of private shoreline, which looks directly at Aerial Lift Bridge. Breakfast is served onsite each morning in a relaxing dining area.
Location: Pretty much next door to Aerial Lift Bridge, other attractions are nearby, such as Lake Superior Maritime Museum, Great Lakes Aquarium, and Duluth Canal Park.
7. Best Western Plus Spirit Mountain Duluth
Source: booking.comA smart hotel with lodge-esque interiors – from stone walls to fireplaces – you’re welcomed from the moment you step into the warmth of the lobby with its high ceilings and comfortable atmosphere. The rooms are traditional, with seating areas, TVs, and large beds.
To keep up with those work-outs, there’s an onsite gym. And if you need to ease those sore muscles, there’s a hot tub. As a bonus, there is a free breakfast served daily with a variety of options on offer.
Location: With easy access to the interstate highway (great for road-trippers), Spirit Mountain is within walking distance of the hotel. Its ski area is just a mile from the hotel.
8. Radisson Hotel Duluth Harbour View
Source: booking.comSituated inside a cylindrical tower of a building, this Duluth branch of Radisson comes complete with a revolving restaurant on its 16th floor for iconic city views. Elsewhere, guests can swim at the indoor pool or while away some time at the sauna.
The guest rooms are smartly decorated in neutral tones, providing a simple yet stylish space to relax in after a day of exploring.
Location: This hotel boasts a great location close to the Downtown Waterfront, which means there’s a wide selection of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars within walking distance. For those who like golf, Enger Park Golf Course is a five-minute drive away.
9. La Quinta by Wyndham
Source: booking.comWith their fresh and fashionable interiors, the guest rooms at La Quinta in Duluth are pretty cool, decked out with geometric patterns and an easygoing ambience. Outside, guests can enjoy stargazing around the fire pit at night.
There’s also a well-equipped fitness centre and an indoor pool. Conveniently, there’s a minimart in the hotel, as well as a buffet breakfast served up in the mornings.
Location: Situated three miles from Downtown Duluth, there are restaurants and shops within walking distance of the hotel. Sights like Enger Park and Tower and Canal Park Square are just over three miles away.
10. Beacon Pointe Resort on Lake Superior
Source: booking.comSituated on the shores of Lake Superior, this hotel boasts modern rooms with large windows. They come with balconies where guests can sit overlooking the water. They are also equipped with kitchens and are available in various sizes to fit your travel needs.
When it comes to amenities, choosing to stay here means guests have the option of using the well-maintained hotel pool. There is also a fitness centre and BBQ facilities in the garden area.
Location: With unobstructed views of Lake Superior, this hotel is situated under two miles from Canal Park Square. All the museums and top attractions are around two miles away as well. It’s a quiet location, but close enough to all the sights.
11. Holiday Inn and Suites Duluth Downtown
Source: booking.comThis hotel’s contemporary interiors make for a stylish stay in Duluth, complete with a host of amenities to keep everybody entertained. Rooms open onto an indoor pool surrounded by a seating area, but there’s much more on offer than that.
More entertainment comes in the form of yet another swimming pool, a gym, and even a games room to try your luck in. There’s no chance of getting hungry here: there are no less than three restaurants to take your pick from.
Location: Within easy walking distance of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, this hotel is not far from the Downtown Waterfront. The North Shore Scenic Railroad, Great Lakes Aquarium, and Aerial Lift Bridge are less than half a mile away.
12. Hampton Inn and Suites Duluth North Mn
Source: booking.comAs soon as you walk through the doors of this top Duluth hotel, you’ll be welcomed by an open fireplace and very friendly staff. Staying a few nights at this hotel means you’ll get top service along with comfortable rooms and great amenities.
While the rooms are sizeable, boasting white-tiled bathrooms and large beds, there’s also an indoor pool and Jacuzzi to enjoy. There’s even a spot where you can fire up the BBQ and relax in the sunshine on the shared terrace.
Location: While Canal Park Square is three miles from here, there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the neighbourhood to enjoy; Enger Park and Tower are also within walking distance.
13. Tru by Hilton Duluth Mall Area
Source: booking.comFashionable, newly-designed rooms create an energetic, youthful feeling throughout this hotel. There are fun colour pops, stylish furnishings, and a cool sense of minimalist, modern style in all the hotel’s areas — including its guest rooms.
The rooms are spacious, with TVs, desks, wooden floors, and huge beds. Elsewhere, you can enjoy a game of pool in the hotel’s lounge, catch up on emails in its funky workspaces, or sun yourself on the terrace.
Location: Situated close to Brewery Creek, the SS William A Irvin Ore Boat Museum and Lake Superior Maritime Museum are both just over two miles from here. Duluth Entertainment Convention Center is close by.
14. Part Point Marina Inn
Source: booking.comA fun and family-friendly place to stay in Duluth, this top hotel boasts rooms with balconies overlooking the marina. Rooms are decorated in cosy tones of grey and nautical blue; they’re spacious, too, so there’s enough room for all the family.
With a whole lot of amenities, including a play area out on the lawn, a games arcade, and an indoor swimming pool, there’s certainly enough going on here to keep everyone entertained. Evenings can be spent stargazing from around the fire pit at the water’s edge.
Location: Set on the site of Duluth Boat Club, alongside Duluth Harbor, the Aerial Lift Bridge, Lake Superior Maritime Museum, and Great Lakes Aquarium are around a ten-minute stroll from this hotel.
15. Canal Park Lodge
Source: booking.comCanal Park Lodge is a large hotel with traditional yet modern interiors that make for a cosy, comfortable stay in Duluth. Guests can unwind in the lounge with its open fireplace and stone-clad walls, or take a dip in the indoor pool.
Aside from soaking up lake views on the shared terrace, the guest rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, with their own views out across the landscape. There’s a daily hot breakfast served up in the mornings.
Location: Just a stone’s throw from a beach on the shores of Lake Superior, this hotel is also close to the Downtown Waterfront area, as well as Canal Park. Leif Erickson Park Rose Garden is just a mile from here.