Superior Shores really doesn't overlook anything...except Lake Superior!
Written: Aug 31 '06 (Updated Aug 31 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Location, Variety of rooms, great service, clean and nicely decorated rooms
Cons: Higher rates in the area, 2 nights required on weekends
The Bottom Line: Superior Shores offers high-class service and style in a relaxed and beautiful setting.
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| mjtriplett's Full Review: Superior Shores Resort & Conference Center/Two Har... |
How I know about Superior Shores
I’ve had more than just the average guest experience with Superior Shores Resort & Conference Center, because it is located in my hometown in northern Minnesota. I’ve watched the hotel go through a major overhaul in the 1990’s to become what it is now—a first-class resort. Over the few decades I’ve been around, I’ve had the opportunity to test the waters of Superior Shores for various reasons. If I was writing a review for the resort prior to its renovation, I probably wouldn’t have given it a very high recommendation, because it was nothing more than an average hotel with a nice view of Lake Superior. But, the owners and management have since capitalized on that prime location and turned Superior Shores into what, in my epinion, is the nicest place to stay on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Just so you know of my qualifications for writing this review, I would estimate that since the resort’s renovation, I have actually stayed overnight there somewhere between 8-10 nights, eaten at the restaurant probably a dozen times, and had my wedding reception there in 2004. So, when Superior Shores says that the only thing they overlook is Lake Superior, I can attest to that fact.
Reservations & Rates for Superior Shores
First of all, for those of you that have never been to Minnesota, the stream of traffic that flows up to the northern part of the state in the summer months is a little ridiculous. So, if you plan to visit the North Shore anytime between June and September, book early. You’ve been warned.
You can either call the hotel directly (info is below) or make a reservation on their website. Because the website reservation system had not yet been implemented as of my last stay, I have not used it yet and have always called. The website reservation system looks easy enough, but you must set up a guest account to use it (free). When I call, I am pleased to say I’ve never actually been put on hold to listen to awful elevator music prior to actually speaking with the reservation staff.
What you think of the rates at the hotel will depend upon where you most often travel. For the North Shore area, the rates at Superior Shores are higher than most of the other hotels. However, were you to stay at a comparable hotel, or even a budget hotel, in some metro areas, the price at Superior Shores would pale in comparison. Peak season runs from late May through mid-October, and room rates are higher, ranging from $79 - $479/night. The big range is from the large room selection, which I’ll discuss later. Off-peak season is from November through April, and the rates range from $49 - $329/night. One downfall is that the resort requires a two-night stay on weekends (Friday & Saturday nights). A lot of people travel to the North Shore with the hopes of hopping from small town to small town doing all the scenic tours, but if you have to stay two nights, you are a little restricted to the area closer to the resort. This is not completely a bad thing, which leads me to…
Location
All right, if you’ve read my reviews, you know I’m a little biased towards the North Shore area, but really, it is beautiful. Superior Shores is located right on the shoreline of Lake Superior in the small town of Two Harbors, Minnesota. The resort is about 1/4 mile north of town, right off of Highway 61 and very easy to locate. Parking is plentiful, and the resort is in a nice private location, because it owns 60 acres of land and has a large beach strip along the lake.
For a comprehensive overview on the area and things you might want to do there, please visit my review of Two Harbors. Suffice it to say that the area has something for everyone. In the summer, there is hiking, biking, boating, fishing, kayaking, touring 4 state parks in the area, gift & craft shopping, golfing, and much more. In the winter, there is skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice-fishing, snowmobiling, skating. I could go on forever.
In Two Harbors, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes for you to grab a bite. Superior Shores also has its own Kamloops Restaurant, which is a nice somewhat upscale place that serves all 3 meals and has a full bar. I recommend trying any of the local fish specialty dishes served in the restaurant.
Superior Shores' common areas and amenities
When you walk into Superior Shores’ lobby, you are immediately greeted with trademarks of the North Shore area, because preserved wildlife greets you from the walls, ceiling, and corners of the room. Now, I know this may sound creepy, but it is actually very rustic and cozy-like. The lobby is pretty small, and its center-point is a great brick fireplace. To your right as you enter is a small gift-shop/convenience item store (forget that toothbrush?) and the front desk. The front desk staff is usually very knowledgeable about the area, and will be quite helpful if you are looking for things to do or directions to get someplace.
Past the lobby is the main ballroom, which can be broken down into several small conference rooms as well. The room has a full wall of windows looking out onto the lake at the back of the resort. I rented the ballroom a little over 2 years ago for my wedding reception and couldn’t have asked for better service. The waitstaff was prompt, courteous and attentive to all of our guests, and the room was big enough to hold 250 people without everyone stepping on top of each other. We had a buffet style meal with beef and chicken options from Kamloops Restaurant, and we still hear about what a nice reception it was from our guests!
Superior Shores has both indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, so that you can have that nice relaxing evening in all seasons. The pool areas are very big and have plenty of loungers and tables for families to hang out together. You may also request a pool-side room, which is nice for large groups with lots of kids, but not so nice for those wanting extra peace and quiet. There is no exercise room, but if you need to exercise, hiking, walking, and biking trails are right out the front door. There is also a very long beach along Lake Superior and just a minute walk from the hotel, and in the evenings, they often build large bonfires for their guests to enjoy.
Superior Shores' rooms
The heart of the resort is its lodging options. You can stay in just a standard room with one king or two double beds, or you can choose to stay in a lodge suite or a lakehome. I’ve stayed overnight in both standard and suite rooms and have visited a lakehome while some friends were residing there. All went above and beyond my expectations.
The rooms are also done in rustic decor, but there are not stuffed wild animals in any of the ones that I have seen, so you don’t have to worry about that moose or deer watching you while you sleep, if that sort of thing scares you. They do have lamps with wildlife or fur trees depicted on the bases, all log chair, desk, and bed frames, and usually dark burgundy, green, and navy blue linens and draperies that also depict bears and other wilderness silhouettes. It doesn’t sound “classy” per se, but it adequately represents the location and it is all clean and nicely put together. A resort with too much main-stream class just wouldn’t fit on the North Shore. The image trying that the North Shore attempts to maintain is all about relaxation, beauty, and coziness, and Superior Shores' rooms do a nice job of satisfying all 3 elements.
The mattresses on the beds that I’ve slept in were firm, but not too firm. The bathrooms are roomy; there is plenty of space to strew lots of toiletries across the vanity. Some bathrooms have a full bath and others just a standing shower, but either option is spacious. The water pressure is great! You are able to request a lakeview, as well, but in the peak season you may have trouble getting one if you don’t call far in advance. All the rooms I’ve stayed in have the standard amenities: dryer, iron & ironing board, room service, TV (2 in suites).
Most of the suites are the size of 2 regular rooms and offer Jacuzzis, fireplaces, or both! The suite that I stayed in was beautiful. The bedroom, with a king bed and a large 4-person Jacuzzi, was connected to a separate full bath and a full living room with a small balcony looking out onto the lake.
There is also the lakehome option, which is the priciest, but is a great option for large groups or families coming to stay for a long weekend or a week. They range from studio size up to 3 bedrooms and are located right on the lakeshore. They all have full baths and their own kitchens. Most have fireplaces, and a few even have full-size hot tubs!
Overall thoughts
Obviously, I highly recommend a stay at Superior Shores if you’re visiting Minnesota’s North Shore. Their style and location cannot be beat, and when you combine that with consistently great service, why would you stay anywhere else?
Superior Shores Resort & Conference Center
1521 Superior Shores Drive
Two Harbors, MN 55616
(800) 242-1988
www.superiorshores.com
Recommended:
Yes
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mjtriplett
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Member: Mel
Location: Minnesota
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