There’s A Themed Hotel In The Middle Of Nowhere In Minnesota You’ll Absolutely Love
Northern Rail Traincar Inn in Two Harbors, Minnesota offers a unique stay in authentic train boxcars with themed decor and access to local attractions.
It's always fun to stay in a hotel. The chance to take a break from work, explore a new area, and relax in a new environment can be very energizing. It's even more exciting when you choose to stay in a hotel that has a special theme. Here in Minnesota, there are quite a few interesting places to stay. One of the best is the Northern Rail Traincar Inn, a train-themed hotel that will blow you away with its outstanding comfort, beautiful location, and authentic boxcar rooms.
The Northern Rail Traincar Inn is located in the small town of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Guests have access to hiking trails, state parks, and all the beauty of the North Shore. Find the hotel at 1730 County Highway 3.
It's also where you'll get your first hint that this is not a regular hotel. There are 17 real train boxcars that make up this themed hotel. You can see their outer walls built into the hotel's hallway.
The rooms are loaded with all that you'll need to have a comfortable stay. There are 14 smaller porter rooms, each taking up half of a boxcar. There are also three suites that come with sitting rooms, larger bathrooms, and a microwave and fridge.
In addition to being in a train boxcar, each of the rooms comes with its own decor theme. For example, the Victorian, safari, and lighthouse-themed rooms are all popular.
After settling into their rooms, guests can go outside to explore the train. Because these are authentic boxcars, you'll find interesting markings and even graffiti on some cars.
If you feel the need to wander off, there are many hiking trails in the area. The hotel is close to popular North Shore Restaurants, such as Betty's Pies, as well as gorgeous destinations like Gooseberry Falls or Split Rock Lighthouse.
Given all the lodging options in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, choosing one can be quite a challenge. This list of the best hotels in Minnesota, from the most unique stays to unforgettable resorts, will help narrow the selection when you are looking for the top lodging in the North Star State.
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Best Unique Hotels to Stay in Minnesota
There are many one-of-a-kind lodging options in Minnesota. Some are unique because of their architecture or the structure that houses them, others because of their history, and a few offer experiences, unlike other local hotels.
The charming Covington Inn is quite possibly the most singular stay in Minnesota. This inn is a retired river towboat that’s been updated, lovingly restored, and converted into a small inn. More of a bed and breakfast than a hotel perhaps, the Covington Inn doesn’t have your typical front desk or lobby bar, but for unique stays in Minnesota, this inn has to make any list. You’ll enjoy the comfortable rooms, and you simply can’t beat the stunning views of downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River. Visit the Covington Inn Bed & Breakfast website to find vacation packages.
A stay in the beautiful and historic Naniboujou Lodge, with its stunning Lake Superior setting, offers a unique experience you won’t soon forget. Most stays require a minimum of two nights and include breakfast and dinner in Naniboujou Lodge's stunning dining room. Unplug in a north woods setting with no TVs, Wi-Fi, and little cell service, but plenty of with sweeping lake views. Visit the Naniboujou Lodge & Restaurant website to book your getaway.
The charming Celeste of St. Paul is at the corner of Cedar and Exchange in downtown St. Paul. The hotel is housed in a historic beaux arts building that has served as a convent, as well as a school of music and art. Today, it’s a quirky boutique hotel that leans hard into its storied past.
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Best Hotel Pools in Minnesota
Clearly, many of the top accommodations in Minnesota have pools. This pair, however - one the epitome of refinement and the other all about family fun - has elevated the hotel pool concept with stunning views and top-shelf amenities.
The Four Seasons Minneapolis could just as easily be included in the luxury hotel setting, however, its indoor and outdoor pools, with their skyline views, are some of the most stunning in the state. Combine that with all the amenities and luxe accommodations of the Four Seasons, such as a spa offering massages and other services, and a Gavin Kaysen-helmed restaurant, and you just can’t do any better for an adult, urban getaway in the North Star State.
Your family won't believe the views when you walk into this Edgewater Hotel and Waterpark. No, it’s not the Four Seasons, but rather, it’s its own fantastic thing. Combining sweeping lake views across lake superior with a waterpark setting, the Edgewater is a fantastic place for a family getaway. You’ll find outdoor and indoor pools, hot tubs, waterslides, and everything you’ll need for a weekend - or more - of fun.
Best Luxury Hotels in Minnesota
Whether you’re looking for modern elegance or classic style and service, these luxury hotels can compete with any in the country. This duo exudes service and luxury while exemplifying the aesthetics of their respective cities.
The ultra-luxe Hotel Ivy, a part of the Marriott "Luxury Collection," is easily one of the top hotels in Minnesota and is home to the best spa in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Whether you’re visiting this five-star hotel to indulge in massages or other dreamy spa services, or to sweeten your dreams in one of the most luxurious suites Minneapolis has to offer, you will not be disappointed with your stay at Hotel Ivy.
Perhaps the last of the Grand Dame hotels in Minnesota, The Saint Paul Hotel offers the type of classic, luxury hotel experience you would only expect to find in New York, Boston, or another large eastern city. Service is king at The Saint Paul, and you’ll find it throughout the hotel, from the front desk staff to the beloved Saint Paul Grill restaurant.
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Best Boutique Hotels in Minnesota
When it comes to lodging, big is not always better, and some of the state’s finest hotels are smaller properties that lean more toward creating an experience for their guests than welcoming as many as possible. This threesome represents some of the best boutique hotels in Minnesota.
The Hewing Hotel is an ultra-chic boutique hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in Minnesota, the Hewing Hotel is a perfect spot for an urban getaway. With its close proximity to the Mississippi River, Target Field, and the North Loop, it’s in a prime location to explore some of the best things Minneapolis has to offer.
Stillwater's Lora was the first among the historic city’s recent spate of boutique hotels, and it holds its own against the newcomers. Lora is a thoroughly modern hotel tucked against the town’s limestone bluffs in one of historic Stillwater’s most historic structures. Lora is an ideal place to set up basecamp for exploring the charming St. Croix River town and all it has to offer.
The historic St. James Hotel is a gorgeous hotel in Red Wing that first opened in 1875. It’s easily one of the nicest hotels in Minnesota, and quite possibly the finest hotel in the state outside of the Twin Cities. It’s also conveniently located about an hour from either the Twin Cities or Rochester. Red Wing, itself, is a historic Mississippi River town in Minnesota’s gorgeous Bluff Country and makes an excellent destination for a day trip, particularly around the holidays.
Best Resorts in Minnesota
With its many sparkling lakes, wide rivers, and large swaths of forest, Minnesota is home to many unbelievable resorts. These two historic properties have been favorites in the North Star State for decades and set the standard to which other Minnesota resorts aspire.
Grand View Lodge is a family-friendly year-round resort that Minnesotans have been flocking to for generations. Its sprawling setting on Gull Lake, along with its multiple nearby golf courses, attracts lovers of all manner of outdoor activities, from ice fishing to biking and sand-castle building. Several equipment rental outposts mean you won’t have to lug your own gear. On the other hand, several dining options, as well as a spa offering massages and other services, also make the resort a perfect place for those who simply want to kick back and relax.
The venerable Lutsen Resort is the grandaddy of North Shore resorts, and it’s been entertaining guests for decades with its beautifully rugged slice of Lake Superior shoreline. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast who wants to establish a basecamp for hiking, biking, kayaking, or skiing - downhill and cross-country - or you just want to curl up in front of a roaring fire with a cocktail and watch the waves pound against the rocks, family-friendly Lutsen is the place to be. This is one of the best resorts in Minnesota for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit the Lutsen Lodge website for additional information and updates about its re-opening.
Clearly, a list of a dozen can't include all the best hotels in Minnesota. In addition to these 12, there are many more top hotels. Have you stayed at any of these luxury hotels in Minnesota? Are there other places to stay you would have included?
If you want to enjoy the wilds of Minnesota, check out some of our favorite cabins in Minnesota, too.
You don’t have to search for long to find a fantastic place to stay in Minnesota. Even rooms with a view are plentiful, thanks to our state’s more than 10,000 lakes. Many of these lakeside stays are at family resorts that are packed with comfort and amenities. There are many resorts to choose from, but one of our favorites is a little spot in the middle of nowhere, far from Minnesota’s biggest vacation destinations. Here, at Fair Hills Resort, you’ll be able to get away from it all for a beautiful and peaceful stay. Check it out:
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Fair Hills Resort is a beautiful resort nestled into the shores of Pelican Lake near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
The resort started in 1906. It has changed owners a few times since opening, but it has been family-owned since 1926! Today, the fourth generation of the Kahldahl family owns and runs the resort.
The resort has over 100 units to choose from. Most are single, freestanding cabins. Some, for larger groups, are divided into several units that connect. Groups of all sizes can find an option that will allow everyone to have peace and privacy.
Each of the cabins is outfitted with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including beds, tables and chairs, and bed linens. There is a daily cleaning service for the cabins.
Eight of the cabins at Fair Hills have kitchens. That’s because this resort has three shared meals daily. At the toll of the bell, head up to grab tasty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners made on site. There’s plenty of variety, and the resort can accommodate any dietary restriction.
There is plenty to do at this resort. Organized activities change daily, but may include sports, fishing, treasure hunts, crafts, and aerobics classes. Regular events, such as the weekly Hootenanny, include live singing, music, and other entertainment.
The resort also makes it easy to enjoy beautiful Pelican Lake. Guests may dip a toe in from the sandy beach, grab a kayak or paddleboat, or even rent a speedboat or pontoon.
This beautiful, historic resort is full of fun! You’ll make lasting memories here as you enjoy the peace and quiet, great views, and fun activities at Fair Hills Resort.
