Grand Marais Lodgings

At peak times in winter and summer there's way more demand for rooms than supply in this little but much-loved town. Note: a small beach on West Bay behind downtown means that visitors staying at the Dunes Motel, Arborgate Inn, and Hilltop Cabins, can walk to a relatively warm swimming beach.

Arranged from north (on Lake Superior) to south and east.

BEACH PARK MOTEL
(906) 494-2681
Every one of the 14 large rooms in this two-story motel has a picture window with a view of Grand Marais Harbor across the street. The West Bay Diner is a block away, downtown is one more block. All rooms have microwaves, minifridges, WiFi internet. No in-room phones. Courtesy phone outside allows free calls within U.P. Large rooms, decorated in woodsy colors, have room for a sitting area when there's one queen bed. Second floor air-conditioned. Rooms in summer are $75 for up to four people. Picnic table is in back; grill across the street. Free use of cruiser bikes for guests. Kayak rentals, possibly snowmobile rentals on site. For good summer availability on non-event weekends, call at least two weeks ahead.

VOYAGEURS MOTEL
(906) 494-2389
Terry and Delphine Wilson's motel sits up on the bluff overlooking Grand Marais Harbor and Lake Superior, about a two-block walk to town. The Wilsons have installed a deck, fire pit, picnic area, and swings to take in the beautiful view of town, harbor, piers, and lake — fine for star-gazing. Each room has a large rear window with the outstanding bay view. A table and two chairs at the window let guests sit and look out. Rooms have mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and in some cases microwaves, which are otherwise available on request. Rates on summer non-holiday weekends are $85 for two, $10 extra adult. The community room has a hot tub and sauna. The grand view can also be had from the rental house with three bedrooms and two baths.

ARBORGATE INN
(906) 494-2681
Every one of the 14 large rooms in this two-story motel has a picture window with a view of Grand Marais Harbor across the street. All rooms have cable TV, microwaves, bathtubs, and either one queen and a sofa bed or two double beds. Six rooms have minifridges. No in-room phones. Courtesy phone outside allows free calls within U.P. Wireless internet via router. Large rooms, decorated in woodsy colors, have room for a sitting area when there's one queen bed. Ten rooms are non-smoking. Second floor air-conditioned. Rooms in summer are $70 for up to four people. Picnic table is in back; grill across the street. Free use of cruiser bikes for guests. Snowmobile rentals on site. The West Bay Diner is a block away, downtown is one more block. For good summer availability on non-event weekends, call at least two weeks ahead.

DUNES MOTEL
(906) 494-2324; thedunesmotel.info
This small, simple, well-run motel perches on the hill at the south entrance to town. All rooms have minifridges, in-room coffee, and cable TV. Picnic tables and grills are outside. Most rooms now have distant water views. Four rooms in a separate building have kitchenettes. Rates for summer start at below $50. Ask about larger rooms and two-bedroom kitchen units.

HILLTOP CABINS & MOTEL
(906) 494-2331
Seven housekeeping cabins and a 5-unit motel form a circle up on the bluff, a mile's walk from downtown Grand Marais. Owners John and Jeanette Bauknecht have completely remodeled and redecorated every guest unit and built a big deck where all can sit and enjoy a grand view of the harbor below. Enthusiastic hosts, charming quarters, and a quiet location with room to spread out—all that makes up for not being closer to the water. All units have cable TV, microwaves, coffeemakers, and minifridges, plus queen beds. The log-sided motel units are $75/night in summer for 2-4 people. Three have two queens, two have one queen and a full kitchen. Guests can use office phone for important calls.
     Cabins are rented for three-night minimums. They have from one to three bedrooms and full kitchens and sofa sleepers. Rates are $100-$150 a night in summer. Cabins sleep up to 4 or 6 comfortably. The showpieces are 2 cabins, each with a gas fireplace, whirlpool tub, 2 bedrooms and a loft ($150/night for up to 8 people), positioned to take in the beautiful view. The 2-bedroom "Cliff House" next door sits on the ridge (1 1/2 baths). The Bauknechts have built rustic furniture for their guest rooms and decorated them with their wildlife photos and Jeanette's paintings. 2011 brings a playroom for kids, an activity center with a pool table and pingpong, a wet bar for adults, and a guest laundry.
     The Bauknechts, from southeastern Ohio, bought the motel on an impulse after coming to visit hermother in Munising and seeing it advertised in the newspaper. "I knew how to run a business and make people happy," says Jeanette, a veteran daycare provider. They took over in January, 2003. Within a year and a half they had moved north with their four children, had gradually redone the whole place, taken up snowmobiling, come to love the long winter, and made lots of friends. Jeanette was thrilled when novelist-poet Jim Harrison, who for many years had worked in a nearby cabin and fished, gave her the leather chair in which he had written many of his books. The Bauknechts had kept a eye on his cabin. The Harrisons moved to Montana to be with their daughter. Call by May 1 at the latest for good summer availability. Many repeat guests come back each summer, or several times a year.

WOODS' COTTAGES
(906) 494-2366. Owner takes awhile to return calls in winter.
A find from an earlier era. Four vintage housekeeping cabins (mostly 2-bedroom) with pine paneling and nifty rustic furniture are nestled down in a cedar grove with nice views of low back dunes. A walkway crosses what remains of the Sucker River to reach the Lake Superior beach. Guests can make beach fires, weather permitting. Towels and linens are furnished. The down-to-earth, unpretentious owner appreciates the serenity of this special spot. She's been coming here since she was 5, in 1945, when her family started building the resort. 2 picnic tables. Rented by the week in summer. Very reasonable rates. Limit: 5 people per cabin, including children. Best to reserve when owner returns, in mid-May.

SUNSET CABINS
(906) 494-2693; sunset.grandmaraismichigan.com
Here are four charming housekeeping cabins in the woods with views of low dunes and Lake Superior—recently remodeled and so charming they could almost be in a magazine. Two other rental houses are larger and newer. Owner Craig Winnie gutted and winterized these vintage cabins, and finished them in a woodsy style. Each cabin has a deck looking out onto the low dunes with a slice of Lake Superior view. All cabins have cable TV, full kitchens, decks, grills, and picnic tables. Guests can use office phone when necessary. Photos and rates are on the websites. Summer rentals are by the week. Otherwise there's a 3-day minimum. High seasons are mid May thru late October and mid December thru mid March. One sample rate for 2 bedrooms, sleeping 4: $750/week, $125/night in season, $95/night, $570/week otherwise.
     Formerly the Sucker River flowed through this low area. To reach the Lake Superior beach, it's necessary to row across a pond or walk around it. Each cottage comes with a paddleboat. Not surprisingly, Sunset Cabins are booked up in the most desirable times. But cancellations do occur, and there are some openings in spring and fall.

Return to Grand Marais

Best of the Best U.P. Maps

Incredibly Useful!
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula • Favorite hikes, beaches, restaurants, shops, lighthouses, scenic drives, waterfalls, & much more
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here