Iron Mountain Lodgings

DUVAL'S LAKESIDE RESORT
(906) 774-1689
This well-kept, two-generation family resort is most unusual. It has a quiet waterfront location on a lake-like Menominee River backwater, just 10 minutes from Iron Mountain. The white pines are huge, the cottages far apart on the quiet, 6-acre site. Built over the last 50 years, each cottage looks different and is decorated distinctively. Each comes with a grill and picnic table, and a fishing boat. (Duval's rents motors.) Guests can use 3 canoes for free and paddle miles up the river, usually smooth as glass. The sandy, safe beach is ample. It has a playground. Some cabins have special features: a stone fireplace, a deck by the water. Typically they sleep 6-8 and rent for around $565-$575/week. Weekly rentals from June thru August. Otherwise, three-day minimums preferred. Early summer insects hardly ever a problem. Regulars take most spots in July and August, so book early. Outstanding location for fall color tours. Ask about fishing.

COMFORT INN of IRON MOUNTAIN
(906) 774-5505; (866) 774-5506
A helpful staff, free deluxe continental breakfast, and big, new rooms (with teleports for business travelers) make this well-run 48-room motel stand out. Regular rooms for two are $65 ($7 less for one person). All rooms include a desk and either a recliner or sofa. Deluxe queen rooms ($86 for two) have a sitting area, pullout queen sofa, microwave, and refrigerator. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. There's no swimming pool, and therefore no kids running around making noise, but there is an exercise room and hot tub. Business center has computer with printer, 2-sided copier/binder. Next door to Recreation Lanes bowling alley with pool tables. A block from Romagnoli's Italian restaurant and handy to Pine Mountain ski area.

PINE MOUNTAIN RESORT
(906) 774-2747; (800) 505-7463

Entrance to Pine Mountain Resort.

This pioneering Upper Peninsula ski resort, founded in 1938 by Milwaukee brewer Fred Pabst, has a convenient and beautiful wooded setting in suburban Iron Mountain. The architecture and landscaping of the year-round resort are attractive. The lodge building has a fine lobby with fireplace, a handsome year-round restaurant, and a gorgeous, light-filled indoor pool with adjacent sauna and whirlpool. The congenial bar serves as an Iron Mountain sports hall of fame.
   The highly-rated Timberstone Golf Course designed by Jerry Mathews is across the road. It plays up the setting, with its boulders and mature pines. The resort will arrange fishing guides for guests. See our ski section for skiing details. Winter rates for two $90/room weekends, $70 weekdays, Condos are $200 and $250.

EDGEWATER RESORT & COUNTRY LOG CABINS
(906) 774-6244; (800) 236-6244; edgewaterresortmi.com
Nine appealing log cabins overlook the Menominee River in a beautiful, woodsy setting. (Road noise from U.S. 2 can be heard.) Lawn chairs and a sandy playground overlook the river. There are a basketball court, a weekly summer potluck and a bonfire area. Bonfires on request (weather permitting). Each cabin comes with a picnic table and fishing boat. Unpredictable water current necessitates boat motors from home, or rented here. There's a fish cleaning station and a laundry. Most cabins have 2 or 3 bedrooms; all have kitchens, microwaves, cable TV and DVD (but no phones). The classic log cabins, now refurbished, were part of a 1930s WPA project and were moved here much later. The interiors are quite modern. Summer rentals by the week. Rates for two-bedroom cabins are $550 or $450/week for one bedroom ($83/night). The owners, transplanted Chicagoans, treasure the area's laid-back, undiscovered character. Reserve a year ahead for peak summer season. No smoking.

LAKESIDE BED & BREAKFAST
(715) 528-3259
Innkeepers Ronny McMullen, a former contractor, and his wife Rita designed and built this specifically to be a combination inn and home, so it was easy to design in extras like fireplaces and access to the shared balcony or patio from each room.
      Ronny, an avid angler, will give guests casting lessons and tips on area fishing, which is varied and excellent. Several waterfalls are within 15 miles.
     A comfortable yet refined country inn/northwoods lodge look is created by Amish quilts, antiques, wing chairs, a gun rack in the guest living room, and pine furniture. Big windows, decks, fireplaces, and a screened porch make for a place where some guests just hang around and read. The full breakfast is an event, with crystal and candles. The lower-level, walkout Florida room has a hot tub and exercise equipment. Down by the lake guests can use the hammocks, dock, swimming beach, raft, canoes, and paddleboats. A footpath surrounds Fisher Lake, where loons, eagles, and osprey can sometimes be seen. Six guest rooms are upstairs, one handicap-accessible room is on the first floor, and an extra-large room that sleeps up to four is in the walk-out lower level. Four rooms have lake views. Rooms are from $85 to $100 a night, depending on whether there's a lake view, fireplace, etc. Each guest room has cable TV with ESPN. All are air-conditioned. The guest phone is in the hall. Reservations at least three weeks or a month ahead are recommended for summer, and longer ahead for fall weekends. Snowmobilers welcome; on a trail.

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