Canal Park Lodge

From the outside, Canal Park Lodge looks like a standard and modern motel, but the lobby's design resembles a welcoming mountain lodge, in keeping with its Minnesota home. Plants and a patio with a seating area surround the entrance; inside, the lobby is filled with wood-paneling, Mission-style wooden furniture, faux stone columns, high beamed ceilings, and live plants. On most evenings, the lobby turns into a relaxed, cash-only bar for guests, with free appetizers, friendly conversation, and sunset lake views. The pool area tends to be quiet, with families taking advantage of it most. However, youth hockey teams often book blocks of rooms, and they can get rowdy. 

The Canal Park Lodge is located right on Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota’s fifth-largest city, and one of its most picturesque. The hotel is a new-build, in Canal Park, surrounded by other hotels and tourist-catering restaurants, and is within walking distance of the Great Lakes Aquarium and Duluth's downtown strip. The Duluth International Airport is about a 20-minute drive away. The hotel offers free parking; you'll want a car to explore some of Duluth's historic neighborhoods and the surrounding area.

While the decor is similar throughout the rooms at the Canal Park Lodge -- modern, chain-hotel-style dark wood furnishings, industrial maroon carpets and accents -- there are several different options when it comes to size and scope. Some rooms have king beds while others have two queen beds; some rooms have a balcony, and some overlook the lake while others have a city side view. The style is simple, clean, and functional, although some furnishings are slightly outdated. Photography of the North Shore and flat-screen, high-def TVs give the rooms a more modern feel. Bathrooms have combination shower/tubs. All rooms have coffeemakers and mini-fridges. Furniture on the balconies is surprisingly high-end and modern. Past guests have complained about unusual smells. 

The main perk of staying at the Canal Park Lounge are the views of Lake Superior but, within the hotel walls, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained on a rainy day. The free hot breakfast includes Caribou Coffee and is served daily for all guests. There's a small gym, as well as a heated indoor pool and hot tub area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake and plenty of seating. Couples can order fresh roses, Champagne and truffle packages, or cheese plates to await them in their rooms upon arrival. Therapeutic massages can be scheduled through the front desk. There's an on-site laundry room for guests to take advantage of. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and there's a small business corner in the lobby with a computer and printer; the hotel also has meeting rooms. The lobby bar is open most evenings for a few hours; it's cash-only, but free appetizers are provided.