Aspen Inn
Location: 1711 West Hwy. 61á, Grand Marais, Minnesota, 55604, Grand Marais, US
Star Rating: 2 Stars
Property Type: Motels
About this Property
Convenient Location
Discover the ideal retreat at Aspen Inn, perfectly situated within walking distance of Lake Superior and Superior National Forest. Explore nearby attractions easily during your stay.
Comfortable Accommodations
Relax in one of our 30 well-appointed guestrooms equipped with modern amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, cable TV, and convenient appliances like refrigerators and hair dryers for a homely feel.
Complimentary Offerings
Indulge in a daily continental breakfast to kick-start your day and take advantage of free self-parking on-site for a hassle-free experience. Let our friendly staff assist you during your stay. Book now for a memorable stay at Aspen Inn!
Important Information
- Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
- Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
- Contactless check-out is available.
- This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
Policies
Check-in: 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Instructions: The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation. The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Please be aware that cats reside at this property. Quiet hours are enforced at the property from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Amenities & Facilities
- Free breakfast
- Nature reserve
- Free WiFi
- Continental breakfast
- Free breakfast
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Smoke-free property
- Wheelchair accessible parking
- RV, bus, truck parking
- Free self parking
- Free RV, bus, truck parking
- Free continental breakfast
- Nature reserve
- Wheelchair-accessible van parking
- No elevator (single level property)
Rooms Available
-
Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking
1 King Bed
250 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 42-inch TV with digital channels and Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator
Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)
Comfort - Heating and portable fan
Need to Know - Housekeeping on request
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
-
Standard Double Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking
2 Queen Beds
250 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 42-inch TV with digital channels and Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator
Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)
Comfort - Heating and portable fan
Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible
Need to Know - Housekeeping on request
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
-
Double Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible, Non Smoking
2 Queen Beds
250 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 42-inch TV with digital channels and Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator
Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)
Comfort - Heating and portable fan
Accessibility - Low-height view port in door
Need to Know - Housekeeping on request
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
- Lowered peephole/view port in door
- Accessible bathtub
-
Family Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking
1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds
300 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 42-inch TV with digital channels and Netflix
Food & Drink - Refrigerator
Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)
Comfort - Heating and portable fan
Need to Know - Housekeeping on request
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 7 (6 Adults)
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Portable fan
- Bedsheets provided
Guest Reviews
- Janice (6/5): - Satisfied for the price
- Timothy (2/5): - Kind of dumpy. It served as a place to spend the night but that was about it. We won't be staying there again.
- Tracy (6/5): - Very reasonable but from what I’ hearing it’s gotten run down in the past several months and I would say that’s true. The building and rooms are in need of TLC and a careful eye for cleaning.
- Ruth (4/5): - I was housed in the very old part of the inn. Rusty metal from old heating, old furniture, ragged carpet.
- Will (10/5): - Everything was great
- Matthew (6/5): - The air conditioner was filthy and the room smelled of must. The staff was nice
- Beth (6/5): - Rooms were adequate for a budget friendly trip. Pillows were not so comfortable. Bring your own.
- Richard (8/5): - This hotel was close to Grand Marais and all the tourist sites and shopping. It was clean and the staff was friendly.
- Terri (8/5): - We really liked the location. It was quiet and close to downtown and dining (walkable if you like to walk). The staff was very friendly and helpful. The room was quite run down, but the important items (bed and bathroom) were clean. The bed was very comfortable. All in all, we had a nice stay.
- Cavin (4/5): - need updating asap
- Michael (6/5): - Eer
- David (10/5): - We have used this Motel before with the same exceptional service.
- Jacqueline (10/5): - Clean simple rooms, nothing fancy. Free breakfast. Great value option! Friendly staff.
- Michael (10/5): Fall Getaway to Grand Marais - Great value and friendly staff.
- Mavis (10/5): - Staff was very friendly and it was quiet and rooms very spacious and very clean. Very nice towels in the rooms.
Would be nice if they offered apples, oranges or bananas for breakfast.
The hot tub was not working.
- Helen (6/5): - Good location.
- Linda (6/5): Restful sleep comfortable bed - King size bed was comfortable, and bathroom was newly remodeled clean. TV cable worked well.
Fridge was actually cold and not noisy.
- Nicholas (2/5): - It’s an absolute turd. Should be shut down. Don’t even think about booking here, your better off sleeping in your car.
- Hanh (10/5): - Really good place to stay that’s just outside downtown Grand Marais
- David (10/5): Cycling the Forest Roads - It was great home base to head out cycling on the Arrow Head. Excellent value and location.
- Barbara (8/5): - Good low budget motel. Close to Grand Maria’s downtown area, although not really walkable. There was an error in our charges, staff worked to correct it promptly.
- Carrie (10/5): - Was comfortable and convenient. Liked we could have our dogs with us staff was helpful. Our tv was on the wrong input and they came to our room and figured out the issue. Very helpful.
- James B (8/5): Good, Clean & Reasonably Priced - Nice motel about 1/2 mile from town. Clean with what looked like recently re-done bathroom. Staff was professional, efficient, respectful and friendly.
- Carol (8/5): - Comfortable beds and room for the price
- Alvin (10/5): - It was very clean!!!! Staff was friendly. Area was very quiet and peaceful
- etoile (6/5): - For the price it was what I expected.
- Lana (8/5): - The hotel is a bit old but clean and comfortable. I would stay again.
- Arlayne (6/5): - Stay was good
- Rafal (8/5): - Great location and price. Clean.
- William (8/5): - The Ice Machine was broken.
- Dale (10/5): - Good location for shopping and restaurants.
- Tammy (8/5): - Overall, our stay was good. The staff were pleasant, and the availability of breakfast items throughout the day was convenient. The room was clean and the towels/sheets were good quality.
The beds were typical hotel beds - comfortable enough. With the very humid temps, the carpet in the room was always damp, even with the AC running.
The parking lot was in disrepair with a number of pot holes to avoid.
Even with these inconveniences, we would have no issue with staying here in the future.
- Beverly (2/5): - This place was a dump. It needs a good cleaning/refurbish and it would be cute. The air-conditioner didn't work, everything was worn out and wasn't clean. Only redeeming factor was the one staff person who did her best.
- Therese (8/5): - It's a nice little place, that needs some tlc.
AC didnt work, but they already stated that, so we knew to expect fans. Stocked continental breakfast,plenty of towels. It is not the 5 star luxury, but it's clean, the beds are comfy and very convenient to the town.
- Alyssa (8/5): - Aspen in was clean, convenient and affordable. That being said, the amenities listed could probably stand to be updated. The hot tub was not available during our trip and, based on other reviews, has not been functional for quite some time. The “continental breakfast” is mostly just toast and single-serve Keurig coffee, with a few other pre-packaged items
- Ben (8/5): - A hotel with a lot of utility. Clean and cheap, I don't need all of the extras that come with expensive hotels.
- David (10/5): Grand stay in Grand Marais - Bed was a bit hard for my taste but the pillows were wonderful. Breakfast is a bare minimum. Cereal, toast, bagels, precooked pancakes. Very good deal for the price.
- Laurie (6/5): - The condition of the windows, heater and doors was poor. Need new windows and doors. Convenient location to downtown Grand Marais.
- Judy (6/5): - It was ok. We knew there was no air conditioning but the so call fan was not effective.
- Dori (10/5): - staff was awesome
- ALYSON (6/5): MEH - The “Hot Tub” out of order
Looks like forever?
The hallways smell musty and moldy
The room we stayed in was definitely musty and damp
Im glad I brought essential oils with
Lavender helped!
The ice machine made enough ice for 5 drinks every 5 hours
And we found a 3 prong fish hook at the bottom of our comforter
Thankfully our dog didnt.
Pillows were too thick
Shower water pressure not great
Air conditioner did not work
1 mile walk to town was perfect!
Nice sharable deck with firepit use.
Coffee was nice
Toaster
Pancakes
Bagles
Oatmeal
Yogurt
Juices
Milk
Decent free breakfast options
The smell was the worst thing about aspen inn
- Josh (4/5): - Room has an air conditioner. It didn’t work. The mattress was old and very uncomfortable.
- Lori (10/5): - Great value, clean room, friendly staff
- Ruth (8/5): - This is a SLIGHTLY run down hotel. HOWEVER - the staff is WONDERFUL, the price is GREAT, location very good - just a couple of minutes from town. Grand Marais has gotten so expensive that it was nice to find a very reasonably priced hotel. The staff at the hotel makes it worth staying at.
- Michael (8/5): - Pros: It is often the cheapest place to stay in Grand Marais and was quiet. The breakfast was very simple, but was well-stocked.
Cons: It is about a mile from downtown and the harbor, so have a car or be okay with the walk. The rooms do not have refrigerators or microwaves if this is important to you.
- Kayla Marie (10/5): - Very nice and quiet
- Dianne (8/5): - A no frills place to stay while visiting the area.
- Bob (10/5): Great overnighter - Nice little place with great staff and a good breakfast bar. We suggested a nightlight and grab bars be installed in the shower for safety though
- Carey (4/5): - The Aspen Inn really needs some updating. The carpet is disgusting and I think the bedspreads, etc. are from 1985. I won't be coming back unless they make some major updates. The area is beautiful, so they really should consider renovations so they don't lose all future customers.
- Breanna (8/5): - For this price range, was excellent. Location was great. The customer service was top notch. The woman at the front desk was so helpful and accomodating. Would definitely stay here again if in the area.
- David (10/5): - No comment
- Verified traveler (10/5): Amazing room for a great price - We were going on vacation for the first time with our baby and the staff there were very accommodating and gave us a room that was massive and a perfect size to help us accommodate a packn' play. I have used this hotel many times and this was the best room I have had by far.
- Howard (8/5): - We were looking for a reasonable place to stay for two days while we were doing some work in the area. Came across Aspen Inn, and reserved two rooms. Rooms were nice, clean, well equipped. If you’re looking for a 5 Star place to stay this is probably not the place. If you are looking for a nice clean place to sleep, watch some TV, this is it.
- Katherine (10/5): - It was clean and convenient. Could use some updating, but cleanliness is much more important!
- Karen (4/5): - Cheap price but not very clean carpet needs to be shapooed &. Vacuumed bathroom door was not done found hair all over when asked housekeeper male to clean it he never did windows hard to open & close Need coffee pots & microwave in rooms no reason just too cheap to put in get refrigerator off floor & put on table how gross to be on floor some rooms not even open cause so bad . Know it’s old but no excuse not to at least update owner just greedy no ice machine except a potable on a table Housekeeper on phone lots when he should be doing his job
- Thuyeng (8/5): - A little outdated but overall stay was good. No complaints!
- Juana L (4/5): - I expect something better, the only good thing it was the lady in the front desk.
- Scott (8/5): - This property was exactly what we needed - a place to get some rest on a busy race weekend.
- M (8/5): - Great for the price
- Verified traveler (2/5): Aspen Inn - should be Aspen Stay out - Checked in at around 4ish and went to family event and never wen to the room. After event went to room and found that we could not get the door to open. Had to REALLY push the door to get it open. I mean push. The locking mechanism did not pull the latch back all the way. Lift up the handle and it worked fine, but it was a major pain. Worst part was it was 10:30 at night when we actually got to the room and lobby was closed. Beds were not comfortable. There was a lot of hair in the bath tub making you wonder if they cleaned it after the last use. Did they vacuum the carpet? Did they replace the sheets? Parking lot looks like the surface of the moon. Better have a good suspension to navigate it. Very disappointing for the $150 a night we paid. Wasn't worth $50 a night. Will not be returning there to stay there.
- Tanya (6/5): - Breakfast was good & location was perfect. Room felt old & musty. Requested non smoking and room smelled of smoke. Window A/C didn’t work and only one window would open so room was hot at night, thankfully a fan helped. Front desk staff was helpful
- Jodi (8/5): - Very nice room . Out of town very quiet. Only downside was the mechanical issue with the doors.
- Verified traveler (2/5): HORRIBLE - THE WORST MOTLE EVER
RUDE STAFF, BROKEN WINDOW AND DOORS
CHARGE 2X FOR THE ROOM
- Andrew (6/5): - Nice price but absolutely no frills- hot tub was broken and it was never mentioned ahead of time. Said it would take 6 months to fix. Breakfast is rather slim, not much offered. But nice beds and TV. Close enough to everything so that is not an issue. But it is not downtown, that is their sister motel, and yes that one has a pool this one doesn't, ads are misleading.
- Linda (10/5): - Mitchell at the front desk is great. She is a huge part of why I stay there every time I'm at Grand Marias
- Linda (10/5): - Mitchell at the front desk is always so pleasant and accommodating. Rooms are very clean.
- Saul (10/5): - After a day of exploring the area, we required a place to rest for the night. Our purpose for being there was not to experience the lodge itself but rather to enjoy what the area has to offer. It is essential to consider whether you are seeking a restful sleep and the assurance of safety and security, knowing that your belongings are secure, and I firmly believe that Aspen Inn provided what we needed. The accommodations were quite comfortable, the breakfast met our needs, and the customer service exceeded our expectations. When we approached the front desk staff named Quawnea with numerous inquiries, Quawnea provided us with valuable insights regarding our interests and advised us on what to avoid, which made our trip very valuable.
We have appreciated our time at Aspen Inn and have had ample opportunity to relax. I will be bringing family members to this location soon. Thank you, Quawnea, for everything.
- Rebecca (8/5): - The bathroom was very clean. Nice shower.
- David (10/5): - The Aspen Inn is clean and quiet and the staff are excellent.
- Bernie (8/5): - Bar/restaurant next door. Clean place to stay for a night on the way to Canada.
Not much for breakfast if you are looking for that. Hot shower.
- Nick (6/5): - Parking lot meeds major work...ac in my room did not appear to work and was old and inefficient model
- LIsa (8/5): Independent motel, hands-on (REAL), great staff. - Wonderful people work here, so even though it's an older building, not at all fancy, the amenities they provide are generous and the vibe is welcoming. The location is excellent, an easy walk or bikeride into town, and the motel was very quiet (not a party site) when we were there, even though it was full for both Memorial Day Weekend and a cycling race. This motel should be much appreciated by travelers on a budget. All the other guests were nice, too. We would stay here again if the rate is the same--affordable!
- Aliza (2/5): - Property in disrepair. The locks on the door didnt work well. I was locked inside the room when the lock and door would not open. The phone number on the website didnt work to call for help. I called another hotel in town and they contacted the manager to help with the door. The manager appeared angry at me after she was called to fix the lock, which did not get fixed as promised. I had to wait 20 min to find out if there was another room available to move me to. The heat was shut off and the room was cold, below 67 degrees. Rather than turn on the heat in the room, I was given a space heater. I was stuck there for 4 nights. I was given a discount on the room which amounted to $4 per night. Certainly not worth the problems I had during my stay. I do have to admit that the young woman that worked there part time was very polite and sympathetic, but she didnt have the authority to do anything, but seeing one smiling face with all theproblems
- Rebecca (6/5): - The heat was turned off for the season and it was 41 degrees! The front desk person said when she tried to turn it back on that there was a puff of smoke so she had to leave it off.
The locking mechanism on my door was broken so I couldn’t get out of my room and no one at the desk answered the phone.
- Leslie (8/5): - Staff was friendly. Clean and quiet.
- Anika (6/5): - Overall, we enjoyed this stay! We understood at this price point, we weren't going to get luxury. The room had a musty smell to it but it improved with airing it out. And our shower made a loud ringing noise for the first 5 minutes of being on. But check in/check out process was smooth, they allow dogs, we felt safe and quick drive to downtown Grand Marias and 20 minutes from Lutsen. It was a good spot at an affordable price. Would stay again in the future.
- anthony (8/5): - Rooms are nice and clean. Sauna is advertised, but has been broken for several months. They have no idea when owners are thinking of repairing. Outside trash bins overflowing with trash. We were there for 3 nights and 4 days. Trash was never dealt with.
- Cullen (6/5): - Great rates.
- Robert (6/5): - xxxx
- DesaRae (8/5): - Stayed in the area for work, Aspen Inn was close to things I needed, quiet and comfortable. Would stay again
- Blair (10/5): - The front desk staff was friendly and helpful. I read a lot of reviews on here about rooms being outdated or loose light sockets. Really? I've stayed in hundreds of hotels and I know there are no 4 star hotels in Grand Marais. Know your area and people research where your going. Keep your expectations reasonable. Expedia is full of whiny premadonnas.
- DAVE (10/5): - Great value for a decent room.
- Susan (4/5): - Parking area was full of potholes. The facility was ok for place to sleep, never saw hotel attendant, even though breakfast was offered.
- Lynn (4/5): - The air in the room was heavy with an air freshener which was intoxicating. The fridge froze my cream and eggs. The switches on different appliances were broken. There were rugs which should no longer be used because they are unclean.
- Benet (10/5): - My dog staying with me.
- Jonathan (10/5): Ski weekend - Very nice location, great rate. The room was fine, staff was helpful & friendly, and extra nice to have the continental breakfast
- Steve (8/5): - Nice cheap motel. No frills, on the edge of town (so no easy walking distance to shops or restaurants. Room and bath are in good shape, but the property in general is dated and in need of some attention.
- Stephanie (6/5): - Office was only open one hour, 4-5PM. Room was clean but walls were thin. This motel has seen better days and the places seriously lacking in maintenance. Staff was friendly but again having only one hour to actually talk to someone was a downtick. They advertise free breakfast but it was very minimal. You will have to go somewhere else for a decent breakfast and coffee.
- Patrick (8/5): - We reserved with Aspen inn. Due to out of heat, they transferred us to Shoreline Inn nearby.. The transition was smooth. Excellent job done by Aspen Inn! The Shoreline Inn is a pleasant place to stay. So the ratings above are for the Shoreline Inn.
- Leon (10/5): Affordable Comfort - I was looking for an affordable motel in Grand Marais and the Aspen Inn met my needs perfectly. The room offered a HDTV with access to Direct TV, Tubi, and other streaming providers, a decent sized fridge, a comfortable king sized bed, and a table and chairs for dining. The motel included continental breakfast with Kureg coffee abd tea, cereal, yogurt, bagels, etc. The next time I am looking for a place to stay in Grand Marais, I will look for a room at the Aspen Inn first.
- Joel (2/5): Really old and musty - Smelled old, had mold in bathroom, Sheetrock cracked in many places, no real breakfast just toast and cereal, had to go outside to get it, hot tub not working, no blanket on bed, tv small, and really dated and old. Only good thing was the front desk lady, she was nice. Also not close to snow trails if you want to ride from the hotel you can’t.
- Joshua (4/5): - Breakfast was bagels and cereal. Very limited options. No ice machine and spa and sauna were closed. Also our tv didn’t work in our room. Place needs a serious overhaul to be worth what they charge.
- Corinne (4/5): - You pay for what you get, and I admit I chose this place because it was less expensive, however, in the future I’ll pay more for a nicer place. The rooms are in serious need of an upgrade. Bathtub was in gross condition, carpet frayed and torn. Even my phone charger would fall out of the outlet. Lighting poor, just lamps. The young woman working at the front desk was not very friendly.
I won’t be staying here again.
- TRACY (10/5): - Very friendly staff, not fancy but a good way to be able to enjoy the North Shore without the high cost of lodging.
- Anne (8/5): - You get what you pay for. Quiet, comfortable bed, very basic breakfast. Room in desperate need of repair (old windows wouldn't close, cracked caulk in shower, etc).
- Richard (4/5): - Seem to be about 20 years overdue for a refresh. Water didn’t drain properly in the shower and on a two day stay staff did not make up the room After the first night.
- Diane (8/5): A Lucky Find - Staff were efficient, friendly and helpful. Room was quiet, clean and affordable, but could use some refurbishing. Grand Marais is a popular destination, so book early.
- Gary (10/5): - My stay at Aspen Inn was very comfortable and quiet. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I would stay there again when I am back in Grand Marais.
- Mary (6/5): - It was cheap and affordable when everything else was double or triple in price, Fall colors up on the North Shore so people were everywhere, it needs updating but you get what you pay for. I’d come back again because it is totally affordable.
- Roberta (10/5): - Super nice people. Very clean for a bit retro
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