The Cliff Dweller on Lake Superior

Location: 6452 West US Highway 61, Tofte, Minnesota, 55615, Tofte, US

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Instructions: The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free WiFi
• Designated smoking area
• Downhill skiing nearby
• Cross-country skiing nearby
• Hiking/biking trails nearby
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Snowboarding nearby
• Wheelchair accessible parking
• Free self parking
• Wheelchair-accessible van parking
• Change of towels (on request)
• Double-glazing on all windows
• At least 80% of all lighting comes from LEDs
• Water-efficient showers only
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle

Rooms Available

• Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Balcony, Lake View

  2 Double Beds

  279-sq-foot room, balcony/patio with lake views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and microwave

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower/tub combination, a hair dryer, and towels

  Comfort - Fresh towels (on request) and heating

  Non-Smoking

  Room is accessed via exterior corridors

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Satellite channels
  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Change of towels (on request)

• Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Balcony, Lake View

  1 King Bed

  279-sq-foot room, balcony with lake views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and microwave

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower/tub combination, a hair dryer, and towels

  Comfort - Fresh towels (on request) and heating

  Non-Smoking

  Room is accessed via exterior corridors

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Satellite channels
  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Free WiFi
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Change of towels (on request)

• Traditional Single Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Lake View

  1 King Bed

  288-sq-foot room, balcony with lake views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and microwave

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower/tub combination, a hair dryer, and towels

  Comfort - Fresh towels (on request) and heating

  Non-Smoking

  Room is accessed via exterior corridors

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Satellite channels
  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Free WiFi
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Change of towels (on request)

Guest Reviews

• Linda (8/5): - Very nice stay, but shower won't get hot and the pressure waslow
• Cindy (8/5): - Serenity of the sound of Lake Superior when sitting on your private deck. The walls of the room are thin so you can hear your neighbors but overall a very nice place to stay. Staff was great!!
• CATHERINE (8/5): - Room clean, just dated. Bedding and towels were very nice and clean . Bed not what I’d call super comfy, just ok. View of Lake Superior amazing from our room,(and that was my entire reason for booking ), but could tell some rooms would have obstructed views— trees. Not a concern for us, but should note No A/C. Two fans provided. Desk staff friendly. Would stay again
• David (2/5): - Let me first start by saying the area itself is beautiful, and the views are beautiful from the hotel, but that’s about where it ends. We stayed there for the Superior Fall Trail Rqce, and do not stay there if you are planning on running or unless you like to never leave the room after hours. Why? Well, they give you two key cards, that will get you in to your room. After that, the fun begin begins and neither key card will work and there is no staff after hours to help you even though they give an emergency number you cannot reach them. My partner and I and our 11-year-old stayed there and my partner and her 11-year-old had to sleep in the car for four hours after we left early in the morning for the race. She called the emergency number, but no one answered, the lobby is closed and no one is around. Completely unsafe because just imagine what would’ve happened if you left the baby in the room to run to the snack machine, which is outside and you couldn’t get back into the room and you couldn’t reach anyone to help you. Well, I contacted Expedia and they could not help, and they could not reach the hotel, and I contacted the hotel twice and they will not respond, this is completely unacceptable from both Expedia and the hotel. The fact that you get locked out of your room is unbelievable and is extremely unsafe. I will also be contacting the local Better Business Bureau there along with the trail race Director because this place should not be even an option.
• Elaine (8/5): - The location is fabulous . The room is small and the carpet needed cleaning. Food service offering in the morning is not worth using. Packaged oatmeal but no milk to put in it. Pre packaged muffins hard to understand in an area known for its baked goods. The balcony was great
• Jeffrey (10/5): - Nice view of lake
• Heidi E (10/5): - Beautiful view of Lake Superior from balcony
• Susan (10/5): - Nice place centrally located on the north shore
• Steven (10/5): - Absolutely amazing view! Even better than the pictures. It was quiet and we enjoyed time on the balcony watching the birds and the lake. Enjoyed the sound of the surf. We did not have much interaction with staff but our needs were met. It would have been nice to have a restaurant within walking distance but it was an easy drive to restaurants, state parks and hiking trails, and even local wine.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Beautiful views. - Great views. Very clean.
• Russell Eugene (10/5): - All good but limited number of tv channels did not include PBS which is an important oversight. WIFI had only two bars which did not permit streaming on ROKU. Otherwise we very much enjoyed our stay and happily return.
• Amer (6/5): - Out dated place, no AC, so hot and humid room in the summer days.
• Duane (10/5): - a breathtaking view from your room and patio, literally hanging on the cliff shore of Superior.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Always special - This is our favorite north shore spot! We come back each year !!
• Robert (10/5): - Our room was small but very clean. It had all the usual amenities for a motel, plus a small refrigerator and microwave. Beds were very comfortable. Balcony overlooking Lake Superior was small but still much enjoyed; as others mentioned, the balconies of each room are close. We had a superb breakfast at a nearby restaurant which provides a 10% discount to Cliff Dweller guests. We arrived late, and the staff had contacted us in advance with instructions for the key (on which they followed through).
• Julie (10/5): - Hard beds
• Jason (6/5): - The Cliff Dweller is directly on the lake and clearly updated recently, which was nice, however the property itself is very small with not much of an outside and limited facilities. Our biggest complaint was that the decks off the rooms had zero separation - We left our patio door open at night due to the lack of a/c and literally woke up to a child staring at us from the next door deck while we slept. Creating that bit of separation between the rooms would go a long way in bringing up the desirability of this property.
• Jared (8/5): - Beautiful view, decks, screen door and exterior needs some upkeep..
• Benjamin (8/5): - The view from the room was nice. The room was clean but the beds were full size instead of queen which was probably my oversight when booking. It also didn’t have AC but the room fan was tolerable. The tv was small and the room tight for a family of four. The wood paneling walls and decor were cozy.
• Reed (6/5): - Adequate place to stay on the lake, but little to no view, so no real advantage compared with being inland. Rooms are dated and very plain, but as noted earlier, adequate with good beds, which is a definite positive . The period we stayed, it was warm and soon realized there was no A/C. As far as dining or food, you are looking a 15 minute drive. This is kind of like having a place at the lake, except there is no recreation, no food/ kitchen, and no property to experience “the lake”. It is a motel on the Northshore.
• debra (8/5): - Everything was great, just not as much privacy as we would like.
• John (6/5): - View was great Office doesn't open until 8:00AM Very limited television
• MaryAnn (6/5): Too warm…may need AC with climate change - The room was hot as climate change has affected the normal temps along the North Shore. This room does not have air conditioning which would have helped. The nighttime lows were warm so did not sleep very well. Also, without air conditioning, we will not stay here again due to smoke in the air from Canadian wild fires and the fact that it severely affects my asthma. There is no clock in the room. The fly swatter was nice to find due to all the flies in the area.
• John (8/5): - Seemed like the place ran itself. You could figure out everything yourself. I wouldn't advertise the muffins - so dry.
• Josh (6/5): - It was a decent place to sleep. They way overcharged for an event weekend. The accommodation was not worth the price.
• Cindy (8/5): - Basic room, no daily service, but the view off the balcony was fantastic and is very close to the golf course
• David (10/5): - Nice staff, good location, clean room, quiet, great view
• Andrew (6/5): - Balconies offer no privacy as they are right next to neighboring rooms. We found ourselves not using the balcony much because it was awkwardly close to others. There is no air conditioning, when we entered the room it was extremely hot. There is a powerful but loud fan instead of AC. TV is small and old. Shower had poor water pressure and would go from scolding hot to very cold. For the price we expected more and were very disappointed in this property.
• Beth (10/5): - Beautiful view of the lake, comfortable beds, and a clean room. Very friendly staff at check-in. Balcony view of the lake is wonderful, but there is no separation or privacy. When others are out on their balcony, it is as if they are sitting right outside your sliding door.
• Clarence (8/5): - The room had a great view of Lake Superior, located close to different attractions. Great smell of wild roses! Cons: No AC, I made the assumption that all hotels had AC, I was wrong. Private balconies are not private, they are separate, but you are within slapping distance of your neighbors.
• Tom (8/5): - Excellent views, quiet location, very friendly staff.
• Wojciech (10/5): - The property is charming, clean and located in the heart of the activity hub for hiking, biking and beach watching. The staff was nice and helpful. We had magical time.
• Peter (10/5): - lol make lake less foggy. Very nice property, treated well, clean and comfortable. Would definitely recommend
• Angel (10/5): - We had an amzing view. There was a storm that came thru the first night and power was out until 5am. But we still had running water. Beds were comfortable. I left something in the room, cliff dweller staff contacted me and shipped it for shipping plus $5. I would absolutely stay here again.
• James (6/5): - Not what I expected.
• Susan (2/5): - No pool, beds are only full sized, no cable tv, tv is small with blurry screen. Rooms are clean but very overpriced.
• Janell (10/5): - The balcony view was perfect; the room was tasteful, beds comfortable, crisp linens ( not the cheap, clingy microfiber bedding, thankfully). Quiet room, helpful staff, nice common areas. Would definitely recommend, and as a little getaway ( I live only an hour inland) it cannot be beat. Good access to hiking and biking, and of course the serenity of Lake Superior.
• Jayden (10/5): - My wife and I really enjoyed staying at Cliff Dweller! The staff were super kind and helpful, the room was clean and well maintained, and our view was astonishing!
• Margaret (10/5): - I have stayed here often when I visit the North Shore. The rooms are lovely, but the balconies over the lake cannot be beaten. I generally make coffee in the room and sit on the balcony in the morning, but coffee, tea, and light breakfast items are available. The staff is always friendly, and the area is quiet for those looking to relax.
• Steve (10/5): - Beautiful view of Lake Superior!
• Allison (8/5): Amazing views - Great views of the lake from every room. Bathrooms are small and dated, but fine. If you are tall, the shower head will be very low. Excellent location and friendly front desk staff. The small breakfast items were nice to have available as well.
• Andrea (8/5): Good economical choice - Good, clean place with a great view!
• Nancy (10/5): - Loved the view from our room. Quiet.
• Bradley (10/5): - Beautiful scenery and room. View was stellar
• Lee (10/5): - The views. Priceless.
• Carrie (10/5): Affordable Stay on the Shore of Lake Superior - The Cliff Dweller was an affordable stay while we explored the North Shore. I loved being right on the shores of Lake Superior and hearing the waves through the night. It’s a basic motel - nothing fancy - but it was clean and had helpful friendly staff.
• Matthew (10/5): - It's great for anyone wanting simplicity and essentials with great views of the lake!
• Brad (10/5): - Everything was excellent and the staff was very nice and courteous. We will definately be back.
• Samantha (8/5): - Smelly water from the shower and had to buy water to drink.
• Mark (10/5): Perfect stay by the lake. - Super clean, beautiful lake view. Quick and friendly check in. Bonus 10% discount at the cascades restaurant for staying here.
• Margaret (10/5): - Excellent value, helpful, courteous staff.
• Jana (10/5): - The room was perfect. It was cozy and very clean with a spectacular view. The gentleman at the counter went out of his way to be accommodating.
• Jay (10/5): - Nice staff
• Dave (10/5): - Right on lake Superior great deck
• Kendra (10/5): - Great view and reasonable price.
• Yvonne (10/5): - We traveled here from the Twin Cities in a blizzard. It was a rough go all the way up but when we got the Cliff Dweller we were so happy to be greeted by this amazing woman. Friendly, helpful! Our room was amazing with a great view of the Lake and storm! The room was very cozy and perfect for us. In the morning the paths were cleared by the same amazing woman from the night before. We really enjoyed our stay here and will be back! Thank you!!
• Tami (10/5): Loved it! - The only thing we wished was different was that the TV was larger and in the middle of the room and that there was better outlets for charging the devices. Otherwise I loved it there.And I know I will stay again
• Rochelle (10/5): - Great view. Quiet & clean rooms with couteous, helpful staff. Absolutely would stay here again. The balcony/patio area was great for watching the lake waves.
• Margaret (10/5): - Small, but had everything you would need. Directly on lake superior, loved hearing the waves.
• Eric (8/5): Close to Lutsen and beautiful view! - Great place to stay while skiing at Lutsen. Nice size room and fantastic deck overlooking Lake Superior. Breakfast items are very limited and closest restaurant is 3 miles away. We were there during a snowstorm so parking lot was full of snow with the truck coming twice a day to remove the snow. Great pricing compared to other hotels in the area.
• Richard (10/5): - This is a great budget option. We’ve stayed at many places along superior and depending on our budget, we’d never think twice about booking here. Perfect location right on the lake.
• Kui (8/5): - The breakfast is very limited, prepare your own if you are a breakfast person
• Verified traveler (10/5): So worth it - The views are fantastic from any room. Comfortable beds. Nice to have a fridge and microwave. Did not try breakfast.
• Melinda (10/5): - The room was clean, tidy and cute. The Lakeview was gorgeous-and lovely to listen to the water with the door cracked just a little :)
• Craig (10/5): - Very nice room right on the lake.
• Jane (10/5): - You could the waves crashing from the balcony. Being right on the water was great.
• Alexander (10/5): - The property is on a cliff over Lake Superior. Wonderful look and sound of waves, the unit 205 was very clean and renovated. The hotel is small and so is a breakfast, it still good to have, I only wish it would be provided earlier.
• Paulette (8/5): - Great place for watching the sun rise.
• Tsion (10/5): - The service was amazing. I asked them to help me set up a Valentine’s Day surprise and they were so generous helping me with it!
• Joshua (10/5): - Beautiful
• Steve (6/5): - Right off Hwy 61 with all rooms looking over Lake Superior (waves crashing right outside my balcony).
• Cameron (10/5): - Staying at Cliff Dweller worked great for us as it is close to Lutsen for skiing. The property itself has all that you need and has a stunning view of Lake Superior
• Kevin (8/5): - Most everything was great other than the shower head being at the height that only short people can use. I’m 6 feet tall and it was way too low. Otherwise the place is great!!
• Skyler (10/5): - Stunning view! Right down the road from Lutsen mountain, the winery and a few general stores. Discount at Caskade restaurant and pub, delicious food and great service there too!
• Jason (10/5): Simple and convenient. - Just stopped for 1 nite on a snowmobile trip. Not an extravagant room but it was clean and warm with a view and close to Lutsen.
• Rachelle (6/5): - This was an ok place to stay. The room was just big enough to fit a bed and bathroom. There was no breakfast served,as it said on their website,only muffins, hot beverages and some granola bars. The view was magnificent though,and we did enjoy the quiet
• Jenifer (4/5): - Old and dirty bathroom. The sheets are terrible
• Linda (10/5): - They offer a discount at their sister restaurant. It was still pretty quiet even tho it's right off the highway.
• Shelley (10/5): - A great place to stay, overlooking Lake Superior
• Tori (10/5): - What a view! So beautiful. Beds were comfortable, room was clean. Could hear the waves all night.
• Karen (10/5): - What a quaint and lovely stay! Cozy, clean, cabin-like rooms with a view of the beautiful Lake Superior! We’ll definitely stay again!
• Danae (8/5): - Enjoyed the day room for breakfast!
• Romelle (8/5): - Great spot on the lake. Ambiance and decor in rooms very bland and unwelcoming. Have never had to check out before 11 in all of our travels around the world. Did not like the brand of coffee provided in the room. Worth putting up with for the location
• Amy (10/5): - Very clean, and nice staff! I would highly recommend 👌
• Randy (8/5): - the view and sound of the waves
• Randy (10/5): - Very clean, newly remodeled rooms. Great view of Lake Superior.
• Michael (6/5): - Great views and the price is ok, but the property needs a complete renovation.
• Kathleen (10/5): - Great design and comfort in the rooms. Beautiful patio with the sound of the waves and gorgeous stars at night. Will be back
• Shirley A (10/5): - They need to upgrade their breakfast to include juice, fruit, yogurt
• Sarah (10/5): - Our room was tidy and clean, our view was nice. We had a big pine tree outside blocking part of the lake view but it provided nice shade so that we could sit comfortably on the deck in the afternoon sun. The bed was comfy and there's a powerful oscillating fan you can point right at it. Wi-fi was weak with an unsteady connection that kept going in and out but there were some basic cable channels that provided entertainment. There was definitely an odor coming from the bathroom area that I could smell from the bed but it's an older property that could use some tlc and little fixes like the broken lock on the screen door to the balcony as well as a good dusting of the fan. We would for sure stay here again in the future.
• Tre (10/5): - I would have given this property a 4/5 star rating if it wasn’t for the view for one reason the check in and check out time is an hour later than industry standard so you essentially lose 2 hours. Everything else was awesome
• Kimberly (8/5): Worthy - Decent place for its age. Sits right next to road but relatively quiet. Looks out over lake.
• Kathleen (10/5): - Friendly and helpful staff.
• Nicole (8/5): - Nice, simple place to stay with a beautiful view of Lake Superior. Perfect location for sightseeing and tourist attractions.
• Jacalyn (10/5): - My sister and I were very impressed with the property and our room. The staff was friendly and accommodating, the balcony view of Lake Superior was beautiful and the room was spotless. We would, without a doubt, stay there again!
• Eva (10/5): - Every guest has a balcony with equal access to the lake views. Most enjoyable.
• Seth (10/5): - My second stay at the Cliff Dweller, it's now my go-to hotel on the North Shore!
• Donna (10/5): - Our room had a beautiful view of Lake Superior.
• Beth (8/5): - Fabulous location. Clean rooms. Continental breakfast was lacking. I expect more than granola bars & coffee. There was a toaster, but nothing to put in the toaster. No other beverages other than coffee.
• Damian (8/5): - Amazing view of Lake Superior.

Photos