Description: Have to admit that this place was a let down to us. Perhaps because we were spoiled by the stunning log cabins and genuinely friendly staff at Grand Superior Lodge the previous night, or perhaps it was because the large, rather outdated Bluefin didn't live up to it's "Best Romantic Place to Stay on the North Shore" reputation.
The staff seemed impersonal and not knowledgeable about their own activities. We were rushed through check-in procedures (a girl quickly marked X's on a map instructing us where to drive to get to the pool, restaurant, and bakery down the highway, etc) and given false information about the transport service for the following day (and practically missed our hike...the main reason why we chose to stay here!)
The resort looks like weathered fishing huts sandwiched together. This string of blue-gray structures overlooking Lake Superior was created to represent the Norwegian fishing village that once existed here. In fact, there is a fishing museum up the road that displays artifacts from that time. (Stop in at the resort information center to get your coupon to visit the museum free.)
The 65 rooms vary greatly in decor and amenities. Ours was a studio.
"Where's the bed?" my husband asked when we entered our room. I thought he was joking until the closet door revealed shelves and another door revealed the bathroom. There was no bed. We slept on the couch's hideaway using sheets and pillows from the closet.
Other than that little surprise, the room was okay. A kitchenette and table were nice touches. (I'd recommend taking advantage of the facilities and cooking your own breakfast rather than eating at the Coho Bakery in the morning. Sure wish we had.) A woodburning fireplace was across the couch and there were numerous books on the shelves. A tiny balcony overlooked the lake and noisy seagulls (which cried out all night preventing us from opening our windows). I slept fine, but my husband didn't find their childlike wails very relaxing. In the morning there was no hot water for our showers, but there had been the night before.
There are some great activities lined up in the summer on certain days that include movies, bonfires, and periodic guided biking and hiking trips. We took advantage of a free shuttle to a hiking trailhead, which allowed us to hike the 5 mile trail from Carlton Peak to Temperance River without backtracking to our car. And THAT made this overnight worthwhile right there. Just arrange the shuttle the night before–even when the front desk personnel tell you to just come on in at 9am the next morning and sign up–because the driver is the guide who may be busy leading his own hike and not available for shuttling you around when you want...
Check out their website at www.bluefinbay.com
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