Hiking on the resort paths

Shopping in Nisswa and buying fudge on sale.

Best Things About the Resort:
Beautiful condo!

Spiral staircase, gas fireplace

washer/dryer in the unit

Hot tub room in the unit

Plenty of activities in the activity room

Ice fishing, sledding, and ice skating

Resort Experience:
What a great resort! The activity center had a pool table, TV, and plenty of tapes and games. An ice rink was made on the lake - ice skates could be checked out at the office as well as sleds. A fishing hut was also available for ice fishing. The lake was very popular with the snowmobilers. Trails are nearby for a quick walk.

In the morning and early evening, a pack of deer would walk through the complex. Birds of all variety visit if you throw out popcorn or seeds. Two species of squirrels played in the snow outside our window.

Fireworks are allowed in Nisswa, so we bought a few and enjoyed the New Year celebration. The resort provided party hats and noisemakers.

The kitchen is fully stocked with ample cleaning supplies. Two story windows are beautiful to look out into the wooded areas. The deck outside had a grill and swing bench.

I'm sure this resort is very popular in the summer for its fishing and boating, but it was a great place for a winter vacation that isn't hurried and rushed.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

I can't say enough about the suites. They are truly spectacular. This was an excellent winter retreat to relax and rejuvenate. The shopping at the nearly grocer, Schaefer’s, was very expensive and we would recommend somewhere else. The little shops in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes are nice diversion for an afternoon or two. You will love this resort!

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Turns out that very few of the units have any water view at all, and none of them are actually lakeshore units. All the units are set back on a small hill, well off the lake. If you are looking for a lakeshore unit, you won't find it here.

Second: Our initial dissappointment was quickly molified by the quality of the units. They are beautiful. Two floors of spacious modern living. A spiral staircase connected the two floors, and a hot tub was located off the master bedroom and was adjecent to a lovely sitting area, which connected back into the dining space. Great kitchen, bath, laundry, entry--the works. A deck wraps around the back of the unit, looking out into a forested area.

The pool and outdoor hot tub were hits with our kids, as were the complimentary bike, game, and canoe rentals. Causeway on Gull does not have a full-service resort feel, but is a collection of fine townhomes with simple, yet thoughtful activity amenities.

The location on the Gull Lake Chain puts you right in center of myriad summertime family vacation activities.

In the final analysis, our family liked it very much and will return. Even without a lake view!

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

I called the resort a little less than a month before check-in to find out my unit assignment and request a change if desired. From what I understand, the resort has 52 units in two "phases". While the floor plans are similar, the older units have wood instead of gas fireplaces, several units have lake views, and there can be several steps to get from your car to the unit. I was in unit 49, units 49-52 being only "a year" old. Units 47-52 are all handicap accessible (no steps to the unit, living room not sunken). I would avoid units 25-40, as these do not have an unobstructed view of the woods – they face either the outdoor pool area (hidden by fencing, if I recall correctly) or resort streets/neighboring units.

We did our grocery shopping in Brainerd (15-20 minutes to the south), and I was surprised that this was not as small a town as I had imagined. They had many of the same stores as you would find at home – Cub Foods, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s, Best Buy, etc. We even ate at Applebee’s one evening, as we were not "adventurous" enough to try the local restaurants.

There wasn’t that much to do here at this time of the year (Easter weekend), but we expected this and were just looking to get away. I would have been perfectly happy to never leave the unit! Aside from problems with several missing inventory items and sliding doors that did not lock properly (wood bars in the floor grooves secured the door), we loved the resort and would definitely return. Our rating: 9 out of 10.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

We were in one of the older units in the resort and had a couple of plumbing problems, but overall were satisfied with the accommodations.

In the winter, many shops are closed or have limited hours, so shopping/dining means driving about 15 miles to Brainerd/Baxter.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Very Good

Our unit was a two-bedroom that could comfortably host a party for 12, if one were so inclined. The kitchen comes stocked with all necessities, the hot tub located in the sunroom was serviced every day, and the large stone fireplace was cozy in the fall. The master bedroom is located on the main floor, next to the hot tub, and the second bedroom (and bathroom) are upstairs, allowing two couples to have privacy if sharing.

The reception/lounge area has many interesting pamphlets and brochures, as well as a jukebox, pool table and video games. It was too late in the year for the outdoor pool or tennis courts, but they appeared to be very well taken care of.

If you are looking for a quiet, rustic, romantic retreat, and are tired of squeezing into a box-like motel room, Causeway on Gull is the place for you!

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent