The Cliff Dweller on Lake Superior

Hotels
Independent
9 (153 reviews)
6452 West US Highway 61, Tofte, Minnesota, 55615 , Tofte , US

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
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Fabulous location and views
Clean rooms and attentive staff
Cons:
Limited amenities and outdated facilities
Food service not satisfactory

Categories

Cleanliness
8.71
The room was described as small but very clean; however, concerns about the carpet needing cleaning were noted.
Service
9.68
The staff met the guests' needs and provided instructions for late arrival, showing good service.
Location
9.72
The location was described as fabulous with a nice view of Lake Superior.
Room Quality
8.67
Rooms were noted to be small and outdated with no AC, which detracted from the overall comfort.
Amenities
8.7
Amenities were limited with outdated facilities but included basic items like a refrigerator and microwave.
Value for Money
9.16
The property was described as adequate, suggesting reasonable value despite lacking recreation options.
Food and Beverage
7.71
The food service was not well received, with suggestions it was not worth utilizing.
Overall Experience
9.68
Despite some issues, many guests expressed a strong desire to return, indicating a generally positive experience.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 23:11

Property Description

Convenient Amenities
Enjoy complimentary wireless internet and access to a vending machine during your stay at our hotel.

Cozy Accommodations
Relax in our guestrooms featuring refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, private balconies, and free Wi-Fi.

Scenic Location
Situated in Tofte on the waterfront, our hotel provides easy access to nearby attractions such as Superior National Golf Course and Lutsen Mountains.

To experience a perfect blend of comfort and convenience, book your stay at The Cliff Dweller on Lake Superior today!

Important information:

  • Up to 2 children 12 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
  • Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Airport code: DLH

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Children and extra beds

    No rollaway/extra beds available

  • Check-in & Check-out

    Contactless check-out is available

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

  • General

    Professional property host/manager

See all policies

Location

Property Accessibility

Public Area
  • Hill Located: No
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Type: Electric
  • Entrance Door Width: 90
  • Entrance Leveled: Yes
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: No
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
  • Lifts Accessible: No
Show all accessibility features

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 153 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.71
Service: 9.68
Location: 9.72
Room Quality: 8.67
Amenities: 8.7
Value for Money: 9.16
Food and Beverage: 7.71
Overall Experience: 9.68
L
Linda
8
Pros:

Very nice stay, but shower won't get hot and the pressure waslow

2025-10-12 via Nuitee
C
Cindy partner
8
Pros:

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!!

2025-10-04 via Nuitee
C
CATHERINE
8
Pros:

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

2025-10-01 via Nuitee
D
David family_with_children
2
Pros:

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.

2025-09-30 via Nuitee
E
Elaine partner
8
Pros:

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

2025-09-20 via Nuitee
J
Jeffrey partner
10
Pros:

Nice view of lake

2025-09-05 via Nuitee
H
Heidi E family
10
Pros:

Beautiful view of Lake Superior from balcony

2025-09-04 via Nuitee
S
Susan friends
10
Pros:

Nice place centrally located on the north shore

2025-09-01 via Nuitee
S
Steven partner
10
Pros:

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.

2025-08-31 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
8
Beautiful views.
Pros:

Great views. Very clean.

2025-08-30 via Nuitee
R
Russell Eugene
10
Pros:

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.

2025-08-28 via Nuitee
A
Amer family
6
Pros:

Out dated place, no AC, so hot and humid room in the summer days.

2025-08-26 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Always special
Pros:

This is our favorite north shore spot!

We come back each year !!

2025-08-24 via Nuitee
D
Duane family_with_children
10
Pros:

a breathtaking view from your room and patio, literally hanging on the cliff shore of Superior.

2025-08-24 via Nuitee
R
Robert partner
10
Pros:

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).

2025-08-21 via Nuitee
J
Jason family
6
Pros:

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.

2025-08-17 via Nuitee
J
Julie friends
10
Pros:

Hard beds

2025-08-17 via Nuitee
J
Jared family
8
Pros:

Beautiful view, decks, screen door and exterior needs some upkeep..

2025-08-04 via Nuitee
B
Benjamin
8
Pros:

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.

2025-08-02 via Nuitee
R
Reed partner
6
Pros:

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.

2025-08-01 via Nuitee