Harbor Inn Self Check-in Hotel

Hotels
Independent
7.4 (207 reviews)
207 West Wisconsin Street, Grand Marais, Minnesota, 55604 , Grand Marais , US

Facilities

Free WiFi
Wheelchair accessible
Downhill skiing nearby
Cross-country skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Sailing nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Snowshoeing nearby
Smoke-free property
Snowboarding nearby
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Helpful and friendly staff
Beautiful lakeside location
Cons:
Property in poor condition
Issues with cleanliness and outdated facilities

Categories

Cleanliness
6.54
Several reviews mentioned cleanliness issues, including stained carpets and old facilities.
Service
8.51
Numerous reviews praised the staff for their helpfulness and accommodating nature.
Location
8.55
Guests frequently highlighted the central and scenic location, close to the lakeside.
Room Quality
7
Mixed reviews on room quality, with some modern rooms mentioned but others described as outdated.
Amenities
6.53
Limited amenities were discussed, including the absence of microwaves and outdated features.
Value for Money
6.99
Some guests felt the price was too high for the quality of the hotel.
Food and Beverage
8.04
Positive remarks about the coffee shop on-site and general satisfaction with available food options.
Overall Experience
7.01
General satisfaction, but issues with maintenance and cleanliness dampened the overall experience.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 09:24

Property Description

Recreational Activities Nearby
Embrace the thrill of snowboarding, sledding, and downhill skiing, along with cross-country skiing, kayaking, and sailing just steps away.

Luxurious Accommodations
Indulge in one of our 15 guestrooms with pillowtop beds, down comforters, and flat-screen TVs. Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi and enjoy cable programming for entertainment.

Scenic Location
Located on Lake Superior and adjacent to Superior National Forest, our hotel offers proximity to Grand Marais attractions like Sivertson Gallery and Cook County Court House, making it the perfect retreat. Book your stay at Harbor Inn Self Check-in Hotel for a memorable experience.

Important information:

This smoke-free hotel features snowboarding nearby, sledding nearby, and downhill skiing nearby. Recreational activities include cross-country skiing nearby, kayaking nearby, and sailing nearby.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Sustainability Certifications

    Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures

  • Children and extra beds

    No rollaway/extra beds available

  • General

    Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer

  • Guest type

    Essential workers only - NO

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

7.4
Based on 207 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.54
Service: 8.51
Location: 8.55
Room Quality: 7
Amenities: 6.53
Value for Money: 6.99
Food and Beverage: 8.04
Overall Experience: 7.01
M
Melissa partner
8
Pros:

I would call this a motel, not a hotel. The property is old and in need of some fixing up, which I believe they are working on. We had no issues with the self checkin. The room was clean, but definitely dated, the bathroom has been renovated, so that was nice. Bed was very comfortable, and I do not usually sleep well in motels/hotels, so I appreciated that.
It would have been nice to have a TV in the front room as well as the bedroom, it’s never comfortable to only be able to watch tv in bed.
Overall, we liked it and would like stay again, but please keep renovating.

2025-10-12 via Nuitee
L
Lawrence
10
Happy
Pros:

Our room (#9) was ground floor and looking directly at the harbor. Street parking was right in front of our room (8-5 only 90 minutes allowed) but was easy met. Room was spacious and clean. Looks like it was updated within the last year.

Very convenient and easy walking distance to great dining and shopping.

Highly recommend it.

2025-10-11 via Nuitee
J
Jessee partner
6
Pros:

After I read the other comments, I was fully expecting to walk in to mold.
We did walk in to a musty smell and a very rundown room. There's a hole in the wall where the doorknob went through. There used to be a fan on the ceiling but they took the arms out. The shower had dirt between the tiles (I hope it was dirt). There was also a hair in the tub (that's so gross, where else is there hair??). The beds were soft but one bump and the whole mattress shook. The towels smell like they were wet and dried in a pile. Parking is not guaranteed. Our next room neighbors were smoking and the AC unit brought that smell in nice and strong.

I did not get into the blankets. The state of the room had me a little freaked out about what I would find. My husband did say his bed was clean (the only room left had 2 queen beds). We actually slept really well, which we were both surprised at. We slept in different beds because they were so shaky.

The front seating area in front of each room was really nice. The location right across from the lake and views was beautiful. Being right next to Java Moose made my husband super happy. The general location of it was actually pretty nice. We used the TV to hook up the switch and we played at night to wind down, which was actually pretty fun.

The overall state of the room is a little shocking and I guess I don't understand how all of the reviews talk about it and the owners haven't done a thing about it yet.

2025-10-10 via Nuitee
L
Lori
6
Pros:

Property was run down. Room had a distinct smell, maybe mold smell. Great location near shopping and beautiful water view. The bed was the best bed I have slept in away from home.

2025-10-10 via Nuitee
D
Diane
6
Pros:

Internet service was not good maybe take "free wifi" off the advertising until that is upgraded. Hot water was a bit slow...otherwise was clean and comfortable

2025-10-09 via Nuitee
D
Danielle partner
10
Pros:

Beautiful view and everything is walkable from this little location. I cannot wait to book another stay here.

2025-10-06 via Nuitee
T
Todd
10
Pros:

Good location. Owner was very friendly and helpful.

2025-10-06 via Nuitee
F
Frances
6
Pros:

This is an excellent location with easy check in although I did call to get help. Towels and bedding lush. The room was old and a little dingy. Shower was so so. Very soundproof compared to other hotels.

2025-10-04 via Nuitee
V
vance
6
Pros:

We stayed there a year ago but at a smaller lakeside room

2025-10-03 via Nuitee
Q
Quinn
8
Pros:

The place was old and needs some upgrades, but it was comfortable and a great location.

2025-10-03 via Nuitee
S
Suzanne
6
Pros:

The exterior of the hotel is terrible and in poor condition. The room itself was clean, comfortable and well appointed, however it is a convoluted system to register, lock your door and get any kind of assistance. View is terrific but the hotel is weird!

2025-10-03 via Nuitee
B
Brian
8
Pros:

It was peaceful. Needs a better chair

2025-10-03 via Nuitee
V
Vicki partner
8
Pros:

Great location and view of the harbor. We could walk to restaurants and gift shops, and out to the lighthouse from our hotel.

2025-10-03 via Nuitee
M
Marty
8
Pros:

Our host reached us immediately and helped us with the checkin process. The room was clean. Convenient to down town.

2025-10-02 via Nuitee
H
Hope
8
Pros:

The hotel was doable. Beds were super comfy. Room could use updated. Self check in went well. Thankfully i read the text message in its entirety as i inadvertently deleted it with the instructions to get in. Eeek!
The cost should be under 200 until they update. Overall, the place is centrally located and walkable to everything. The air conditioner was loud so we did not sit out ,we just walked across the street listened to the bar music and the lake

2025-09-29 via Nuitee
D
Dave
6
Pros:

Yes

2025-09-27 via Nuitee
W
William
6
Pros:

When we tried to use the TV it did not work. Someone came while we were at dinner. Unable to get it to work. Said we would get a 10% discount on our prepaid bill
Seems rather low for the inconvenience.
Also the wi-fi is painfully SLOOOW!!

2025-09-26 via Nuitee
M
Mary friends
10
Pros:

So nice to have a coffee shop in the parking lot! Loved being able to park for the night and walk everywhere. The rooms were so clean and comfortable

2025-09-25 via Nuitee
J
Jerry partner
2
Pros:

Property is run down. Great location. Nice view of harbor from second floor.

2025-09-25 via Nuitee
J
Jamie partner
6
Pros:

Property needs to updating and work. No microwave or ice machines, need to put a sign outside to locate the entrance for rooms on second floor, room we had was outdated, stains on carpet, nothing on walls

2025-09-23 via Nuitee