Can you afford it? Then this is where you should stay.
On a recent trip to Duluth I spent two nights at the Downtown Holiday Inn followed by 2 nights at this Marriott and it's fair to say I liked every single thing about this hotel and very little about the other place. Perhaps it's not a fair comparison, as the nightly room rates aren't equal, but this place was so far superior to the other place that the difference in price began to seem immaterial.
That said, it was that difference in price that caused me to stay at the other place, transferring to the Marriott only because I'd banked enough Bonvoy points (Marriott's loyalty program) to net me a couple of free nights.
Here's some of the reasons I think you'll like this hotel:
* It's situated in one of Duluth's nicest areas, near the lake, beside a small marina, on the spit of land that you reach only after crossing the Aerial Lift Bridge. You can easily walk from the hotel to the waterfront or to the bridge, and when you cross over it you'll be in Canal Park, an area popular with visitors.
* The hotel itself is immaculate, quiet, and a nice self-serve breakfast is included in your daily room rate.
* The rooms are really nicely designed and everything in those rooms works: outlets, toilets, water pressure, lights. Although I wasn't officially staying in a water view room someone who visited said they should call it a "water visible room" as I could definitely see water from parts of this room when my blinds were open.
* The hotel is low-rise, with free outdoor self-service parking, a pristine indoor pool, and workout facilities.
Finally, on a related note: If you're flexible, don't stay on Friday or Saturday nights, when room rates in Duluth go up. Further, if you're a Bonvoy member and checking what your points will buy you here, clear your cookies before doing so. I swear I had enough points for 3 nights but the next time I checked I had enough for only two. read more