Tofte Trails — Hotel in Lutsen Township

My husband and I stayed here for several days while on a mini vacation, and it was not entirely what we thought it would be. Based off the pictures that Tofte Trails posts, it seems as though the cabin is much larger than it actually is. And while I have no issues with the size of the cabin, there are various aspects about the design of this small space that make it difficult to stay in. For one, there is very little space to put a suitcase anywhere, and anywhere you would put it would be in the way. The provided shelving in the cabin was also not very deep so, did not provide much space to set anything down.

We were also asked to not track dirt and sand into the cabin, however the path to get to the cabin is made out of gravel, and there was really no space inside to take off our shoes without being in the middle of everything. We also found sand in the bed sheets, so it made us wonder how serious they were about not getting dirt in the cabin.

Many of the amenities in the cabin are controlled by remotes. However these remotes are attached with a cable to the wall. So You can only move them about 12 inches from their anchor point, and this makes them difficult to use. I am not sure why it was necessary to anchor them to a wall. However, it also seems as though these remotes do not work all of the time. On one particularly chilly morning we tried to turn on the fireplace to heat up the cabin a bit, but we were met with absolutely no response and a cold cabin. This inability to function was true of the remotes for the fireplace, air conditioner, and large window shade covering the sliding glass doors. It was incredibly frustrating to have to deal with this technology, especially given that we were trying to get away from frustrating technology. After our issues with these, we didn't even attempt to use the projector to watch a movie.

While the bathroom was beautiful and the towel warmer was luxurious, the design of the bathroom left something to be desired. The shower is an open shower, which while I realize is very trendy, resulted in the bare wooden walls of the cabin being splashed with water while showering and made me concerned about it harboring mold.

And while neither my husband or I are larger people (I wear a women's medium), neither one of us could wrap the provided robes around our body without it being partially open. I am not sure if the robes are meant for adults or if they were children's sizes.

The outside fire pit on the deck of our cabin also provided us with various problems. Despite having set it up correctly and having obtained dry wood (since we were not allowed to use the wood inside the cabin which was labeled to be for "aesthetics") we had a hard time getting a fire going. We ended up having to clean the whole thing out, which included melted plastic in the bottom from a previous user.

Given that we had to pay a nearly $100 cleaning fee but found sand in the bed sheets and melted plastic in the fire pit, it makes you wonder what the fee is actually paying for.

But the thing that really sent us over the edge was the smell. Our first day there was completely fine. But the last two days we stayed there was a horrible stench. At first we thought another guest had let their dog out near our cabin and not cleaned up after it. But we quickly realized that the smell permeated throughout the entire cabin area. We are not sure what it was, but our best theory is that the septic system had gone awry.

While Tofte Trails does have some nice and luxurious aspects, it overall seems catered to those interested in taking photos for their Instagram. More attention has been paid to making sure the aesthetics of the cabin "look right" rather than making sure that the cabin is a functional place to stay. And given that we paid over $400 a night to stay there, I would not say that it is a good value...

I admit, I was a bit skeptical for some reason...but once there, surpassed my expectations. ( beware if the ground is thawed, it is muddy to get down to Kandance, which is dog friendly) so, bring towels or carry the dog down. LOL. They do provide a towel for wiping as such. The space is beautiful, you feel like you are sitting outside!! We like to cook and the two burner stove ( no oven). cookware and knives are great. Nice micro...coffee makers.. one pourover, one french press, which is how we make our's anyway!! Fika coffee provided....yummy. There are creamers and tea too. Sink is nice and deep and there is room under to place extra items. Plenty of room in the little fridge for our 3 days. Nice glasses and plates etc. Bathroom is very nice. The place heats up quickly with the stove. The bed and bedding are fantastic. I slept so well. The "Projector" is very kool. Took us a bit to get rolling but we did it and the Kilburn speaker too!. TIP: We had to download the IEpson projector app and that solved out issues. Location is perfect, down the road to shore and Blue fin just down the road one way ...( we booked massages and they were wonderful with Superior Massage) They are remote to plan ahead. Then up the road the otherway to Oberg and hiking options and miles of skiing right there....snow permitting. We will be back. Communication was prompt and clear. I would indeed consider this a 5 star experience! WOOF! Maxxi...

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My wife and I stayed at Tofte Trails for our 14th wedding anniversary, which also came during a time of deep grief after losing our four-year-old son earlier this year. We were hoping to find a place where we could rest, reflect, and just breathe—and Tofte Trails was exactly that and more.

From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the care and intentionality poured into every detail of the cabin. The keypad entry was simple and seamless, the bed firm and comforting with soft cotton sheets, and even the bathrobes felt like a warm embrace. The movie projector screen that doubled as a curtain, the stowaway table and chairs, the beautifully designed shower, and the high-quality French press and pour-over setup—each detail whispered peace and presence.

It’s clear this space was created not just to impress, but to invite. Invite stillness. Solitude. Restoration. And it did just that for us.

Tofte Trails is more than a beautiful cabin in the woods—it’s a sacred space, one we hope to return to every year. Whether to celebrate or to grieve, to laugh or to heal, it’s the kind of place that holds space for it all. We are...