The Ultimate Guide to Staying at Bluefin Bay, in Tofte Minnesota
Bluefin Bay Outdoor Pool
Looking for a Minnesota vacation that gets you on the water, with amazing views and a variety of activities and restaurants on-site in the heart of the north shore? Look no further than Bluefin Bay. This resort houses three separate resorts Bluefin Bay, Surfside on Lake Superior, and Temperance Landing. We recently got back from a stay at Bluefin Bay, and have now stayed at all three properties here’s everything you need to know to book and plan the perfect vacation for your group or family.
Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts has become a family tradition in our household, we’ve visited in the Fall, Winter, and Summer and each time we find something new to do, go with our little family of three but also bring grandparents along with us. With the wide variety of stay options, from single suites to three-bedroom townhomes, there are options for couples, small families, or a girl's trip/multigenerational family vacation. All three properties are located ~90 minutes from Duluth making it a great Minnesota staycation or within a three-and-a-half-hour drive of Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport for those who have to take a flight to come experience out great state!
Bluefin Bay:
Bluefin Bay is the biggest of properties and where the main check-in is for the whole resort. You’ll be greeted with the front desk, a little shop, a place to rent gear for your trip, and check out games and movies. They even have s’mores kits and in the winter a hot chocolate bar! It’s the little touches that truly just make you feel right at home.
Stays: Bluefin Bay has 21 different stays ranging from 290 sq ft. Hillside Guestroom, to as large as the Grand Superior Three Bedroom Townhome which is 1680 sq. ft. and sleeps up to 8 with 2 Queens, a King or Queen, and a sofa sleeper. We stayed in the Three Bedroom Elite Townhome which is Unit 9.
Fun Fact: Numbers 1-9 were built on the old foundation of Olsen’s motel so they are grandfathered in closer to the lake than you can get anywhere else! So if your primary goal is amazing lake views that make you feel like you’re on a cruise without the seasickness this is the spot.
The only con I have for the Bluefin stays is compared to the rest we stayed in this was the smallest and most “dated” unit (by no means bad I’m just speaking in comparison to the other two I stayed at). They are still charming, and have amazing lake views, but something to be aware of. Many of the units have undergone renovations, if you have questions feel free to look at the room tours that Katie at Bluefin Bay does a wonderful job of recapping each unit!
In addition, to a large selection of stays, Bluefin houses a large variety of restaurants and amenities within walking distance. Bluefin Grill is the nicest of the restaurants in the three resorts perfect for a lunch or a celebratory dinner. They have a great selection of meals from burgers to entrees like seafood linguini (which is by far my favorite meal I’ve had there but it wasn’t on the menu this summer but if it ever makes a comeback ORDER IT ASAP).
Bluefin Grill has a main floor dining room, upstairs with a fireplace and an amazing view of Lake Superior and they also have an outdoor patio overlooking the water. Be sure to look at the activity schedule because it’s not uncommon for them to have live music in the bar on a Saturday.
Bluefin also has two pools, one indoor and one outdoor. Two hot tubs, including my favorite which is the outdoor pool overlooking Lake Superior. In addition to both pools and hot tubs, each also have a sauna, and gym. In 2023, the indoor pool/hot tub got a major renovation and is so beautiful, clean and where our family spends most of our time when we’re saying at Bluefin. We have an almost three year old so this indoor pool is perfect for us and was just a few steps out the front door of our unit.
Outdoor Pool/Hot Tub: This hot tub is available to all guests staying at Bluefin Bay. It’s open every day that it’s above zero degrees (straight temp or with wind chill). While it’s a great view in the summer, the best time, in my opinion, is in the winter when you can enter the pool at the same time as sunrise and watch it rise over the lake, now that’s a moment and you’re likely to have it all to yourself!
Temperance Landing:
Temperance Landing is the furthest resort out (about three minutes from Bluefin Bay). These luxury log homes are located on or close to the water and offer two separate units the 3 Bedroom Log Home and the Hillside 3 Bedroom Log Home.
We stayed in the Hillside Log Home in the fall and it was perfect. You can still see the water, we were surrounded by the leaves changing colors. We had an oversized deck to sip coffee on and a wood fireplace that doubles in both the living room and primary bathroom, which also housed a soaker tub. This stay was the perfect size for my husband, myself, and daughter, and my parents.
We were tucked away and had some privacy but also we’re still close to all the amenities at Bluefin (except for the outdoor hot tub).
Surfside:
Surfside Two-Bedroom Townhome and One-Bedroom Lower Level
Surfside offers a mix of Bluefin and Temperance Landing, they have three separate units from the Master Suite to a Two and Three Bedroom Townhome.
We stayed in the Two Bedroom Townhome and let me tell you the windows and views of Lake Superior are unmatched, I don’t think there was one room in the whole place (maybe the downstairs bathroom) that didn’t offer a view of the water. At Surfside, the accommodations are individually owned and the decor may vary by unit.
When you stay at Surfside there is also a pool, gym, sauna, and hot tub on the property. The spa is also located on Surfside along with a skating rink in the winter, bonfire pits, and Waves Cafe.
On my most recent stay, I signed up for yoga and yoga takes place in the Surfside ballroom. This is a great option if you’re not looking to stay in the heart of it all but would still like some amenities within walking distance + the amenities of Bluefin.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which Room Has the Hot Tub: The outdoor hot tub isn’t assigned to a specific room, but is available to just the guests staying at Bluefin Bay Resort (not Temperance Landing or Surfside).
What Kind of Actives are Include in the Stays (from the Bluefin website):
Winter Activities: Ice Skating Rinks & Skate Rentals, Snowshoe Rentals & Tours, Cross Country Ski Rentals & Tours, Yoga, Bonfire Hikes, Lutsen Mountains Shuttle, Craft Classes, Live Music, Nightly Campfires with S’mores
Spring Activities: Guided Waterfall Hikes, Yoga, Bonfire Hikes, Craft Classes, Bike Rentals, Bike & Hike Tours, Live Music, Nightly Campfires with S’mores
Summer Activities: Bike Rentals, Bike & Hike Tours, Guided Hikes, Yoga, Winery Shuttles, Craft Classes, Lake Superior Sea Kayaking Tours, Inland Kayaking Tours, Wilderness Canoeing, Kids Program, Campfire Music, Nature Programs, Tennis Courts with Tennis & Pickleball Equipment, Nightly Campfires with S’mores
Fall Activities: Bike Rentals, Bike & Hike Tours, Guided Hikes, Yoga, Winery Shuttles, Craft Classes, Fall Color Kayaking Tours, Wilderness Canoeing, Campfire Music
Is Bluefin pet-friendly: Four-legged friends celebrate! Bluefin and Surfside both have pet-friendly units available. In addition to the regular room rates, guests with pets will be charged an additional $39 per day for a maximum of $156 per stay. Pets must be kenneled and quiet when left unattended. A maximum of 2 pets per unit is allowed. Pet rooms are not guaranteed so make sure you book early to secure your stay!
Bluefin’s “Secret Beach”
Do you have a discount code? I don’t have a specific discount code but here is their most recent sale offering, and or check out their website for a running list of all their current promotions.
Current Promotions:
Splash into August with a memorable Lake Superior vacation. Book by July 23rd to take advantage of our August Splash Sale. Valid dates: August 1-29, 2024
The longer you stay, the more you save!
Stay one night, receive 10% off
Stay two nights, receive 15% off plus a $50 dining voucher
Stay three nights, receive 20% off plus a $50 dining voucher
OR
Escape the crowds for a late summer vacation on Lake Superior. Stay four nights between August 18-September 15 (excluding Labor Day Weekend) and receive one of those nights completely free.
All of these stays with Bluefin Bay were hosted but always, all opinions are my own. Looking to see more content from Bluefin, check out my reel & story recap.
