Classic Minnesota Lodge Offers Perfectly Pampered Getaway Year Round: In less time than it will take you to fly to one of the world’s top resort destinations, you can arrive at a world-class resort right in Minnesota – Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake in the Brainerd Lakes region. With an on-site spa, eight dining options, an indoor waterpark, year-round outdoor activities, and three championship golf courses you’ll be coming back for more year after year.

Grand View Lodge on Brainerd’s Gull Lake is an escape for those who want to be perfectly pampered and enjoy a mix of relaxation and recreation. Outdoor activities by day and fine dining at night make the lodge a year-round retreat. The only thing you’ll lack at Grand View Lodge is simply enough time to enjoy the entire resorts fine dining options and available on-site activities in just one stay.

Historic MN Lodge Getaway

At the turn of the 20th century, residents of rapidly urbanizing towns looked north to escape and relax, and many of Minnesota’s most notable resorts were built to feed their desire to reconnect with unspoiled nature.

A century later, many of those same resorts have once again become a destination for couples and families in search of a weekend getaway or a vacation filled with activities for just about every desire.  

Built in 1919, Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN, was one of the first grand log-built lodges in the state. The family-owned lodge was originally intended as a temporary stay. The grand lodge was built to impress and provide lodging for prospective real estate buyers who were visiting the area to search for properties on Gull Lake. In 1937, the lodge was sold and became a vacation destination.

“Many of the original lodge features remain,” said Frank Soukup, director of marketing for Grand View Lodge. “The lodge is even built on a hill, reflecting the time when it was built. Before Gull Lake was dammed, properties had to be built away from the lake.”

Guests today can stay in the Inn’s original rooms, which offer a traditional resort style just upstairs from the Inn’s main level dining and large stone fireplace. Those looking for more amenities can stay in one of the 65 lodge cabins. The one to eight-bedroom traditional-style cabins offer full kitchens and amenities like fireplaces and pool tables.

Other lodging options include one or two bedroom modern-style suites, luxury one to five-bedroom townhomes, and modern-style cottages and villas. Though the Historic Inn was built away from the lake, today guests can spend the night in a cabin or cottage overlooking the lakeshore, or just steps from one of the resort’s golf courses.

“Lodging options are available for couples, families or extended families to stay together,” said Frank. “You can stay in a cozy room or rent an entire townhouse with a full kitchen.”

But most people won’t want to stay in their room long.

“We offer a wide range of activities for all seasons,” said Frank. “In the winter, guests enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, dog sledding, and ice fishing. In the warmer months, guests can rent boats to fish or cruise the lake, golf at one of our championship golf courses, enjoy a camp fire, take art classes like watercolor painting, and even dine outdoors at one of our restaurants. All year long, enjoy our waterpark or world-class spa.”

From Relaxing Getaway to Culinary Delight

Eight dining options, from Italian casual to sports bar to wine tasting dinners, offer a full range of dining options right on the resort grounds. A private sommelier is available for wine pairings at each of the restaurant options.

“Our wine cellar stocks 2,000 wines from 200 vineyards around the world,” explained Frank. “Guests can enjoy a bottle at dinner or delivered to their room or the spa.”

For those new to wines or wanting to try new varieties, every weekend, Grand View hosts wine tasting, with different themes each month.

“For example, one month we may feature wines from Germany,” explained Frank. “That theme may be carried through to the regular wine dinners we host. Dinners feature a five course meal with five wines – a different period for each wine.”

Be sure to plan early though. Wine dinners regularly sell out, especially during the busier months of July and August. Holidays also offer special dining options. During Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy champagne, chocolate dipped strawberries and special dinner menus.

Make your vacation even more relaxing with a stop at the Glacial Waters Spa. Offering massage, hydrotherapy, facials and a variety of other treatments, the spa has become a draw for many lodge visitors.

“Some people come up just for the spa,” said Frank. “They come for a girlfriends’ getaway or a couples massage.  Or, stop in or a manicure or pedicure during your stay.”

Three Championship Golf Courses Challenge Golfers of All Abilities

A growing attraction to the Brainerd Lakes area is its increasing number of world-class golf courses, including three championship courses and a smaller nine-hole course at Grand View.  Designed by Arnold Palmer and named for his father, Deacon’s Lodge offers 18 holes among forest, wetlands and lakes. Nearby, The Preserve’s 18 holes offer scenic views from its 11 elevated tees. And The Pines will offer you a golf experience like none other. Its 27 holes were designed as three 9-hole landscapes.

“Each hole is its own environment – woods, marsh or lakes,” said Frank. The courses offer challenging and unique environments for golfers of all levels, winning the resort numerous national awards.

“We’re the only gold medal golf resort in North America,” said Frank. “We’ve been rated a top 75 course by Golf Digest and have won numerous awards from Conde Naste, Golf Magazine and Golf Review.”

Each of the courses offers four tees for all skill levels. Those wanting a more casual golf experience will enjoy the Garden course, just a few steps from the main lodge.

Options for All

Whether you come for golf, the spa, dining or family recreation, Grand View Lodge offers something for every taste.

“Some people come strictly for the golf or strictly for the spa,” said Frank. “But if you come in the winter, relax in one of our cabins by the fireplace or visit the indoor mini water park. We don’t just have a square pool. We have slides, water cannons. It’s truly a mini water park.”

“We believe you should be able to have whatever you want, whenever you want. That’s why we have so many food and wine options throughout the resort,” said Frank.

With so many options, the only challenge you’ll face is which activity to enjoy next.

If You Go:
Join Grand View Lodge’s Facebook page for notice of special events and discounts year round. If you plan to come during the summer months, plan early. July and August are the busiest months for the resort and rooms often book several months in advance.

Getting There:
Grand View Lodge is about 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes area. From Brainerd, head north on Hwy 371 to the northern end of Gull Lake. Grand View is just a short drive west on Hwy 77.

While You’re There:
With so many options on site, why leave the resort? But if you must, you’ll enjoy access to area lakes for fishing and boating. In the winter, enjoy miles of snowmobile and ski trails.

South of Grand View, dine at Iven’s on the Bay, offering seafood, steaks and chops, plus an extensive bar featuring wine and 51 different martinis.