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North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior

North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior

Photo gallery for North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior

North Shore Headlands House on Lake Superior
dining room with table that adjusts for number of guests
great room
The house with coast looking toward Tettegouche State Park
well equipped kitchen with great views for the chef

Overview of North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
5 bedrooms5+ bathroomsSleeps 8232 sq m

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer

Check out the area

Map
Silver Bay, North Shore, MN
  • AirportEly, MN (LYU-Ely Municipal)87 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Futon, 1 Double Murphy Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

5 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior

More flexible cancellation policy for 2021 stays due to COVID -19 uncertainties. Our laundering of all bedding between guests, state of the art ventilation system, high speed internet and cable TV, keyless contact-free check-in, and ensuite bathrooms for each bedroom contribute to our house's appeal during COVID-19 and at all times. We are a fully licensed and inspected free-standing and private home just a 3.5 hour drive from the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport. Best of all is our location on Lake Superior with views of its most dramatic section of rugged coastline from throughout the house.

With our Scandinavian and Japanese heritage showing through the warm wood tones, the house was designed for our own family retreats and is fully licensed for short-term rental. Each of our 5 bedrooms has its own attached bathroom, with a separate powder room off the great room.

The upper floor of the house is level with the parking area and includes two bedrooms (one with a queen-size bed, the other with two twin beds) and the great room including the kitchen, dining and living areas, and covered deck. Couples and other small groups spend their entire time on this self-contained floor which also easily accommodates guests with mobility limitations. The lower floor has three bedrooms with queen-size beds, along with a laundry area the guests can use. One of these bedrooms can be configured for meetings/projects instead of sleeping, and it also includes memory foam single sofa bed in addition to a very comfortable techline queen-size Murphy bed. Both upper and lower floors open directly to the outside without any stairs and each bedroom has a view including the lake.

Each bedroom has its own bathroom, three of which contain soaking tub/showers and two of which have dedicated showers. Two of the soaking tubs have picture windows for very scenic relaxation.

The house was custom designed for its unique location on a wooded point to afford generous white water views of this most dramatic stretch of rugged Lake Superior shoreline. An expanse of south facing windows generously lets in the winter sun. The bay, islets and headlands we see from our windows looking toward Shovel Point of Tettegouche State are spectacular in all weathers and seasons.

Certified for energy efficient construction, the house has in-floor radiant heat, heat pump air conditioning in upper bedrooms, a fresh air exchange system, and naturally soft water from a a 330' deep well. We have a gas fireplace inside, and enjoy wood fires in the lakeside fire pit.

Our fiber optic cable service provides network stations from Duluth and over 60 cable channels with excellent bandwidth for all streaming services. The kitchen is very well equipped for serious cooking and service for ten, who can all fit around our extending dining room table. We provide all bedding and bath linens, freshly laundered (including blankets) and in place when you arrive. So you can unpack and feel fully at home, each bedroom has a generous closet and dresser drawers, and there are cabinets in the kitchen for your groceries, and a locker to store your coolers, packs, and luggage.

During the day, your eyes will probably be focused on the coastal views out the window, but note that we do provide information about the generous collection of regional and other artwork throughout the house. '

In addition to the fire pit outside, we have a yoga deck tucked in the woods on a trail running to the south of the house along the lake. Several outdoor benches provide places for scenic contemplation.





Property manager

Jim Hagen
Premier Host
Premier Host
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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Not suitable for toddlers; Inherent water hazards.

Events

No events allowed
Specific permission required at time of booking

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
The guest must provide a home address (residence address) phone number and guest names to confirm.
For first-time renters at our house, a phone call with the owner is required before the reservation request can be accepted.
Reservation requests for longer than ten nights are not accepted except by special exception and approval of the owner.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Specific permission required at time of booking
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

North America

Map
Silver Bay, North Shore, MN

Restaurants

  • Our Place - 12 min drive
  • Four Seasons Supper Club - 10 min drive
  • West Branch Bar & Grill - 12 min drive
  • Four Seasons Restaurant & Bar - 11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is North Shore Headlands House - retreat house on Lake Superior located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Superior and within 3 miles (5 km) of Baptism River and Shovel Point. Tettegouche State Park is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 146 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 146 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah O.

A dreamy place for winter
The house is spectacular and Jim is a very kind and hospitable host. Our favourite memories are sledding along the driveway with our litte baby and watching the deer eat the fallen bird food within 5 feet of the window.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

William M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Annual friends getaway
We love this property. It is perfect for our 4 couples.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect family getaway
I’ve stayed in a lot of short-term rentals so I’ll start with this: The host of this house should give a Master Class on how to run a successful and welcoming vacation rental. The house was spotless, beautifully decorated, and exceptionally well equipped. I’ve experienced, and really detest, a penny-pinching host — the ones who use the cheapest toilet paper and leave guests just one roll of paper towels. Jim takes the opposite approach. He even has a stash of personal toiletries available in case guests forget something. And it’s a great house. We were a family group of 8, including one who is mobility impaired. The layout and design of the house made it completely accessible, functional, and comfortable for all of us. The setting on the edge of Lake Superior is stunning, perhaps even more so in the winter, with ice frozen on the rocky outcroppings and the snow flying. I could go on and on — there is much more to say — but I’ll simply end with this: This isn’t just a 5-star house, it’s a 5-star experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maaja K., Saint Paul, MN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very Comfortable Stay!
We had a great time staying at the Headlands House. Such a plus for every bedroom to have it's own bathroom. Beds were comfortable and kitchen well stocked for making meals. Really no downsides, king beds would be nice but not a big deal. Only advice as a mom, would not stay here with young children since house is on a cliff to Lake Superior. Overall great place!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

jared n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceptional Experience
The attention to detail and thoughtfulness is outstanding. There are clear instructions for every feature and amenity of the property. Jim had prompt and clear communication.The house was spotless. And of course the property is breathtaking.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

About the host

Hosted by Jim Hagen

Host profile image
I grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, a third generation Norwegian to either work commercially on the Great Lakes or at least spend a lot of time on Lake Michigan. Moving to Minneapolis for a career that started in banking and transitioned to being a professor, I was drawn to Lake Superior for its energy and vastness, its world-connected shipping, and the magic of not being able to see the other side. Married to a Japanese-American from Chicago, and having lived in Japan several years, this house was a chance to bring together both some Scandinavian and Japanese design ideas that turned out to not be so far apart.

Why they chose this property

The 30 mile stretch of Lake Superior headlands near Beaver and Silver Bay hosts not just the dramatic Palisade Head, Split Rock Lighthouse, and the coastal cliffs of Tettegouche State Park, but also the hidden islets, bays, and headlands outside our windows that been visited by photographers and artists capturing what is unique about the wilds of the 'sculpted' North Shore.

This immediate stretch of land went on the market in the 1970s after its owner ran into financial headwinds that stopped its plan to build a major condominium - night club resort here. From that risky purchase in 1976 until finally having the resources to build on it starting 2005, the property was a magnificent campsite that never lost its magic for us. It was special enough to be an inspiring and renewing retreat regardless of where in the world we lived.

Two years of building from 2005-2007 was a construction marvel of cliffside construction on bedrock with the challenges of capturing the views, strict environmental guidelines, keeping it accessible to those with disabilities, and putting in our deep well, state of the art septic and other utilities. The result is a combination of location and function well worth the 30 years of planning.



What makes this property unique

The functional layout came about after I had to find rental houses for my own extended family reunions. Priorities became clear: make each bedroom delightful and functional with its own bathroom, have great gathering spaces including a kitchen where people want to be and can cook together, have multiple conversation 'corners' inside and out, keep it accessible for all abilities, invest in windows and mechanicals to keep it comfortable year-round, and scale it all to work well for uses ranging from a two-person weekend get-away to a weeks long retreat for ten.

Just 3.5 hours from the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport and 1.5 hours from the Duluth airport, many of our guests fly in from afar and find it easy to drive up to the door year-round.

One frequent comment is how amazing it is to come for our magnificent shoreline, and then find that there are also dozens of world class waterfalls and ridgeline hiking trails in the area. I've hiked all 300+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail and explored all the shore's state parks, but there is always a new mountain to climb, lake to discover, or waterfall to admire.

Even with our sense of north woods isolation, we are easy to reach year-round and we have the convenience of nearby stores and restaurants.

While summer and fall are well known as peak seasons on the North Shore, from late October to mid December, guests look forward to the drama of 20' waves crashing into the cliffs and the amazement of watching surfers catch the big ones in their wet suits. Our location right on the water, makes winter a surprising retreat from the frozen cold of much of the Midwest, as the blue water heats the air, and the blazing sun shines through blue skies into our south-facing windows. Winter sports are big on the North Shore, as is reading a good book by the fireplace. As the lake tries to freeze in February and March, the rapidly changing ice patterns take center stage for out toasty front row seats.

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