Solglimt Bed & Breakfast

We’ve been to many B&B’s in Duluth and along the North Shore, and have always enjoyed them, but we’ve definitely found our favorite! Mary and Brian are gracious hosts, the breakfasts were delicious, interesting and well –proportioned, and the rooms well appointed and comfortable. But the location on the shore and easy walking distance to Canal Park are great advantages. The view from the Park Point suite was breathtaking. Can’t wait to come back in summer and be able to enjoy the lovely deck and gardens — not to mention walking the beach.

I chose this B&B based on the reviews I read online, and I couldn’t agree more with all the positive things everyone has to say about this place. This was my first time to Minnesota (Southern California native, here). The owners Mary and Brian are incredibly friendly and helpful, always have great suggestions/​recommendations, but also manage to stay out of your way which allows for a very relaxing stay. The home is beautiful, and the fresh homemade cookies available each day are delicious! The home feels safe and very comfortable. Mary and Brian really make you feel right at home. We stayed in the Harbor View Suite, and it was awesome. It was a little cold on our stay, so we didn’t get to fully enjoy the attached private balcony. But the fireplace was cranked up and the wine glasses provided in the room were a hit. The room was very clean and very well kept with cute little antique furnitures and decorations. The only cons (and they are super minor) are that you can hear people walking around in the Kandinsky’s Loft above, but it’s really not that loud, and the spa tub jets are a little louder than expected. Back to what else is awesome about this place… coffee and tea are available all day in the kitchen. The place has a «help yourself» kind of feel, and it’s so cozy. The Canal Park area of Duluth is within easy walking distance of the B&B. This was also mine and Kevin’s first experience in a real B&B. The breakfasts are so good each morning. They are really fancy, offered in courses, and oh-​so incredible. Available at 9am, not too early for those of us who need to sleep in. They make everything fresh and are really proud of their offerings. Our stay was extra great too because there were 3 other young couples there that we friendly and fun to chat with at breakfast. One thing I tell people was so great about this B&B is that you get to meet and talk with types of people you might never cross paths with in regular life. Mary makes these awesome neck wraps, ask her about them when you’re there! Totally worth the price for a quiet, romantic weekend away. This is also somewhere I could definitely stay with my family and/​or friends. It’s great for all types and all occasions. Plenty of parking. Right on the beach. View of the bridge. So great!

I’ve been to many B&Bs, and this one takes the cake. From the time we checked in until we left two days later, we were pampered. Our room overlooked Lake Superior with a great view of the LIft Bridge and a pretty sitting area with windows to the north and west. There were bionoculars there to watch birds and boats. What a nice way to start our evening.
The room also had a huge steam shower with two shower heads. Nothing was more relaxing than a shower and steam with bath soaps and gels that must have had mint or eucalytus extract. So soothing. And rooms have fluffy robes to wrap up in afterward, PLUS Mary’s homemade hot cocoa mix and teas available to sip, and fresh chocolate chip cookies.
Our bed was comfortable and soft, with comfortable pillows and comforters. We had moonlight through the ceiling’s window, and woke up to the smell of fresh coffee.
Breakfasts are amazing! Both mornings we had three courses, starting with a fresh baked Swedish Kringle the first day, and lemon craisin scones the next. The second course was fruit based, with a strawberry soup and then sliced bananas with crème fraîche and brownsugar and cinnmon. I should add that presentation is a big part of each meal. Those bananas were served in wide-​rimmed champagne glasses which rested on white plates and a small spoon, with raspberries and a leaf of basil to add some color. Real food artistry! The last course was a warm hash brown frittata with ham, and the second day pencan pancakes. We were very satisfied after both breakfasts, and didn’t need lunch until pretty late in the day, leaving us lots of time to sightsee Duluth and the North Shore.
I should add here that the whole B&B is homey and clean. We were free to borrow books and movies for our room. The beverage and snack areas were always open to us. Mary and Brian are happy to chat and give suggestions for dinner and sightseeing, but they are never intrusive. There’s interesting artwork everywhere, and they are happy to tell you about the artists and how they came by them.
I cannot wait to get back to Solglimt. We plan to try a different room with a soaking tub next time, but still with a view of the lake and garden. We didn’t make it to the shore this time, but the gardens are lovely with huge rock water features and dunes. I didn’t want to leave! Thanks Mary and Brian!

The kind and sweet owners of this B&B aren’t meddlesome but aren’t standoffish either. They have Aveda products in their guest rooms and seem environmentally conscious overall. The breakfasts were delicious, so scrumptious, in fact, that I bought their little self-​published cookbook. The house has a wide DVD selection for cold nights, evening snacks, and is very conveniently located on the shoreline and walking distance from Downtown Duluth.