If a round hotel with a water view and a 16th floor restaurant that rotates piques your interest, than the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview is the Minnesota hotel for your next Duluth stay.
A Unique Round Hotel With a Rotating Restaurant
When I was asked to travel on business to Duluth, Minnesota in the middle of the cold winter, I did not respond right away. Then, I took an online peek at the hotel and location of the work event, and the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview deserved a “wow” from me. You see, not only is this hotel Minnesota’s longest operating Radisson, but it’s a uniquely shaped ROUND hotel. Even more impressive was seeing that the hotel featured a REVOLVING restaurant on the 16th floor. That made traveling with a down parka, hat, gloves, and snow boots to Minnesota in winter something to look forward to.
Location Right Near Duluth Harbor
A few perks of this hotel location was its nearness to Lake Superior and steps away from the AMSOIL Arena at DECC (Duluth Entertainment Convention Center) where you can go to see live performances and attend other big events. In fact, when you stay at the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview hotel, you can simply enter the city’s Skywalk system, a 3.5-mile walkway that actually connects the hotel to the Canal Park shops, restaurants, and museums along the Duluth Harbor waterfront. Even better, the walkway is climate-controlled so it’s comfortable and convenient all year round.
Harbor 360 Restaurant: Good Hotel Food and Amazing Views
Before I tell you about the hotel’s standard amenities, I must tell you about the best hotel amenity being the revolving restaurant located on the 16th floor. And all I can say is how thankful I was to have the Harbor 360 Restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout my business trip. Duluth was WAY TOO COLD to go out early in the morning and after the sunset.
While the “icing on the cake” was the rotating of the restaurant to continually show 360 views around the hotel, the food itself was actually delicious and appreciatively affordable. I’ve stayed in luxury hotels where the food was astronomically expensive and was not as tasty as the food in the Harbor 360 Restaurant. The restaurant features a great selection of casual food options and a full bar area so after you eat dinner, you can wind down with a cocktail and play some board games as well. One highlight of the restaurant view was seeing multiple big ships pass through the lift bridge that could be seen as the restaurant’s view rotated.
A few of my favorite Duluth breakfasts that I never cook for myself were the biscuits & gravy and the fried chicken & waffles. For lunch, I ordered the Chicken Wild Rice Soup multiple times. The two most delicious dinners were the Gouda Mac & Cheese and the Chicken Alfredo.
Radisson Accommodations and Amenities
In addition to the hotel’s restaurant, having a guest room in the same hotel as the conference was super convenient! I lost count at how many times I hopped on the elevator to go up to my room for a five minute break. The room types were traditional; 2 queen beds or 1 king bed, with various window views.
My guest room was on the 12th floor featured vibrant modern decor and presented a decent view of the downtown area. If I was to stay at this hotel again, I would request a room with a view of the harbor. The room had standard amenities, nothing special but still nice, including free Wi-Fi, desk area, flat screen television, mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, safe, hair dryer, and iron/ironing board. The hotel is dog-friendly, 100% smoke free, and offers free outdoor parking. There is a really nice heated indoor pool/hot tub area plus a fitness center, neither of which I had time to try. Accessible guest rooms are also available.
Squeezing in Some Things to Do in Duluth After Business
While my business schedule was tight, I was still able to join a few colleagues and take an Uber to a few Duluth attractions nearby the hotel. The cold, windy weather was not conducive for walking or outdoor activities but we still managed to squeeze in some fun. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Bayfront Festival Park, and the Lincoln Park Craft District were just a short distance from the hotel.
It was a real treat to drive over the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge that was constructed in 1905. With an original purpose as an aerial lift, this unique elevator bridge spans 386 feet from Canal Park to Duluth Harbor. Canal Park is the popular Duluth waterfront area that features restaurants, coffee shops, clubs, and a cool sculpture garden. If you like boating, you must visit the S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum at Canal Park in addition to walking around the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center museum to learn how the Great Lakes’ played an important role in the shipping industry.
The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is another favorite attraction. It’s an impressive collection of historic railroad equipment that helped build not only the state of Minnesota but the country as well. And last but certainly not least, the Great Lakes Aquarium was another lighthearted place to take a stroll after a full morning of back to back meetings. There were so many different kinds of reptiles, mammals, fish, and amphibians to browse at plus many hands-on aquarium exhibits.
Key Takeaways: Pros of this Hotel
While there are pros and cons with every hotel, this hotel had many pros including:
- So cool to stay at a hotel that is uniquely shaped round.
- Great views from the rotating restaurant were memorable.
- Convenient location to waterfront Duluth attractions.
- Front desk team was so helpful and friendly.
- Check-in and check-out process was quick and easy.
- Great views of the harbor and downtown from guest rooms.
- Nicely decorated indoor pool area with heated water.
- Delicious and affordable breakfast, lunch, and dinner at hotel restaurant.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the closest major airport to the hotel?
Duluth International Airport (DLH) is located less than 10 miles from the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview hotel. Hotel shuttle services are not always available so confirm shuttle service prior to your stay.
- Is there a restaurant at the hotel?
Yes, the Harbor 360 restaurant continually rotates 360 degrees offering spectacular views. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to cocktails at a comfortable lounge area.
- Is this a good hotel when attending an event at the local concert arena?
Yes, If you’re planning to attend an event at AMSOIL Arena at DECC (Duluth Entertainment Convention Center), you have easy access from the hotel to the city’s 3.5-mile pedestrian Skywalk system connecting the hotel to downtown areas.
- Are children allowed at the hotel?
Anyone aged 18 and under, at time of booking, stay for free with an adult guest. The hotel’s heated pool is a great area to keep children entertained.
- Is this hotel pet-friendly?
Yes, the hotel is pet friendly (dogs only) and there are special designated pet-friendly rooms. There is a pet fee of 50.00 USD per pet, per stay and a pet limit of two per room. Service animals are permitted, without charge.
- Are there meeting rooms at this hotel?
Yes, there are six meeting rooms at the hotel. This includes approximately 9,000 square feet of event space for business conferences, weddings, and other events.
Final Thoughts
Views, views, and more views … blended seamlessly with a successful business venture at this hotel. My guest room was comfortable, clean, and convenient to my work meetings on the lower levels. My multiple visits to the hotel’s rotating restaurant is one for the books and I will be talking about the uniqueness of the restaurant and round hotel design for a very long time. Having had to business travel to Duluth in the cold winter, I’m glad the Radisson hotel Duluth-Harborview made the experience just a bit warmer. I plan to visit Duluth in warmer weather one day so I can take advantage of the outdoor attractions.
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Hotel amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.