Lake Breeze Motel

For many years, our small family of four made an annual pilgrimage to the Lake Breeze under the previous owners. We’ve been under a lot of stress individually and as a family this year, and thought it would be fun to re-​unite for a long weekend this summer. We had a few work events arise that caused us to change our dates, but we did so with good notice and were still committed to a three night stay this year.
The vibe has changed under the new owners, who seem to be hanging around more to police than to assist. The wife began a little passionate Christian talk that made my husband squirm during a routine encounter in the office area. The rooms are clean and well supplied, the location remains excellent – over ten miles from the fuss of downtown Duluth. Strange changes have happened, like they «make their own laundry detergent» and don’t hand out dryer sheets. Worst of all, it gets cold at night and even during the day sometimes on the Northshore. The gas stoves in the larger rooms are TURNED OFF, even though they’re mentioned as a «cozy» feature on the website – there’s nothing cozy about a turned off fireplace. That’s okay, there’s a woodstove in the family room. Nope. Captain Gruff approached to snuff that out, no fires in the previously operational woodstove in the family game room. This couple apparently survived a house fire a number of years ago, but the backlash is on the guests.
Upon leaving, literally as we drove away, I reviewed my bank charges by phone to find I’ve been overcharged approximately $ 170 on our 3 night stay Aug 7,8, and 9. Called and spoke with her right then, she called me «Hun» about six times and «explained» that she was correct. I got home and wrote, no response, no refund. I contacted them via the BBB, excerpted:
The reason I’m writing is because we were overcharged by approximately $ 170 dollars. I am aware that we rescheduled the night of our reservation twice. The first time we moved the reservation had to do with unexpected work schedules of four now-​adults, and, the second time we changed the date was because as a veteran of the armed forces, I won an award which I was invited to travel to New York City to collect and to speak to attendees at a fundraising gala. Here is a link to the organization that awarded me, in the event it may seem I’m making this up: Women’s Jewelry Association — WJA Honors Industry Leaders at 2015 Awards for Excellence Gala .
I realize these schedule changes inconvenienced you, but hopefully just writing our name under a new date in the book was not a $ 170 inconvenience and if it was, that would be crooked and not okay.
When I checked in and you wanted to charge my card $ 450, I assumed you had not already charged the $ 150 deposit and the $ 450 was the TOTAL. My son and husband both popped into the small check-​in area and I didn’t want to dig any further into the matter while they waited for me. I’d just driven straight up from the city and was tired, and I thought I might be confused about the total you were charging.
Later, as I reflected on our conversation, I realized that I had actually paid a total of about $ 600. I checked the advertised rates on your website, and they state the Great Lakes Suite in which we stayed is $ 149 on weekends and $ 129 on weekdays. When I left the motel on Monday and called you about this minutes later, you stated that the prices are higher on holidays and «special events,» and that the «Bayfront Blues Festival» had been this weekend, and that as such, a special, higher rate had applied thus totaling about $ 600, rather than the $ 427 plus tax I had expected.
I would expect to pay a premium for Memorial Day, July 4^th, and Labor Day – but I’ve never heard of this festival and this wasn’t mentioned to me when we scheduled or re-​scheduled the room. We were in the city, the trails, and the beach including the bayfront area all weekend and never ran into any big festival. We saw no signs and no one mentioned it. We asked all the other families in casual conversation at the motel what brought them to Duluth and not one person mentioned this festival. While this music festival – unbeknownst to us – supposedly attracts thousands, the Duluth Chamber of Commerce has informed me that the vast majority of attendees are local.
I phoned the swanky South Pier Inn on my way home and asked about their rates and occupancy, as they’re right on top of the festival. Their rates didn’t change at all for this supposedly high-​rate event, and they stated they weren’t aware of any hotels charging HIGHER rates. I checked the website for the event and your facility was not on the list of lodging suggestions or contacts for the event, as you are a whopping 11 miles from the event. Given all this information, I find it hard to understand how you can explain or justify charging us a rate so much higher than that advertised.
We received only a negative response from BBB CASE#: 57 312 524; no refund. Thanks for price gouging a veteran.

We loved our stay and the amenities provided by Lake Breeze. We walked the mowed paths through the woods and the one down to the beach. We played horse shoes. We swam in the pool. We rented movies. It was a great base for visiting Duluth without actually being in the city and for tours up the North Shore. And on top of that the owners are really nice and the price was really reasonable.

Good, homelike, mom and pop feeling … Our suite was equipped with a kitchen and two queen beds. Always felt safe. Quiet at night

Just what my friends and I needed after a long day of driving and quilt shop hopping. Inexpensive but clean with friendly, accommodating owners. No restaurant on premises.

Every other summer, my family has a «reunion» of sorts. You have to understand that my immediate family consists of 31 people (and counting…). For such a large group, we require a few cabins and it has to be kid-​friendly, seeing as over half of those 31 people are children under the age of 18.
We’ve had our past 2 get-​togethers at this resort and we LOVE it!!! The owners are hilarious, helpful and always around to address any needs or concerns. On our visit this past July, my niece discovered a hornets nest, but only after being stung… The owner came right out with poison to murder the whole nest when we notified him.
The cabins are veryyyy clean, much cleaner than a few of the other places we’ve stayed. You may see a bug here or there, but frankly, you’re in the woods, so of course you may see a daddy long-​leg or two, it’s not due to cleanliness or lack thereof. You’re right across the road from Lake Superior so the view is fantastic.
We adults of the family had almost nightly bonfires, there are 2 fire pits for guest usage. Excellent for making s’mores and having a few beers while the kids slept. Some kid-​friendly bonuses, outdoor heated swimming pool (adults must be with kids at all times there, obviously!), mini-​golf course on site!!, playground equipment, videos/​dvds for rent in the office if it’s a rainy evening, and it’s convenient to activities in Two Harbors and Duluth. It’s not dog-​friendly though, so we had to leave our 4 legged family members at home :(
I highly recommend this place, I know we’ll be back in Summer 2011!!!