Swedetown European Style Hostel

We stayed five nights, and when we asked for service, we were directed to a storage unit for supplies. There were only two coffee pods in the closet, and the staff were rude and very unhelpful. A guest in our group also arrived without the needed codes and had to wait outside in Duluth in February for a call back. It’s an unnecessarily primitive way to get into the hotel. The room itself was awkward to use. There was no closet, just three wall hooks, one of which was occupied by a decoration, so there was hardly anywhere for coats, clothes, or winter gear. The lighting was some of the worst I’ve seen. I needed my flashlight to read the coffee pot and microwave directions and to sort clothes in my suitcase on the floor. At first glance the Oliver Inn looks lovely, but appearances can be deceiving. I can’t recommend it.

We stayed in the Robert Zimmerman room, right next to the bar, so there was some noise, though it didn’t bother us and we knew about it when booking. The room has its own bathroom, comfortable beds, and a nice rain shower. I also liked the updated look that still keeps the old building’s charm. The coffee maker is a nespresso, which I prefer to a kuerig, and they left a couple of snacks. The parking across the street was affordable and secure with a code. The location made it easy to walk out for a beer at night or coffee in the morning. There’s no ice in the room, but after a drink at the bar we were able to take a glass of ice back with us. I like staying in unique independent hotels, and the Oliver Inn was a good fit. We’d stay again when we’re in Duluth.

We stayed in the Congden Room and had a great time. The beds were comfortable, the room looked beautiful, and the shower was heavenly. The place has such a fun, eclectic feel, and the staff and owner were all kind. Parking across the street was a little annoying and dirty, but it felt perfectly safe and the price was decent. I’d recommend the room to anyone.

The bar downstairs was cozy, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We stayed in the Knudsen suite, which had a nice vibe, and the location made it easy to walk to nearly everything we did, except Bentleyville. We had a great stay overall and would use the hotel again, maybe choosing an upper floor to cut down on traffic and people noise. A couple of things were less convenient. There wasn’t much space to eat, so we ended up eating our DoorDash dinner on the bed because there was nowhere else to set the containers. The curtains by the bed were see-through and let in a lot of streetlight, so the room didn’t get very dark. I don’t think people on the sidewalk could see in, but the deli across the street might have had a view. Parking was a little sketchy. There’s a nearby ramp you have to pay for, and when we arrived late, a few people who looked homeless were around the garage. Nothing happened, but it made us uneasy. It would be helpful if parking could be bundled with the stay, since paying separately for each day can add up. Maybe they could offer a pass. The small casino next to the lot had friendly staff. We also wanted to check out the lounge that replaced the sushi bar, but it was closed for maintenance that night.