Burntside Lodge is absolute Heaven on Earth. The lodge and its surrounding 22 log cabins are on Burntside Lake in Ely, MN. We found this place in 1990 and can't wait each year for our annual visit. This is a fabulous place to get away from the stresses of life and "unclench". Burntside is family owned. Lou and Lonnie are wonderful hosts. The dining experience is wonderful - in a large open dining room overlooking the lake. Daughter Nicole is the head chef and has built a very creative gourmet menu and extensive wine list. Son Jacques runs the bar which is cozy and overlooks the lake as well. A bar menu is also available if you don't want to have a larger meal. A full breakfast menu is available on week-ends and during the week you can sit on bar stools and have your cappacino along with homemade scones or muffins.

The cabins are all unique. We stay in Cabin #8 which is a one bedroom (queen bed), with a full kitchen and a sitting area looking out on the lake. The bathroom is newly remodeled and a large deck with two adirondack chairs is the perfect place to relax a read a good book. What the cabins don't have - thankfully - are phones, televisions or internet hook-ups. This is truly a place to visit to get away from all of that. However, if you are too addicted, the main lodge does have a wireless internet.

There are also larger cabins with multiple bedrooms for families.

You can rent a canoe, kayak, or boats to enjoy time on Burntside Lake. The place mats in the dining room are maps of the lake. Finally, the lodge has a wonderful gift shop with unique art, cloting and collectibles.