Entire home

The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available

Find your perfect haven in this award-winning architecture. Unwind on the balcony overlooking Grand Marais' charming harbor or explore nearby attractions within walking distance.

Photo gallery for The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available

Exterior
Interior
Miscellaneous
TV, fireplace, DVD player, stereo
Terrace/patio

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 480 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available

The Aurora is a free standing home in the heart of Grand Marais near the harbor. Designed by celebrated Minnesota architect David Salmela and newly constructed in 2018/19. This collection of modern homes has been featured in Mn. Monthly, Midwest Home, Arch Daily, and other publications around the globe. We have even won awards for this architecture as far away as Sweden. The Aurora is the smaller sister to The Sky House and the Horizon, two sibling properties to Aurora in the exclusive enclave called "tre søstra" which means "three sisters" in Danish. Aurora is one bedroom, one bath, plus a very nice sleeper sofa for one adult or two children, and floor bed for one. There is a roomy main living space that seems to float above the area buildings and has wonderful view of the harbor, the town, and Lake Superior. Although designed ideally as an upscale oasis for two, 4 people can stay here in a pinch. The Aurora provides an inspiring modern space that allows for privacy among those sharing the lodging, and also provides a captivating view from the great room area on the top floor of the Grand Marais harbor, the neighborhood, and the town close by. She has a desk area in the bedroom, a walk out blue stone patio from the bedroom, a planning desk in the hall, an all tile bathroom with walk in shower, a large entry area, a full laundry, a beautiful flight of stairs to the upper level, a balcony, panoramic windows, fully modern kitchen with top of the line appliances, lighted drawers and butcher block countertops; dining for 4 with 6 possible, a custom sofa that sleeps one adult, or two children, a custom floor bed for one, and a gas fireplace. Everything is in walking distance from our little micro community in the heart of Grand Marais. Every restaurant, bar, coffee shop, gallery and Grand Marais' famous beach are all within a very short stroll from your private residence. The home is designed in modern Nordic fashion based on the original Stabur design- a work building commonly seen in Northern Europe. This design culminates a timeline of Scandinavian and Nordic design that the Miller's began on the property next door that also honored northern work buildings in the roots of their designs. There is off street parking under a car port. There is an electric car charging station in the carport as well. There is a fully modern and capable kitchen, an architect designed built in sofa and contemporary gas fireplace. Note the unique skylight with modern light treatments and the push button electronic pop up television that you can leave hidden if you wish. There is also a balcony. The entire home has slate floors and modern cabinets. There is a utility room with full size washer and dryer. Everything about The Aurora is designed with environmental sustainability in mind. These homes have an incredibly small footprint both structurally and environmentally. The foundations were designed to take up as little of the yard as possible- by being small at the start and increasing as you go up just like the old Stabur upon which this design is based. The energy efficiency is profound because these are composed of structurally insulated panels which are incredibly efficient. No cost has been spared to make the Aurora the highest quality, most significant architectural addition to Grand Marais' beautiful landscape. We hope you will find it warm, welcoming, and a once in a lifetime experience in one of the world's most magical places. We have written a detailed guide to what we consider the most special "secret" places in the area. You can pick and chose your own adventures with it for reference depending on your tastes and the weather. That guide is available to you inside the home and also sent out via links to videos. Sauna is available on a first come first served basis for an extra fee and is Thanks so much for staying with us! As a returning customer please consider booking direct next time for the lowest possible price and best possible communication tools. Hopefully you saved our direct website info, otherwise our phone number will help us direct you there. If not, just try to find us on the web. Cheers and thanks again! Todd and Susan and can be booked on our direct site- message owner to verify availability prior to completing your reservation.

Property manager

Todd and Susan Miller

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach

Pool/Spa

  • Massages

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage
  • Onsite parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Spices
  • Coffee/tea maker

Bedrooms

  • 1 bedroom
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Hair dryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near coin laundry

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: No smoking on property.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • In the city center
  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Fishing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 865 sq ft (80 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 19

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: $100 per dog- not included in the rate for the cab

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Stairs, baby gate available upon request. 4 people

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Aurora Stunning new Organic Contemporary Full View Harbor House
Aurora Stunning new Organic Contemporary Full View Harbor
The Aurora Life As Art Marais
Aurora Stunning new Organic Contemporary Full View Harbor House
Aurora Stunning new Organic Contemporary Full View Harbor House
The Aurora- Life as Art Grand Marais
Aurora Stunning new Organic Contemporary Full View Harbor
The Aurora- Life as Art Private vacation home
orp5b35048x
The Aurora- Life as Art Private vacation home Grand Marais

About the neighborhood

Map
Grand Marais, MN

What's nearby

  • Grand Marais Art Colony - 2 min walk
  • Cook County Court House - 3 min walk
  • Cook County Public Tennis Courts - 10 min walk
  • Pincushion Mountain - 4 min drive
  • Gunflint Hills Golf Course - 7 min drive

Getting around

  • Duluth, MN (DLH-Duluth Intl.) - 134 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Voyageur Brewing Company - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Birch Terrace Supper Club - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Java Moose - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Angry Trout Cafe - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Gun Flint Tavern - ‬6 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available located?

Located in the heart of Grand Marais, this vacation home is steps from Lake Superior, Superior National Forest, and Grand Marais Art Colony. Cook County Court House and Sivertson Gallery are also within 10 minutes.

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The Aurora- Award Winning- Sauna available Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 69 out of 76 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 76 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 76 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 76 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 76 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

David D.

Great place to stay! Awesome view. Owners very helpful.
Womderful stay! Highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Xavier L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing place!
The Aurora is beautiful and perfectly located in Grand Marais. We had a wonderful stay and hope to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alex C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great trip!
This is a wonderful place to stay in Grand Marais! The house is lovely and the view every morning is gorgeous. Plus, the location is excellent and within walking distance of great places to explore and dine in Grand Marais.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mike D.

Terrific winter getaway
Perfect spot to get away for a long weekend. Everything at Aurora was very well thought out and comfortable for our family of 4 & puppy. Will recommend to others looking for a similar experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nathan A.

Amazing stay
We had an amazing time and wish we were in town longer. Every aspect of the property delivered on expectations. Couldn’t recommend more
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tom D.

Excellent!
Beautiful accommodations with great views of the harbor, sunrises and sunsets. Gracious, friendly, and non-intrusive hosts.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Crawford May 2019 Vacation
Outstanding property. Great folks the Millers are. Aurora is truly a great stay, so close to everything on world’s greatest small town
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lisa N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bright and Beautiful
Great vacation rental in Grand Marais! Beautiful space with great views and everything you need to relax at the end of the day. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anita J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
All of the amenities
Great view. Comfortable. Dog friendly. What more can we ask for? Loved our stay at the aurora. Hope to go back soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kate Y.

Gorgeous!
Everything about our stay was wonderful! Gorgeous views, incredible property - so clean, relaxing, and peaceful. We’ve stayed with Todd and Susan before, but not in this new property, and it didn’t disappoint! Thank you for creating such a wonderful escape! Can’t wait to visit again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Amanda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great!
Great!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana D.

Stunning! Better than amazing!
The house is amazing and the owners are great too! If you are picky/fussy about houses this is the one! I could not have asked for better!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Debi K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
just say yes to the Aurora :)
This property is as wonderful as it looks online! We appreciated the careful planning and guidelines in place to address Covid-19, and we felt both safe and relaxed at all times. As frequent visitors to Grand Marais, we knew the view of the lake and harbor would be lovely, but the views of the city at night were just as wonderful. We're looking forward to a repeat stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfection
Aurora is a gorgeous home located in the heart of Grand Marais with lovely views of Lake Superior. We loved being able to walk around town while still being within easy drives of so many amazing places to hike! We rarely travel without our dogs, so finding such a wonderful place that also allowed pets was ideal. The Millers are great hosts and their properties are filled with love and serene beauty.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

noy b.

Must stay!!
This was our first time in Grand Marais. I was so excited to stay in this cool home. It did not let me down. Not only is it beautiful, it was very clean with an amazing view. Owners were very nice and accommodating. They helped us get connected with kayak rentals. If you need a place to stay, please consider this awesome place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Neil S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Simple Elegance Up North
It was memorable to learn that the property was intentionally designed to be based on squares, no rounded corners or angles. As a result, the modern vibe and tastefully decorated interior made for a relaxing haven and the surrounding scenery of Grand Marias seemed to be a bonus. From the welcoming reception of the cherry blossoms to hiking the ‘secret’ trails, the entire experience was invigorating. A must “do again”.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tara K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
ABSOLUTE HEAVEN- HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
First- The Aurora is BEAUTIFUL! Clean design, great layout, and incredible views. Second- The Aurora is CLEAN and WELL STOCKED! Plenty of towels, blankets, cleaning supplies, and kitchen drawers full of any utensil, plate, or cooking item you could possibly need. Third- Todd and Susan are AMAZING! From initial reservation to check out, the process was friendly, inviting, and super duper easy. DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE SAUNA EXPERIENCE! It was truly the perfect way to round out our magical North Shore adventure at The Aurora.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ron O.

Beautiful, Unique Property; Gorgeous Lake Views!
We recently had the good fortune to spend some time at the Aurora and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Not only does this distinctive property feel calming and luxurious, but the restful view of the lake and harbor helped us come away feeling relaxed and restored. The pleasures of this little community are easily walkable: restaurants and breweries, shops, galleries, the harbor. The Aurora is equipped with everything you could possibly need for an enjoyable stay. The owners live nearby and clearly have a deep commitment to creating and maintaining the special feeling of these lovely “Three Sisters” homes. We will definitely return! Be advised that these 3 homes do involve exterior and interior stairs if that is a health/physical concern for you.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Wow! An incredibly beautiful property! A fantastic lodging experience!
We've stayed practically everywhere in Grand Marais over many years, including our hosts' other properties (many times) - but this is really a whole new experience, especially for those, like us, who truly enjoy architectural excellence. The Aurora has that in spades. The pictures can't do it justice because you need the whole experience to understand the value. I'll just say that we booked again (dates this year and next year) immediately upon checking in. Even though there were still workers there finishing building and beginning landscaping, we honestly were not bothered at all. We're active and out and about and by the time we were back for dinner, reading, and gazing, it was as peaceful and quiet as anywhere else in that bustling village. Even on Saturday when we hung around a good portion of the day, the ongoing work was not any degree of bothersome.The carport wasn't finished either but, as always, there was readily available parking right out front on the street. We were both so happy with the wonderfully comfortable bed - everything is new and top shelf. You won't believe the view. I could go on and on...there's so much to say about the coolest addition to lodging in the jewel of the North Shore. You'll just have to find out for yourselves. We have our dates booked - hope you all do, too.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Julia B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
We loved our stay here, even with the dive bombing seagulls. Everything was extremely clean, working order, great location a d just can't beat the views. Only downside is the couch - although a beautiful design, extremely uncomfortable to sit on - and after a long day of hiking and a hot shower you'll want somewhere more comfortable to plop down!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

David E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Wonderful Stay…
This is a great location in Grand Marais, convenient to walk everywhere within minutes. The hosts were great at communicating, and gave helpful information prior to our arrival. The architecture is unique, and a wonderful way to experience Scandinavian simplicity! We would look forward to staying here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer H., MN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, clean, and very comfortable!
I enjoyed my sewing retreat at the Aurora so much! It was so cozy and modern, and had fantastic views of Superior! It was exactly what I was after.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

cindy g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Grand Marais respite
Loved our stay in Aurora! Meticulous & thoughtful detailing throughout. Truly a break for us..the view of Lake Superior..so calming. Todd & Susan are excellent hosts/owners. Their investment in Three Sisters is an amazing contribution for Grand Marais!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Betsi B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Winter stay in Grand Marais
The Aurora was a beautiful place to spend our time in Grand Marais. Loved being able to walk to everything in town and easy access to area trails. The property takes advantage of the views over the harbor. Very comfortable and beautifully designed.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Barb P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful
Pristine and beautiful home, super responsive hosts, view is spectacular. Try the sauna!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021