Here is a copy of our Cabin Guidebook. Many FAQs are covered in it!
WHAT IS THE DEPOSIT POLICY?
A deposit of 50% per cabin for each week reserved will be required within 2 weeks of making a reservation. Payment in full is required at or before check-in. We will confirm your reservation by email. If no deposit is received, the reservation will automatically be canceled. Deposits are refundable if a reservation is cancelled with a 30 days notice. If a reservation is cancelled with less than 30 days notice and we are able to rebook the cabin for that time period the deposit will be returned. If we are unable to rebook the reservation you are financially responsible for the full amount of the reservation. Returned deposits will have a $40 processing fee deducted. If a cabin is vacated early, payment will be based on the time reserved. There will be no refunds for late arrivals, “no shows” or early departures.
HOW/WHEN CAN I CHECK IN AND OUT?
Self Check-In/Out: Feel free to drive directly to your unlocked cabin anytime after 4pm on the day of check-in. A key is hanging inside your cabin next to some helpful information to assist throughout your stay. The details regarding self check-in will be outlined in an email sent two days prior to your stay.
In-Person Check-In/Out: You can also check-in and check-out by visiting the lodge during operating hours (8am-8pm). We accept cash, checks, and credit cards as payment options throughout your stay.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK? WHAT’S PROVIDED IN THE CABINS?
- We provide:
- Hand soap
- Sheets, comforters, and pillows
- Toilet paper
- Life jackets
- Firewood (free of charge)
- Charcoal grill
- Kitchens are equipped with everything found in a basic kitchen:
- Coffee maker and filters
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Stove/oven
- Refrigerator
- Dishes
- Drinking glasses & mugs
- Cookware
- Utensils
- Salt & Pepper
- Dish soap & sponge
- Kitchen towels
- Garbage bags
- Remember to bring:
- Shampoo/conditioner, body soap, toothbrush/paste
- Hair dryer
- Clothing iron
- Bath towels
- Charcoal and matches for the grill at your cabin
- Cooking spices/herbs
- Bottled drinking water (our tap water is safe to consume but tastes of iron)
- Paper products including paper towels
- An alarm clock, radio, or nightlight if you plan to use one
- Fishing bait
WHAT CAN I FIND/DO IN THE LODGE?
Lodge hours: 8am – 8pm.
The lodge is for guests to enjoy. The lodge offers in-person check-in, brochures with local Ely information, a play area for children, a small library of books, and a variety of games/puzzles. A comfortable seating area can also be found inside the lodge along with tables for guest use.
WiFi access is available in the lodge and on the front deck of the lodge. There are seating locations both inside and outside along with outlets for charging.
Please have someone from your group accompany small children while in and around the lodge.
ARE THERE QUIET HOURS?
Like everyone else, you come to Northernair Lodge for the peace and quiet, and a chance to get away from it all.
We ask for your cooperation in observing quiet hours at the resort between 10pm and 8am. When you sit outside at night (and we hope you do), just remember that sound travels much further on the water in the still, north country. Enjoy the fires, stars and night sounds without disturbing and distracting others.
IS FIREWOOD PROVIDED?
Absolutely, firewood is offered free of charge to all guests for fire pits and fireplaces. The woodshed is located in the parking lot next to our garage.
A wheelbarrow is kept near the woodshed for use in transporting wood to your cabin. Please return the wheelbarrow when you are finished.
DO YOU HAVE A SAUNA?
Yes! The sauna is located at the main beach. It is electric and easy to operate. We do not have specific days or hours for guest to use the sauna. We ask that guests are respectful and observe Quiet Hours from 10pm – 8am.
DO YOU HAVE A BEACH?
Yes, we have a sandy beach perfect for swimming and launching boats! At our beach, you’ll find our boathouse as well. Adirondack chairs, life jackets, canoe/kayaks paddles, beach toys and yard games are located at the beach area or inside the boathouse.
There is no lifeguard on duty. Someone from your group must supervise children.
Dogs are not allowed at the beach by order of the St. Louis County Health Department.
I’M BRINGING MY OWN BOAT. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Guests may bring their own boats for launch and use on Mitchell Lake. There are no motor restrictions for Mitchell Lake. We do NOT allow wakeboarding boats (or any boat with a ballast system), jet skis, or PWCs. All boats are subject to inspection prior to launch to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Note: If you plan to use your boat on other area lakes during your stay, the boat must be inspected each time it returns to Mitchell Lake. Here are a few things we will be looking for on boat inspections: boats and trailers are clean and free of mud and aquatic debris; drain plugs have been pulled; bilge and live wells are empty; live bait is fresh and does not contain water from other lakes. For more information on how YOU can help stop aquatic hitchhikers visit www.dnr.state.mn.us.
There are a number of area lakes containing spiny water-fleas. Due to the nature of this particular invasive species, we prefer that you do not return your boat to Mitchell Lake after visiting an infested lake. You can view a current list of Minnesota lakes confirmed to have invasive species at the MN DNR’s website.
We reserve the right to deny access to Mitchell Lake at our discretion.
DO YOU PROVIDE LIFE JACKETS & BOAT CUSHIONS?
Life jackets for infants, children, and adults as well as boat cushions are located in the boathouse. Guests may help themselves. Since we have a limited supply, guests are encouraged to bring their own PFDs.
DO YOU SELL BAIT OR FISHING LICENSES?
We do not sell fishing licenses or bait, but these can be picked up at one of the many bait shops and gas stations in Ely. Fishing licenses can also be purchased online.
IS THERE A FISH CLEANING HOUSE?
The Fish Cleaning House is located between Cabins 8 and 9. The house has running water and lights for your convenience. Please place all fish-guts, free of hooks & lead, in the provided, labeled buckets. Guests must provide their own fillet knives.
CAN MY DOG JOIN ME ON VACATION?
Dogs are welcomed at Northernair! A pet fee of $175 per week or $25 per day will be charged for each dog. A credit card will be required. There will be a maximum of two dogs allowed per cabin. Northernair reserves the right to kennel any problem dogs at the owners’ expense for the remainder of their stay. Owners will be financially responsible for damage and/or additional cleaning expenses resulting from their pet.
Please, no dogs in the Lodge.
As a courtesy to other guests and the safety of your pets, dogs are not permitted to run free on the premises and must be attended at all times. Owners are required to pick up all droppings, including those in the yard area around your cabin, and place them in an outdoor trashcan sealed in a plastic bag.
Due to the St. Louis County Health Department regulations dogs are not permitted at the main beach. Owners will be held responsible for any fines levied by Health Department officials. See managers for details.
Cats are not allowed.
WHAT IS YOUR SMOKING POLICY?
We have a strict no-smoking policy inside our cabins. Please smoke outside of your cabin and do not use our bowls or mugs as ashtrays.
FIREWORKS & FIREARMS
Please do not use fireworks on resort grounds. Not only can this be a nuisance to other guests, but they introduce garbage onto the grounds and into the lake. If you are staying over the 4th of July please see management for details on relaxed firework policies.
Discharge of firearms on resort grounds, including BB, pellet, airsoft guns, is strictly prohibited.