Best resort for Northwoods luxury - Ludlow's Island Resort - 2014 Best of MN

Ditch your iPhones and laptops and settle into island life, Minnesota-style. Before arriving at Ludlow's Island Resort on Lake Vermilion, guests must park their cars and crank up an old black phone, summoning a vintage wooden boat that takes them to one of 13 cottages (including a four-story "treehouse") scattered throughout the woods and along the lake, plus seven more on the main shore. The vibe feels throwback and laid-back, but with plenty of modern luxuries for escaping urban stress with style. 8166 Ludlow Rd., Cook; 1-877-583-5697; ludlowsresort.com