Crow Wing Crest Resort

www.crowwing.com

1-800-279-2754

At this delightfully quirky mom-and-pop, a Thursday night potluck luau, an owner who is also reflexologist (think foot massage), another who is an aromatherapist (class offered each week) and a congenial atmosphere make for a devoted following.

To do: Activities range from drum circles and yoga to Norwegian volleyball and craft hours for kids. Try a stand-up paddle board, kayak, canoe, fish, water ski, eat ice cream or pizza in the century-old lodge, swim from the beach to the floating raft and take a lakeside sauna. A playground and small antique carousel (rides for a quarter) entertain the kids.

Details: In Akeley, on 11th Crow Wing Lake. There are 19 cabins equipped with kitchen essentials, but bring kitchen and bath towels and soap. High-season rates range from $395 weekly for a two-person sleeping cottage (walk to bathroom in the lodge; no stove) to $2,878 for a modern four-bedroom spacious cabin.

Above excerpt from Travel Section:

A cabin of one's own

Don't own your own cabin? These resorts will make you feel as though you do.

Heading to "the lake" is such a classic Minnesota rite that those who can't claim their own shoreline retreat might feel dejected. Fortunately, there's an easy fix. Throughout the state, lakeside resorts that rent housekeeping cabins offer a sense of ownership without the upkeep and taxes — for a week or as long as the checkbook and vacation time allow.

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