• Two people in a canoe on a calm lake at sunset, with trees silhouetted on the horizon.

    Your Gateway to the Boundary Waters


    Start your Ely adventure here. We are seconds away from 

    BWCAW entry points, hiking trails, and the best fishing spots in Minnesota.

    Book your adventure
  • Three mountain bikers ride a rocky dirt trail through a wooded area.

    Clean, Quiet & Affordable Rooms in Ely, MN


    Enjoy comfort without the high price tag. 100% non-smoking rooms

    with free Wi-Fi, sauna access, and park-at-your-door convenience.

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  • Two hikers with two dogs on a rocky mountain trail under a cloudy sky.

    All-Season Comfort: Sauna, Trailer Parking & Pet-Friendly


    Perfect for all adventures. We offer winter plug-ins, lighted trailer parking, freezer

     space for your catch, and welcoming rooms for your dog.

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Neatly made bed with white and pale pink bedding in a hotel-style room
Hotel room with two white beds, peach accents, bedside table, and framed wall art
Cozy bedroom with wood-paneled walls, a white bed, nightstands, lamps, and a framed picture.
Two neatly made twin beds in a bright room with waterfall artwork and a bedside table
Hotel room with two double beds, framed landscape art, and warm wall lights
Two twin beds with white bedding in a wood-paneled room, lit by a bedside lamp.
Hotel room with two neatly made twin beds, coral walls, and framed abstract art above the nightstands
Small motel room with two white beds, wood-paneled walls, lamps, and a desk

Guest Reviews

Owners were very friendly and accommodated me with a room on short notice. The beds were tidy, room was very clean and had all the amenities you’d hope to find. All for a VERY reasonable price.

This was a cute motel that's very well maintained. It doesn't like anything has changed since the 60's/70's, yet looks so fresh and smells clean. Comfortable beds, great shower and seating for 2 in the living/sleeping area! Very affordable and on the main strip for easy access to everything in town. Even with it's central location, there was not a lot of traffic noise. Owner is local with lots of knowledge of the area. Will definitely stay again when we go backto Ely!

My 3 year old and I went on a canoe trip and got up later in the day and stayed here. Such a cool vibe. The owners were super nice and prices were more than fair. It's a place that makes you feel like you're in a canoe town. They also have a huge black lab that is so friendly and wanders around and I told my son it was a black bear. He tells everyone he saw a bear in the boundary waters :)

At the eastern end of town, but still well located, this is a small family run motel reminiscent of travel lodges in the 50s. We had two queen beds and plenty of fluffy white towels. Don't judge too harshly on my pics-I forgot to take them upon arrival. The WiFi was good and had no password. There was a micro, small coffee pot, etc and a mini fridge. OH, and a REAL key rather than a card! The hosts were VERY kind. This isn't a name brand experience but I'd highly recommend and will return if I have another visit to Ely.

We came in late at 10:30 pm and the owner was very accommodating. The room was just right for the night with 2 queen beds for our family of four. Everything was extremely clean and well cared for. Sometimes hotels/motels have a "smell" about them but not this one. The linens were fresh and everything was really great. We'll stay here again when we're back to visit!

Some rooms are right outta the 50s/60s 😁, #7 has pink tiled bathroom and shower 😍, has a really nice Sauna too, and the staff is very friendly and quickly respond to any questions or needs, while the rooms are dated, they are very clean.

Explore the Spirit of Ely

From the pristine waters of the BWCAW to the thrill of groomed snowmobile trails, Ely is a four-season playground for explorers. At Paddle Inn Motel, you're perfectly positioned to experience it all—whether it’s a quiet morning paddle, a visit to the International Wolf Center, or a day of world-class fishing. Your Northwoods adventure starts here.

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