Last month, WiscoGolfAddict.com Contributing Writer Troy Giljohann and I had the opportunity to bring our families to Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota, for some fun in the sun, great golf and quality time spent with our families.

One of the top resorts in the Brainerd Lakes region, Grand View Lodge is an ideal spot during the golf season for groups of all kinds, whether as a golf destination or family getaway. Staying in a 5-bedroom townhome off the 8th fairway of The Pines course, we chose to do things from both those perspectives this time around.

The cabin we stayed in was absolutely perfect: Rustic and well-appointed, it had that cozy Northwoods aesthetic and feel while providing all the great amenities we could have wanted.

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We could have spent another three or four days at Grand View Lodge and still not run out of things to do. In fact, we simply ran out of time to do a lot of what we were looking forward to, like making s’mores on the beach at sunset, dining on the patio at On the Rocks, soaking in their massive outdoor hot tub at Northpark or going on a Gull Lake pontoon ride, just to name a few.

The lodging, dining, beach, pools and indoor waterparks, playgrounds, kayaking, paddle-boarding and all the other free amenities offered make GVL such a treat to spend time at. All of our kids ran themselves absolutely ragged in the pure Northwoods air, and they all slept well each night. While that’s not normal for our 3- and 4-year-old, trust me it’s quite appreciated!

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A post shared by Catherine – Savvy Family Travel (@postcard_narrative)

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For more on the accommodations and family vacation aspect of our trip, check out Troy’s wife, Catherine’s, review on her travel blog, Postcard Narrative:

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Golf at Grand View Lodge

Playing both of the resort’s two championship golf courses, Troy and I were able to get in plenty of swings and photography time while onsite, and were also able to spend the rest of our time vacationing with our wives and young kids because of the resort’s great logistical considerations.

With timely and comfortable, free transportation across the property (including to The Preserve, which is located off-site), nobody was ever left “stuck in the room.” Nobody was ever left without a ton of options for things to do or places to eat, either! This is just part of what makes Grand View Lodge the ideal Midwest vacation destination, regardless of guests’ desire to play golf versus enjoying all the other great activities and amenities offered across its expansive footprint.

The golf at Grand View Lodge was phenomenal. With 45 holes of championship golf (27 on The Pines course and 18 on The Preserve), GVL features well-designed Northwoods layouts by Minnesota-based architect Joel Goldstrand that to me felt a bit like playing one of my other favorite Midwest resorts, Wild Rock in Wisconsin Dells.

Tremendous changes in elevation, large and undulating putting surfaces and varied hole designs within its parkland layouts make these courses a ton of fun to play, and ones I’m excited to return to in the coming years.

For more on our golf experience at The Pines course, visit the WiscoGolfAddict course review here:

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For more on our golf experience at The Preserve course, visit the WiscoGolfAddict course review here:

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Looking for the perfect spot for a family or golf buddies getaway in Northern Minnesota this season? Book your first or next stay at Grand View Lodge today!

Grand View Lodge Spa & Golf Resort website

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