Holiday Inn Express & Suites Superior – Duluth Area, an IHG Hotel is a contemporary waterfront-adjacent hotel and event facility located at 303 2nd Avenue East in the East End and Barker’s Island district of Superior, Wisconsin. Positioned right along US Highway 2/53 just steps from the Saint Louis Bay channel and Lake Superior, the property provides direct access to both northern Wisconsin’s maritime heritage sites and the neighboring port city of Duluth, Minnesota, across the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge. Travelers, maritime historians, and corporate guests book this property for its views of the harbor, spacious suite layouts, complimentary hot breakfast, indoor pool and whirlpool complex, and flexible conference and wedding spaces.
What to Expect at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Superior – Duluth Area, an IHG Hotel
Accommodations at the property are divided between standard guest rooms—outfitted with either one king bed or two queen beds—and expanded suites designed for families, bridal parties, or extended corporate stays. Every room includes a microwave, mini-refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker, work desk with ergonomic seating, flat-screen television, blackout roller shades, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. Select upper-floor rooms and suites face north and east toward Barker’s Island and the waters of Lake Superior, allowing guests to watch Great Lakes freighters moving through the Twin Ports harbor.
Beyond the guest rooms, the ground floor centers on practical leisure and business facilities. Each morning, the breakfast dining room serves the brand’s signature Express Start hot breakfast bar, featuring pancake machines, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, yogurt, fresh fruit, and warm cinnamon rolls alongside Arabica coffee. Guests unwinding after a day on the water or in meetings can use the heated indoor swimming pool, soak in the adjacent whirlpool hot tub, or work out in the 24-hour fitness center equipped with treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and free weights. The hotel also operates dedicated meeting and banquet spaces capable of hosting regional business conferences, training seminars, and wedding receptions.
- Rooms & Harbor-View Suites: Standard king and double-queen rooms plus multi-room suites featuring microwaves, mini-fridges, Keurig brewers, sleeper sofas, and views toward Barker’s Island.
- Express Start Hot Breakfast: Complimentary daily morning buffet offering hot egg dishes, breakfast meats, fresh pancakes, pastries, cereals, and signature cinnamon rolls.
- Indoor Pool & Whirlpool: Climate-controlled indoor aquatic enclosure with a heated lap-friendly pool and a tiled hot tub open year-round.
- Conference & Wedding Venue Spaces: On-site banquet and meeting rooms equipped with audiovisual support, catering coordination, and flexible seating for corporate events or receptions.
- Business & Guest Services: 24-hour front desk with express check-in and check-out, a 24-hour business center with printing services, guest laundry facilities, and free surface parking.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Superior – Duluth Area, an IHG Hotel at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 303 2nd Ave E, Superior, WI 54880 |
| Neighborhood / Area | East End / Barker’s Island Corridor, Superior |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours daily (Check-in: 3:00 PM; Check-out: 11:00 AM) |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Nightly room rates vary by season; free breakfast and parking included) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 3 nights for Twin Ports and Lake Superior sightseeing |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site lot for cars, trucks, and trailers; Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) Route 16 & 17 bus stops along East 2nd Street |
| Official Website & Phone | Official IHG Hotel Page | +1 715-392-3444 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Summer weekends from June through August, university graduation dates at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and peak autumn foliage weekends in late September and early October bring high occupancy across the Twin Ports. Booking directly through the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Superior official website several weeks ahead is strongly advised during these windows, especially if you want an upper-floor suite facing the water. Drivers arriving via US Highway 2 or US Highway 53 can turn directly onto 2nd Avenue East, where the hotel maintains an expansive, flat surface parking lot at no additional charge. Public transit riders can board Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) bus routes connecting downtown Superior and Duluth along East 2nd Street directly outside the property. The building is fully accessible, featuring step-free automatic main entrance doors, wide lobby corridors, elevator service to all guest floors, accessible parking stalls next to the entrance, and pool lifts for the indoor aquatic area.
The hotel’s location makes it easy to explore Superior’s top historical landmarks on foot or within a two-minute drive. Directly across the causeway on Barker’s Island, visitors can tour the SS Meteor Whaleback Ship Museum—the world’s last remaining above-water whaleback freighter, built in 1896—and stroll the paved Osaugie Waterfront Trail along the shoreline. Less than half a mile west along East 2nd Street sit the Fairlawn Mansion & Museum, a 42-room Queen Anne Victorian estate overlooking the bay, and the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, which displays a restored P-38 Lightning fighter plane honoring America’s top World War II flying ace. Downtown Duluth and Canal Park are a 10-minute drive across the Blatnik or Bong bridges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the check-in and check-out times at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Superior?
Standard check-in begins at 3:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day to assist with late arrivals, express check-out, and luggage inquiries.
Is breakfast and parking included in the room rate?
Yes, every overnight stay includes the complimentary Express Start hot breakfast buffet served each morning in the lobby dining room. On-site outdoor surface parking for standard vehicles, work trucks, and trailers is also free for registered guests.
How far is the hotel from Duluth, Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin-Superior?
The University of Wisconsin-Superior campus is located approximately 2 miles west along Belknap Street, taking about 5 minutes by car. Downtown Duluth and the Canal Park waterfront district are roughly 6 miles away, or a 10-to-12-minute drive across the harbor bridges.
Is the hotel suitable for families and guests with mobility needs?
Families benefit from spacious suites with sleeper sofas, in-room refrigerators and microwaves, and the heated indoor pool. Guests with mobility needs have access to step-free entrances, elevator access to all floors, ADA-compliant guest rooms with roll-in showers, and accessible pool facilities.
When planning your Superior travel guide or browsing verified hotels in Superior, pair this stop with standout local spots including Super 8 by Wyndham Superior WI, Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Superior/Duluth, Barkers Island Inn Resort & Conference Center, and Hampton Inn Superior Duluth (0.1 km away).
