An old office structure situated at the edge of Lake Minnetonka has been revamped into the initial hotel constructed on the lake in the past century.
“The owner of Shoreline Hotel, Kelly Olsen, mentioned, ‘I constantly glanced at the historic photos and saw that there were once 40 hotels along the lakefront. One boat could accommodate up to 1,200 guests, which made me exclaim, our grandparents sure knew how to have a good time,’” she stated.
The Shoreline Hotel and Cabana Anna restaurant launched operations on May 1st, accompanied by a ribbon-cutting event at Spring Park. This newly established hotel stands as the sole lakeside accommodation option within the Twin Cities metropolitan region.
Olsen conceived this project after acquiring the run-down three-story office building. Over a span of three years, he transformed the area into a boutique hotel with 27 rooms. Additionally, the site features a high-end restaurant led by an accomplished chef and hosts a 32-berth marina.
“Three years have passed since I secured it with a contract. The construction phase was quite lengthy, but we’ve finally reached this point,” stated Olsen.
Out of the hotel’s total rooms, twenty-three come equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Minnetonka, thirteen of which also provide individual balconies. Visitors can enjoy facilities such as a sandy shore, kayaks, boat docking spots, and various lakeside attractions.
The on-site eatery, Cabana Anna’s, pays tribute to Olsen’s grandmother, Anna.
“I called the restaurant after my grandma because she reached the remarkable age of 104,” stated Olsen. “Even as she got older, she remained very lively. This made me reflect on what factors contribute to longevity. Therefore, Cabana Anna’s holds a special place in my heart.”
Providing a selection of fresh sea fare and hearty comfort dishes, this eatery also includes a vertical growing system for herbs and vegetables.
When our collaboration began, Kelly and I sat down last year to discuss this opportunity,” explained Josh Brown, the Executive Chef of Cabana Anna’s. “I’m truly enthusiastic about her vision and concept for the restaurant as well as the community she aims to create here.
Brown and Olsen attended the same high school and have occasionally intersected since then.
“I’d be thrilled to witness this spot turn into a venue for birthday celebrations, where families can grow together and children begin making memories here,” stated Brown.
Olsen, who lost her spouse in 2008, mentioned that the initiative stemmed from her wish to assist people in slowing down and rebuilding connections.
Olsen mentioned that she lost her first husband in a car crash involving a drunk driver back in 2008. After his passing, she found herself reminiscing about their cherished times together—be it trips abroad or simple stayscation they enjoyed right at home.
The Shoreline Hotel and Cabana with Anna’s Restaurant are situated at 4165 Shoreline Drive in Spring Park.
To learn more about the hotel and future happenings, check out their webpage.
here.
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