I'm planning an overnight visit to Mackinac Island and was interested in recommendations for Bed and Breakfasts or possibly hotels. I realize it's likely to be chilly (even cold) up there this time of year, but the trip is to celebrate my birthday.
Thank you for any thoughts or recommendations!
Well happy early b-day! Now this is just me, but I've always wanted to go to the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw. It's supposed to be really nice. Plus, one of my favorite movies, Somewhere in Time was filmed there. Good luck & happy travels!
If you can afford it, stay at the Grand Hotel. My in-laws do an antiques show on Mackinac every year and rave about the Grand. Sounds like it's quite pricey, but may be worth the splurge for your birthday. Have fun!
Years ago, my husband and I stayed at the Cottage Inn on the island. It was a great location, just one street off the main drag, so you were close to everything, but it wasn't loud. The breakfast was really nice, too. It's still there and has good reviews.
I love mackinac Island this time of the year it is really beautiful with the changing season. We usually go in October for my birthday as well. We would stay at mission pointe resort. It has a bike rental right on the property as well as 3 restaurants. A while back we stayed at the Liliac Tree which is an all suites hotel.
When we went several years ago (during the sailboat race, so really crowded), we stayed at the Island House hotel. It was very nice and centrally located.
When I went (about 9 yrs ago) we stayed at the Pontiac Inn. It's a smaller hotel above one of the busnesss in town - only has like 10 rooms or something. I can't remember if they had breakfast or not, but it was the cheapest room I could find. Real simple, but cheap!
Lucky you- I love Mackinac Island. If looking for a small B&B, I really like the Chateau Lorraine. The Hotel Iroquois is beautiful and has great lake views if you are looking for something right in the middle of the hustle & bustle of Main Street. I actually got married on the island and our guests stayed at either the Inn on Mackinac or the Murray Hotel (same owners)- their prices were very reasonable. If you are looking for a quiet get-away, check out the Inn at Stonecliffe. It's an old mansion conversion with beautiful views of the lake and bridge and has a great buffet breakfast. The Woods restaurant is right next door- which I highly recommend too. You really can't go wrong no matter where you stay. My parent's just took a weekend trip to the island and said it was busy and lively-- I thought it would be quiet this time of year. A good sign for Michigan's economy!
Have a great trip & happy birthday!
A few years ago we stayed at Mission Point, and quite liked it. Haven't stayed anywhere else though. In general, most of the style is more traditional at any of the hotels.
It really depends on your budget. My grandmother was born and raised on the island, and we her house there still! I go every summer for a couple weeks. 2 wonderfully simple and low-priced options are Pine Cottage and Chateau Lorraine: http://www.mackinac.com/pinecottage/ They're owned by the same people, across the street from one another. They're a block off the main street, so nice and quiet. They have a lovely breakfast. You can spend the $ you save on fudge! 2 others that are more expensive but nice are The Windermere (beautiful view of the Straits), and The Cloghaun. The Grand Hotel is...grand, but I really don't think it's worth the $$. Although they do have some great fall specials. You could go up there for their High Tea, have dinner or lunch, sit on the front porch, walk all around it and probably get the essence of it, without sleeping there. The rooms aren't anything special. Mission Point is nice; it's situated at the very east end of town (7 minute bike ride into town), but feels more corporate. I'd recommend one of the private B & Bs over it.
Feel free to ask any other questions!
S.
