Do you need/want to stay on the Island?
There are a number of places right by the ferry docks. We usually go over for the day, so can't help with recommendations. Otherwise both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City have affordable places to stay.

We stayed at the Lilac Tree hotel a couple of years ago and loved it. They are associated with the Pink Pony bar/restaurant. Ate there once, food OK. Mostly we ate fudge!

Also there is the Chippewa Hotel on the waterfront. Haven't stayed there, but looks nice.

I don't know how often I will be going to the Grand Hotel to meet other guests, so need to be nearby.

This is my first post and I am so happy with your responses. Thanks

You might want to look into the Main Street Inn and Suites. I think it's the newest hotel on Mackinac Island.

I recomend the Woods Restaurant for your special meal. It is opperated by the Grand Hotel, but is far from town and the Grand's other operations. It is a Tudor mansion in the woods with lots of windows. They serve German food.

You will want to take a taxi.

Keith

One of the best places to eat is at the Iroquois Hotel on the water....for that special dinner or the Chippewa as well. If you have Facebook check the Island FB page...they often put hotel specials up on there.

My daughter and I stayed at the Cloghaun and my parents stayed at the Metivier Inn two years ago. Both are lovely Victorians with pleasant proprietors and wonderful breakfast buffets. We ate at Goodfellow's Grill one night, Patrick Sinclair's Irish pub the other, and while the food was good, I'm not sure I would deem either "special."

I decided to stay at the Grand Hotel because I'm afraid of missing out on any wedding activities.

The restaurants look very good and I hope my group will want to try one of them.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm getting excited!

Be sure to the lunch buffet at the Grand. It is pricy, but it is unique!

The room and the view are elegant and the servers are all in uniform. The food is on a long series of tables with dishes on each side. Many fruits, cheeses, Hors d'oeuvres, salads, pastas, breads, oysters and mussels in the shell, smoked salmon, desserts, etc