Lodging recs for Mackinac Island
Jul 23rd, 2017, 08:20 PM
#1
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Lodging recs for Mackinac Island
My DH and I will be traveling to Michigan in early October. We're planning to spend 2 nights on Mackinac Island. I've been looking at The Lilac Tree, Main Street Inn, and The Inn at Stonecliffe, but would consider others. Recommendations? Our visit will be during the week, so crowds shouldn't be an issue. (We plan to have lunch at the Grand Hotel, but lodging is beyond our budget.)
Also, we will have an additional 2-3 days to spend elsewhere in MI, before flying out of GRR. Suggestions?
Also, we will have an additional 2-3 days to spend elsewhere in MI, before flying out of GRR. Suggestions?
Jul 24th, 2017, 04:20 AM
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There are many option for the other 2 or 3 days. Mackinaw City has a lot to do and there are many neat places you can also day trip to that are 30-120 minutes away (Tahquamenon Falls, Soo Locks, Cross Village, Pictured Rocks, etc).
Similar things could be said about the Traverse City area.
I haven't stayed at the the three you are looking at, but the Lilac Tree has the same management as the Chippewa, which is our favorite place to stay on the Island.
The Inn at Stonecliffe is far from everythign else. That may be ideal if this is a getaway, but it is not very handy for seeing the attractions of the Island. The other two hotels you are looking at are much more central.
What we like about the Chippewa:
The location is perfect (in our opinion) - you do a lot of walking on the Island and the Chippewa is a couple of hundred yards from many attractions and restaurants (also true for the Lilac Tree & Main Street).
The suites are huge and quaint, very comfortable. I think most people walking into their suite for the first time go "Wow!"
The suites are right on the water. We spend a lot of time on the balcony, enjoying the water and food & drink we by at Dowd's Market across the street.
During the drive from or to Grand Rapids, be sure to include this route (or make it a day trip from Mackinaw): http://www.mightymac.org/mackinacisl...acisland12.htm
Similar things could be said about the Traverse City area.
I haven't stayed at the the three you are looking at, but the Lilac Tree has the same management as the Chippewa, which is our favorite place to stay on the Island.
The Inn at Stonecliffe is far from everythign else. That may be ideal if this is a getaway, but it is not very handy for seeing the attractions of the Island. The other two hotels you are looking at are much more central.
What we like about the Chippewa:
The location is perfect (in our opinion) - you do a lot of walking on the Island and the Chippewa is a couple of hundred yards from many attractions and restaurants (also true for the Lilac Tree & Main Street).
The suites are huge and quaint, very comfortable. I think most people walking into their suite for the first time go "Wow!"
The suites are right on the water. We spend a lot of time on the balcony, enjoying the water and food & drink we by at Dowd's Market across the street.
During the drive from or to Grand Rapids, be sure to include this route (or make it a day trip from Mackinaw): http://www.mightymac.org/mackinacisl...acisland12.htm
Jul 24th, 2017, 06:57 AM
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Unless you like dining at a so-so buffet of nondescript salads, lukewarm overcooked chaffing dish items and uninspired dry and heavy desserts you'd be wise to save money and skip the "Grand Buffet" at the Grand Hotel. That hotel has some of the worst food we've ever encountered anywhere. Besides, you'll be dining with 500 of your closest friends (almost all day trippers - might not be quite that crowded mid-week in October. I would liken to having a buffet lunch on on a Carnival Cruise ship in the height of peak season. If you must eat lunch at the hotel opt for lunch at the Jockey Club - much better but still not great.
You are wise not to waste money staying there either. This hotel lost is grander long ago - it's only claim to fame is the movie "Lost in Time' and it is still LOST.
For us, our stay at the grand hotel was a total waste of money and time.
You are wise not to waste money staying there either. This hotel lost is grander long ago - it's only claim to fame is the movie "Lost in Time' and it is still LOST.
For us, our stay at the grand hotel was a total waste of money and time.
Jul 25th, 2017, 04:48 AM
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We do the Grand Buffet every few years. Is is expensive, but is worth doing once if it is within your budget. My only complaint the last time (2014) was the service, which is usually very good, was poor.
Here is what I wrote the first time I did the buffet in 2004. It is still much the same today, except for not getting enough visas for many of the long term employees this year.
"The buffet uses a series of tables, over 70 foot long, with dishes on each side. Many fruits, cheeses, Hors d'oeuvres, salads, pastas, breads, oysters & mussels in the shell, two kinds of smoked salmon. My favorite items were two seafood dishes and the turkey.
The first dish on the Grand Hotel buffet was a chilled blend of octopus, shrimp, mussels and other seafood. The second was a wonderful hot dish of shrimp (small & very large), scallops and chopped sweet peppers in a sauce. The turkey breast had been basted with mustard and honey, then rolled in finely chopped nuts and bread crumbs before roasting.
There were 20 items on the buffet dessert table, but I limited myself to blueberry cheesecake."
Here is what I wrote the first time I did the buffet in 2004. It is still much the same today, except for not getting enough visas for many of the long term employees this year.
"The buffet uses a series of tables, over 70 foot long, with dishes on each side. Many fruits, cheeses, Hors d'oeuvres, salads, pastas, breads, oysters & mussels in the shell, two kinds of smoked salmon. My favorite items were two seafood dishes and the turkey.
The first dish on the Grand Hotel buffet was a chilled blend of octopus, shrimp, mussels and other seafood. The second was a wonderful hot dish of shrimp (small & very large), scallops and chopped sweet peppers in a sauce. The turkey breast had been basted with mustard and honey, then rolled in finely chopped nuts and bread crumbs before roasting.
There were 20 items on the buffet dessert table, but I limited myself to blueberry cheesecake."
