Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island) How's this itinerary?

[Beast fan]

Hello everyone.

DW and I are staying 2 nights (10/14 & 15) at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We are using our DVC points for this. I've been to the island recently (2 years ago), so I know a bit of the activities.

Here was my thought of a general itinerary. Please let me know what you think. Keep in mind that DW and I do NOT golf, nor play tennis.

Thursday ..... drive from metro-Detroit to around Gaylord, MI (maybe even to Mackinaw City) to spend the night, so as not to rush on Friday.

Friday
a.m. .... drive to Mackinac(aw) City, MI
around noon .... catch a Ferry to Mackinac Island
around 1 or 2 p.m. .... check-in at the Grand Hotel (yes, we know and understand that our room may not be ready until 3 or 4 p.m.
3 or 4 p.m. .... Treat DW to a haircut at Astor's Salon, while I "check out" the island on my mountain bike.
evening .... dinner at the Grand Hotel (included in the cost of the points)

Saturday ...
morning .... breakfast (included in the cost of the points)
after breakfast .... a bike-ride w/DW around the island (any romantic spots you know of, please DO tell).
afternoon ..... DW would like to do the "afternoon tea" at the hotel. (What was it like? Anyone know the cost? Was it worth it?) Believe me, I'm only considering this for DW's sake, NOT mine.
evening .... dinner again at the Grand Hotel

Sunday ....
am ... breakfast
after breakfast and checkout ... walk around the hotel
p.m. .... take ferry back to Mackinac(aw) City and drive home.

Would you make any changes to this itinerary?

Other than the questions I've already asked .... what else is there to do there? Any decent places (other than the hotel) to pass some time in the evening after dinner?

DW and I haven't had a good few years ... she deserves this trip, and we are starting to try to patch things up.

Thanks for any helpful input you can give me.

Dave

 

[goodcook5]

the season had not really started. The hotel workers were just moving in. Everywhere the hotels were fixing up. It was nice and uncrowded. There is a large fort to explore and the officers club to have a drink in with a nice view. There is a butterfly house. Eat fudge and shop in the lovely stores. Somewhere in Time plays at the hotel every night==and a copy is also in each room. Rent tandem bikes and sit on the rocks by the water by the bridge. Horse and buggy ride. When you get off the ferry there is a little welcome house with brochures of things to do/see. It is lovely and peaceful.

 

[rocketriter]

On the first day, when check-in isn't until late in the afternoon, you might consider visiting Fort Mackinac (unlike the island, it's actually pronounced "...ack") on the mainland before coming over on the ferry.

 

[DisFlan]

Mackinac Island is one of our favorite places! It's a great place to bring you back to center. There is no rushing on Mackinac. It might not fit into your trip, but we like to take books and read in a companionable silence.

Take a carriage ride. It's a slow, gentle trip around and through the island - really lets you unwind. The drivers are usually very interesting people, and they have all kinds of insights about the island. If you're there in mid-October, be aware that it can be pretty nippy out, even in the daytime. We've been there in late September with both cold and warm weather. Be ready for either.

One of my favorite things is to sit out on a balcony in the evening with a warm mug of our favorite beverage (mine is Irish coffee) and listen to the foghorn (if it's foggy - Duh). It also helps if you have a view of the bridge. The lights through the fog make for a very romantic setting.

As others have said, don't miss the fort. Take the fort tour. Be sure to buy fudge. You can't miss it! We've rented bikes and peddled all over the island. After that, we're usually too tired to do much after dinner. During the day, we like to browse through the shops and stop in at one of the bars or restaurants along the way.

Good luck and have a great trip.

DisFlan

 

[wdwstar]

ditto on the carriage ride, the island has 2 butterfly houses now, the 2 butterfly pics in my siganture are from the one butterfly house behind the church. its funny i was going to put a pic of the grand hotel also, but with the pics being small you really could nt make out it was the grand hotel.
take a bike ride to mission pointe hotel, very nice hotel, great view of the lake. you could even buy sandwiches there and go on a picnic.
we go to mackinac every summer, have not used our points yet, but have stayed at the mission points, lake view and our new favorite island house, every thursday or friday night they have wine and finger foods on their huge balcony, we enjoy this while sitting in the rocking chairs facing the marina & great view of the lake. the island house also has behind the hotel a nice sandwich/bar ( love the tuna sandwiches) & indoor pool.I also agree dont forget to get fudge.. have a wonderful trip

 

[Cruelladeville]

Ditto on the carriage ride. Don't forget to walk down to the pool for swimming, and take time to investigate the back streets. There are alot of alleys with cute eating establishments, less expensive. Stop in and have a beer(ONE, they are about $9 each!), and walk up to the fort. Actually, the fort is still called MackinAW, the British called in MackinAC when they took it over, but most of us Michiganians still call it MackinAW, just for simplicity. Don't forget to take a late ferry back, once most of the tourists have already left the island, it's so much nicer then.

 

[Beast fan]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions!

DW has wanted to stay at the Grand Hotel since we met 11+ years ago.

To the wonderful women who are reading this .... this resort has a "romance package", which includes a 1) "cut arrangement of fresh flowers", 2) "Box of Grand Hotel Fudge", 3) "Wine Basket with 1/2 bottle of Grand Hotel Champagne", and 4) "Gift Card". DW wants this package. I however, am trying to be nonchalant about it. (In my opinion, a "romance package" loses its affect if both parties are privy to the details.) While DW is getting her hair cut at Astor's on Friday, I want to 1) buy her 3 roses .... to signify "us" and each of our 2 sons, 2) give her a gift card for a massage at the resort for use on Saturday, 3) buy her some Hershey "Kisses" (which she loves) to go along with some 4) Fudge. I want to get her some champagne 5), but I'm planning on getting a bottle of our favorite from a local Meijers AND a bottle of one from the Grand Hotel. All that, in a basket I plan on purchasing prior to our trip. The question, ladies, is Which choice of a "romance package" would absolutely make you melt in your s/o's arms?

Dave

 

[Pinnie]

Beast fan, will you call MY DH? You sound so romantic!

One thing you may want to do is before heading over to the island there is a very cute and quaint shopping area right near the Arnold Boat Line docks! Lots of cute stores. DH and I bought a kite last year from one of them and flew it over the straits at the park there.

Also, there is a shop UNDER the bridge that is cool! Great place to take pictures of the bridge along the shoreline!

I think that using your DVC points at the Grand is an EXCELLENT use of them.

Have a great time!

pinnie

 

[Beast fan]

Pinnie,

I'm NOT romantic in the least .... (at least not in practice). If you only knew how I proposed to DW (which I cannot, under penalty of a tortured death) ..... OUCH ... not romantic.

I really like the kite idea. That may be something to do on the island on Friday before we leave Arnold's, or Sunday before we leave the island.

Dave

 

[iluvdisney]

Beast Fan - please tell your DW that I think she's one lucky gal!

 

[momsgoofy]

Beast Fan...you rock!!!

I absolutely love Somewhere in Time...my DH understands this obsession and even bought me the DVD for Valentine's Day a few years back....now that we are DVC members, he promises that we will go to the Grand Hotel...just can't use the points during the Somewhere in Time weekend according to what I've read.

I think the carriage ride is a great idea!! And hey, as one poster stated, it can get chilly up there, so what a better reason to get all snuggled up with the one you love!!! I also ditto the post about sitting on a balcony with a cup of something warm...again what a great place to get all snuggled up on a chilly night than a porch swing with your special one. Oh, and from the movie, of course you need to take a stroll on the grounds of the Grand...in the movie this is the first time Richard gets to actually speak with Elise without the manager.

Please do tell about how easy/difficult it was to secure the Grand using your points...how you did it...anything that might help a new DVCer planning to go there would be greatly appreciated.

And, of course, we'd love to hear how the trip goes.

I noticed you said you and DW have had some hard times...please know that you both are in my thoughts and prayers...DH and I've only been married 3 1/2 years, but it isn't always a piece of cake...it takes a lot of effort. I think your planned trip is a great idea...a couple of year ago we had a rough patch that could have costed us the whole marriage if we didn't stop and smell the roses...only managed a couple of nights at a local place, but boy was it worth it!!! 48 hours without DS (from my first marriage) and the extraneous world that contributed was glorious...we could really focus on us as a couple. We decided we should do it every few years...maybe we can get to the Grand for our 5th anniversary in 2006...

Have a wonderful and romantic trip!!!

 

[Beast fan]

momsgoofy ....

Thanks for the prayers.

As far as using DVC for the reservations, DW actually did the calling. In fact, she only called for the ressies less than 2 weeks ago. When she called, she requested "Deluxe Lakeside", but indicated to MS that "Standard" would be fine. MS then tells you, 1) That it may take up to 72 hours to process your request (once they have your C.C. info for the $95 fee), and 2) You may not get your 1st choice and once the reservation is made (even if it's your 2nd choice), there's (basically) no turning back. We ended up getting our second choice. Oh, and by the way, we ARE going during the "Somewhere in Time" weekend.

Dave

 

[momsgoofy]

momsgoofy ....

Thanks for the prayers.

As far as using DVC for the reservations, DW actually did the calling. In fact, she only called for the ressies less than 2 weeks ago. When she called, she requested "Deluxe Lakeside", but indicated to MS that "Standard" would be fine. MS then tells you, 1) That it may take up to 72 hours to process your request (once they have your C.C. info for the $95 fee), and 2) You may not get your 1st choice and once the reservation is made (even if it's your 2nd choice), there's (basically) no turning back. We ended up getting our second choice. Oh, and by the way, we ARE going during the "Somewhere in Time" weekend.

Dave

You are going duing the Somewhere in Time Weekend? Here I am... !!

You must tell all about it after the trip!!!! I am so jealous, but so happy for you and DW!!!! Ya'll will have the best time I just know it!!!!

 

[cme]

Hi....my family and I go to Mackinac Island every year for the Island run in September. As with Disney "magic", the Island has a "magic" all its own. If you're feeling adventurous, rent your own carriage and go for a private ride around the Island. By that time of the year, the horses pretty much take you for the ride and you don't need too much experience. It is chilly on the Island at that time of year, and as always, Michigan weather is typically unpredictable...so with that in mind, if you are fortunate enough to be there on a warm, fall afternoon there is nothing quite like having a beverage while sitting on the porch at the Grand. Also, Market Street is quite nice and while not off the beaten path, it is much more quiet than Main Street and has quite a variety of nice shopping stops and some very picturesque Bed and Breakfast Inn's .... Cottage Inn being one of our favorites. On a closing note, if you get a chance, even though your food is included at the Grand..lunch at the Iroqois Hotel is a nice option. Have a great trip!

 

[Jacky]

I personally would be more thrilled if DH presented me with the basket he made (rather than just getting the one from the hotel) although truthfully either of them sound just wonderful.

I have been to Mackinaw Island once, years ago, and it was WONDERFUL.

You sound plenty romantic, can you call my DH and give him hints? (wink)

Have a wonderful time.

Jacky

 

[domestic goddess]

My DH and I went to the Grand for our 13th anniversary 4 years ago and it was WONDERFUL!!! After dinner each night we walked down to the beach(you have to walk off that dinner) on the boardwalk and watched the sunset over the bridge. Then we would walk around town and shop a little. After that we would walk back(or take a taxi) to the Grand and go to the dance club on the main level and dance to the three piece band. On the night of our anniversary they actually played the song that we had our first dance to at our reception. I accused my DH of having something to do with it but he said he didn't. Also, just sitting on the veranda in the rocking chairs with a drink and talking is a great way to spend some time. I almost forgot, there is a little bar up in the cupola(at the top of the hotel) that has a great view of the bridge and light house at night.

Have a great time! We can't wait to go back!

 

[Beast fan]

Jacky,

I'm not romantic (DW can DEFINITELY attest to that) .... I just think too much.

Thanks for your input, ladies. I'm going to use MANY of your suggestions. DW already knows I'm consulting you about something, so I won't be able to take all of the credit. I've already told DW that I am packing one of the suitcases MYSELF (that, in itself, will impress DW), and that she will not be able to snoop at what I'm packing.

Also, since it IS "Somewhere in Time" Weekend when we go, I'm going to include a copy of that just so she doesn't feel left out.

(DW is wondering why I'm spending so much time planning a simple weekend trip that doesn't take place for about 5 months. She just doesn't understand that I want this weekend to be almost like a "Hallmark Movie" for her. She deserves it.)

I'll let you all know if all of this planning works out.

Thanks again.

Dave

 

[momsgoofy]

Jacky,

I'm not romantic (DW can DEFINITELY attest to that) .... I just think too much.

Thanks for your input, ladies. I'm going to use MANY of your suggestions. DW already knows I'm consulting you about something, so I won't be able to take all of the credit. I've already told DW that I am packing one of the suitcases MYSELF (that, in itself, will impress DW), and that she will not be able to snoop at what I'm packing.

Also, since it IS "Somewhere in Time" Weekend when we go, I'm going to include a copy of that just so she doesn't feel left out.

(DW is wondering why I'm spending so much time planning a simple weekend trip that doesn't take place for about 5 months. She just doesn't understand that I want this weekend to be almost like a "Hallmark Movie" for her. She deserves it.)

I'll let you all know if all of this planning works out.

Thanks again.

Dave

Dave....are you taking the DVD/VHS, the book or both? Naturally the movie is so romantic...but have you thought about a copy of the book and reading it to your wife...or at least parts of it??? I still have my copy of the book I bought back in junior high when the movie first came out...even before I saw the movie....Christopher Reeves (God rest his soul) was the utmost of hunk after Superman and his and Jane Seymour's photos are on the cover so I had to own it. Just a thought, a nice veranda or balcony, a cup of something warm on a cool October evening, my husband reading to me...WOW! I'm sure you can find a copy at Barnes and Nobles or any book store...if not they could order a copy for you...