Has anyone stayed at Mackinac Island ?

[Judy Judy Judy]

At either the grand hotel or someplace else? TIA

 

[Liberty Belle]

I did many, many years ago as a child. I don't remember much about it, except it was magical and I fell into a crush with one of the carriage drivers.

 

[Tink rules]

I've had a dream to stay there ever since I saw "Somewhere in Time"...

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

My dh and I have been looking over their website....geez it's beautiful and pricey. Of course we always travel with our small doggie so that leaves us out of so much!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I've had a dream to stay there ever since I saw "Somewhere in Time"...

Me too! I have that movie on DVD. That's how much I like that movie! The pic on my sig was taken at Mackinaw Island.

 

[Tink rules]

Did you find Murdicks fudge there??? They are there and on Martha's Vineyard and I LOVE that stuff... double chocolate...

 

[Tink rules]

Is it true that they have like no cars on the island?

 

[vicb]

Hi Judy, I have stayed on the Island vacationing a couple of years ago with my family and many years ago when I was in college I was a waitress on the Island for 3 summers!!

We stayed at the Lakeview Inn and it was perfect for our needs. It is located on one end of Main St. just down the hill from the Grand. Personally I wouldn't spend the $$ to stay at the Grand but many love it. I have had brunch there which is a lovely experience. I have also had lunch by the pool.

Before going to the Island you must understand everything is old. The rooms at most of the hotels/inns are not modern city accomodations. Many do not have ac or pools.

Some rooms at the Lakeview have ac and some do not. The Lakeview has an indoor pool which was nice for our kids. It has a nice front porch with rockers (not like the Grand certainly but still quite a nice touch).

We had good meals at the French Outpost and a place right across the street from the Lakeview called "Annies Bistro" or something like that. There are many good restaurants there. Most of the shopping is touristy stuff.

I would highly recommend a carriage tour, touring the fort and dining at the tea room in the fort which is where I used to waitress but now is run by the Grand. Also really nice was the butterfly house and of course riding bikes around the Island and seeing Arch Rock.

Can you tell I really like Mackinaw Island? Be happy to answer any other ?s.

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

Vicb thanks for the information, it really sounds great, I take it there are no cars on the island, like tink rules said?

I guess it's not pet friendly as well? Is it as expensive as it seens? TIA

 

[vicb]

I'm sorry I don't know about pets, we have a 70lb chocolate lab so it isn't easy to travel with her! Do you read Trip Advisor? You will find review of Mackinaw Island hotels there.

It is an expensive place to visit but it is unlike anywhere else. There are no cars other than fire/ambulance. It is really unique to be there for a few days away from cars. I love the clop-clop of the horses.

We went at the tail end of the Chicago to Mackinaw yacht races so we could oggle the boats in the marina. There is also a Port Huron to Mackinaw race. Rooms are a bit more expensive then but the island is a lot of fun.

Part of the reason everything is so expensive is because of the cost to get food and supplies over to the island, everything comes by boat or small plane and is transported to the hotels and restaurants by horse drays. Also you have to pay for the ferry trip over to the island. Also their season is so short they must make money while they can. We saved some money by bringing our own bikes with us, bringing a case of bottled water and snacks. We didn't eat at the most expensive restaurants but liked where we did eat. I think at the time our hotel offered a discount with the ferry line that was located right across the street from the hotel. If you do your research you'll be fine.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

DH and I stayed at the Inn at Mackinac this summer for our 5 year anniversary. It was nice and well priced. A fairly good continental breakfast and cookies at night. I also have stayed at another hotel on the island, whose name escapes me. My parents have stayed at the Grand Hotel several times.

Do you have any specific questions about the location that we could answer for you?

 

[Violet Crayon]

My DBF's parents stayed at the Lilac Tree Hotel for an anniversary and enjoyed their stay. They had really wanted to stay at the Grand Hotel but the more they read about rates and restrictions on clothing they decided to choose other accommodations.

I have been to the island several times but camped on the mainland or drove up for the day (grew up 2hours south). Not having cars is wonderful because all of the horse drawn carriages are able to complete the Victorian charm. We always walk around the island because bicycles cost so much to rent by the hour, most people feel they have full right of way on the bikes and can make it a little difficult to move about.

 

[DisMN]

DH and I stayed at the Inn On Mackinac several times (really our favorite), the Chippewa Hotel once (never again on that one LOL), the Lilac Tree Inn and on two trips we stayed at the Island House. We found prices in all ranges and thought they were reasonable for what you got. Often the prices included ferry transportation, sometimes food was included and tours included were common too.

It's such a neat laid back place to stay for a few days....when the day trippers depart the change in the ambiance is dramatic.


The Inn On Mackinac is such a beautiful old building with it's multi-colored exterior and it's right by a little church where we often heard wedding bells ring out during our stays!

I hope you can find a way to go with your dog....not sure what you'll find for pet friendly accomodations. Good luck!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Expensive? A bit, yes. We went in high season and stayed for $125 a night...which is about as cheap as you're going to get during June/July.

However, I believe it's quite pet friendly. I saw a whole bunch of people with their unleashed dogs wandering around.

If you're looking for more general info:

There are two places to rent horses (either to ride or to drive a carriage). They're associated and will charge you the same price. If you know anything about horses, mention it on your application and ask to rent the animal for longer than the average tour time. Then get a map and tour the island a little on your own on horseback. This has always been the best part of my trips, riding the horse trails without a "guide".

If you're looking for something to do rent a bike (there's got to be 20 different places to do this) and pack a small picnic lunch. Pick up a map, pick out a trail, and just head out. That's what Mackinac is all about.

You can eat at the Grand Hotel, even if you're not staying there, but it will be pricey. There are a lot of other nice places to eat, though, and a few nice casual restaurants. We ate at the Seabiscuit lounge our first night (due to my love of horse racing).

 

[chrisw127]

I actually spent my teen years with a view of the Grand Hotel from my bedroom window--my dad was stationed at the Coast Guard base in St. Ignace, which is right across the water. The hotel is beautiful and the island itself is gorgeous. Personally, having spent most of my life in the south, I think it's a little cold there, even in the summer, but I can see why so many people travel there--now that I don't actually have to live there. My husband's family used to stay there a lot as a kid. We always joke that my mom used to clean the Grand and his family used to stay there.

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

Expensive? A bit, yes. We went in high season and stayed for $125 a night...which is about as cheap as you're going to get during June/July.

However, I believe it's quite pet friendly. I saw a whole bunch of people with their unleashed dogs wandering around.

If you're looking for more general info:

There are two places to rent horses (either to ride or to drive a carriage). They're associated and will charge you the same price. If you know anything about horses, mention it on your application and ask to rent the animal for longer than the average tour time. Then get a map and tour the island a little on your own on horseback. This has always been the best part of my trips, riding the horse trails without a "guide".

If you're looking for something to do rent a bike (there's got to be 20 different places to do this) and back a small picnic lunch. Pick up a map, pick out a trail, and just head out. That's what Mackinac is all about.

You can eat at the Grand Hotel, even if you're not staying there, but it will be pricey. There are a lot of other nice places to eat, though, and a few nice casual restaurants. We ate at the Seabiscuit lounge our first night (due to my love of horse racing).

Wow that sounds really great ! We are seriously thinking of visiting.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Is it true that they have like no cars on the island?

Like, ummm, yeah.

There's supposedly a fire truck and an ambulance, but I've never seen them. Everything is done by horse or human power. This is not actually all that odd for Michigan/Ohio (well, the horses are). There are a number of islands on the north coast of Ohio where cars are, if not necessarily banned, uncommon. Kelly's Island comes to mind. Of course, there's basically zero to do on Kelly's, unlike Mackinac, which is much fun.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I've had a dream to stay there ever since I saw "Somewhere in Time"...

Me too! I have that movie on DVD. That's how much I like that movie! The pic on my sig was taken at Mackinaw Island.

OMG! That has to be THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER!! I adore that movie, have it on DVD and my DVR catches it every time it's on TV so I watch it again I swear, I must have seen it at least 150 times by now and yet I still cry at the end EVERY TIME R.I.P. Christopher Reeve

I have nothing helpful to add to your thread, sorry, but it's always been my dream to go there one day.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I did, as a teenager. I was in a forensics (public speaking, not science) tournament there and got to stay at the magnificent Grand Hotel. Absolutely beautiful. The whole island is enchanting. I remember it well. It was one of the first trips I took without my parents. You have to dress for dinner at the Grand Hotel and it made us feel so fancy and grown up. It was really something special. I'd love to go there again someday.

 

[WL Fan]

My DH and I were fortunate enought to stay at Grand Hotel for 3 nights in September, 07. It was so nice. Our room was on the street side, so every morning we woke up to Clip-Clop of the carriages. The hotel is pretty old, so there's creaky floors, and lots of the ductwork/pipes are visible, especially in the hallways. But the rooms have lots of character, ours was pink and green, and very feminine. We peeked into other rooms, and they all seemed to look a little different.

Dinner was an experience to remember. They were on a 3 day menu cycle, and each dinner includes appetizer, salad, soup, entree and dessert. There were so many choices, it was incredibly hard to pick what you wanted. One night there was a jazz ensemble, and one night a pianist. The waiters and waitresses are all very good at what they do, and make the meal very memorable. Jacket and tie is mandatory for the male guests, it was fun to get dressed up for dinner, everyone looked so nice. Breakfast is provided too, and if you want it for breakfast, they've got it!

There's lots to do on the island, even if it's just walking. The back side of the island is very quiet, with the water everywhere you look. I prefer it very much to town!