Just back from the Grand Hotel,MI

[tvwalsh]

Something else for all of you to consider for your precious points, the Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island , Michigan.

My wife and I just spent three nights in a beautiful room, in a great, historic, Grand Hotel. Breakfast and Dinner are included in the fairly high point price. Another great benefit is that tipping is not just discouraged, it is forbidden. The 19% service fee normally added to all of the bills, is included in the DVC point price. The net result is a vacation that ends up costing less than staying home!

Mackinac Island is itself a magical place. Like main street in the Magic Kingdom, it transports you to another time. No cars are allowed on the Island. If you can't come, at least rent the movie, "Somewhere in Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

The service is wonderful! The servers all wear formalwear when they serve dinner. At breakfast I chose a new york strip steak off the menu.

There is too much to tell for my poor typing skills. Give it a try!

 

[Granny]

Wow, what a glowing report on a trade out opportunity! It's always great to hear about different locations, and the Grand Hotel sounds awesome!

Thanks for sharing your experience and your opinions of this resort.

 

[brivers222]

If you don't mind me asking, how many points did you spend for the weekend?

We live about 4 hours south of the Grand Hotel and think it would be perfect use of our points "if" they ever get placed into a holding account.

 

[tvwalsh]

It was46 points for Sunday, 53 points each for Friday and Saturday. August 15-18. This was for the deluxe room, standard is also available. It would be more during the summer high season.

If you are only four hours south, just do it!

 

[tvwalsh]

The deluxe rooms face the lake. The standard rooms would be smaller and face the other way. Get the deluxe.

 

[wintergreen]

Thanks for the report. Can't wait for an opportunity to try it!

 

[DVC Jen]

thanks for the great report.

Ever since I was a child and visited the Island with my parents I have always wanted to stay there... just wasn't sure it was worth the points. Now I want to try it even more.

 

[travelbug]

I've been to Mackinac Island countless times, but have never stayed at the Grand. Your trip report really makes me want to try it. Maybe sometime I'll "splurge" with some points and go. Thanks for letting us know how much you enjoyed your stay!

 

[goofy4dvc]

The Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island is very high on my list of places to go. And "Somewhere In Time" was one of my favorite movies. Plus I love lighthouses and Michigan has lots of them!

Just need more vacation days! Maybe we could "just say no" to WDW one year.

 

[beacher]

Wow! That's really high praise and it sounds like a great time! If I can ask - what is there to do all day? We're not boaters or fishers, exactly... can you just roam the grounds? Thanks for the input....

 

[disneydiz]

You can rent bikes and go all over the island; there are a lot of shops/restaurants in the downtown area, etc. There is also a historic Fort which is quite interesting -- Fort Michimillmac (sp ?).

 

[boston1029]

We've always wanted to go there. It looks beautiful. We loved the movie and used the music as our wedding song. Someday we'll get there. Thanks for the report.

 

[Maria395712]

how do you get there if you can't take a car what airport would you fly in to I am from nj
maria

 

[manning]

It's an island and you take a ferry.

 

[MDonley]

We used to go up to the island when DS was in elementary school and stayed at the Island House ... always wanted to stay at the Grand Hotel. Finally, in the 1990's, we did so on points. Just before the 4th of July holiday. (We just missed the Port Huron to Mackinac and Chicago to Mackinac boat races ... thank goodness! Boaters can get a little rowdy and it seems to be contageous.)
We wouldn't have missed the experience to stay at the Grand Hotel for anything. It was ..... um ... ah .... Grand!
Definately points well spent. I'm glad to hear that others are enjoying it as much as we did! Thanks for the report. I'll bet the color on the way back home was beautiful too!

 

[erikthewise]

Thanks for the report! This is one of my travel fantasies! Did you play any croquet?

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Thanks for posting! I bet it was beautiful at this time of year. Makes me thinking we need to make the drive!!!

Sherri

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

We have been lucky enough to stay at the Grand for the last 6 years on business, as far as things to do it depends if you have kids or not. If you have kids the have a club called Rebeccas that is included with your stay, they have an afternoon program with things such as the Butterfly house, a horse carriage ride up to the woods (the back nine of the golf course that the Hotel owns) with has a resturant and duck pin bowling, and things like kite flying at the Mackinaw Island school. As far as adults go, you can play golf at the course (9 holes right next to the hotel in front of the fort, and then a carriage ride for about 30 minutes to the back nine which is by the airport), a spa, high tea, and if you really want a great view and have a cocktail make sure you visit the Cupola Bar at the top of the hotel (you can see quite a ways up there).

As you can tell it is one of my familys favorite places to go, and the food is top notch. If anyone has any questions I can try to answer, btw just to be able to sit on the front porch in a rocking chair and enjoy the view is worth it for me.

Tom

 

[beccasmom]

We've been thinking of going there for quite a while. It is great to hear such a glowing review. Thanks!

 

[ronw]

WDW and Mackinac Island are our two "must do" trips each year. Thanks for the report we are seriously considering using our points for a stay at the Grand. The only problem is getting our teenager to dress for dinner. The Grand requires coat and tie for men, dresses for women after six.

Maria395712 - the closest commercial airport would be Pellston. It is about a 15 min drive from there to the ferries at Mackinac City.