Top 6 Best Places to Stay on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is famously known as the city with no cars, the M-185 state highway running across the island is the only highway in the country with no vehicles. Residents and tourists get around the island mainly by biking and walking. Believe it or not, horse-drawn carriages are very popular on the island, parts of the year see more horses than residents on the island. This blog post jumps into some of the best places to stay on Mackinac Island, but we’ll give an overview as well of some things to do first.
Mackinac Island is a small island with just four square miles of land located between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. Lake Huron surrounds the island with Lake Michigan being a short boat ride away. Getting to Mackinac Island is easy as ferries connect the towns of St Ignace on Michigan’s upper peninsula and Mackinaw City on Michigan’s lower peninsula to the island.
The island has less than 1,000 residents but brings in over one million people per year. It makes sense as there is so many things to do on Mackinac Island. The island landed in the number one spot for places to see in Michigan in our last blog post, as we highlighted some of the island’s best places.
What to Do on Mackinac Island
Before we dive into the best places to stay on Mackinac Island, we have to cover what to do. The most obvious starting point is Mackinac Island State Park, a beautiful park that takes up the majority of the island. Stunning coastlines, beautiful beaches, scenic greenery, and popular hikes are all things you can find in this park. Arch Rock, a limestone rock formation rising 146 feet over Lake Huron’s coastline, is the most popular spot in the park and is a great observation point.
Arch Rock, like many places on the island, is connected by trails. Having no cars on the island means that numerous trails exist to connect the island, some trails are paved and some aren’t. The 70 miles of trails that connect virtually everything on the island including the main town is a true unique gem in the island.
Speaking of the main town, this is where you’ll be spending most of your time. Almost all of the best places to stay on Mackinac Island are located in this main town with plenty of shops, restaurants, and people. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also here for you to have some fun on the water. All of this is within walking distance from the best places to stay on Mackinac Island, which is this list down below.
1. Bicycle Street Inn & Suites
Courtesy of Bicycle Street Inn and Suites
Right in the center of town is where you’ll find Bicycle Street Inn and Suites, a modern, luxurious hotel with incredible Lake Huron views. The hotel was built in 2013 making it one of Mackinac Island’s newest hotels. Ironically named, Bicycle Street Inn and Suites is located right next to two rental bicycle shops giving you a perfect opportunity to bike the 70 miles of trails offered on the island.
The hotel opened two other buildings called the Waterfront Collection which means that you have plenty of options when deciding when to stay. Each of the three hotel buildings was recently built and features balconies, walk-in showers, elevators, mini kitchens, and an on-site restaurant. Both the Waterfront Collection buildings back onto the water while the Bicycle Street Inn and Suites sits slightly inland.
Prices for this hotel range around $200-$300 for a room per night. Winters will be noticeably cheaper than summers as winters are very cold with summers being the perfect temperature. If you’re looking for a modern but unique place to stay in the center of town, the Bicycle Street Inn and Suites as well as the Waterfront Collection are both for you.
2. Grand Hotel
Courtesy of Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is well… Grand. The hotel first opened its doors in 1887 as a retreat for people who traveled by train. The hotel has served people ever since and has become a staple on the island. You’ll immediately notice that the hotel has done a good job of updating the hotel while keeping its historic charm. The lobby itself might just persuade you to stay here.
Let’s start with outside, where there are so many activities to keep you busy for several days. Let’s start with the massive pool called the Esther Williams Swimming Pool, the centerpiece of this hotel. As multiple movies have been filmed in the hotel, the pool was named after one of those actors. Around the pool, you’ll find many seating areas as part of The Esther Williams Pool Bar and Grill. You can choose from an extensive menu while taking in views of the pool, waterslide, and the rest of the hotel. A full-on golf course is also at this hotel and it’s called the Jewel Golf Course. As Mackinac Island is a vehicle-free city, Jewel Golf Course has become the only golf course in the United States with horse-drawn carriages to transport you between golf holes. There are just too many activities and amenities to possibly cover in this blog post so I’ll list the rest. An activities center is here with mini golf, pickleball, shuffleboard, bocce ball courts, a bike track, and a nature center. Gardens are spread out around the hotel with over 150 varieties of flowers. The huge lawns often have games including cornhole among many others.
Moving on inside, the 300,000 square feet of space provides an amazing experience. Various events are inside the hotel which you can see here. The inside features shops, markets, and restaurants, it’s almost like a shopping mall in a hotel. Moving onto rooms, all accommodations come with golf or lake views, a historic vibe, and a unique charm that you rarely find in other hotels. Suites are available in case you need more space as well as balconies. The largest accommodation is the Masco Cottage with four bedrooms, two floors, a full kitchen, and a private hot tub. Prices here vary around $400 per night for the base rooms and only get more expensive from there. Keep in mind that the hotel does close for the winter as the weather gets cooler, so winters at the Grand Hotel aren’t an option. The hotel is around half a mile away from the main town but still maintains Lake Huron views. If you’re looking for a historic, grand, and luxurious charm to your stay, look no further than the Grand Hotel.
3. The Mackinac House
Courtesy of The Mackinac House
The Mackinac House might be one of the most unique and beautiful hotels I have ever seen. This is Mackinac Island’s newest hotel built in just 2019, and the modernness is easy to see. Sadly, there are no water views as the hotel is a bit inland from Lake Huron but you still maintain the downtown location. You’re just one street over from restaurants, shops, and other hotels, just two streets over from the ferry and Lake Huron. The best part of the hotel is that everything is new, just like the Bicycle Street Inn and Suites.
As far as amenities, you’ve got a lobby area at the front with a complementary light breakfast and coffee, some spaces to sit and eat are also there. The Mackinac House is open for most of the winter season just like the Bicycle Street Inn and Suites. Accommodations include rooms, suites, and what they like to call condo units, very fancy. The largest condo unit features four bedrooms, a full kitchen, living rooms, a balcony, three bathrooms, and 2,200 square feet. The smaller rooms mostly vary around $300 per night while the larger condo units can easily surpass $750 per night. If you’re looking for a new and modern hotel, look no further than The Mackinac House.
4. Hotel Iroquois
Courtesy of Hotel Iroquois
Let’s go back to the main town to talk about Hotel Iroquois. This beautiful 45-room hotel has stunning waterfront views and a great location. The hotel is right next to where the ferry will drop you off, so if you don’t want to walk too far with luggage, this might be the place for you. The hotel was originally built in 1904 but has been renovated several times, meaning that the historic feel is still there with a modern touch. The vibe of the hotel is great with a cool lobby area and beautiful gardens. The amenities include laundry, complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and room services.
Dining here is incredible as you sit right next to the water, as shown in the photo above. Hotel Iroquois closes in the winter months just like the Grand Hotel. You can choose from a variety of suites, rooms, and more. Some rooms include balconies, water views, living rooms, and multiple bedrooms. You can take a virtual tour of most of the suites which is cool to see because you can visualize your room before entering it. The standard rooms are easy to find for under $400 but the suites can easily be over $500 and upward of $1,000 depending on which suite you choose.
5. Mission Point Resort
Courtesy of Mission Point Resort
Located on the eastern edge of Mackinac Island, Mission Point Resort has got it all. The main building was built in 1966 as the structure served as a college, the campus was converted to a resort in 1987 under the name Mission Point Resort. The resort was renovated in 2014 with all of the 241 rooms and suites getting a modern touch. The 18 acres of resort space provides so much to do. The golf course, just like the Grand Hotel, is a big feature. The Greens of Mackinac is what this place is called and it includes an 18-hole putting course that backs onto Lake Huron. A massive heated outdoor pool is also within the resort as well as two hot tubs. You can rent bikes here to enjoy the car-free streets and large resort.
Staying in shape is easy at this resort as a fitness center and a tennis court are located here. The great lawn and gardens are both fantastic places for a sunrise viewing and an evening walk. This resort has a surprisingly large amount of places to eat. Five options are available for you from fancy to grab-and-go. Moving onto the rooms, you can choose to stay in either the Main Lodge or Straits Lodge. Both buildings offer rooms and suites with the largest one being 1,500 square feet in Straits Lodge. It comes with a full kitchen, two living rooms, two bathrooms, a separate bedroom, a dining space, and a washer and dryer. The smallest rooms are right around 300 square feet with either a king or two queen beds. Mission Point Resort just like many others is closed for the winter, so those Lake Huron views can only be enjoyed during warmer months. The smaller rooms hover around $250 per night with the largest suites costing upward of $1,000 a night. If you want that resort feeling with plenty of space and things to do, Mission Point Resort might be calling your name.
6. Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront (Bonus)
Courtesy of Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront
The Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront Hotel might confuse you, mainly because it’s not located on Mackinac Island. Even though the hotel isn’t on Mackinac Island, I still think that it’s one of the best places to stay on Mackinac Island. This is due to its proximity to the island and unbeatable prices, it deserved at least a bonus spot on our list. The hotel is on Michigan’s upper peninsula in the town of St. Ignace, just under a mile from the ferry to Mackinac Island.
I don’t normally recommend Best Westerns but this one impressed me having been renovated in 2019. There are also views of Lake Huron from here which I find cool. There’s nothing too fancy with this hotel, it’s just the basics for a comfortable place to stay near Mackinac Island. Breakfast is complimentary here every day which is very convenient. You can’t beat the prices as you can find rooms here for under $100 per night, which is incomparable with anything on Mackinac Island. So if you’re tight on budget or don’t mind the commute, the Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront might be for you.
Conclusion
Mackinac Island is a beautiful place to be and to stay. If you visit in summer, I’m almost sure that your stay here will be a memorable one. Due to the island’s small size and large demand, hotels can often be pretty pricing, but the trip is worth it. Mackinac Island is arguably the best place in Michigan as the vibes are great, there’s lots to do, and the views are incredible. It’s a great way to experience the Great Lakes and a cool new unique town. I would love to hear about your stay in any of these places, make sure to check out my blog post about Michigan to see seven more incredible locations in the state.
