Mackinac Island's Mission Point Resort is a quiet alternative to the properties in the busier main part of town, but still offer's the same quintessentially old-fashioned atmosphere found elsewhere on the island. There are 239 rooms and suites in all; some feel cramped, but many have room to spread out and even come with hot tubs. It’s a 15-minute walk to most restaurants, shops, and attractions, and there is plenty to do on the property itself, including an expansive lakeside lawn filled with Adirondack chairs, swimming pool, and a variety of formal and casual restaurants. There's also an observation tower and museum with exhibits on the history of the island, and an antique movie theater and sound stage where a scene from _Somewhere in Time _was filmed. The decor is on the old-fashioned side, although it adds to the historic charm of this three-and-a-half pearl property.
Mackinac Island's Mission Point Resort is a quiet alternative to the properties in the busier main part of town, but still offer's the same quintessentially old-fashioned atmosphere found elsewhere on the island. There are 239 rooms and suites in all; some feel cramped, but many have room to spread out and even come with hot tubs. It’s a 15-minute walk to most restaurants, shops, and attractions, and there is plenty to do on the property itself, including an expansive lakeside lawn filled with Adirondack chairs, swimming pool, and a variety of formal and casual restaurants. There's also an observation tower and museum with exhibits on the history of the island, and an antique movie theater and sound stage where a scene from _Somewhere in Time _was filmed. The decor is on the old-fashioned side, although it adds to the historic charm of this three-and-a-half pearl property.
Mackinac Island’s best known property, Grand Hotel is a tourist destination unto itself. Built in 1887, this big white building with a vast porch has 390 guest rooms, and charges non-guests admission to experience its preserved 19th-century grandeur. There’s plenty to do besides shop and eat at the four pearl, resort-like property, which has a 220-foot-long swimming pool, two nine-hole golf courses, and a full schedule of children’s activities during the summer. One of the biggest draws is the five-course dinner in the hotel’s Main Dining Room, which maintains a strict formal dress code in the evening. The hotel puts on a number of themed weekends, complete with period costumes, including the popular _Somewhere in Time _weekend at end of October, which is based on the 1980 movie filmed at the hotel. The busy, cruise-ship like atmosphere might turn some guests off, but it’s certainly a landmark not to be missed during a visit to the island.
Mackinac Island’s best known property, Grand Hotel is a tourist destination unto itself. Built in 1887, this big white building with a vast porch has 390 guest rooms, and charges non-guests admission to experience its preserved 19th-century grandeur. There’s plenty to do besides shop and eat at the four pearl, resort-like property, which has a 220-foot-long swimming pool, two nine-hole golf courses, and a full schedule of children’s activities during the summer. One of the biggest draws is the five-course dinner in the hotel’s Main Dining Room, which maintains a strict formal dress code in the evening. The hotel puts on a number of themed weekends, complete with period costumes, including the popular _Somewhere in Time _weekend at end of October, which is based on the 1980 movie filmed at the hotel. The busy, cruise-ship like atmosphere might turn some guests off, but it’s certainly a landmark not to be missed during a visit to the island.
The 154-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East is a clean and attractive value hotel within walking distance of the Frederik Meijer Gardens. It serves a free breakfast buffet and has a modern fitness center facing an indoor heated pool. Pleasantly designed rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs; suites have partially separated seating areas and sofa beds, and some have separate bedrooms and whirlpool tubs. Guests have complained about patchy Wi-Fi, but the hotel reports that it will increase its bandwidth. Travelers seeking a downtown location might want to check out the Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown.
The 154-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East is a clean and attractive value hotel within walking distance of the Frederik Meijer Gardens. It serves a free breakfast buffet and has a modern fitness center facing an indoor heated pool. Pleasantly designed rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs; suites have partially separated seating areas and sofa beds, and some have separate bedrooms and whirlpool tubs. Guests have complained about patchy Wi-Fi, but the hotel reports that it will increase its bandwidth. Travelers seeking a downtown location might want to check out the Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown.
The 516-room Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is an expansive casino resort located in a rural area four miles outside of Mount Pleasant, Michigan. This southwestern themed resort has a big casino with slot machines and casino games along with a game room for kids, babysitting service, a large indoor pool with adjacent hot tub, and a spa. The rooms are spacious and pleasant, if a touch dated, though some include nice extras such as fireplaces and whirlpool soaking tubs. Some guests complain of lingering smoke smells, old slot machines, and private events taking over amenities such as the pool. The property tends to attract a senior crowd.
The 516-room Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is an expansive casino resort located in a rural area four miles outside of Mount Pleasant, Michigan. This southwestern themed resort has a big casino with slot machines and casino games along with a game room for kids, babysitting service, a large indoor pool with adjacent hot tub, and a spa. The rooms are spacious and pleasant, if a touch dated, though some include nice extras such as fireplaces and whirlpool soaking tubs. Some guests complain of lingering smoke smells, old slot machines, and private events taking over amenities such as the pool. The property tends to attract a senior crowd.
The 42-room Beachway Resort is a mid-range property on the banks of the Kalamazoo River with colorful patio seating, barbecue grills, and an outdoor pool that make it great for easygoing getaways. This hillside hotel, with stairs throughout, is a 15-minute walk to Oval Beach on Lake Michigan and one minute from the Saugatuck Chain Ferry to downtown. Homey rooms, suites, apartments, and Four-Bedroom Homes offer a variety of family-friendly and romantic amenities: kitchenettes and kitchens, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and waterfront patios. On the downside, some rooms have poor soundproofing and/or lack a full range of cable channels or individually controlled thermostats.
The 42-room Beachway Resort is a mid-range property on the banks of the Kalamazoo River with colorful patio seating, barbecue grills, and an outdoor pool that make it great for easygoing getaways. This hillside hotel, with stairs throughout, is a 15-minute walk to Oval Beach on Lake Michigan and one minute from the Saugatuck Chain Ferry to downtown. Homey rooms, suites, apartments, and Four-Bedroom Homes offer a variety of family-friendly and romantic amenities: kitchenettes and kitchens, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and waterfront patios. On the downside, some rooms have poor soundproofing and/or lack a full range of cable channels or individually controlled thermostats.
The 99-room Baymont Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Airport is a budget chain hotel that's a seven-minute drive from the Grand Rapids airport -- the hotel provides free airport shuttle service. Traditionally furnished rooms and suites have microwaves and mini-fridges, and some have whirlpool tubs and kitchenettes. One-bedroom apartments with full kitchens are also available. There's also a small gym, a meeting room, and a computer corner, but guests have complained about cleanliness -- when we visited, some rooms had a musty "wet rag" or stale cigarette smell. Travelers should consider nearby Country Inn Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East, which has a pool and better-kept rooms but higher rates.
The 99-room Baymont Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Airport is a budget chain hotel that's a seven-minute drive from the Grand Rapids airport -- the hotel provides free airport shuttle service. Traditionally furnished rooms and suites have microwaves and mini-fridges, and some have whirlpool tubs and kitchenettes. One-bedroom apartments with full kitchens are also available. There's also a small gym, a meeting room, and a computer corner, but guests have complained about cleanliness -- when we visited, some rooms had a musty "wet rag" or stale cigarette smell. Travelers should consider nearby Country Inn Suites By Carlson, Grand Rapids East, which has a pool and better-kept rooms but higher rates.
This 120-room chain hotel offers basic accommodations, with warm color schemes and dark wood furnishings that include full-wall armoires with built-in desks. Some rooms are showing signs of wear, however, with scuffed furniture and mildewed shower heads. The hotel's location in Mount Pleasant puts downtown areas just out of walking distance and a car will probably be necessary. But if you're up for the extra effort, it'll most likely save you a buck or two between the less expensive nightly rates and the free parking.
This 120-room chain hotel offers basic accommodations, with warm color schemes and dark wood furnishings that include full-wall armoires with built-in desks. Some rooms are showing signs of wear, however, with scuffed furniture and mildewed shower heads. The hotel's location in Mount Pleasant puts downtown areas just out of walking distance and a car will probably be necessary. But if you're up for the extra effort, it'll most likely save you a buck or two between the less expensive nightly rates and the free parking.
Sitting on a ridge above Lake Michigan, the 52-room Lake Bluff Inn and Suites is a year-round value property on sprawling grounds. Features are well-suited to families and include an outdoor pool and a kiddy pool, a playground, and a recreation room with vintage video games. An outdoor event tent and meeting room are available for private functions. A dining room serves free breakfast and downtown's restaurants are nearby. Cabin-style rooms and suites have dated decor, though come with convenient features like microwaves and mini-fridges; some have romantic touches like fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Despite the lakefront location, this inn doesn’t offer beach access.
Sitting on a ridge above Lake Michigan, the 52-room Lake Bluff Inn and Suites is a year-round value property on sprawling grounds. Features are well-suited to families and include an outdoor pool and a kiddy pool, a playground, and a recreation room with vintage video games. An outdoor event tent and meeting room are available for private functions. A dining room serves free breakfast and downtown's restaurants are nearby. Cabin-style rooms and suites have dated decor, though come with convenient features like microwaves and mini-fridges; some have romantic touches like fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Despite the lakefront location, this inn doesn’t offer beach access.
The 52-room BEST WESTERN Plaza Hotel Saugatuck is a family-friendly budget property that offers a reasonably pleasant place to bunk down for a night. This hotel is a five-minute drive from downtown Saugatuck and 10 minutes from Lake Michigan beaches. Rooms are spacious and have a suburban-home look, with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and microwaves, though upholstered furniture is quite dated. Breakfast is free and includes make-your-own waffles. There is an indoor pool and hot tub, a small fitness center, coin-operated laundry room, and a computer and printer available for guest use. Both parking and Wi-Fi are free.
The 52-room BEST WESTERN Plaza Hotel Saugatuck is a family-friendly budget property that offers a reasonably pleasant place to bunk down for a night. This hotel is a five-minute drive from downtown Saugatuck and 10 minutes from Lake Michigan beaches. Rooms are spacious and have a suburban-home look, with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and microwaves, though upholstered furniture is quite dated. Breakfast is free and includes make-your-own waffles. There is an indoor pool and hot tub, a small fitness center, coin-operated laundry room, and a computer and printer available for guest use. Both parking and Wi-Fi are free.
The two-and-a-half-pearl Secret of Saugatuck Suites is a family-owned and operated all-suite hotel. Located in a secluded area between the town of Saugatuck and Lake Michigan, the beach is only a five-minute drive from here, but there are no restaurants or activities within an easy walk. The 33 rooms range from small efficiencies to apartments and a four-bedroom house, all with full kitchens and modern bathrooms. The large pool and spacious grounds make this a popular family pick, and the hot tub is popular with grown-ups. Gas grills are also available for outdoor barbecues, and both parking and Wi-Fi are free. It's worth comparing rates at the BEST WESTERN Plaza Hotel Saugatuck, though, for more traditional rooms, free breakfast, and a fitness center.
The two-and-a-half-pearl Secret of Saugatuck Suites is a family-owned and operated all-suite hotel. Located in a secluded area between the town of Saugatuck and Lake Michigan, the beach is only a five-minute drive from here, but there are no restaurants or activities within an easy walk. The 33 rooms range from small efficiencies to apartments and a four-bedroom house, all with full kitchens and modern bathrooms. The large pool and spacious grounds make this a popular family pick, and the hot tub is popular with grown-ups. Gas grills are also available for outdoor barbecues, and both parking and Wi-Fi are free. It's worth comparing rates at the BEST WESTERN Plaza Hotel Saugatuck, though, for more traditional rooms, free breakfast, and a fitness center.