Mark Twain was already there, also the famous inventor Thomas Edison and several US Presidents have slept here. This weekend I will spend a night at the famous Grand Hotel Mackinac Island in the very north of Michigan and I am very excited about my – probably historical – room!
This luxury hotel is located on the car-free Mackinac Island and can only be reached by ferry or plane. With fill speed the catamaran is hurtling over Lake Michigan and at the end of a 20-minutes trip I can already get a first impression of the magnificent hotel, that perches high above the coast since 1887.
Romantic Arrival
From the port I have to take a carriage up to the hotel. Whether guests or food – on Mackinac Island everything is transported by bicycle, rickshaw or horse-drawn carriage. In summer, more than 600 horses live on the island, in the winter there are just 35. The sound of the hooves puts me right back into the past centuries and one wooden house seems more beautiful than the next. No wonder: The luxury villas in a prime location overlooking the lake are either inherited or sold for several million Euros!
After a few minutes we reach the legendary hotel. Dozens of USA flags are waving from the huge veranda, which is with a length of 660 feet the largest in the world – according to hotel information.
With a broad smile Concierge Robert greets me and carries my luggage the porch steps up.
Individual apartments
The five-star hotel has 390 rooms, and all of them are differen! Through long hallways with thick green carpets I walk to my room on the top floor. I eagerly open the door and see green and white striped wallpaper, a huge bed with a matching bedspread, a large desk and a cozy seating area by the window. Really nice!
The bathroom is rather simple, but has a bathtub – and a coffee station next to the sink!
But the best is the large balcony from which I can look out over the huge parks with the hotel outdoor pool across Lake Michigan to the huge Mackinac Bridge! At last the autumn sun wins the fight against the fog and dipps the island’s forests in a warm orange. It’s Indian Summer in Northern Michigan!
Much Plush – plenty of space!
Then I explore the sprawling hotel. At the reception starts a long corridor with shops with flowers, paintings or jewelry, from the huge lobby with its plush sofas guests reach the large restaurant…
…and the cozy wine bar.
Regularly there are ceremonies at the Grand Hotel, large groups find a lot of space at the huge theater.
In the afternoon we meet for a cozy afternoon tea in the lobby. They serve not only tea and biscuits, but also liqeurs.
The clientele is mixed. Beside numerous pensioners who love the charm of wooden hotels and plush furnishings, many young couples have checked in to spend a romantic weekend on the island.
Tie for dinner
Peope are very relaxed and a casual dress code fits perfect during the day. But for dinner a tie is in the men’s duty! The menu is fantastic, just as you would expect from a five star hotel! I tried a fresh fish from the region, but as the portions are very big, I can not do everything from the four courses.
Tired, I let myself fall into the soft feathers of my bed late at night. The turndown service was already there and has drawn the curtains, a candy is also waiting for me.
Further information:
Grand Hotel Mackinac Iceland, Michigan USA
www.grandhotel.com
Gorgeous! Love your peek into the famous Grand Hotel. I’ve never been inside despite visiting the island several times. Mackinac Island is so lovely — my favorite thing to do is rent a tandem bike and eat all the fudge. :) Hope you had a great time in Michigan!
Thank you! It was a great night at the Grand Hotel! The room was so lovely and I was totally impressed by the view! Now I am back home but I still have some fudge to eat :)