Mackinaw City overnight?

August 15, 2019 7:10 AM

Mid-September I'll be staying overnight in Mackinaw City, to make a quick first-time visit to the island the next day. Mackinaw City looks to be packed with motels--any recommendations for which to choose (or avoid), or are they pretty much the same?

Two grownups, no kids, no special accommodations. Mostly I want it to be a quick and easy getaway to the island (never been there), but I also like weird places and old places, if that's any help. I saw this question, but its aims are a bit different, and 2010 is so long ago by now (sigh). Thanks!

posted by theatro to Travel & Transportation around Mackinaw City, MI (6 answers total)

We stayed at a place in Cheboygan- Fleetwood Inn & Suites- about 1/2 hour of Mackinaw, and it was a cute, non franchise type place. So not as quick, but relatively easy.
posted by Ftsqg at 9:45 AM on August 15, 2019

Last summer, we statyed at the Clearwater Lakeshore, a nice little place that has firepits on the beach side which they maintain the fires for at night. About ten minutes up the road to the ferry terminals. But there's a bunch of hotels on that strip and you probably can't go too wrong for one night. Enjoy!
posted by stevis23 at 10:32 AM on August 15, 2019

We stayed at the Riviera Hotel earlier this summer. Pleasant and pretty much next to the lake and Colonial Michilimackinac. The ferry terminals are a short walk. Enjoy!
posted by zopop at 1:07 PM on August 15, 2019

We go to Mackinaw at least once every year and I’ve stayed at the majority of those hotels over the years. To be honest, they are basically all the same; cheap beachside hotels. That said:

The Hamilton Inn or Cabins of Mackinaw on Huron street are nice, as is the Parkside Inn downtown by the Fort. There is a gorgeous bed and breakfast called Brigadoon’s, but they are usually booked up.

Have you considered just staying on the island? There are a number of hotels that aren’t too expensive, and it is gorgeous. Staying on the island really is amazing.
posted by Wrongshanks at 4:37 PM on August 15, 2019

I don't have any specific hotel recommendations, but came to second staying on Mackinac Island itself if you can swing it. Rates go down considerably after Labor Day and there is something special about being on the island after most of the "fudgies" are gone for the day.

You might also expand your search to St. Ignace, across the bridge. You can catch a ferry to the island from there, and take in the Mystery Spot at the same time.
posted by Preserver at 6:33 PM on August 15, 2019

Response by poster: Thanks for the helpful tips! We were tempted by the hotels on the island itself, but it turns out the only night we're there must be some event or other, because some places were booked solid and the prices were quite in-season high. I have a pin in that for the future, though, because they look really enjoyable.
posted by theatro at 6:58 AM on August 23, 2019