This is a review of the Grand Hotel based on our exploration of it; we did not stay here. When you go to Mackinac Island, you'll see this magnificent hotel as the ferry gets closer to the island. After a carriage tour of the island, we went here and explored on our own. If you are not staying here, you have to pay an entrance fee to be able to go in and explore. Its porch is the world's longest and offers a great view. Its interiors are intricate and very beautiful. One would see that the carpet, fixtures, and furniture are well taken care of. The vibrant colors, bold contrasts, and floral patterns are everywhere. They have different restaurants inside (Main Dining Room, Cupola Bar, Geranium Bar, The Jockey Club, etc) as well as an ice cream parlor (Sadie's). They also have some areas showcasing artwork/paintings as well as memorabilia from movies shot here: Somewhere in Time and This Time for Keeps. Do not forget to visit the Secret Garden. It's beautiful! The accommodation can be very pricey. Though we did not stay here, visiting (with the entrance fee) is definitely worth it. read more

Grand Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Mackinac Island, Michigan

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There aren't enough superlatives. Grandeur at its best. Do not miss a meal in their incredible dining room. read more

Staying at the Grand Hotel was incredible. I am kind of surprised at all the negative reviews because I absolutely loved my experience here. My whole family stayed at the Grand to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, so it was definitely a special occasion. I don't think I'd ever even been to the Grand Hotel and certainly hadn't stayed there before, so I was amazed at how big it is. It seems like a very well-oiled machine, with exceptional service at all the bars, in the dining room, even the bike rental area and pool. There are activities all day and into the evening, like derby duck races at the pool, trivia, some free tours (some you have to pay for), afternoon tea, etc. The hotel houses several shops, including an ice cream shop, a flower shop, a spa, a coffee shop, and a couple clothing stores. We really enjoyed the coffee shop - their iced Americanos were perfection and only about $6. We also had fun checking out the Somewhere in Time display, which features photos and some artifacts from the cult classic movie which was filmed at the Grand Hotel. There is even a mini museum of paintings from the Manoogian collection near the Baroque Bar. Our room was very cute and roomy with a king bed. The walls are quite thin so bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper. The bathroom was pretty tight so only one person could be getting ready in there at a time. The room had a small safe and a mini fridge, but it didn't seem to get very cold. We enjoyed sitting on the porch, renting bikes to bike around the island, going down the waterslide at the pool, and taking the carriage taxi down to the ferry docks. The food was all very good and I loved the experience of the dressy dinner. I sort of felt like I was on the Titanic the whole time (in a good way). There are lots of other things we didn't even explore, like the gardens, mini golf, the bar by the golf course, etc. I don't think I'll be able to stay at the Grand Hotel again anytime soon, but I'm so glad we got to experience it at least once. Pro tip: the cheapest drinks that I found at the Grand Hotel are at the walk up snack counter by the bike rental area. read more

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The "Grand" as it is called on the island, is a historic coastal resort with a spectacular 660-foot long, three-story high porch over looking the Esther Wilson pool & tea garden. There are 170 rooms & suites named & decorated by First Ladies. The hotel is a :20 walk from the ferry. The hotel opened in 1887, after taking 93 days to complete. At its opening, nightly rates at the hotel ranged from $3 to $5. In 1957, it was designated a State Historic Building. U.S. Presidents Truman, Kennedy, Ford, George H. W. Bush, & Clinton have visited the hotel. The hotel also hosted the 1st demonstration of Thomas Edison's phonograph on the porch, as well as regular demonstrations of Edison's other new inventions. Mark Twain also made this a regular location on his speaking tours in the Midwest. read more

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From a visit and picture standpoint. This hotel is iconic, especially for those that have ever watched Somewhere in Time with Jane Seymour and the late Christopher Reeves. This movie made me want to check out this hotel years ago. The hotel's grand porch is quite intriguing and allows for many guests to sit in their chairs to on-look. This is the kind of porch my mom always wanted since she was little. I didn't stay here for an overnight, but did come for a scheduled brunch with some a friend and two kids years ago in their main dining room. It was an extremely busy Saturday morning. The service was a bit hectic, yet still not bad amidst the chaos. The food was decent, but nothing extraordinary as I might have hoped for the price. It was over $300 for 4 of us with some drink and food add-ons. The hotel is worth the visit for their gardens, if it's the spring or summer months. Do grab a drink and rock out in their white rocking chairs out front and take lots of pics for a memorable day. It's a beautiful grounds. read more

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The ONLY reason I am giving the Grand Hotel 4 stars and not 2 stars....Is Daniel Rottenberg in the Cupola bar (pianist) is FANTASTIC!!! He is seriously one of the most talented pianists I have ever had the privelidge of watching perform. He does this "When Harry met Sally / Sleepless in Seattle medley" that is right out of the movies...just FANTASTIC! He does a wizard of oz medley that takes you into the various scenes of the movie....AMAZING!!! We had the BEST server in the main dining room....Stacian from Jamaica....she was AWESOME!!! Fantastic personality and customer service skills....we truly enjoyed the two meals we had with her. As for the hotel itself, when we checked in on Sunday at 3 pm, there was a plate laying in the hallway next to our room....after dinner and the Cupola bar....it was still there...The next morning....STILL there....at this point my wife and I used it as an easy way to find our room. I was FINALLY removed Monday afternoon around 4 pm....only ther for 26 hours...but hey, you pay $1000 a night for a room, you can't expect more.....right???? read more

There is a reason this hotel is on 1000 places to see. Old world warmth and luxury make this a desired place to stay among the elite. If you are not staying here there is a $12 fee per person to go inside. Worth it! read more

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Beautiful views from the hotel. If you are not staying at the hotel you can pay a small fee and tour the inside. The grounds are free to walk around and enjoy the gardens. read more

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We recently stayed at The Grand Hotel and unfortunately had some concerning experiences. On our first night, our two-year-old fell from the bed and cut his head on a piece of exposed metal from the bed frame. It was an extremely deep gash. Blood was poring out. A couple stitches. Accidents do happen, and we take responsibility for our child bouncing around--but the follow-up from the hotel was disappointing, and the room itself felt unsafe with sharp edges exposed. Pictures attached. While staff members were kind in demeanor, the response was not what we would expect from a hotel of this standard. Security staff seemed ill-equipped to handle the emergency--struggling to bandage the wound, open tape, and provide immediate support. Not allowing us to ride in a carriage (no cars on the island) and having to use an ambulance. No check in from staff to see how our toddler was after the ER, no offer to help make the room safer, and no gestures of care such as even a simple cup of tea or coffee after a traumatic evening. We did enjoy aspects of our stay--the atmosphere and certain staff interactions were pleasant--but given The Grand Hotel's reputation for excellent service, these lapses stood out. Safety concerns, lack of follow-up in an emergency, and several poor service experiences left us disappointed. It felt like they do not want you there if you have kids. I would definitely not spend the money, particularly if you have small children and stay elsewhere. read more

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Stayed here for years. Corporate change and things have changed. Booking a room was a trip with multiple conversations and they still got it wrong. Still waiting for room to be ready. With 4 check in and 11 am check out you stay 19 hours in your room for top dollar. read more

This review focuses solely on the vast grounds of The Grand Hotel, rather than the services provided by the hotel. We visited primarily to enjoy the beautiful views & take a peaceful autumn stroll. Our experience on the veranda was delightful. We had no difficulty relaxing in one of their Adirondack chairs while soaking up the sun & watching the vintage carriages passing by. We also explored the interior of the hotel without any issues. Although we chose not to dine inside on this occasion due to our previous experience with the food -just couldn't justify pricing & quality of food, we appreciated the opportunity to tour the hotel. The hotel staff are genuinely friendly, it's important to remember that many of them are interns from other countries who are far from home. A little patience & understanding can go a long way as they navigate this experience & adapt to their new surroundings & culture. Inside, the atmosphere transports you to another era, reminiscent of the movie "Somewhere In Time." It truly offers a unique experience! read more

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I didn't have the luxury to stay here, but we did visit the island yesterday and spent a very good amount of time in the hotel. We did pay the day pass which was $12 each and were given a brochure about the property and allowed to walk around and enjoy what was open inside. What a gorgeous gorgeous hotel. I had seen the hotel from the 1980 movie Somewhere in Time and had always wanted to see the hotel in real life. It did not disappoint. We had to ask the concierge a couple of questions throughout the day and the two ladies working were super helpful and knowledgeable. We shopped the lower level with the shops and we're happy to find trinkets and gifts at very reasonable prices in both the casual shop and the women's shop. We walked in and out of each bar and the theater and the art gallery and along the front porch and it was busy without being crowded and made for a lovely day with great views of beautiful grounds that were well kept and the view of Lake Huron out almost every window. Such a treat can't wait to come back! read more

The Grand Hotel is lovely. Set up on a hill... it looks out towards Lake Huron. (You probably knew that already.) Because this is setting up to be TLDR.... NOTE: If you do not stay at The Grand, there is a visitor fee. It's now $12 per person. Classic... Historic.... Old Time Charm.... Vintage. Now... let's be real... it's an old hotel and in spots it really shows but that does not take away from its beauty. For the most part, the hotel is in very good shape... I was surprised at how new the carpet and upholstery looked. (Maybe it was recently refreshed.) They have REAL keys for the doors. Be sure to keep track of them. As I understand it, it's quite the undertaking should they have to re-key the door or find someone with a key that can let you in. Oh... and the door auto locks... so just keep the key in your pocket / on your person at all times. OH! And because ... old.... you may have to jiggle the key in the lock to get the door to open. While the hotel is 'old'... they do have a contemporary accessory in the room.... a plug with a couple of outlets and USB outlets on the nightstand! Very convenient! Our room slanted towards the hallway. It was particularly noticeable in the bathroom that you felt like you were falling backwards. I had to remind myself I wasn't drunk. (I had a couple glasses of wine, but far from inebriated.) Room 388 had a view of the grounds and lake. I moved the chairs in front of the windows, so they faced out instead of towards the beds. Why would I want to sit looking at beds? hahaha! I also opened the windows a bit to let in the fresh cool air in the evening. The room is equipped with A/C, but I prefer fresh air when possible. The rooms are not terribly big... of course, I think it depends on which room you get. I felt like our room with 2 beds was good size. I've stayed in smaller expensive/big name hotels in Europe. The hallways are long.... and every so often... there is an "ice box" with bags of ice in it. If the box is missing... just wait a bit and it will be returned. They turn down your room every evening ... complete with chocolate on your pillow and the next day's activities sheet. The Parlour (P) level can be accessed from specific elevators. Our "secret" elevator we found via the Somewhere in Time room did not go to the P level. The P level has a dress code starting at 6:30pm every evening. So, if you don't want to adhere to the dress code, avoid P level. The P level is where the main dining room is that serves a multi course dinner. Dinner was a lovely experience. The food was hit/miss....some dishes were spectacular... other dishes were not. The service is very good. Look at your server's name badge.... the number next to their name is the number of seasons they have worked at The Grand. The Cupola Bar is Lovely! It's a great way to unwind after a day of adventuring around the island. It's not a large bar so if you have a large group... take note. We visited about 4pm on a Tuesday and easily found a table near the windows to enjoy. However, when we left at 5:30... it was completely full. I can't say what it looked like later in the evening as we were too busy enjoying ourselves in the dining room where we didn't leave until 9pm or later every evening... and then took a stroll on the verandah while it was still light out. Highly recommend wandering around the grounds. It's very peaceful with several spots that are quiet. They have a pool... it's not quiet... it even has a large slide that kids and adults were enjoying when we passed by. There are lawn games and a life size chess game. If you want to rent a bike, you can do that too. I don't know that I would stay here again... it's very expensive. (I was on a group trip, so this hotel was part of our trip.) Depending on when you go and the room... rates (including meals) could be anywhere from $800-1300 per night. I am very glad I got to experience The Grand and that the weather was perfect. read more

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It really was a dream hotel. Beautiful and yet sometimes with its long ornate hallways a little "The Shining" creepy. The staff were seasonal a lot from the Philippines and Jamaica. I had no idea. I thought the hotel was open year around. Makes sense because of snow. All the staff was there to make your stay wonderful. So friendly and so helpful. My room didn't have a microwave. With my special diet I feed myself. Just makes it easier all around. They got me to a microwave. Provided me a dish and utensils. Told me when I was finished just leave dish in my room. So convenient. We had a beautiful room. I hadn't slept in a canopy bed since I was 12 years old. So sweet. Would love to come again. Only 2 downers my friend who booked the room didn't pay attention there's a dress code enforced at 6:30p in parts of the hotel. For women it was fairly easy to pull together. No T-shirts, denim or sneakers. For men you needed a jacket and tie. I did get the once over at 6:20p and passed. The 2nd was my friend had paid $20 for milk and chocolate chip cookies to be delivered to the room. The cookies were pitiful. I didn't need gourmet, but these were worse than underbaked slice and bake. Disappointing. What wasn't disappointing... the limoncello spritz cocktail. It was outstanding! Sitting on that huge porch sipping my cocktail and visiting with other hotel guests was one big highlight. read more

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Worst experience ever. No service. No management to help with accountability. We stayed there for 2 nights to celebrate our anniversary. Housekeeping would not even give us water. We did enjoy our meals at the Jockey club and golf was fun. The hotel staff was AWFUL and will not even contact us to see how they can help. Concierge was a waste of time. read more

As you can see from my last review, after our very nice lunch at the Pink Pony my family of seven booked a horse drawn taxi from the Pink Pony up to the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel first opened its doors in 1887 as a summer retreat for vacationers who traveled to Michigan by train, and then came to Mackinac Island via steamer and boat. Throughout its time as America's Summer Place. The Grand is highly celebrated and a much-beloved getaway. Today, this National Historic Landmark continues to beguile guests with old-world hospitality and charm, inspired enhancements, and a heritage to be preserved for generations to come. We did not stay here at the hotel, however we did tour the interior and exterior grounds of the hotel. See my many pics and videos. The hotel has the world's longest porch. The porch stretches 660 feet along the front of the hotel. The hotel's location on a bluff offers scenic views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. If we returned here for vacation I would stay at the Grand Hotel for at least one night to experience this old world charm. I could not get a taxi to pick us up from the hotel, therefore we made our way to the front of the hotel. After touring this place we took the hotel's horse drawn carriage back to the downtown area for some shopping. It cost me $20 cash for the hotel's horse drawn carriage. More to come regarding my review of Mackinac Island. read more

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From the moment we stepped off the horse drawn carriage ride in front of the hotel, our experience could not have been better. Stephania at check-in was professional and extremely helpful. Our room was amazing. Every area of the hotel wowed us when we entered. George and his team who assisted in our several carriage transportation needs went above and beyond. Our experience in the main dining room was top notch. Stacien was our primary server and she was exceptional as was ALL of the staff at the hotel. It made our first experience something to remember for a lifetime. read more

I had never been to the grand Hotel as an adult. It is absolutely beautiful and worth the $12 to go in and have food and a drink. The trout croquettes were incredible. I would definitely have champagne in the parlor room next time I go. read more

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The Grand Hotel is stepping back in time. From taking a boat to the Island, being picked up in a carriage and being driven up to this beautiful white hotel, is like being transported back to the early 20th Century. The service is impeccable and the grounds are gorgeous.....there are secret places to explore. Gentlemen are required to wear proper attire for dining and at a minimum that would include slacks and a sport coat. Enjoying time relaxing on the worlds longest porch is a must, along with a game of chess. Following the "stars" leads to a wonderful place to enjoy cocktails and a view of the Mackinac Bridge. To truly appreciate the hotel, I would recommend watching the movie Somewhere in Time..... read more

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We are on Mackinac Island for the first time for our annual girls trip. We were told a must do was dinner at the Grand Hotel. We figured it would be our splurge dinner as it is a price fix menu and cocktails and wine start at 20.00 and up. So it was a night we were looking forward to. Which is why the disappointment is so epic. From start to finish the service was sporadic and the food was not good. We got the wrong orders and the food was institutional and cold. You had to pay on the way into the dinning room which was fine, and we got charged after for our cocktails. That bill had the wrong drinks on it and had to be straightened out. Bottom line if you want bad food, mediocre service and overpriced cocktails then the Grand Hotel is for you. read more

We were so excited to go to the Grand Hotel for the Fall Murder Mystery experience. From the time we got off the boat we realized this is not where you want to go if you have any sort of disability. My daughter and I both have Fibromyalgia, arthritis in our spine and trouble walking. We both have canes to help. We must have waited almost an hour for a taxi ($8.50 per person) to take us and our luggage to the hotel. Standing! Nowhere to sit. We finally arrived and walked forever to the elevator and to our room. Then back down to walk to another elevator to come upon steps to get to the first act. My daughter couldn't do the steps so it looked like a little elevator next to the steps so she went and asked if she could use it they sent her to another door that was actually a ramp going up. Very hard to go up a ramp when it's hard to walk. Of course, our seats were completely on the farther side of the room. Then to dinner in the dining room which is on the complete opposite end of the hotel and the line was so long. We finally made it to the front and for some reason if you have 3 people, 2 with canes, they can't seem to find a table for you. We stood there while they asked behind us for 4 people many times, for 8 people or 7 people, many times. When we finally got seated because I told them my daughter couldn't stand there any longer they seated us at the far end of the dining room. After that first night, we did not return to the Mystery Murder and went to breakfast and dinner towards the very end of the time so we wouldn't have to wait. We also had to ask not to be seated so far back. When trying to go into town in a taxi, they were completely booked. This was trying to get a reservation 3 hours before we wanted to go. I swear we walked 2 miles just that first day and spent the rest of the time in our room. On a good note, we had a beautiful room with a beautiful balcony. The food was excellent. The view from the porch was beautiful. We could not go down all the steps to see the grounds and the pool. The workers were very friendly and very busy but made sure our glasses were full and that anything we needed was provided. They made sure to stay within the rules or face the consequences ‍ wow... I am glad I had the opportunity to stay at this luxurious hotel in my home state, but I won't be back. They do nothing for the disabled and turn a blind eye. PS The next day after returning home, I watched 'Somewhere In Time' again (it's been awhile) just so I could see and feel the whole hotel experience! read more

No internet for two days for a 5 star hotel this is absurd. The front desk just says working on it.

This is not a review of staying overnight at the hotel - we chose to sleep elsewhere. This is a review of visiting the hotel. I was appalled initially that we had to pay $60 for 6 of us to walk through the lobby - that is, until we actually did just that. It's a lovely place, and the design, the the photographs, the furniture and the color scheme are all superb. We strolled and looked at various parts of the hotel, sat out on the porch, had coffee and dessert in the coffee shop, and all of it was extremely pleasant. Staff were very friendly. I totally understood why they don't want crowds of people and children traipsing through every day - as elitist as that sounds. read more

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Our family of five was delighted to spend four days at The Grand Hotel! The room itself was lovely and clean. The staff did a great job cleaning up and getting things ready for bedtime. The rollaway bed our oldest used was very comfortable and high quality. Our only complaint about the accomodations was that they did not offer a room with King size beds. The Breakfast buffet is definitely a good way to start the day. They offer a good selection of indulgent, classic breakfast dishes as well as healthy picks. However, I don't think the buffet itself was quite as extravagent as I had expected. While there was a nice selection of quality foods, it was not something to write home about. It is about what I'd expect from any run of the mill hotel breakfast. We were able to try all three dinner restaurants that were included in the meal plan: the main dining hall, The Gate House, and The Jockey Club. We were very much looking forward to the fancy five course meal in the dinning room, but it was a big let down. The food resembled that of a poorly catered wedding. The temperature, presentation, and quality were absolutely sub par. Three of my five courses were actually inedible and I ended up grabbing a few items off the childrens' buffet. The most offensive dish was the beef wellington, which contained well-done beef filet, soggy pastry, and was no longer assembled when it arrived. It looked like a pile of beef-wellington parts that had been slopped onto a plate. It had clearly been cooked hours earlier and kept warm or was reheated for service. To be honest, I actually felt embarassed for the servers having to deliver such a poorly presented meal. The best course was the dessert. They managed to nail the bumpy cake and cheese plate, but the rest was a total loss. The service was also very sparse. It took us about 3 hours to finish the dinner, which isn't the most family friendly option. The Gate House was a lot more promising in terms of food quality! Every dish we ordered, including 4 different appetizers, salads, entrees, dessert, and kids menu dinner were delicious. However, this was another case of poor service. We started our meal at 6pm and didn't leave until 8:45. Again, our server was largely absent and other staff members had to be waved down to get us utensils, drinks, and food. We would absolutely eat there again, but I wouldn't recommend it for families with small children who could not sit through such a long dining experience. The Jockey Club definitely redeemed our experience at The Grand restaurants. Both the food and service were a huge improvement. We actually ate dinner there twice and managed to order most of the menu. The chocolate cake was particularly delicious! We would also solidly recommend the filet, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts! We probably wouldn't order the wagu beef skewers, mushroom, lobster pasta or trout again. Overall, we enjoyed the amenities, ambiance, staff, and experience at The Grand. However, the restaurants and service leave a lot of room for improvement. read more

We made reservations for afternoon tea and this was such a great idea!!! They had specific GF trays made for some of us and all the items were so dainty and delicious! I love an afternoon tea and experiencing this at the Grand Hotel was a highlight of our trip. There was live music playing, attentive and humorous servers and just a beautiful space. I mean, it's the Grand Hotel, so it's hard not to have a beautiful space there I think. Loved the entire time. It lasted two hours and it was perfect timing for us to just sit back, relax, enjoy each other's company while taking in some wonderful afternoon tea snacks. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

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It's a nice property with the largest porch. It was $15 to get in though if you're not a guests. Once in there's really not much to do so it's just a waste of money. I'd just admire from the outside of the building. I would like to stay here at some point though. read more

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Possibly, because for years I had highly anticipated a visit to the Mackinac Island the the Grand Hotel, and had "Grand" expectations of the Island and Hotel since watching the film, "Somewhere in Time,", the visit ended up as a disappointment. In my mind, it was supposed to be very different--the highest quality and very grand--instead it was very touristy, a cross between Walt Disney World and Downtown Gatlinburg with no motorized vehicles. We didn't stay overnight at the hotel as available rooms were $900+ nightly so came to the Island for the day. After paying $48.00 for the two of us to enter the hotel (entry is now $24 per person) , we were greatly limited on the areas available to us as non-guests. Several of the public spaces were closed to accommodate convention guests, so other than the Geranium Bar/Parlor/Front Porch and the Cupola Bar, our access was primarily several high-priced boutique shops--not worth $48.00. The Cupola Bar had fantastic views but was quite cramped, so we found an available spot in the Geranium Bar. Decor is gorgeous and does take you back to a different time with the bright geranium prints on the fabrics and carpet. We each had a Bloody Mary--very expensive Bloody Marys at $60 including tip for two drinks. Service was good but not outstanding. When the server sat down our drinks, one drink spilt slightly on the cocktail napkin--but the server didn't replace the napkin. All in all, it was an okay visit but no reason to return. "Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed." ~Alexander Pope read more

Grand Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Mackinac Island, Michigan

The room is so old and small! It's a superior suite for USD$937 per night! My 81 year old Parents also stayed in a superior suite and they did not have hot water to take a shower! They send someone to come look at it, but 3 hours later tells us nothing and we came back at 9:00pm and the water is still cold! Then they send another tech guy up and said the shower has been installed in reverse! Yet no one bother to tell us! And my 81 year old Dad had to take a cold shower!! I complained to the manager and she told me to talk to the morning manager! This situation with the reverse shower has been existing before we arrive. Meaning other guest had to deal with the same problem but no one took care of it! Their service was so poor ! The rooms are so old! It's so pricey for a room this small. Over all it was a horrible experience! Do not recommend this hotel! If you have the money, spend it at another hotel with better reviews!!! read more

Grand Hotel - Superior suite for $937 USD not worth the money!! - Hotels Near Me - Mackinac Island, Michigan

Very much enjoyed our room. We were lucky enough to stay in the Roseland Carter room and it was very pink, but very comfortable. The little refrigerator is quite outdated, but it was OK. We also did the five course meal we loved the appetizer, salad, soup, and dessert. The main entrée just wasn't what we had expected not that it was bad. It's just was different. The room had the most amazing shower that we have used in a long time. Enjoyed all the things to do on the island.. The staff was absolutely nothing But exemplary in there interactions with us. Very much enjoyed ourselves. read more

Grand Disappointment at the Grand Hotel If you're thinking of staying at the Grand Hotel, don't. Unless you enjoy being completely ignored by the staff, by the servers, and especially by management. After multiple attempts to resolve an issue--at their own request--I was met with nothing but silence from both the Front Office Director, Michaela Hagler, and Front Office Manager Tyler Runyon. Not one follow-up. Not one apology. Just radio silence. This isn't a case of a staff member slipping up. This is a full-blown culture of indifference. The Grand Hotel makes it clear: once they've charged your card, your concerns no longer matter. Management leads by example--and their example is dismissive apathy. For a hotel that markets itself as "luxury," they have a remarkable disdain for the very customers keeping their business afloat. In an industry where repeat business is everything, the Grand Hotel has made it clear they'd rather gamble on new guests than retain those who've already stayed. Plenty of other places will treat you like a guest, not an inconvenience. Do yourself a favor--book literally anywhere else. read more

We were in Michigan, had a few days to kill, so decided we would spend it on Mackinac Island. We were willing to go all out, so 4 of us stayed in a Jr. suite at the Grand Hotel. The suite was very roomy, had seating area (sofa), large bathroom, and bathrobes/slippers. There was a nice view of the pool and lake. Room decor was nice. Cost per night ranged from $460 (mid-week) to over $500 (closer to the weekend). Staying at the Grand Hotel is like being on a mini cruise ship. By the afternoon, there is (harp or piano) music in the parlor, live music at dinner, then live band in the Theatre for after-dinner dancing. I liked it all. View from the top floor Cupola Bar is splendid! It was adventurous to walk around the hotel and see what there is to see (indoors and out). We came first week in May, so it was too chilly to do lawn games, and the pool was not filled. It would be splendid in summer! We had the 5-course dinner in the main dining room which ran over $525 for 4 persons (plus tip). Service was great and the food surprisingly good. It was a treat to dine with live music. We also did High Tea in the afternoon , which ran $65 a person. Sadly, my daughter said it was the worst High Tea she has ever done. The food was not very fresh, and there was nothing special about the tea or the china ware used. What was nice was the complimentary champagne plus refill. It was nice to sip with your pinky up, and listen to the harpist. For breakfast, we were able to just grab sandwiches at the shop for about $12 which wasn't bad. At the Gate House, we enjoyed free Music Bingo (we won a $10 gift card) and enjoyed fresh salads. We did a complimentary tour of the stables (saw a couple of huge draft horses!). We enjoyed the Starry Nite bulbs in the Secret Garden, as well as all the landscape touches. Overall, we had a great splurge experience. read more

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The Grand Hotel is wonderful in many ways, but there are some significant shortcomings. Regardless of the shortcomings, I have never been anywhere like it, so I had to give it 5 starts. Positives: You feel different when you stay at the grand. The over-the-top decor, five unique bars, the HUGE porch, the HUGE dining room, the fact that you got here by horse and carriage, all conspire to make you feel like a lottery winner who has not a worry in the world and are now part of a special cadre of people who are allowed to stay here. You walk a little taller, and slower so you appreciate the beauty all around. The staff is incredible and will do whatever is needed to make your stay special, everywhere except the dining room. There are a million places to sit and relax, either drinking in one of the lovely bars or in one of the parlors or porch. It is simply magic. Our room was plenty large enough and comfortable, although there was not a lot of storage. Negatives: The hotel is very very expensive. Oh well. The main detractor for our stay was the dining room. I felt like we had the second string team, because it was hard to believe how bad the service was. Our main meal was forgotten as were several tables around us, servers tried to give us items that we did not order (now we know where all the lost meals went), sometimes the waiters ignored tables, including ours, requests for coffee went unanswered, it was not a pretty site. Contrast this to the Woods Restaurant, also owned by the Grand Hotel, which had such spectacular service we are still raving about it! Please Hotel Management, ask the Woods waiters to train the main dining room staff. read more

If I could give a zero, I would. We were just there last week - first time ever on the island and first time staying at the Grand Hotel. But our excitement quickly dissipated after finding a cluster of lady bugs inside the bathroom. We notified the front desk and they did send someone to look into the problem. But, it wasn't resolved the first time, so we called again - this time, the maintenance man came in and pretty much told us "It's an old building - they are ladybugs". Almost as if to say, get over it. Well, no - first, certain types of ladybugs bite. And for the amount charged each night to stay there, I expect a lot better. (I wasn't looking to bring home these cute little BUGS) The curtain valance wasn't even on the rod in the bathroom. Window treatment was bare. The maintenance man also told us there were no other rooms to switch to...so we were stuck! They did come into our room again - while we were gone (second time) and did what ? I'm not sure. I would not ever stay there again. Just nothing GRAND about it. read more

Very historic hotel on Mackinac Island, yes. Super clean throughout, also yes. You'll feel like you're back in the late 1800's or early 1900's on this majestic property. However, the biggest disappointment was how the guests treat the staff AND the fact that the majority of the staff are of ethnic/diverse backgrounds while serving a mainly all-white guest population. That didn't sit well with me and my family - it felt very pre-civil rights era. Definitely some staffing discussions that need to take place. read more

Stopped in before main dining room. They have a full bar but we opted for Big Porch Ale (specially brewed and bottled for the Grand Hotel by Bell's). At $8 a pop, it was pretty reasonable! You can enter by going up the stairs and then making a right, so it's pretty accessible if you're not staying at the hotel! They tout having a bevie on the world's longest porch. Prost! read more

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How Grand is this hotel?! It's everything you read about and more. It's iconic, timeless, charming, inviting, romantic, well maintained, and yes pricey. The porch is the longest and has such lovely views of the island and lake Michigan. The Coppola room has observatory views that are stunning. read more

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It is iconic and seeped in interesting (Caucasian) history. It is expensive and pretentious with mediocre food and, sometimes, rude staff. The rooms are small, but vividly decorated with potentially breathtaking views. read more

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My mom and I splurged for the buffet lunch and to wander around the hotel (we did not stay in a room there). The food was so, so good and we were both so full! The wait staff were just incredible - they really made it feel fancy and amazing and we were so well taken care of. The porch was amazing, the interior was pretty cool. Worth it for once in a lifetime! read more

*this review is for the outdoor restaurant There are around 5 servers outside, but getting one to come over and take your order is like hailing an Uber during New Years Eve in Times Square. My first sprite was literally just sparkling water...so I got another one...and it had a bug in it. Didn't even look at the tab when I handed them my credit card. Probably got charged $6 for a small glass of watered down, bug water. Ridiculous. read more

Grand Hotel - Bug in my "sprite" - Hotels Near Me - Mackinac Island, Michigan

During my recent stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, I couldn't help but appreciate the hotel's historic charm and beauty. However, I must admit that the lack of routine maintenance throughout the property was severely disappointing. Starting with the decking around the pool, it was in desperate need of attention. The wood was splintering, making it uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for guests. It was evident that the decking required thorough cleaning, sanding, and sealing. Moreover, the view from the pool area left much to be desired, as it overlooked a wooded slope marred by mutilated trees, concrete waste, and a hazardous and slippery walking trail. Another area that suffered from neglect was the grand covered porch, boasting a record-breaking 660 feet. Unfortunately, there were multiple holes and sections of rotted wood in both the ceiling and balusters, which were in dire need of repair. These maintenance issues detracted from the elegance and grandeur that the porch should have provided. Moving on to the dining experience, I found the food quality in the main dining room to be subpar, especially considering the prices charged. The morning pastries appeared stale and past their prime, which was disappointing. Additionally, dinner prices exceeded $100 per person and did not even include dessert. The overall quality of the cuisine fell short, resembling that of a cruise ship rather than what one would expect from a fine dining establishment with country club prices. Despite the maintenance and culinary shortcomings, I must commend several staff members in the dining areas who exuded cheerfulness and provided excellent service. Additionally, the turn-down service offered by the housekeeping staff added a charming touch to the overall experience. One aspect that left me somewhat perplexed was the $10 fee charged to visitors who merely wished to walk through the establishment. This policy felt rather snooty and unnecessary, detracting from the welcoming atmosphere that a historic hotel should offer. Moreover, I was taken aback when a member of our large party was singled out and asked to remove his hat in the breakfast dining area while several others were allowed to sport baseball caps. Such inconsistencies in enforcing rules seemed arbitrary and diminished the overall experience. In conclusion, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is undeniably a beautiful historic property, but its lack of routine maintenance is a significant drawback. The issues with the pool decking, deteriorating porch, and subpar food quality in the main dining room were disappointing. Nonetheless, the charming staff members and the occasional moments of excellence in service provided some redeeming qualities. However, given these shortcomings, I would likely explore other accommodation options for my next visit to the island. read more

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