BEST HOTELS ON MACKINAC ISLAND
How would you like to wake up to the sound of the clip-clop of horses and the foghorn of a ferry in the distance? Spending a night in one of the charming hotels on Mackinac Island is an unforgettable experience.
You won’t find any chain hotels on Mackinac Island. With over 1,600 unique rooms on the island and so many quaint and charming hotels – where should you choose to stay?
After spending a long weekend on Mackinac Island, I’ve narrowed it down to my top three hotel recommendations! These are the best hotels on Mackinac Island for every type of traveler. From couples to families, or for those looking for a truly “grand” experience…. here are the best places to stay on Mackinac Island.
Bests Mackinac Island Hotels for Every Travel Style
The Grand Hotel – BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCE
Luxurious, enchanting, magical, and timeless – this is what you’ll feel at The Grand Hotel. The Grand is the most visited and iconic of all the Mackinac Island Hotels. You’ll find modern amenities with traditions that keep the hotel frozen in time. You can enjoy high tea in the parlor in the afternoon, or play croquet in the garden on a warm summer day. Don’t miss sitting outside on the world’s longest porch in a rocking chair watching the sunset.
Before you visit you need to watch the 1980 romantic movie “Somewhere in Time” which was filmed at the Grand Hotel! The Grand Hotel still looks the exact same today as it did when the movie was filmed in the late 1970s.
Location
Once you depart the ferry from Mackinaw City, the Grand Hotel is a 10-15 minute walk away up a slight incline. You can walk, or take a short horse taxi ride ($8 per person) up to the Grand Hotel entrance. Luggage porters will assist you in delivering your bags from the ferry to your hotel room.
Accommodations
Did you know you can stay in each of the 388 guest rooms at the Grand Hotel and never have the same experience? No two rooms at the Grand are alike! You can even stay in “Signature Suites” that reflect the lives of former Presidents, time periods, and decorating styles. A few of my favorite Signature Suites were the Lilac Suite the Somewhere in Time Suite, and the Tiffany Suite.
The decorating style at the Grand Hotel is brought to life by the colorful wallpaper and bright furniture pieces. We had a gorgeous Lake View room ( #314) with a king bed overlooking the Mackinac Bridge.
I really enjoyed the two plush chairs in the room! They were perfect to sit in and watch the sunset.
Dining
Dressing up for dinner and dining in the Grand Hotel dining room is a beloved tradition on Mackinac Island! After 6:30 pm, women are asked to wear dresses, skirts, blouses or oxford tops, pantsuits, or slacks. Gentlemen must wear a suit coat, necktie, dress shirt, and slacks for dinner, and are not allowed to wear denim or shorts to dinner.
In addition to the Main Dining Room, the Grand Hotel owns several other restaurants listed below. These restaurants do not have a dress code.
Main Dining Room – The Main Dining Room at the Grand Hotel has beautiful views of Lake Huron that overlook the iconic Grand Hotel porch. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During dinner, guests enjoy music played by the Grand Hotel Orchestra. Don’t miss trying the signature Grand Pecan Ball for dessert!
The Woods – My top recommendation! Take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride to this enchanting Tudor mansion restaurant tucked away in (you guessed it) the woods. I highly recommend ordering the creamy whitefish bisque soup and beef goulash.
The Jockey Club – Great for people watching with views of the golf course and horse-drawn carriages. The Jockey Club is known for is a great place for lunch or dinner with entrees including steak, seafood, and fresh local whitefish.
Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor – An iconic old-fashioned ice cream parlor in the Grand Hotel lobby.
Sushi Grand – Perfect for sushi lovers with handcrafted rolls created by Sushi chefs daily.
Amenities
- Full concierge service
- Complimentary WiFi
- Bath Robes
- Luxury Geranium Scented Toiletries
- Discount on dining and ferry tickets for all hotel guests
- Porter service from dock to hotel
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Live Music
- No tipping on the Grand Hotel property
- Esther Williams Swimming Pool and hot tub (open from June – early September)
- Complimentary croquet and bocce on the lawn
- Golf at the Jewel
- Fitness Center
- Astor’s Salon and Spa
The Grand Hotel runs deals and packages throughout the season – check prices and availability here. The prices of rooms range from $450 to $3100.
The Iroquois – PERFECT FOR COUPLES
Awarded a perfect 100 location points by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine for its beautiful waterfront setting, the location of Hotel Iroquois overlooking Lake Huron couldn’t be more charming. We felt so welcomed during our stay, and the hospitality from everyone at Hotel Iroquois is unmatched.
Unique to the Iroquois is their private beach for strolling in the evenings or taking in some sun. It has a more intimate feel then other hotels on the island, and with just 45 rooms, it’s best to book in advance. All stays include a delicious continental breakfast that you can enjoy inside their Carriage House Restaurant, or on the veranda.
Location
Hotel Iroquois is located just off the main street of Mackinac Island. It’s far enough away from the restaurants where you won’t hear any noise at night, but close enough where you’re minutes away from the main sights. Once you exit the ferry, it’s a short 5-minute walk to the hotel. Your luggage will be delivered by porter service from the ferry right to your hotel.
Accommodations
Hotel Iroquois has 45 suites and guest rooms that are individually decorated with custom furnishings.
The room we stayed in had gorgeous waterfront views of Lake Huron. I love the pink and green accents in the bedding and furniture.
For the ultimate romantic getaway, I recommend booking a room in one of the light-filled Tower Suites. These rooms offer stunning 14-window panoramic views overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. You can also request flowers, chocolate, or champagne to be delivered to your room during your stay here.
Dining
Carriage House Restaurant – The Carriage House is Hotel Iroquois’ award-winning restaurant that showcases the region’s freshest and locally sourced ingredients – including Michigan whitefish and lake trout.
The presentation of the dishes is spectacular. The pan-seared diver scallops and the jumbo lump crab tower are two of the most popular items on the menu. Promise me that you must save room for their homemade lemon meringue pie for dessert! Make reservations at the Carriage House for lunch or dinner in advance.
Amenities
- Complimentary light continental breakfast daily
- Room service
- Luxury Toiletries by Lather
- Full concierge service
- Full porter service from dock to the hotel
- Morning coffee in the lobby
- iPhone/iPod compatible clock radio
- Complimentary WiFi
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Flat-screen TV
- Evening turn-down
Hotel Iroquois has deals and packages throughout the season – check prices and availability here. The prices of rooms range from $270 to $1,875 depending on the season.
The Island House – PERFECT FOR A GIRLS’ TRIP!
This beautiful historic family-owned hotel has an ideal location with fantastic views along with so many enjoyable amenities. If you’re looking for spacious rooms and an indoor pool along with indoor/outdoor hot tubs – the Island House Hotel is a perfect fit. They have the friendliest on-site bike rental company, Island House Bikes, that I recommend using if you’re planning to rent bikes.
Don’t miss stargazing outside on their lawn! After a full day of exploring, it was so nice to sit in an Adirondack chair with a glass of wine and enjoy the fire from the chimineas (Spanish fire pits).
Accommodations
Their room styles range from simple, yet elegant, traditional queen and king rooms to spacious, two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites designed to house up to eight guests.
If you’re traveling as a family, or as a couple, the premium king rooms with a view are perfect! These rooms include a pull-out couch and a seating area with views overlooking the Marina.
Don’t miss trying Ryba’s fudge! The family who owns the Island House Hotel also owns Ryba’s fudge. It was one of our favorite fudge shops on the island!
Location
The Island House Hotel is located in the gorgeous Historic Marina District. Its location is perfect as it is just far enough from downtown, but you’re never more than a 5-minute walk away from the main attractions. The Island House is near Fort Mackinac with beautiful views of the harbor.
Dining
1852 Grill Room – A casually sophisticated restaurant located in the Island House Hotel that’s known for its fresh seafood and delicious steaks. During dinner, a pianist plays, and guests enjoy the harbor views from inside the dining room or the terrace patio. The Crab Croquettes and Sautéed Walleye are two of the 1852 Grill Room’s most popular dishes
Ice House BBQ – Discover this secret BBQ restaurant just around the corner from the Island House that’s only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day! Ice BBQ is a perfect spot to relax with a cold beer and enjoy home-styled smoked BBQ on a summer day.
Amenities
- Heated indoor/outdoor pool
- Hot tub and sun deck
- Full porter service from dock to the hotel
- Bike Rentals
- Complimentary WiFi
- Flat-screen TV
- USB charging ports
- Coffee Machine
- Private bathrooms
- Cable television
- Air-conditioned rooms
The Island House Hotel has different rates available throughout the season – check prices and availability here. The prices of rooms range from $270 to $1000+ depending on the season.
Helpful Tips for Mackinac Island Hotels
- The two major airports near the Mackinac Island ferry are Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) and Chippewa County International Airport (CIU). Uber and Lyft are not available at either of these airports. Be sure to arrange shuttle transportation to the ferry dock in advance, or rent a car.
- Once you arrive off the ferry, transportation to your hotel is generally not included in your nightly hotel rate. Your options are walking, or taking a horse-drawn taxi to your hotel.
- Ferry tickets can typically be purchased at a discount if you’re staying at a hotel on the island. Be sure to check with your hotel!
Traveling with Luggage
Check with the hotel prior to arriving to see if porter service is included to transport your luggage from the ferry to your hotel. All three of these hotels I mentioned above include porter service for their guests during your stay. Keep in mind it does take around 2-3 hours for your bags to arrive at your hotel with porter service. Plan accordingly if you need anything out of your bag!
When to Book
You’ll find the best deals for Mackinac Island hotels before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. Spring and fall are beautiful times to visit Mackinac Island. If you really have your heart set on a specific date, or hotel, I recommend booking at least 6-8 months in advance.
Final Thoughts
Staying on Mackinac Island allows you to immerse yourself in the historic charm that makes this island so unique. After the last ferry departs for the night, there’s no better feeling than spending a relaxing night sitting outside on your hotel patio star gazing, or just listening to the clip-clop of the horses going by your room.
Pin this image below for quick reference!
This island looks adorable. I always wanted to go here. I love the pedestrian only area and the many horse and carriages
I traveled here when I was a child with my family. We stayed nearby and just visited the island for the day. I remember how cool I thought it was and how I said I wanted to live on it. It was definitely magical. I would love to go back at some point and stay in one of these gorgeous hotels.
The Grand Hotel looks so charming and I love that wallpaper in the room! I will look into staying here if I ever visit the island!
Wow such lovely hotels ..looks so wonderful..hope to explore sometime soon
I love the idea of a stay on Mackinac Island in a quaint local spot. Great that you managed to find 3 favourites after a week on the island. We would certainly want to experience high tea in the parlour at the Grand Hotel. Amazing that no two rooms are like! And I love that there is an expectation of more formal dress in the evening. But I might be tempted by the private beach at the Iroquois. Especially if this hotel is more tailored for a couple retreat.
These hotels look incredible! I would love to get a little getaway over to Macinac and stay at the Iriquois
This place is such a vibe! I cannot wait to visit 🙂 it looks beautiful
It’s so unique! You’ll love it!
These hotels are INSANE!! 🤩🤩 The Grand Hotel looks like something straight out of a Wes Anderson film!
Such an informative post! The Grand Hotel looks like something I need to add to my list!
The Grand is truly one of a kind! You’ll love it.
Wow, what a unique set of hotels! I love an island where there is no traffic but horse traffic. Thanks for this list, definitely saving for later!
Thanks, Jen! You’ll love it when you go!
This place looks so cute! I feel like it belongs in a movie haha
It definitely felt like that!
What a beautiful place – I really thought this was in Europe until I looked up the Mackinac Island area on Google!
It’s so unique I could see where you would think it’s like Europe.
The location of the Iroquois looks hard to beat!
All three of your hotel choices look great, I’d struggle to choose between them
Great tip about the Legacy Club! Who doesn’t like promos and specials. The island looks like a pretty fantastic place to visit.
The Grand Hotel seems like a bucket list experience with its luxurious and enchanting atmosphere. I love the idea of enjoying high tea in the parlor… and sitting on the world’s longest porch in a rocking chair while watching the sunset, what a dream.
The Iroquois hotel sounds like the perfect spot for couples! The private beach and breakfast sound like a great way to start the day, and I love that they offer bikes to explore the island. I’m adding Mackinac Island to my travel list and hope to experience these charming hotels for myself!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Of course! It’s such a special place!
Great choice of hotels in Mackinac island! The room decor and layout looks good at the grand hotel. Waking up to the sound of horse hoofs is a bit unusual but interesting. I am adding Mackinac Island to my bucket list. 🙂
The interior of the grand Hotel looks so beautiful! But any of these places to stay on the island look so fun and charming. Love this!
All of these hotels look amazing! This came in hany because we’re actually planning a trip to Mackinac Island soon!