The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan

I keep a running “Bucket List” of resorts around the country (and a few spots “Over The Pond”) I dream about visiting and at the very top of the list for the past several years has been The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan.This past summer, we had the good fortune to spend an overnight at The Grand Hotel, and I promise the resort exceeded my (very high) expectations. I am already dreaming of returning soon.

Known as America’s Summer Place, The Grand Hotel opened in 1887 as THEE summer resort of the Great Lakes region. Carleton Varney, who worked with famed designer Dorothy Draper and then took over her design firm, designed the public and private interior spaces of the resort.

During the spring and summer months, the resort property comes alive with over 150 varieties of flowers (everything from over 2,500 geraniums, roses, and peonies to lilies, daisies, and begonias).  Today, over 150,000 guests stay at the Grand Hotel each season, and for good reason- the hospitality, the views, the amenities, the food (the hotel serves up to 4,00 meals a day!), the daily activities all transport guests to a early 20th century dreamland.

The 660 foot porch, the longest front porch in the WORLD, is the perfect spot to watch the sun rise and set, play a round of card games, enjoy an afternoon drink or snack, and sit and take in the beautiful views of the Straits of Mackinac and Lake Huron. Each morning staff hangs each flag from the front porch before sunrise, and each night at sunset, staff honorably lowers and folds each flag.

Planning Ahead: The Grand Hotel is a seasonal resort, traditionally open from late April/ early May through mid to late October. The resort often sells out popular summer dates months in advance (I booked a year before our visit). We strongly suggest booking as soon as you know your dates; be aware there is a $100 processing fee if you cancel once a date is booked and a $50 date change fee per day (as of summer 2026). 

Located on Mackinac Island means taking a ferry or private chartered plan to the island and then walking, biking, or taking a carriage “taxi” to the resort, since cars are not allowed.  Most people leave their car in Mackinaw City (there are designated lots that charge $20 per night in 2026) and take a ferry from one of two companies: Shepler’s or Arnold Transit . Both companies are highly regarded, have ferries that leave from both the island and the main and every 30ish minutes, and are comparable in pricing. Both companies also have docks seemingly next to each other on the island. We took the first ferry of the day with the Arnold Transit Company and it worked out so well- no lines at all, quiet ride, and we were on island having breakfast by 8:15am. 

The Grand Hotel is famous for its dress guide (read about it here). Most notably, after 6:30pm every guest must adhere to a strict guide (pants, collared shirt, jacket and tie for men and dresses, skirts and formal wear for women) and no shorts or jeans of any kind for any guest. Guest Services has jackets, shirts, and sports coats to lend guests.  See more of the resort’s policies here.

Getting around the island: We found most of the island easy to navigate and walk with sneakers. We walked from the “downtown” area to and from the resort multiple times (clocking 21,000 steps in one day!) in less than 20 minutes. 

However, there are frequent horse drawn “carriage taxis” that will pick people up from various locations in town and bring them to and from the resort (typically $9 per person per ride in the summer of 2026). The bellmen at the resort also help with arranging carriage taxis.

Luggage: Since we were only staying one night, we chose to pack lightly with just a carry on bag and backpack. However, the resort offers luggage service to and from the ferry to your room. More information on luggage here. Note: The resort automatically charges a luggage fee when you make a reservation; if you do not use the service, you can request the charge be removed from your account. 

See good maps of the resort property here and here and more of the resorts policies here.

Accommodation options: The Grand Hotel offers a wide variety of traditional rooms and suites, ranging from lake or golf view rooms with or without balconies, one and two bedroom suites (names for prominent American figures in history), and even cottages. All rooms feature the signature design of Dorothy Draper, and amenities including air conditioning, WiFi, in room safe, and nightly turn down service. We stayed in a traditional room with a king bed and lake view and had plenty of space to spread out and relax. See the full index of accommodations here. 

Dining Options: The Grand Hotel has 13 different options for restaurants and bars on property. There is also an option to add a meal plan to your reservation, with special savings if you add it when you make your initial reservation. Our recommendations for families include:

• Main Dining Room: Located in the main resort on the main level; open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with beautiful views of the front porch and Straits of Mackinac in the distance, menus here. We loved our breakfast, which included an impressive buffet and made to order favorites and drinks.  **Note: Dress code required for dinner.
• The Jockey Club: Located just across the path to the right of the main resort with a cozier vibe and the only wood fire grill on the island, the Jockey Club has both indoor and outdoor patio dining; open for lunch and dinner daily, menus (including kids!) here.
• Mackinac Island Pizza Company: Located on the left side of the road leading to the main resort, Pizza Company offers deep dish Detroit style pizza, along with salads and sandwiches and stays open late (11am-2am!) with both indoor and outdoor patio seating; menus here.
• Gate House: Located next to the Pizza Company, Gate House is open for lunch and dinner and offers a robust menu of American favorites, including small pates and appetizers for sharing to wings, burgers, and salads, plus a lengthy drink menu; menus here. 
• Caskey’s: Located next to the Woodlands Nature Center, Caskey’s offers hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, and treats..and a very reasonable $10 lunch special.
• Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor:  Located on the Parlor Level of the main resort near the shops, Sadie’s serves ice cream, sundaes, specialty drinks, and their famous croffles starting at 11am each day; there is both indoor and outdoor patio seating; menus here.
• Grand Coffee and Provisions: Located on the Parlor Level near the shops and open from 6:30am-11pm, Grand Coffee and Provisions offers a wide variety of grab and go breakfast and lunch items, desserts, and tons of hot and cold drink options; plenty of seating along the windows across from the shop and on the front porch; menu here. 

Activities Kids will Love:

• The Esther Williams Pool complex: Named for the famous actress who starred in This Time for Keeps, filmed at the resort in the 1940s, the pool complex includes a large swimming pool (with zero depth entry, sprinkler area, and water slide), whirlpool, and an adults only infinity edge pool. The pool area also has plenty of lounge areas, cabana for rental, food and beverage service, and a Fitness Center located in the Pool House.  Duck Derby Races are a famous, daily tradition!
• Lawn games, including bocce, corn hole, and cricket on the front lawn. More info here. 
• The Woodland Nature Center: Located next to the Secret Garden and before the pool complex, the Nature Center includes a greenhouse and opportunities to engage in horseshoe painting, flower pot painting, and even planting.
• Miniature Golf: The Gem, 18 hole miniature course, located in the Nature Center.
• Cedar Grove Bike Track: The bike track is open to everyone and has over 400 feet of aggregate chip seal surface, according to the website.  The resort also rents bikes by the hour or day.
• Check the daily schedule for other family centered activities like meeting the horses and coachmen, sunset scavenger hunts, and family golf scramble.

Other Amenities and Activities:

Be sure to check the daily schedule for up to date information on days and times and reservation requirements. 

• The Grand Hotels offers a variety of weekly tours and lectures, including guided Grand Hotel History Tours, Stable Tours, Kitchen Tours and Wine Tastings, West Bluff Architecture Tour, and lectures on movies filmed on Mackinac, the history of the front porch, and the interior design of the resort. More information here. 
• Sports: The Nine is the Grand Hotel’s 18 hole golf course, open to the public- more information here. There are also pickleball, shuffleboard, and bocce courts on resort property and equipment available to rent in the Woodland Activity Center. 
• Shopping: The Grand Hotel is home to almost a dozen boutiques (women and men’s clothing, golf clothing, pool shop, gardening, and home decor), a salon and spa, and a photographer.  Guests are also welcome to shop online here. 
• Social Hour: Every evening in the Main Parlor there are live performances from pianists and harpists. There’s also nightly entertainment in the Terrace Room with the Grand Hotel Orchestra playing classics that will engage all ages. Note: Dress code is required for Social Hour and the Terrace Room.
• Art Galleries: A rotating art exhibit is on display on the main floor of the resort to the left of the Terrace Room. For summer 2026, the exhibit is a selection of paintings from the Manoogian Collection.