When the Grand Hotel opened its doors for the first time in 1887, it set the gold standard for summer vacationers. The Victorian hotel is a National Historic Landmark and continues to offer the best of modern amenities for visitors to Mackinac Island.
The hotel still observes a dress code for most of its thirteen on property restaurants. In fact, the day I visited in jeans, I qualified only to eat in the ice cream parlor. They offer high tea and dancing in the evenings. Here I am in my jeans on their fabulous front porch.
History talks, activities at the pool and stables, croquet and themed luncheons are among some activities I noticed on the daily schedule. Themed weekends and events make for a lot of fun throughout the season.
Plus, the world’s longest porch is a terrific place to relax in a rocking chair and take in the view. The views are pretty spectacular too! A rolling lawn and manicured gardens overlook the lake. It really is gorgeous.
Of course, shoulder season rooms start at about $300 with no meals and go up to over $1,400 a night. Since this was not in the road trip budget, we were not there to spend the night but to simply be tourists and take a $10 self guided tour.
I was excited to see some pictures and artifacts from the hotel’s lengthy history including mementoes from the 1980 cult classic Somewhere In Time. Tbat movie is what inspired me to visit the island so seeing some of the movie landmarks and items was a treat.
The hotel is decorated in Victorian style which, by today’s standards, looks somewhere between opulent and tacky. Oddly enough, the over-the-top decor reminded me a little of Elvis Presley’s Memphis home Graceland.
The place has a rich history. In fact, Mark Twain lectured here in 1895 and a radio salon was added in 1935 to allow hotel guests a place to enjoy their favorite radio programs. In the last few decades, they have added a hair salon, jeweler and a golf pro shop. The hotel celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2007 by adding air conditioning to guest rooms.
The timeline of how they have added new rooms and features makes one think this amazing landmark is constantly a work in progress.
I like that idea. While they are rooted in many traditions like proper dress codes and afternoon croquet, they are open to changes that improve the guest experience.
Want to learn more about the Grand Hotel? Click here to visit their website. Even if you don’t spend the night, it’s a must-see when you visit Mackinac Island!
The over the top decor isn’t my style, but I do want to take the $10 tour. Since my husband wears jeans almost all the time, we would only be allowed in the ice cream parlor, too. 🙂 We have neighbors that got married there and visit every year for their anniversary. Their room is $500 a night. I think they stay 4 or 5 nights. We stay in our camper. 🙂 I haven’t ever watched “Somewhere in Time”, so that seems like a good thing to do before we visit. Your posts are also meaningful to me as my dad worked on Mackinac Island after he graduated high school. I don’t know if he worked at the Grand Hotel though. From there he joined the Air Force and served in WWII. Thanks for your post. I enjoyed seeing all the pictures. The first one with the walk up to the hotel is a great photo!
Hi Betty! I hope you enjoy your visit. It really is an incredible place but it sounds like you have a special connection to the island. You absolutely need to watch the movie before you go. Seeing the hotel was so much more significant because I recognized a lot of places from movie scenes. It’s also just a really nice movie.
My lodging budget is typically modest so I’ll be happy with my $10 tour! Lol.
We will be happy with the $10 tour, too! It’s campgrounds for us when we travel! 🙂
I love that you have a home on wheels!
We are not full timers, but we do travel in our camper as much as we can! We love it!
The very thought makes me happy!
A very intriguing place!
A must-see indeed! I would would spring for one night, anyway (not the $1400 room). I see that the movie is available free on tubi tv. Almost watched it last night but had some internet/tv issues. Soon!
They have Somewhere In Time theme weekend when people dress up and take part in dances and dinners. I have always thought that would be a sight to behold! Enjoy the movie!
I came across your essay after Jim linked to it. Glad I visited, I enjoyed the pictures. My wife and I got married really young and had our honeymoon on Mackinac Island. We were still in college and could only afford a little room in the upstairs of a house by the ferry dock. But we made the trek up to the Grand Hotel. It was so fancy to us, we were afraid to even go to the ice cream parlor, lol. That’s why I doubly enjoyed your essay.
I’m so glad you visited and shared your story! What a lovely memory. Honestly, the ice cream parlor was a bit expensive too but it was a fun splurge on a warm late summer day.
This sounds like an amazing place, with lots to see. I love the idea of sitting on that long porch and taking in the views…
Oh my gosh. This place is amazing. Have you seen Somewhere In Time? It isn’t great cinema but it’s a fun cult classic !
I’ve not yet seen Somewhere in Time, but I know people who RAVE about this film. Time to see it, methinks!
Let me know what you think!