Step back in time. With no motor cars on the island, you will arrive by ferryboat, then catch a horse-drawn taxi cab up to the hotel. The rhythmic clip-clop of horseshoes, and an occasional bicycle bell, is all the traffic noise you’ll hear. This is luxury from another era. The Grand Hotel opened its doors in 1887 and the architecture has been painstakingly preserved. Guests are provided with every modern amenity, yet you’ll think you’ve arrived in the 19th century.
The hotel’s plush seating areas invite you to relax and loiter, but you’ll also want to wander down the halls: there are numerous displays, shops, amenities, and gardens to visit on the hotel grounds. In fact, you’ll want to explore the whole island, accessible by foot, bicycle (easily rented), or carriage. Mackinac’s attractions range from an historic fort to tourist traps to the island’s famous and decadent fudge shops. Return in the evening in time to dress for a five-course dinner, elegantly served to guests each night in the formal dining room.
The Grand has so much to offer
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac (pronounced “Mackinaw”) is one of the last grand summer resorts. The full-service accommodations and luxurious grounds are remnants of the Gilded Age. Guests can still play croquet and bocci ball on the lawn by the Tea Garden, just as they did when the hotel first opened. The Grand’s front porch is the longest in the world, and provides a lovely sitting area with a clear view of the Mackinac Straits; or you can just sip tea and watch the carriages wheel by.
Outdoor amenities include The Jewel golf course, tennis courts, a heated, serpentine-shaped pool, and a fitness trail, all bordered by extensive manicured gardens. Indoor distractions include a full-service spa and several specialty shops, not to mention the gorgeous settings that vary from room to room in the common areas. The hotel employs full-time musicians, and live music filters through the main floor every day and night.
Award-winning accommodations with an envious history
Both the hotel itself and the island in general boast rich histories. Mark Twain lectured in the Grand’s Casino in 1895. Released in 1980, the film, Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, was shot on location amidst the hotel’s posh period look. Over the years, Presidents Truman, Kennedy, Ford, Bush, and Clinton have stayed here.
You won’t want to say goodbye
And it’s easy to see why – every room features the renowned talents of New York interior designer, Carleton Varney, and no two guest rooms are alike! There are also three dozen named rooms exhibiting a range of historical periods; each one sports a different theme and style, and many pay homage to notable hotel guests and historical figures, such as the Jane Seymour Suite or The Lodge of Teddy Roosevelt.
Bring home warm memories
Whichever room you stay in, though, you will find that the service is professional and warm, the atmosphere is elegant and inviting, and the memories of your time here will not soon fade. Indeed, you’ll long to return for another visit.
History
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