Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island, MI)

In September 2021 I took a road trip with my cousins to Mackinac Island in Michigan. Now, before I go any further, let me ask you…do you know how to correctly pronounce Mackinac Island? I only ask because prior to my visit I was saying it all wrong! Before l set off, I was telling a friend about my upcoming trip, and I would pronounce Mackinac as Mack-i-nack. My friend kept asking me if I was pronouncing it right, because he thought it was pronounced Mack-i-naw. Well, we looked it up and my friend was right – the correct pronunciation is Mack-i-naw. According to mackinacisland.org, “Mackinac Island is a shortened version of the Native American name pronounced Michilimackinac. The Anishinaabek people named this area and Mackinac Island Michilimackinac, meaning place of the great turtle.” I’m glad I learned the correct pronunciation before arriving!

There was so much to see on Mackinac Island, and I look forward to sharing it all with you. Today I’m excited to tell you all about the Grand Hotel! Located on Northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island, Grand Hotel beckons you to a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm. Grand Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1887 and they continue to embrace its rich history with inspired enhancements and cherished traditions.

Before my visit to Mackinac Island, I was told by many people to watch the 1980 film, Somewhere in Time. The movie stars Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymore, and Christopher Plummer, and it was filmed on Mackinac Island at Grand Hotel. Here’s a summary of the movie: In 1972, playwright Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) becomes fascinated by a photo of Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour), a turn-of-the-century stage actress, while staying at the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan. As Richard’s obsession grows, he learns from a friend that time travel may actually be possible through hypnosis. Richard travels in time to meet Elise, and the two appear destined to be together. However, Elise’s jealous manager (Christopher Plummer) attempts to keep them apart. Released in 1980, it’s an older movie of course, but it was neat to see the inside of Grand Hotel prior to my visit. I encourage you to give it a watch!

Grand Hotel officially opened on July 10, 1887, and is celebrating its 135^th birthday this year! The hotel was built in just 93 days and is made up of over 1,500,000 feet of Michigan white pine. Grand Hotel was built as a summer retreat for vacationers who arrive by lake steamer from Chicago, Erie, Montreal, Detroit, and by rail from across the continent. At that time the hotel’s season was two months long during July and August, and now the season lasts approximately six months from May to October.

When my cousins and I visited Mackinac Island we didn’t stay at Grand Hotel, but that didn’t prevent us from seeing the beautiful indoors of the hotel and lovely views from the Front Porch (which is reputed to be the longest porch in the world – the entire length of the hotel)! The hotel is easily accessible from downtown by way of walking, biking, or a horse drawn taxi. Because we were not guests of the hotel there was an admission fee of $10 per person, which we redeemed at the Admissions Desk located at the east end entrance. You can also purchase your admission tickets online prior to your visit, and then visit at your convenience and check-in at the Admissions Desk when you arrive. The admission fee is well worth everything you have access to at the hotel! Your admission will include a self-guided brochure with QR codes that link to videos to learn more about the areas you can visit. You are encouraged to explore the grounds, relax on the Front Porch, purchase Grand Hotel retail items from the shops, enjoy the Grand Luncheon Experience in the Main Dining Room, or Afternoon Tea in the Parlor. My cousins and I checked out the many pictures and information the hotel has from the movie, Somewhere in Time, the lobby area, shops, and of course the magnificent Front Porch! The views from the Front Porch are unbelievable! Truthfully, the views from anywhere on Mackinac Island are unbelievable, but the views from the Grand Hotel’s Front Porch are breath-taking for sure!

Grand Hotel reminded me a bit of Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA. Both right up against the water (although one a lake and the other an ocean – haha!) with spectacular views! So beautiful!

Something I didn’t know about until after my trip is the Secret Garden at Grand Hotel. It’s definitely on my list for my next visit! The Secret Garden provides a new experience each and every season. Located in a large area in the middle of the gardens, but still very much hidden, it features two distinct sections: one full of perennials and the other dedicated to a spring flower bulb display, which is then replanted with ever-changing annuals for bright splashes of color. If you can’t find the Secret Garden, there are a couple of established paths on the hotel grounds that run right through it, or the staff are happy to show the way. Let me know if you get a chance to see the Secret Garden!

For guests of Grand Hotel (see the Grand Hotel’s website for reservations) there are numerous indoor and outdoor activities to explore. Indoor activities include Afternoon Tea, Astor’s Salon & Spa, dining and cocktails at 14 bars and restaurants, fitness center, boutique shopping, and the Grand sounds of live music. Outdoor activities on the 167 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens include golf at the Jewel, tennis, bicycling, croquet, bocci ball, softball, volleyball, a vita course, horseback riding, and carriage tours. Wow – so much to do!

Oh, another thing I thought would be interesting to share – as you come up to Grand Hotel there is a sign about the proper dress required at the hotel and the hotel owned street:

• Gentlemen after 6 p.m. must be attired in coat and tie; and
• Ladies may not be attired in slacks.

Here’s some interesting information about the history of the Grand Hotel from Historic Hotels of America:

The Grand Hotel first opened at a time when Mackinac Island itself was transforming into a vacation hotspot for Midwestern tourists. Sensing opportunity, representatives from the Michigan Central Railroad, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, and the Detroit and Cleveland Steamship Navigation Company formed the Mackinac Island Hotel Company. These individuals saw Mackinac Island as the perfect place to construct a luxurious hotel for recreational travel. The group commissioned the Detroit-based architectural firm, Mason and Rice, to make their dream a reality. The work was completely overseen by Charles Caskey, a prominent resort builder who had created a number of seasonal cottages throughout the area. Together with his brother-in-law, Caskey gradually created a stunning five-story resort hotel based on plans provided by Mason and Rice. The building soon featured outstanding amenities, including dining facilities, meeting spaces, and 286 gorgeous guestrooms. Its exterior radiated stunning Queen Anne-inspired architecture, although accents of American Colonial Revivalism appeared all around the façade, too.

When it finally opened in 1887, the Grand Hotel quickly emerged as the preferred destination for vacationers from places like Chicago, Detroit, and Montréal, among other places. The hotel’s 600-foot Front Porch soon became the primary meeting spot for anyone on Mackinac Island. A number of American figures frequented the Grand Hotel around this time as well, including Thomas Edison, Mark Twain, and Presidents Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt.

Later the owners of Grand Hotel were W. Stewart Woodfill (1930’s) and R.D. “Dan” Musser (1979). Each owner initiated an ongoing series of renovations that continued to preserve the rich heritage of the Grand Hotel. Currently under the ownership of KSL Capital Partners, the Grand Hotel continues to be a celebrated holiday destination.

Also check out the Grand Hotel Timeline on the Grand Hotel website for more historical information.

I really enjoyed my visit to Grand Hotel and hope you plan a visit soon to see this historic hotel for yourself!

Additional Source: Grand Hotel Mackinac Island (Robert M. Tagatz)