Grand Hotel - August - These prices are for real??

Not to be naive but $600 per night for the lowest-priced room? Do people really pay these prices, or am I missing a better way to book? And for anyone who has been to Mackinac, is it worth the price?

We are a mid-40s couple traveling for a week, thinking we%26#39;ll fly into Traverse City and split the week between TC and Mackinac Island. Does that make sense? We%26#39;re not rugged, looking for some sightseeing and relaxation. Thanks!

Grand Hotel - August - These prices are for real??

Hello!

Good to hear you%26#39;re planning a trip to Northern Michigan! I love the Grand Hotel, but $600/night seems steep. Maybe you were checking specific dates that for one reason or another are more expensive, but I believe their standard rates start at $470 per couple. Remember, these rates include a gourmet five course meal in the Grand Dining Room, a priceless experience in itself and a full on hot breakfast served in the dining room, or in your guest room. The dinner and breakfast alone would cost you well over $200 anywhere on the island. Sure, the Grand%26#39;s more expensive than other hotels on the island, but it has a lot more to offer than other hotels on the island, and it%26#39;s much, much more of an experience. For a special or memorable trip, I wouldn%26#39;t go anywhere else.

As for your general travel plans, I think you%26#39;re definitely on the right track. I%26#39;d fly into Traverse, spend two nights there checking out the city, wineries, etc. I%26#39;d then head up to Petoskey for two nights, spending some time in Petoskey, Charlevoix and Harbor Springs before heading up for two or three nights on the island...depending on what time your departure is, you might want to spend your last night back in TC.

There%26#39;s a lot to see and do in Northern Michigan, posters on this forum are very helpful and will surely chime in with suggestions, favorite spots, etc. Thanks for coming to Northern Michigan, I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll have an absolute blast!

Grand Hotel - August - These prices are for real??

I would change the order of cities visited. Ending up IN TC so you don;t have to be on the road the day your are flying out.

Yes, it is very expensive to stay at the Grand Hotel. It is a neat place to see, but it%26#39;s not worth the money, in my opinion. Yes, the main dining room offers a delicious meal and the views from the porch are marvelous. Your room on the other hand, is not all that spectacular. You get a relatively small room and if it%26#39;s a ';cheaper'; room, you will most likely be facing the workers quarters in the back of the hotel. Some rooms do not have an air conditioner (only a fan) to cool your room, on an August day in Michigan, a fan just doesn%26#39;t cut it!

With that said, it is still a nice place to come see if not necessarily stay at...

You can find quite a few nice hotels in Mackinaw City and take the ferry across for a day trip. The city offers some nice attractions as well.

I tend to agree with dmac...

But it is still worth while to spend a night or two on the island.

There is an abundance of wonderful hotels on the island that can offer a very nice stay for a lot less cash.

I always say if someone really, really wants to stay at the Grand Hotel, then do so for one night (do you need a view, really?), then go somewhere else for the remainder of your visit. That way, you get to see everything the hotel and grounds have to offer, you get to eat that dinner and see the entertainment, have breakfast, and sit on the porch all you want. You wouldn%26#39;t be in your room much anyway, you%26#39;d be on the porch, in the pool, golfing, walking, admiring the beautiful flower gardens, eating, touring the hotel, shopping in the shops, having a drink in the bar, and so on. Then head to a cheaper destination, though I can%26#39;t really recommend one...whatever you do, enjoy your trip!

If you do stay at the Grand, be sure to pack some nice clothes. There is a dress code in the evening.

There is some good advice already posted, so I%26#39;ll just add my thoughts.

I%26#39;ve never stayed at the Grand Hotel, but have dinner in their dining room once each visit. It usually costs the two of us around $200 if we have a bottle of wine with dinner. There is a dress code as mentioned, so we take a taxi from downtown to the hotel to avoid a long walk.

If you opt to stay in town (which is my recommendation), I%26#39;ve stayed at the Bay View Bed %26amp; Breakfast, which offered a very nice view, great coffee and a fantastic dessert each evening (in addition to breakfast). They also have a dock behind the hotel and a second story deck that is perfect for relaxing.

You might also check the Hotel Iroquois which has an excellent waterfront location and very nice outdoor dining.

Be sure to visit the Public Library, right across the lawn from the Iroquois, it%26#39;s my new favorite place to relax on the island.

Best wishes for a great trip!

I like the Grand Hotel, but the best room we had was at the Iroquois Hotel.

Just as a heads up, if you%26#39;re thinking of the Grand, call and ask what specials they have going for your dates...there%26#39;s almost always some kind of a deal to be had. We just got a mailing as return guests that offers rates of $185 per person per night for the first night (half off the second night OR pay the $185 per person for the first two nights and get the third free for most weekend dates in May and June). Maybe mention that and see what they say...at any rate, you%26#39;ll do better than the best rate posted online and while I%26#39;ll admit to being a bit of an hotel snob, I HIGHLY recommend the Grand.

Great suggestions so far. We stayed at the Grand on our honeymoon about 15 years ago, and while we enjoyed the stay, we agreed it just was not worth the price. If you want to experience the Grand without staying overnight, I would suggest taking in the buffet lunch. You eat in the beautiful dining room, enjoy the porch (the best part of the hotel in my opinion), but don%26#39;t have to pay that price for the overnight. I find that if you pay that price you often feel compelled to stay on the grounds and not enjoy all the Island has to offer.

There are so many wonderful places to stay (and eat!) on the Island from quaint Bed and Breakfasts various size hotels, and even condo and house rentals. Check out some of the them with the information here on TA, and enjoy at least a couple nights. We usually stay for 2-3 nights and it is NEVER enough. We are hoping to stay a full week next year. Keep in mind that early August is one of the peak times. If you can swing it, go for later in August and you may find the prices more affordable. Also keep in mind that most of these places are historic and therefore the rooms are often cozy (ie on the small side). One nice exception is Main Street Inn and Suites.

Happy planning!