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Inside the Grand Hotel

Updated on October 24, 2014
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An Experience Worthy of a Bucket-list

On a small island in the Great Lake Huron off the coast of Michigan sits a treasure: The Grand Hotel.

Perched on a gently rising hill and looking out over Lake Huron and the Mackinac Bridge, it is a perfect place to have a truly grand experience. You must take a ferry to get to Mackinac Island and once there, your mode of transportation will only be, horse, horse-drawn carriage, bicycle or by foot.

Until you can go yourself, here is a pictorial journey to the inside of this truly amazing hotel on this very unique island.

You May Take a Ferry from Mackinaw City of St. Ignace - No cars on these ferries!

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Mackinaw CIty is on the south side of the bridge which connects the upper and lower peninsulas of the state of Michigan. St. Ignace is on the north side of the bridge. Ferries run from both of these towns to Mackinac Island, but the Mackinaw City side is the most used of the ferry systems.

Getting There

A
Mackinac Island:
Mackinac Island, Michigan

get directions

B
Take the ferry from here.:
Mackinac City, Michigan

get directions

C
Alternate ferry location:
St. Ignace, Michigan

get directions

If You're Going to Mackinac Island… - Here's a Guidebook For You

The island may be small, but there's a lot to see and do, so a guide book can be very useful. Here you go!

Guidebook for both Mackinac City on the mainland and Mackinac Island

Mackinac (Tourist Town Guides)
Mackinac (Tourist Town Guides)
 Buy Now
 

Grand Hotel Taxi - Travel in Style

If you are a guest at the Grand Hotel, you will have your suitcases transported there by a luggage cart, but you have the option of walking or taking a carriage like this one. I recommend getting a ride up when you first arrive.
If you are a guest at the Grand Hotel, you will have your suitcases transported there by a luggage cart, but you have the option of walking or taking a carriage like this one. I recommend getting a ride up when you first arrive. | Source

And, There it is Coming Into View…

It's exciting when you see the hotel appear around the corner.
It's exciting when you see the hotel appear around the corner. | Source

Your "Taxi" Driver

The drivers are dressed in "grand" style to match the carriages.
The drivers are dressed in "grand" style to match the carriages. | Source

Greeting You Upon Arrival - The End of the Long Porch & Entry Gardens

There are flowers everywhere.
There are flowers everywhere. | Source

Hotel View From The Grounds Below

The large lawn below the hotel has a lovely fountain, more gardens, a pool and more.
The large lawn below the hotel has a lovely fountain, more gardens, a pool and more. | Source

At The Second Level: the Extremely Long Grand Porch

The Grand Hotel is known for it's very, very long porch.
The Grand Hotel is known for it's very, very long porch. | Source

You will enter the hotel from below on arrival, but you will spend a lot of your time on this beautiful porch which overlooks the grounds and the lake beyond.

Porch Chairs of the Grand… - Fill it's length, providing plenty of seating for you to enjoy a cocktail after dinner…

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The Porch is Like Yet Another Room at the Hotel - Morning, noon and night, the porch is busy, but empty now only because dinner service has begun.

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Red Geraniums Are the Signature Flower…

Red Geraniums line window boxes on either side of the porch.
Red Geraniums line window boxes on either side of the porch. | Source

…And Favorite Symbol of the Grand Hotel

You will find this image all over. This one is on the headboard of a double bed in one of the rooms.
You will find this image all over. This one is on the headboard of a double bed in one of the rooms. | Source

The Upper Lobby is Beautiful - It leads you to the porch, the dining room, ballroom and a cozy bar

This is also the level where rooms begin.
This is also the level where rooms begin. | Source

Here is a Very Sweet Bedroom - They are each different, which makes it extra fun

This was such a sweet room overlooking the lake and bridge.
This was such a sweet room overlooking the lake and bridge. | Source

A Close Look at the Bedroom Fabric & Wallpaper Detail - Each room is carefully designed

All custom designed.
All custom designed. | Source

And Some Have Stunning Views - See the bridge in the background?

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Just One of the Unique Carpet Patterns - Trilliums: my favorite woodland flower

Trilliums: one of Michigan's Spring woodland flowers.
Trilliums: one of Michigan's Spring woodland flowers. | Source

You Can Expect a Chocolate on Your Pillow Each Night

This can get habit-forming.
This can get habit-forming. | Source

And, Another Bedroom… - Here is Room # 23

This room was for a trip I made to reconnect with an old friend from high school days. Delightful memories.
This room was for a trip I made to reconnect with an old friend from high school days. Delightful memories. | Source

Another Upper Lobby With Flowers - The hotel has it's own flower shop

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One of My Favorite Aspects of the Grand Hotel… - The tremendous variety of light fixtures

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Chandeliers

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Of All Sizes and Colors

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Unusual Ceiling Fixtures - This one is in a bedroom

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Everywhere You Venture… - …More beautiful lighting

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And, My Favorite: Umbrella Lights - …in the Breakfast Room

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Lighting and Mirrors: Could it Be More Stunning? - This is a view into the dining room

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Crystal Here, Crystal There, Crystal Everywhere…

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Side Entry for the Dining Room

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Grand Hotel Staff Come From all Over the World

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Lower Level Lobby Shops: an art gallery, a jewelry store, fine clothing shop, tea room, tea store and a flower shop.

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There Are Great Details All Over the Hotel

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall - Behind a carefully crafted ship

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Plate in the Main Lobby

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Painting of a Little Girl: Detail

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Detail on Lobby Decor

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Three-sided Chair at the Entry

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Every Hallway is Decorated

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Wall Mural

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Walll Mural

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Memories of the Grand - When it's time to check out, it's always hard to leave

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Somewhere In Time
Somewhere In Time
Just the music. Very sweet sounds and also a great price for this CD.
 Buy Now
 

Remind Yourself of Where You Were - "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve

This lovely movie was filmed at The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. Every year they have a showing in honor of the movie and the era in which it was set. It is very romantic.

The Grand Looking Like a Ship in the Fog - It is an experience you will probably never forget…

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Somewhere in Time [DVD]
Somewhere in Time [DVD]
This is a DVD and what a great price for it!
 Buy Now
 
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