Top 10 Reasons to Splurge on a Trip to the Grand Hotel

Earlier this month my husband George and I took an anniversary getaway to Mackinac Island off the upper peninsula of Michigan. We had heard of Mackinac through friends and also from the 1980 film “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It seemed like a great choice for romance, history and a special experience. The next challenge was deciding where to stay. The historic Grand Hotel where the movie was filmed is both elegant and expensive. Peak season rooms can run $825 or more per night. My husband is retired, so we are probably more mindful than we used to be about paying that much. Would it be worth it?

After checking availability and amenities at other very lovely inns and hotels on the island, we also asked the opinion of our friends on social media. Those who had stayed at The Grand chimed in quickly. They said DO IT! We also found a discounted package rate for two nights that included breakfast, high tea, 5-course dinner and golf too. And so we did it. It was amazing. Below are the top 10 reasons we now agree that it is worth taking this splurge.

1. No plane fare needed! We departed Strongsville Ohio at 5am and arrived at the Mackinac ferry around 11 am. The drive was very easy, with minimal traffic and got us there on a tank of gas. Yes, there is a fee for the 15-minute ferry ride and to park your car, but it is minor. Luggage transport from the ferry is part of the deal when you stay at The Grand.
2. The 660 Foot Porch – This is the biggest front porch in the world. It overlooks the water and a beautiful garden. It invites you to grab a white rocker and a cold drink to breathe in the flowers, natural beauty and the peace. Priceless!
3. Historic Beauty – Built in 1887, the hotel makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. Elegantly decorated in vibrant colors and filled with antique furnishings, you can imagine what it was like to be here over a century ago. Each room is custom decorated. Our room featured wallpaper with lilacs and peonies on it, which reflected just what was in bloom during our visit. We had a large room with air conditioning and a nice modern bathroom. Some of the stairways are a bit tilted, which added to our fun.
4. The View – The hotel is perched high above everything on the island. From our 4^th floor room we had a beautiful little porch with two chairs and a magnificent view of the full moon over the water. The Cupola Bar above the 4^th floor offered splendid 360-degree views, live music and the perfect spot for watching the sunset.
5. Clip Clops – There are no motorized vehicles on the island and you’ll never miss them. Over 500 horses serve for hauling, baggage handling, group tours and taxi service. The lovely rhythm of the hooves will make you smile. Minimal need to worry about where you step since professional street sweepers are on duty everywhere.
6. High Tea – Our package included a sumptuous high tea each day that gave us good reason to call this a late lunch. Tea is served in the main parlor in late afternoon each day. The delicious assortment included savories (crab cake, cheese, tea sandwiches) and sweets (scone, jam, clotted cream, macaroon, chocolate strawberry and more) along with a pot of tea and a flute of champagne. There was also a harpist playing modern classics throughout teatime. It was magical.
7. Flowers – Every turn brought floral splendor. The sea of tulips that greet you at the entrance make quite an impression. The front porch planters are filled with over 2500 red geraniums. Beyond the main building, the gardens are bursting with color. Early June was filled with ferns, lilacs, tulips, peonies and more.
8. Exceptional Service – Professional uniformed staff at every turn make your stay delightful. Many are here from the Philippines, Jamaica and Eastern Europe. They are extremely friendly and hard working. There is no tipping for service, dining or drinks so considering what we might have paid in tips; the package price is even more attractive.   The staff is eager to please and gave us consistent 5 star service.
9. Dining in Style – Breakfast and dinner are included in your package and they are part of the wow experience. The food is delicious. If you arrive early and ask for a nice table with a view, you’ll probably get one. Everyone must dress up after 6:30 in the hotel, which makes dinnertime special. The menu changes each day and each course is visually stunning. We dine out often and regard our meals here as some of the best we have ever been served.
10. Romance – We’ve been married for 31 years and staying here made it feel like we were on our honeymoon. A perfect combination of quiet, beauty, luxury, privacy and comfort gave us reason to focus on each other. We laughed, hiked, enjoyed drinks on the porch, shopped and explored the island. We could have danced to a live band each night after dinner, but somehow we never made it to the ballroom. I guess we’ll have to return again to have that experience.