Has anyone ever been to Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel?

We spent the night there one night, for our 30th wedding anniversary. It is very, very expensive, but it was a dream vacation. You reserve the room ahead. They pick you up in a horse drawn carriage at the ferry dock, and take care of your luggage.

We had a nice room, old fashioned. French doors opened to a little balcony. Left that balcony door opened at night, could hear horses hooves on the cobblestones. A maid came in to turn down our bed in the evening. They set a paper beside our door for us to read. There was a little bar and pantry, where you could buy expensive booze and snacks right in your room. Way more than it should have cost, but I opened an individual wine, and a can of nuts to munch on.

We had dinner in that same dining too, seated very near to where Christopher must have sat to film in that room. You have to dress up for dinner. They have live chamber music playing through dinner. It was a 5 course meal (if I remember right), lots of silverware. One setting for each course. The had waiters stationed very close, ready to assist any way you needed.

Breakfast was included in the room price, too. Regular breakfast, not the 5 course stuff.

They have a hallway on the main floor filled with little shops and things. I bought some loose tea leaves in a pretty canister.

I can't quite remember any more, but I think there was no tipping allowed.

Yes I have! Although, when I went, it was totally cold, rainy, and overcast. BUT, I can see the beauty of the island. It's a beautiful place. Very cool that there's no motorized vehicles allowed on the entire island, too. It adds a neat touch. The little shops on the main drag are really cute too. It's a great couples destination. (although I went solo)

As for the hotel itself, the building is spectacular, the grounds are beautiful, the porch is the most amazing thing you'll ever see, the restaurant is decent, BUT the rooms are the most gaudy thing you've ever seen in your life. They were decorated by some hoity toity French designer, and quite honestly, they'd make Liberace throw up. There were several people out in the hallway running from room to room to compare how ugly their respective rooms were. They were downright hideous.

The coolest thing I experienced there was eating in the restaurant at the table right where Christopher Reeve was standing in the movie! They also have a nice Somewhere in Time exhibit in the hotel, as well as a little walk down to the shore where there's a bronze plaque on a tree that says "this is where Richard met Elise". It's pretty cool!

If you have a chance to go - do it! If I did it all over again, I'd definitely go in Springtime, and I'd stay at a B&B on the island and just look in and around the hotel and skip the ugly rooms.

Have fun! (and check your pockets for pennies before you go!)

Nevada! Las Vegas. It's rather inexpensive and quite accommodating to visitors. Lots of shows, some of the best live performances I've ever seen. Great stand-up comedians and always a good concert somewhere. Try to plan in advance, save some money on your round trip ticket, book a hotel, get into at least a 3 star, don't settle for anything less. Visit the old strip, the Fremont street experience, lots of great casinos down Fremont street. I love the Gold Dust Hotel, that's a 5 star and a little more costly than most but, worth it. Have a blast, come with lots of energy because there is no time to waste, fill in your day with as much as you can stand without falling down from exhaustion and take a few days to unwind after you get back home, you'll need it :)+ or Reno, Nevada; it's a small version of Vegas but far more beautiful. Lots of high mountains. You'll enjoy this too.

Joyce, Mackinac Island is beautiful. There are no cars, at all. Everyone rides bicycles, which you can rent when you visit. The main product made and sold there is fudge. Fudge shop after fudge shop, all selling their own specialty product. I love "Somewhere in Time" too. I've been to the Grand Hotel but never stayed there. I recently saw a bit on the travel channel about the Grand Hotel. It's still well maintained and doing a thriving business. By the way, you get to the island by ferry. I keep telling my husband that I want to go back there and visit since its been years since I was there. Thanks for reminding me of the movie and the Grand Hotel. Nice memory. God bless.

I have been to the island either 4 or 5 times but never in the Grand Hotel. You even have to pay to take a tour through it. Get ready for a lot of walking,or ride a bike or a horse. It is nice.

I've been there many times. The island is unique to say the least. If you get there again, go to the back side of the island, away from the fudge shops and check that out. It's beautiful. There is a cemetery there that's interesting to wander through. The hearse is a horse drawn carriage. Fall is best when all the kids are back in school.

I have been to the Grand Hotel three times. Each time was a wonderful experience. It is liking going back to a slower, more romantic time. One time, I was there during a storm over the Great Lakes and we sat on the porch and watched it. Nature can put on quite a dramatic show! It was nice to retreat back into the hotel and enjoy a well prepared meal when it was over.

Oh my, how I loved that movie. I watched it years ago and almost forgot about it. I need to add it to my list of favorite movies. I love the actors - Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer. I think Jane Seymour may be the only one living..

I looked the island up on Wikipedia.

Demographics

Population 523 residents and as many as 15,000 tourists per day during peak season (as of 2000)

The Grand Hotel is just beautiful. I would love to live on the Island but I doubt that it would be much fun during the tourist season.

Fun question - Thanks and I also looked up the movie.

DeeJay.

Been to the island quite a few times and it was quite enjoyable. The Grand is a posh, expensive place that I never cared to spend my money on. It is beautiful, as is the island and "no cars" (just horse and buggy or bicycles). Well worth the trip even if you stay at one of the other accommodations.

Have been on the veranda. They wouldn't let us inside cause we weren't dressed properly. That was many years ago, so things might have changed. Some one said that you had to wear a tie and sport coat to get into the dinning room.