Things to do / Travel Guide
Northern Michigan – wide-open land of bike trails, golf courses, and sea cliffs overlooking the Great Lakes. Within this great region of islands and inlands, one place - an island - serves as its gift to the world of luxury. In other words, if you're searching for luxury in this rugged wilderness, your destination should unquestionably be Mackinac Island. The old and the new in this island of no more than four square miles are gracefully presented, almost all in the Victorian style. There is a large grand resort as well as smaller inns, but all offer plenty of luxurious pampering and amenities. An added luxurious boon, since no automobiles are allowed on the isle, your mode of transportation will likely be horse-drawn carriage. How quaint!
Luxurious Accommodation at the Grand Hotel
As for the grand resort, appropriately called the Grand Hotel, it's been around for well over 100 years, and it is a choice retreat destination for Presidents and their ilk. The porch is the longest in the world, clocking in at 660 feet - that's two football fields! The common motif of the entire grounds is the geranium, though in keeping with the grand resort tradition (think the Mohonk Mountain House, or the Balsams) no two rooms or suites are alike.
For your stay you'll probably want to lodge in one of the named suites, like the Lincoln Suite, the Jacqueline Kennedy Suite, or the Hollywood Suite. These exquisitely-appointed rooms bear either double bedrooms or single bedrooms, but also a living room, bay windows, rocking chairs, and more. Everything is presented tastefully, and antiques abound.
Now if you're really willing to live large, the Grand Hotel's Mascot Cottage beckons. It's $3,000 a night, but worth every penny: four bedrooms on two floors, a large living room, all meals included prepared by the cottage's own chef, nightly turndown, a fully-stocked fridge - it's like having your own cottage on this outdoors wonderland with full resort services.
Speaking of resort services, a word about the Grand Hotel's spa. The spa offers a full range of hair and salon services like hair coloring and pedicures. Then there's the Caribbean therapy spa treatment, including a warm seaweed masque, facials using the Aveda skincare line, and massages up to 80 minutes long. Aside from the spa, there are a number of choices for recreation and rejuvenation, such as golf on the resort's scenic Jewel course, equestrian or carriage travels throughout the island, or premier exploration on the bike trails.
Luxurious Dining at the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel's dining is another experience to remember. It's a strict tie-and-jacket affair (just like the rest of the hotel), and you can expect the most impeccable service. There are actually a number of different eateries within the hotel (or affiliated with it), but the most prominent is the Main Dining Room. Five courses for dinner, each selected by you with assistance from your attendant; the sommelier is always on call to suggest the perfect wine. Breakfast is a joyous occasion, in which you're served pancakes with fresh Michigan maple syrup, breakfast meats and salmon, pastries, fresh juices, omelets, and more. The pastries alone will probably blow your mind.
Other Luxurious Accommodation in Northern Michigan
Don't think that luxury ends at the Grand Hotel. There are other excellent accommodations for your enjoyment, located on smaller premises. Head to the exclusive Main Street Inn and Suites, with just 18 rooms. The top-of-the-line two-bedroom suite at this inn features a king-sized bed and another two queens, a balcony view of Main Street and the harbor, and a fully-stocked wet bar. The Honeymoon Suite contains a Jacuzzi and two televisions. A charming feature is that they put fudge on your pillow in place of the normal chocolate.
Other Luxurious Dining in Northern Michigan
In terms of food, not far away from Main Street Inn is the Carriage House, the restaurant of the Iroquois Hotel - which is also excellent, by the way. The Carriage House's menu offers much in the way of seafood and meats prepared classically or in the local tradition. First-class entrées include roast prime rib with natural juices, creamed horseradish, and blue cheese bread pudding. Again, more hot fudge, in sundae form, for dessert. By the way, the tables face the bay, so you also have excellent views of the water.
Don't forget to explore Mackinac's beauty during your stay at the region's luxurious hotels or inns. Come see why the most refined tourists have loved this resort island for well over 100 years. Every amenity they had you can have too, plus many more. Mackinac is that rare spot where luxury and nature come together in the most beneficial way. So leave your city environs, pack your suitcases, and make your destination northern Michigan.
Luxury Vacation Ideas in Great Lakes, Traverse City, Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island, Northern Michigan
Luxury-Vacations
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