Tag: Island House Hotel

Time to make a reservation at the Island House Hotel? Psssst, artists… this is a GREAT place to paint!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVEL5 Comments
Approaching the island and The Island House Hotel!

Ahhhh, the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI. A place to relax, recharge, get out and walk, bike, then come back and have the best meal of your life! Start thinking about making a reservation soon… The 2012 season is from May 4 through October 27. We’ve never been there early in the season, I would think it could be quite exciting! As a kid we would always go during the Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat race (mostly it was the dads who sailed sailed, then “the kids” and the wives drove and met them, then we would all squish into the car with all our bags for a nice ride home… back in the day of no A/C! Bless us. Ha.) which was in July, a busy time on the island. There would be so many people (from the sailboat race mainly) it was the best time growing up! My husband and I stayed on the island a few years ago around September, and once in October, we had the best time ever. It’s much quieter, especially in October. We don’t mind it being chilly… we rather welcome it, since it’s still warm here in Charleston (and as I write this, I’m extremely confused with our “winter” this year, 60’s and 70’s, which is nice, but it’s not winter!??)!

Rooms with a view! Image: TheIslandHouse.com

The rooms are lovely and you just can’t go wrong with any of them. Some have a view of the water, and it’s heavenly! There is an indoor pool, nice for a quick dip, or if you’d like to do a few laps to burn a few calories, since you will no doubt indulge in some fabulous food!

Back side of the island... heaven!

Psssst: ARTISTS… what a fabulous place to paint! One side of the island is more the “town” area with shops, etc., then there is the inner island, with gorgeous state park trails and views that can’t be beat. On the back side of the island it’s more cliff like and rocky. Trust me on this… I’m not sure why artists aren’t swarming like they are on Monhegan Island, Maine? Check out the Island House WEBSITE for reservation info!

For more on this hotel, read my review on Trip Advisor… Catch you back here tomorrow!

Hop on and take a ride AROUND the island…

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment
Bikes at the Island House Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

Sometimes the most everyday things become the inspiration for a great photo… I would have loved to spend more than a few seconds on this shot, but we were on a roll, heading out to accomplish something or other… (eating, bike riding, photo taking, shopping, you know…??) Next time! In front of the Island Inn Hotel on Mackinac Island they have a great place where you can rent bikes. It comes in handy because that’s the best way to get around the island. And I do mean AROUND the island. Yep, bikes are great for back and forth running here and there, but what many people don’t do is take the time (doesn’t take that long, it’s only approximately 8 miles) to ride their bikes around the island. You will LOVE IT! The back of the island is very quiet and peaceful, the scenery is unreal. So take some time to enjoy the view!!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Homes on the East Bluff, Mackinac Island, MI

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment
Homes on the East Bluff, Mackinac Island, MI
Homes on the East Bluff, Mackinac Island, MI

I love the word “bluff”, it’s such a cool word, I guess because we don’t have any bluffs in our area… the East Bluff on Mackinac Island is one of my all time favorites. The homes are magnificent. In this photo you see the Island House Hotel (the white building with red roof) and the East Bluff the road above. Mackinac Island is an island I could live year around on and be so very happy. It might get a little crowded in the summer, but I think it would be definitely worth it! If you ever get a chance to go to Mackinac Island I highly suggest it. It’s perfect for those who like to hike, bike, walk (no cars), there are horses (for taxi’s), so don’t be put off entirely if walking isn’t your thing! The food (at the Island House… heavens… I cannot get it out of my mind!), the great places to stay…  Island House Hotel is my personal favorite, the fudge and now… even Starbuck’s! Check it out if you get a chance!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A stay at the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI = HEAVEN!

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment
Image: TheIslandHouse.com

Mackinac Island, MI… ahhh the memories. It’s one of the most magical places on earth. It’s like you’re back in time (no cars, bikes and horses only) with modern conveniences (AC for the warm months, great coffee shops, fabulous food, amazing scenery everywhere you look… fantastic hiking/biking trails, the list goes on and on)… My mom, sister and I headed out for a three day vacation, something we had never done before. Now I wonder what took us so long?! What a great time we had. Due in great part to the Island House Hotel. We had a fabulous room that overlooked the marina/Straits of Mackinac and wrapped around for views of downtown. It was magical. If you haven’t been to Mackinac Island, MI, it’s a place YOU MUST put on your bucket list. If you want a truly special stay, I would hands down choose the Island House Hotel. With it’s wide sweeping porches full of rocking chairs, a view that simply cannot be beat, the comfortable, clean and beautiful rooms, the dining room (1852 Grill Room) that will make your head spin it’s so good… I’m a bit of a drama queen but not in this case. Trust me. I know a lot of you are artists… this is a beautiful place to paint, it’s a small island with a rocky coast and beautiful views. It’s much like Maine in the way the coast looks, especially on the back side of the island. My sister and I took a ride around  the island at sunset… like I said… heaven! A ride around the island is only about 8 miles.

Mackinac Island is situated between the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. You reach it by ferry, there are three ferry lines, Sheplers, Arnold, and Star Line. Arnold is closest to the Island House, Shepler is the one that we’ve taken since we were kids, and I’m not that familiar with Star Line… but however you get here, you need to!!

Check out the 1852 Grill Room’s MENU – let me just say, there are a lot of restaurants on the island. We had dinner the first night at the Island House, and it was so delicious (out of this world good!) we went back the second night, and again the last night! The whitefish was to die for, as was the Greek Pasta Toss… the desserts, the coffee, oh heavens… and I didn’t even bring up the heavenly breakfast buffet did I? Let me just say, that put a smile on everyones face!

One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting up early each morning, heading to the lobby, pouring a cup of coffee and heading out to the porch to watch the dark sky lighten. I met a lot of nice people and we had a great time! Next trip will be with my husband! We haven’t been to the island together in about ten years!

The Island House Hotel is a beautiful historical hotel that is impeccably managed. Each and everyone was so kind, it was a real treat. Check out their website, it’s a good one! Click HERE to read about the history of the hotel which is fascinating! Here are a few pictures from our trip, the rest will appear on weekends on this blog… catch you back here tomorrow!

Waiting for the ferry - Mackinac Island, MI
Me, Mom and Bridget waiting for the ferry home, ugh…
Our gorgeous, comfortable and clean room!
A warm welcome with beautiful flowers everywhere!

Approaching Mackinac Island, MI – Island Inn Hotel and the East Bluff

On By Barbara StroudIn TRAVELLeave a comment
Approaching Mackinac Island, MI

There is the most fantastic island, Mackinac Island, located between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. This picture was taken from the upper deck of Sheplers ferry as we approached the island. In this photo you see the beautiful Island House Hotel and above it the East Bluff with gorgeous homes. Now THIS is an island I could live on for the rest of my life! There is nothing like the smells of fudge and horse poop, ha… trust me, it’s the best!

Catch you back here tomorrow!