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Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island)

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Grand Hotel
File:Grand Hotel-Mackinac Island.jpg
The Grand Hotel as seen from the tea garden.
LocationGrand Hotel Ave., Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Built1887
ArchitectAlphonse Howe & Charles Caskey
Architectural styleQueen Anne
NRHP reference No.72000637[1]
Added to NRHPMay 5, 1972
A Hotel dinner menu from July 6, 1890

The Grand Hotel is a historic lodging facility located on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a small island located at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac within Lake Huron between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Constructed in the late 19th century, the facility advertises itself as having the world's largest porch. The Grand Hotel is well known for a number of notable visitors, including five U.S. presidents, inventor Thomas Edison, and author Mark Twain.

History

Mackinac Island (Template:PronEng, like MACK-in-aw; note the silent "c") is a small island, 3.776 square miles (9.780 km2) in land area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was a Native American settlement before European exploration began in the 17th century. It served a strategic position amidst the commerce of the Great Lakes fur trade. This led to the establishment of Fort Mackinac on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the scene of two strategic battles during the War of 1812.[3]

In 1886, the Michigan Central Railroad, Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, and Detroit and Cleveland Steamship Navigation Company formed the Mackinac Island Hotel Company. The group purchased the land on which the hotel was built and construction began, based upon the design by Detroit architects Mason and Rice. When it opened the following year, the hotel was advertised to Chicago, Erie, Montreal and Detroit residents as a summer retreat for vacationers who arrived by lake steamer and by rail from across the continent. At its opening, nightly rates at the hotel ranged from US$3 to US$5 a night.[4]

Grand Hotel's front porch is purportedly the longest in the world at some 660 feet (200 m) in length, overlooking a vast Tea Garden and the resort-scale Esther Williams swimming pool. These areas are often used by guests on a casual family vacation, for large conventions, or concerts during the hotel's annual Labor Day Jazz Festival. The hotel has drawn some criticism for its charging a $15 fee for non-guests to enter the building and enjoy the view from the famous porch.[5]

A Full View of Grand Hotel From Lake Huron

Five U.S. Presidents have visited: Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Gerald Ford (raised in Michigan), George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. The hotel also hosted the first public demonstration of Thomas Edison's phonograph on the porch and regular demonstrations of other new inventions were often conducted during Edison's frequent stays. Mark Twain also made this a regular location on his speaking tours in the midwest.[6]

In May each year, the Grand Hotel serves as the headquarters for the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's Mackinac Policy Conference that attracts politicians, businessmen and labor leaders from across the state and the northern midwest region.[7]

Services and facilities

A high speed ferry used to transport people to and from the island

The Grand Hotel is unique in its late 19th century decor. Designed by Carleton Varney, Dorothy Draper's protege, the hotel is decorated with vibrant colors and the constant theme of Pelargonium geraniums. No two of the 385 guest rooms are designed alike. There are four types of rooms: Category I, Category II, Category III, and Named Rooms. There are six two-bedroom suites consisting of two bedrooms connected by a parlor. Two of these suites, the Grand Suite & the Carleton Varney suite, overlook the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac, while the Presidential suite is located in the center of the hotel with a balcony over the porch. A detached structure added in early 2000 was named the Masco Cottage; the facility includes two downstairs bedrooms with private bathrooms along with a kitchen, living room, and dining room area. Upstairs are two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a media parlor.[8]

Additionally, six suites are named for and designed by six former First Ladies of the United States, including the Jacqueline Kennedy Suite (with carpet that includes the gold presidential eagle on a navy blue background and walls painted gold), Lady Bird Johnson Suite (yellow damask-covered walls with blue and gold wildflowers), Betty Ford Suite (green with cream and a dash of red), Rosalynn Carter Suite (with a sample of china designed for the Carter White House and wall coverings in Georgia peach), Nancy Reagan Suite (with signature red walls and Mrs. Reagan's personal touches) and Barbara Bush Suite (designed with pale blue and pearl and with both Maine and Texas influences).[9]

Guests are transported from the docks to the hotel via horse-drawn carriage.

Beginning in 2007, many rooms have air conditioning. Formerly, air conditioning was only available in public rooms, such as the lobby, parlor and Salle a Manger (main dining room). Due to the building's design it was difficult to add air conditioning to the guest rooms.[10] Air conditioning for 170 rooms will come from newly installed water heat exchangers in the bathrooms. The exchangers cool the air through contact with the cold water system.[11]

Mackinac Island does not allow motor vehicles (except for emergency vehicles) and transport to and from the dock to the hotel is via horse-drawn carriage. The only motor vehicles allowed in recent history were cars brought over for the filming of Somewhere in Time. During the winter months, when ice prevents ferry transport from the mainland, the hotel is closed.[12]

Grand Hotel has an extensive conference facility available for use.


A stay at the hotel is expensive; as of 2008, the smallest rooms start at $480 per night, including a full breakfast and five course dinner at the hotel's Salle a Manger (Main Dining Room) restaurant. Meal prices include the tax and gratuity; tipping is otherwise prohibited.[13]

At dinner, the Salle a Manger requires coat and tie for gentlemen and dress or pantsuit for ladies. Breakfast and dinner are available to non-guests as well for $30 and $75 respectively. The lunch buffet is $30 for guests and $45 for non-guests; the $15 non-guest entrance fee can be used towards the purchase of lunch.[14] Other restaurants within the hotel include the Jockey Club at the Grand Stand, the Gate House, the Pool Grill, the Fort Mackinac Tea Room and the Woods snack bar located along the eighteen hole golf course.

The hotel is owned by R.D. (Dan) Musser III

Amenities at Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel has a wide array of activities to keep guests entertained or to just relax in the true classic American style. The Jewel, Grand Hotel's full 18 hole golf course is comprised of the Grand nine, across the street from the hotel; and the Woods nine, set in the interior of Mackinac Island. The Jewel features unparalleled scenic beauty, lush landscaping and meticulously manicured tees, fairways and greens. Tennis can be enjoyed on the beautiful setting of four Har Tru based clay courts. Lessons are available throughout the summer.The Esther Williams Swimming Pool is a favorite gathering place for guests. The heated 500,000 gallon, 220-foot long serpentine-shaped pool is ideal for sunning, swimming or just soaking up the beauty of the surrounding gardens. Poolside food and beverage service is available (seasonal). Also, a sauna and two whirlpools are adjacent to the pool. Grand Hotel rents bicycles that are ideal for exploring Mackinac Island at your own speed. Grand Hotel does not neglect exercise. The Vita Course is a half-mile outdoor exercise course on the hotel grounds. Along the jogging trail, exercise stations are designed to challenge and motivate. Also, complete exercise facility is located adjacent to the swimming pool.

Hotel Shops

Grand Hotel offers a wide variety of shops for the use of guests and non-guests with a charge of $15 to enter. Astor's, the salon offers hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, facials and massages for men and women. Cagney's, a men's clothing store, offerrs a fine selection of resort wear and accessories. Carleton's Tea Store, named after the designer of the hotel, specializes in out-of-the-ordinary foods, teas and cookbooks. Carleton's also serves lunch, pastries and coffee. Colony Shop offers fine women's resort clothing. Parlor Art Gallery features an exhibit from the Masco American Art Collection. The Jewel Pro Shop carries golf clothing, equipment and accessories, including an extensive line of Grand Hotel wearables. Grand Hotel & Co., Fine Jewelry features fine jewelry by American designers. Mackinac Market is five shops in one, with books, china, children's toys, souvenirs, and bath and beauty products. Margaret's Garden a bright, airy shop filled with garden gifts, floral arrangements, plants and more. Margaret is a strong Musser family name. Grand News Stand sells newspapers, magazines, film, liquor, wine, postcards, toiletries and sundries. Oil Paintings by Marlee is a gallery featuring the oil paintings of local artist Marlee Brown. Brown is the wife of R.D. (Dan) Musser III. T. Richards sells children's toys and games.

Dining at Grand Hotel

Salle a Manger (Main Dining Room) serves breakfast and dinner daily on the American Plan. The Grand Luncheon Buffet is served daily to guest and those not registered. Fort Mackinac Tea Room offers the ability to lunch within the walls of Fort Mackinac and features a breathtaking view of the Straits of Mackinac. The Gate House is the newest Grand Hotel restaurant located at the bottom of the Grand Hill. Open for both lunch and dinner, this casual bar/restaurant features televisions to watch the game and live music. The Jockey Club at the Grand Stand overlooks the first tee of The Jewel and is a casual retreat for lunch entrees, sandwiches, and snacks with your favorite beverages.Woods and Bobby's Bar is just a short carriage ride away from Grand Hotel, Woods is a restaurant brimming with Bavarian charm. The dinner menu includes a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées, desserts and selections from Grand Hotel's award-winning wine list. At Bobby's Bar you can enjoy beverages and test your skill on the U.S.'s oldest operating duckpin bowling alley. Several bar options are the Terrace Room, the Audubon Wine Bar, the Geranium Bar, and the Cupola Bar. The Cupola Bar is located in the top of the hotel and features a breathtaking view of the Straits of Mackinac.

Designations and media appearances

In 1957, the Grand Hotel was designated a State Historical Building. In 1972, the hotel was named to the National Register of Historic Places, and on June 29, 1989, the hotel was made a National Historic Landmark.[15]

The hotel is also on the Conde Nast Traveler "Gold List" of the "Best Places to Stay in the Whole World" and Travel + Leisure magazine's list of "Top 100 Hotels in the World." The Wine Spectator has provided the Grand Hotel its "Award of Excellence" and Gourmet Magazine's "Top 25 Hotels in the World" list. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has provided the facilities with a four-diamond rating.[16] The Grand Hotel is also the world's only five-star hotel without valet parking, as motor vehicles are prohibited on the island.[citation needed]

The Grand Hotel served as a backdrop for the 1980 film "Somewhere in Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Every October the hotel hosts an annual convention for fans of the cult-classic.

The hotel also served as the setting for the 1947, musical-comedy "This Time for Keeps", starring Jimmy Durante and Esther Williams (after whom the Hotel's swimming pool is named). [17] [18]

Notes

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15.
  2. ^ "Grand Hotel". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
  3. ^ "Welcome to Mackinac Island". Superior Sights. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  4. ^ "Grand Hotel: Hotel & History". Grand Hotel. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  5. ^ "Grand Hotel: Trip Advisor Reviews". Trip Advisor. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  6. ^ "Grand Hotel: Facts". Grand Hotel. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  7. ^ "Mackinac Policy Conference". Detroit Regional Chamber. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  8. ^ Knowles, Gary. "Cruising to Mackinac Island". Madison Magazine. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  9. ^ "Grand Hotel: Named Rooms". Grand Hotel. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  10. ^ "Grand Hotel: Named Rooms". Grand Hotel. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  11. ^ "Modern upgrade for Mackinac's Grand Hotel". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  12. ^ Dearle, Brian. "Mackinac Island". The New Colonist. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  13. ^ "Grand Hotel: Room Rates". Grand Hotel. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  14. ^ "Grand Hotel: Dining". Grand Hotel. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  15. ^ "List of National Historical Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  16. ^ "Cruising to Mackinac Island". Madison Magazine. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  17. ^ "This Time For Keeps". IMDB. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  18. ^ "Grand Hotel: Facts". Grand Hotel. Retrieved 2007-06-06.

See also

References

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