One Lakeshore Drive, Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States | (888) 905-8267
Large, old-fashioned resort removed from the hustle and bustle of the town
Variety of rooms and suites, some with hot tubs
Observation tower with museum featuring exhibits on the island’s history
Old turn-of-the-20th-century movie theater screens films
Large rectangular outdoor pool
Several restaurant and bars
Bike rentals available on-site
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Pet-friendly (with fees and restrictions)
Some rooms are small, with cramped bathrooms
Decor throughout is a little dated
Mackinac Island's Mission Point Resort is a quiet alternative to the properties in the busier main part of town, but still offer's the same quintessentially old-fashioned atmosphere found elsewhere on the island. There are 239 rooms and suites in all; some feel cramped, but many have room to spread out and even come with hot tubs. It’s a 15-minute walk to most restaurants, shops, and attractions, and there is plenty to do on the property itself, including an expansive lakeside lawn filled with Adirondack chairs, swimming pool, and a variety of formal and casual restaurants. There's also an observation tower and museum with exhibits on the history of the island, and an antique movie theater and sound stage where a scene from _Somewhere in Time _was filmed. The decor is on the old-fashioned side, although it adds to the historic charm of this three-and-a-half pearl property.
Scene
Pleasant but dated resort atmosphere with lots of fun throwbacks
The Mission Point is a classic resort dominated by a white lodge-like building with a red roof. Inside, the lobby of the hotel is shaped like a teepee, with vaulted ceilings reaching up over three stories. Sun streams in from skylights and the space is dominated by a huge stone fireplace. Carpeting and couches are made up of older and worn fabrics in green and red. Like most of the properties on Mackinac, the decor is dated, but pleasant. The pool area is small, but a little more up to date then some of the other common areas, with metal lounge chairs surrounded by evergreen trees. The bright green lawn leading to the lake is the hotel’s main gathering spot, and has white Adirondack chairs scattered around. The old-fashioned movie theater is a charming throwback, with a peaked wooden ceiling and old velvet-covered seats. The property is geared toward families, though couples and groups who enjoy the vintage feel will find plenty to do here.
Location
Removed from the main part of town, but within walking distance of most of the island’s attractions
The resort sits in its own large spot on the shore of Lake Huron, but is still only a 15-minute walk from the downtown Main Street area. Luggage is transported by dock porters from the ferries and there's access to the island’s bike trail. Most attractions on this car-free island are within walking distance, though Mission Point is further away than most properties. Fort Mackinac is 20 minutes on foot, while the Grand Hotel is a half-hour walk.
Rooms
Variety of rooms and suites spread out over two buildings, some with hot tubs
The hotel’s 239 rooms are housed in both the Main Lodge, just off the lobby, and the Straits Lodge, a short walk away. Both buildings include Traditional Rooms with two doubles, king, or queen beds, along with Junior Suites, two-bedroom Family Suites, and Signature Suites. Some Junior and Family Suites in the Straits Lodge have outdoor decks with hot tubs. The decor is more on the masculine side than in rooms at other island hotels, with plaid rugs and solid-colored comforters in red, blue, and green, with wallpaper borders in the same hues. The bathrooms in some rooms are a tight squeeze, and the walls are on the thin side, though this is a common feature of older hotels. In-room amenities include TVs, some with flat screens, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is pet-friendly, but there's a fee depending on the type or size of pet.
Features
Pool, bike rentals, and large lakeside lawn, along with a variety of restaurants
Mission Point has standard resort amenities, including a small rectangular outdoor pool and hot tubs, on-site bike rental, and a lakeside tennis court. There’s also an 18-hole putting course, and the hotel offers packages with the Wawashkamo Golf Club, a half-hour carriage ride from the property. The large lakefront lawn has several Adirondack chairs. One of the hotel’s unique features is its observation tower and museum, with five floors of exhibits on the history of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes, along with panoramic views. Mission Point also holds the island’s only movie theater, and the soundstage where Somewhere in Time was filmed, with most of the original film production pieces still intact. A kids’ club with supervised activities is available for an additional fee, and there’s also an arcade with a variety of classic video games. The Chianti Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, while the Round Island Grill is open for lunch and dinner. Bistro on The Greens serves a tapas-style menu through the early evening and the Lakeside Marketplace has pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. There’s a small gym with basic equipment and a salon and spa with a full menu of services.