The Earl

We got into town late, after other hotels and inns had already closed their lobbies, but the hostess at Hotel Earl easily helped us out. The king suite on the third floor was very clean and modern, with a huge bathroom. The motel’s history is neat: Earl Young, the architect behind the iconic mushroom houses, built the original in the 50s. They’ve kept the turret towers, fireplace, and some other original features, which is great to see. The lake view we paid for was mostly blocked by trees, and we were too tired to raise the issue. With the trees in bloom, it was still pretty, and I’d stay again.

The place is very nice, but in winter the thermostat didn’t give us the heat we expected. There were no extra blankets, and the shower water was on the cool side.

The location was ideal for exploring Charlevoix, though Boyne Highlands and Nubs were a bit of a drive. Our one-bedroom suite was spacious, and the rooms were very clean. It was nice to have the bed made each morning, with fresh towels and water. The lobby felt cozy, the staff were friendly and courteous, and the shower had good pressure. Breakfast was pretty standard, but everything seemed to taste better than a typical hotel breakfast. I also appreciated that the coffee machine had decaf.

We took an easy walk through the lovely neighborhood to downtown shops, coffee places, the beach, and waterfront paths. Our balcony was enclosed, with a table and chairs, and the morning view from it was spectacular. In the evening, the rooftop hi/lo bar had an amazing outdoor view. We also used the hot tub and heated pool after dinner. The friendly, welcoming reception made check-in and checkout easy, and the hotel is pet friendly with continental breakfast included. There’s an incredible stone fireplace in the lobby, with places to sit indoors and out. A great hotel, highly recommend.