Woodland Motor Lodge

The property has a lot of character, with a big courtyard for picnics and games, a play area for kids, and a firepit in the evening. Wood was provided on an honor system, and we used it. Jesse, the on-site staff guy, helped me get kindling to start the fire. Diane, the proprietor, clearly wants the place to feel welcoming for guests and staff. I believe her sister Brenda was on duty when we were there. Our basic two-queen room was small, but otherwise met expectations: it was super clean and everything was in good order. Even the TV had lots of channels, which isn’t always the case. We enjoyed our night and I highly recommend it. I was looking for an overnight stop on the way to the Upper Peninsula, and Woodland is just off I-75. For a reasonably priced night on a trip, I prefer a personally owned classic motel like this to expensive chain hotels that can disappoint.

We had a great weekend stay for two nights with our two dogs, and it worked out perfectly. We’ll definitely come back if we’re in the area again.

The cabin was clean, comfortable, and had great amenities. There was a dog area, a bonfire pit with wood, and yard games including horseshoes and corn hole. We rented it with family and felt very comfortable. We were happy to bring our dog, and the small pet fee was much less than boarding. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed my time at Woodland Motor Lodge and have already booked another upcoming trip there. I stayed August 22-24, 2025, and was looking for a more affordable place in Grayling after traveling a lot this year. I usually pick B&Bs or Hilton hotels because I earn points, but I’m not picky, and the reviews convinced me to try this one. The grounds were lovely, with a fire pit, nature trail, pavilion, kids’ toys, a large outdoor chess and checkers game, and plenty of other little extras. A long walking and biking trail runs across the street and, from what I could tell, goes all the way to Hartwick Pines, only a few minutes away by car. The property was quiet while I was there. Check-in was no-contact, which I always appreciate, and Room 28 was bigger than I expected. It was warm outside when I arrived, so the ice-cold air conditioning felt great, and I could control the temperature myself. The room wasn’t as modern as the hotels I’m used to, but it was very clean, quaint, and charming, which I actually prefer. The bed and pillows were comfortable, the shower was perfect, the Wi-Fi was strong, and there were lots of TV channels. The refrigerator and freezer together were larger than what you usually get at a chain hotel, which was great.