The Vault Hotel

It took a little getting oriented at check-in since the process is mostly self-service and automated. The room was clean, modern, and pleasant. I especially enjoyed the basement "Counting Room" Bar, where Natalie made an excellent Old Fashioned. We were visiting the Keewaunau Peninsula for the first time, with a day of skiing at Mount Bohemia ahead of us, and didn't know what to expect from our one night in Haughton. The building used to be a bank, built in 1889, and the renovated interior has modern rooms that feel like a NY style hotel. There are clever flourishes throughout that nod to the building's banking history.

The covered parking was a blessing, though getting to the loading zone was awkward with a wall of snow in the way. For loading out, we drove around the corner and parked, which worked much better. It's an interesting, quasi-luxury setup with no front desk, and for the most part it delivers. The memory foam mattress was supportive, though I had to sleep in the very center to avoid feeling like I might roll off. The heated bathroom mirror was helpful, the shower was nice, and the staff were great and clearly aim to please. My main issue was comfort. There was nowhere to sit or work on my laptop except in the vault, and the chairs there were really uncomfortable. The vault itself felt pretty cheesy. I'd skip it if I stayed again.

Downtown was right outside the door, so we could walk to lots of great restaurants and shops. The speakeasy downstairs was very cool, too. My family stayed at the Vault this past weekend and had an amazing time. It's sophisticated and rivals some of the luxury hotels around Detroit, while still having historic Houghton charm. The beds were so comfortable that we all slept like a dream. Be sure to go to the Ambassador for pizza, then KBC for a local beer after :)

We stayed in a Found Money room, and loved the high ceilings and window seat. The parking garage across the street was convenient, and the front door locked securely. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful historic hotel in downtown Houghton. It has an intimate boutique feel with the amenities of an upscale place.