Holiday Inn Express Mackinaw City by IHG

The staff I met were all friendly, and breakfast was especially well handled. The food stations stayed stocked, the hot items were hot, and the area was easy to get around in. I appreciated that. I loved my stay in Mackinaw. The room was clean and the bed was really comfortable. I’d definitely recommend stopping here when you’re in the Mackinaw City area.

Really welcoming staff, clean rooms, and a decent breakfast included. Had a great stay. What else do you need?

The suite worked well for traveling with teens, especially with its two bathrooms. We were about a seven-minute drive from the ferry port, and ferry shuttles can pick you up there too. The pullout bed had springs and was very uncomfortable, though, and the dead bugs piled up on the balcony made us not want to sit outside. That patio area clearly needs cleaning every couple of weeks or at least monthly. I also wish there were more than one elevator. This was my first stay, and I’d come back. The room was clean and had a good amount of space, the staff were friendly, and there was fresh coffee all day, which was actually good. We felt safe and welcome.

The main drawback for me has been winter parking. The lot is small, and the overflow area means walking over an unpaved grassy or snowy stretch without a real sidewalk. In winter, especially February, that involves uneven ground, snow, and paths made by other guests’ footprints. The main lot loops one way around the hotel, with angled spaces on both sides at the front and parking on only one side at the back. Heavy snow makes it feel cramped and awkward, especially if mobility is a concern. In months with little or no snow, parking is easy enough. It’s not a deal-breaker, just something to keep in mind. I’ve stayed at this Holiday Inn Express several times over the past year while traveling between Maryland and the Upper Peninsula, and it’s been dependable. The staff have always been friendly, welcoming, and informative, explaining things like the pool, sauna, fresh cookies, breakfast hours, Wi-Fi, and local attractions and restaurants. Service has been consistently good. My rooms have been clean, comfortable, and functional, with heating and AC that worked as they should. I haven’t had noise issues from other guests or housekeeping, and each stay was quiet and restful. Breakfast is the usual Holiday Inn Express spread. It’s convenient and reliable, though neither especially good nor disappointing. I usually go into town for a more substantial meal, but it works for a quick bite before driving. I paid $183 for Feb 15-16, 2025, $129 for Mar 11-12, 2025, $112 for Nov 12-13, 2025, and $129 for Dec 1-2, 2025. Rates change by season, but I haven’t found them unreasonable for the area given how consistent the hotel is. I enjoy staying here and plan to return. It’s clean, comfortable, friendly, and convenient when making a long drive through Michigan.