Starlite Budget Inn

I've stayed twice and was satisfied both times. The rooms look dated, but they're clean, comfortable, and affordable. I'd come back. Keep your expectations in line and you can enjoy your stay while still having money left for other things.

Check-in felt like a frustrating scavenger hunt, and we weren't given the room we'd requested. Things in the room were worrying: the sink was dirty and clogged, the rusted shower curtain wouldn't close right, and the stained loveseat was broken. We found lube between its cushions. The lamp didn't work either. Then, while we were using them, the swings on the play set broke. The whole stay was a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend this place.

We couldn't sleep at all, and that left our next day at Mackinac Island basically ruined. The beds felt like slabs of concrete, and ventilation was nearly nonexistent with just two tiny air conditioners. The next morning, we tried to shower but no water came out at first. After a few minutes, brown water finally appeared. The room smelled damp and bad when we arrived, and half the lights were burned out. Management rudely refused our request to refund the $200 we wasted on this decrepit room. I'd rather have slept outside.

The location is perfect for visiting Macinaw City, and it was very quiet, partly because there were hardly any people there. But our room carpet was filthy, old food was in the refrigerator, and there was dog or cat food on the floor. Mold covered the bathroom ceiling, and some electrical outlets didn't work. The pool was disgusting and unusable. The office also isn't staffed around the clock.