Grand Hotel

The honest review

Grand Hotel is one of those properties that qualifies as a genuine American landmark, and arriving by horse-drawn taxi up the hill from the ferry dock really does feel like stepping into another century. The 660-foot-long front porch — said to be the world's longest — is exactly as spectacular as photographs suggest, and the grounds are immaculate. For families willing to spend at this level, the experience is hard to beat.

The centerpiece for kids is the Esther Williams Swimming Pool, a sprawling complex with a waterslide, zero-depth beach entry, water-jet play features, and a large heated whirlpool. There is also a separate adults-only area with an infinity-edge pool for parents who want a quiet hour while kids are occupied. The pool area alone is a full half-day activity, and on summer afternoons it fills with families having an excellent time.

Beyond the pool, Grand Hotel programs actively for children. A supervised kids' program runs daily with arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and structured activities, so parents can genuinely decompress. The Gem miniature golf course is popular with younger kids, and it doubles as Glow Golf in the evenings. The Cedar Grove Bike Track is purpose-built for kids ages 6 through 16. Duck Derby races are a daily ritual that younger children absolutely love. Horseback riding, lawn games, and evening entertainment round out a calendar that rarely leaves kids saying they're bored.

Dining works well for families. Children under 5 eat free, and ages 6 through 12 receive 50% off — meaningful savings at a resort where the dining package is mandatory and adds substantially to the per-night cost. The breakfast buffet is abundant and the main dining room, while formal in appearance, is genuinely welcoming to children.

The rooms themselves are comfortable but not large by modern resort standards. Standard rooms accommodate two adults and two smaller children, but families with older kids or multiple children should budget for suites with parlors or two-bedroom configurations. The island's car-free environment — enforced strictly — is one of the best features of the entire Mackinac Island destination: children can roam freely on bikes and horse-drawn carriages, and the safety dynamic is fundamentally different from a typical resort.

Where Grand Hotel requires an honest word of caution: the mandatory rates, resort fees, and luggage transfer charges make it one of the most expensive family resort experiences in the Midwest. The all-inclusive structure (breakfast and dinner included) softens the sting, but families should do the math carefully before booking. The dress code for dinner — jackets required for men, no jeans in the dining room — can also catch families off guard. Grand Hotel is exceptional, but it rewards guests who arrive knowing exactly what they've signed up for.