The Six Best Hotels in the Mitten

Welcome to this week’s Golden Pelican awards for the six best hotels in the Mitten! For a little background, we wanted to showcase the best places to stay in the world. But as we worked through our selections, we realized we were already at six before we even left our state! If you’ve never been to Michigan, it’s beautiful here. We have a:

a wine region – Traverse City
a “beer” coast – Grand Rapids
an island you can only explore by bicycle or horse drawn carriage – Mackinaw Island
we are surrounded by fresh water lakes
and the lower peninsula of our state looks like a mitten!

So grab your bags and we will show you the very best places to unpack them.

The Inn at 97 Winder – Detroit

Woman standing in front of a sign that reads Inn at 97 Winder. Behind her are trees, bushes and an orange colored mansion — The Inn at 97 Winder

Originally the mansion of philanthropist John Harvey and his family, it was known as the most expensive home in Detroit. It has been painstakingly restored to an absolutely wonderful, 10-room boutique bed and breakfast. Just steps from Comerica Park, the Fox Theater and Little Cesar’s Arena, it feels like a bit of a “hidden gem”. So do us a favor, and DON’T TELL anyone else!

Sitting room in a mansion with Victorian-style sofa and wing back chair, a chandelier, and multiple panel windows — One of Many Sitting Rooms

Woman ascending a golden circular staircase — One of Many Sitting Rooms

Ann Arbor Bed and Breakfast – Ann Arbor

Looking up a verdant hill to a multi-story home with a peaked roof and a balcony — The Ann Arbor Bed and Breakfast

Located right across the street from the University of Michigan’s campus, this bed and breakfast looks like a private residence. When, in fact, it is a little oasis in an otherwise very busy town! They offer 6 themed rooms, including one that looks like it’s under a huge wave!

Bed under a sculpture that looks like a wave, and next to it is a surf board — Surf’s up!

Large room with multiple tables, behind them is a wall of windows — Surf’s up!

Roost – Detroit

Large white marble lobby, opening up to several floors — What a lobby!

This apartment style hotel is built to give short-timers, the feeling of having a luxury home downtown. The apartments include a living room, to entertain guests, and a full kitchen. Besides this, they have a library and conference rooms you can reserve for business meetings. We were there for the Detroit half-marathon, and mostly monkey business so we didn’t need a conference room.

Queen bed with a white comforter and behind it is a green wall, with a picture on it — Comfy bed at Roost

Looking out the window to Detroit at night. The buildings are lit in different colors. — Comfy bed at Roost

The Shinola Hotel – Detroit

Rectangular, multi-story, red brick building — The Shinola Hotel

Each of the Shinola’s 9 suites is unique and curated to give a luxury-urban vibe. I liked the Shinola SO MUCH I was sad I couldn’t spend more time in my room. (Geez, what a change from being a teenager, eh?) They are right across the street from the Fox and Fillmore Theaters. Oh and they are situated right on top of one of my favorite restaurants – San Morello.

Sitting area in the room at the Shinola Hotel. There is a brown sofa, a coffee table and an upholstered chair. There is a mounted TV on the wall. — The sitting area in our room

Two blue robes with Detroit embroidered on the back of them, hanging in a closet — The sitting area in our room

Sunflower Inn – Charlevoix

Woman holding onto a sign for the Sunflower Inn on a bright green lawn. Behind her is a two story white home. — The Sunflower Inn

John and Lynda are such welcoming hosts, the inn feels like a home away from home. We look forward to coming back every year to sit at their table and enjoy this beautiful, small town. If you haven’t been to the coast in Michigan…what are you waiting for??

Long wooden table in front of an arched window — The Breakfast Table

A Belgian waffle topped with berries and whipped cream on a white plate — The Breakfast Table

And of course – The Grand Hotel – Mackinaw Island

Horse drawn carriage, passing by the multi-storied white hotel with a huge covered porch — The Grand Hotel

Last but not least, we can’t forget THE hotel to check out if you’re coming to Michigan. Not only is it OG hospitable, you’ll feel like you got the chance to step back in time…in like the bougiest way possible. Each night, guests dress for dinner and enjoy cocktails and live music on the porch. This is followed by a seating for a multi-course dinner in the dining room. The evening ends with dancing and even more cocktails. And when you’re not over indulging, you can visit their pool or their spa for a nice, relaxing massage. Even it’s only once, you really have to experience it for yourself.

Multi-levels of rounded pools surrounded by lawn chairs and umbrellas — Pools at the Grand Hotel

View from the porch at the Grand Hotel, which includes a manicured lawn, trees, geraniums and a US Flag — Pools at the Grand Hotel

Thanks for joining us for the very best places to unpack your bags in Michigan. But if you know about a great place we don’t, you’ve GOT to let us know! If you like talking travel, be sure to subscribe for free. And follow us for some peeps in real time on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle. We’ve got some FUN STUFF coming up and we’d love you to come along!!

The Inn at 97 Winder – Detroit

Ann Arbor Bed and Breakfast – Ann Arbor

Roost – Detroit

The Shinola Hotel – Detroit

Sunflower Inn – Charlevoix

And of course – The Grand Hotel – Mackinaw Island

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