We were staying two nights in marquette for a NMU football game. We booked 3 rooms together on the same bill and requested they be together as we were all traveling together and were told this "was no problem". We also requested one room be bigger (a 2 queen bed) as we were traveling with our 18 month old and also asked for a crib. Upon check-in we realized none of us were remotely close to one another with one of the rooms being in a complete different building. When we inquired about this we were told we were moved around because they needed the bigger room for another guest. I'm not sure why one guest has presidence over another but so it was. Also the crib we requested had not been put in the room either.
From the highway this motel looks like a decent complex. Lake view in the front and hilly, forest covered terrain in the back and surrounded by prison property. As other posters have mentioned the highway noise is unbearable at times but c'mon, you know checking in that it's there. The room was far from sparkling and could have used a good clorox and water spritz in my opinion. It included a small kitchenette with fridge, two burner electric stove (with NO grates) and small sink. Some unmatched dishes and cooking utensils were furnished with a note asking for you to do the dishes although they did not have any dish soap, dish towels or scrubbies. A coffee pot and microwave were also furnished although there were no coffee packets or the like anywhere in the room. The bathroom was larger than expected but there was no shampoo or conditioner provided, just small bars of hand soap and clean, white towels. 19" tube t.v.'s with cable service round out the ammenities in the rooms. The bed was not super comfy but we managed to sleep. The air conditioner worked well and seemed to drown out some of the road traffic at night.
The balcony was rickity at best but did allow for some great views of Lake Superior. The door leading to the balcony did not lock which is not a big deal I suppose no one is going to scale the side of the motel to break into your room but we were traveling with our toddler and had to be very pro-active with her around the door. Plastic chairs and table provided on the balcony and an ashtray as all the rooms were labeled NO SMOKING although you would never know it from the smell in the rooms.
Overall the complex was visibly worn down and the cleanliness of the rooms were sub-par to say the least. There were dirty paper plates in one cupboard and a lady's hair curler under the bed that my daughter found. The rooms did have a smell to them but it was not overwhelming and they did just look and feel as though they were not very well cleaned.
We were there in the fall and the pool was closed while we stayed but it did look to be a nice feature that could be enjoyed if it had been open.
Parking was plentiful with a paved drive and parking lot that was close to all the rooms with minimal walking.
Rates were $65 across the board per room and they did offer a $5 senior citizen discount. Some good things I can say about the place unfortunately will not be enough to make me come back to the Birchmont. Their wireless internet works easy and fast although it is not a protected network. Also, the continental breakfast was better than expected and had cereal, fresh fruit, coffee, juice and an array of donuts and muffins.
I wish I could be more positive about our stay at the Birchmont but overall it was not a good experience. I would have rather spent an extra few bucks a night and known I was going to feel comfortable. There is a nice looking EconoLodge one half mile down the road with the same exact view of the lake that we had and I would definately check it out next time before even considering the Birchmont.
- Birchmont Hotel Marquette
