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Our turn of the century hotel, built in 1902, has all of its original Victorian charm combined with all the modern amenities that resort travelers expect. With our distinguished downtown, waterfront location, the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront is definitely the place to stay. All water-view rooms are large suites with spacious balconies. All suites have been recently updated and feature separate living rooms, two flatscreen televisions with DirecTV, King or Queen pillowtop beds, microwave, Keurig coffeemaker, and wetbar. The waterfront patio features a 25-person jacuzzi hot tub. We are home to the famous Pink Pony which has four incredible dining and drinking experiences. Our sister hotel, the Lilac Tree Suites is located just two blocks away and offers roomy accommodations for overflow guests. We hope to serve you this Summer at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront.
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Nestled in a prime location, the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront is lauded for its lively atmosphere with live music and an inviting charm. Guests have called out the well-furnished rooms with scenic views, although the value received for the price is a point of contention among travelers.
The hotel's cleanliness receives consistent praise, especially for the spotless rooms and remodeled bathrooms. The staff's warm and efficient service enhances the experience, complementing the hotel's coveted amenities and spacious rooms that many find to be a comfortable retreat.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed
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Bart and the rest of the front desk crew were fantastic! We visited the Chippewa 50 years ago on our honeymoon and decided to go back on our 50th anniversary. From the moment we checked in until we left Bart and his staff treated us like royalty. The hotel restaurant is always crowded in season and usually does not accept reservations but Bart arranged a waterfront table for us anyway. Our 4th floor suite, harbor view, was phenomenal. The hotel cleaning staff works long hours to be certain everything is clean and neat and the evening turn down service was a plus. There are numerous choices for overnight on Mackinac Island but you would be missing a wonderful opportunity if you passed up on the Chippewa.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bart Berkshire, General Manager at Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
Responded 23 Aug 2024
Thank you so very much for your review. The whole team here loved to read it. We strive to achieve this with all of our guests who stay with us. Happy 50th Anniversary! We hope to see you again on Mackinac Island in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our stay at the Chippewa Hotel hit it out of the park. Harbor view king suite was a large 2 room suite with a king size bed, large bathroom with sink in passage way between living room & the bedroom. There was a mini kitchenette with a fridge, bar sink & micro in the living room area. Worked out perfect to enjoy drinks & snacks on the balcony. Great balcony over looking the large jacuzzi and lake. Room interior was similar to the Grand Hotel with individual themes. Staff were great and following COVID policies. Every staffer we encountered were properly wearing masks. We were on the second floor and didn't hear noise from the jacuzzi or outdoor patio.
The Pink Pony restaurant was attached to the hotel and a great outdoor seating. Be prepared for a 1.5 hr wait for lunch or dinner. We put our name on the list for dinner, checked in and then went to the grocery store across the street for drinks & snacks for the room. Relaxed on our balcony till our table was ready.
Only issue was a balcony light stays on all night so every morning we woke to tons of tiny bugs on our balcony. My husband would just push them off with a towel but not the way to start before morning coffee.
Also ate at and would return to: Mary's Bistro, 1852 Grill Room, Ice House BBQ & countless fudge shops. Take a pass on pizza at Island Slice Pizzeria.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Harbor view with balcony on floor 2 and up are the best
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bart Berkshire, Guest Services / Front Office at Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
Responded 3 Dec 2020
Thank you for this FABULOUS review! We are so happy to hear about your wonderful stay with us. We hope to see you back up at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront for your next visit to Mackinac Island!
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We travel to Mackinac yearly, but this is the first time that we have stayed at the Chippewa. It won't be the last. The front desk was very friendly, and our room was fantastic. We had a 1-bedroom room with separate living quarters, so it gave the four of us the space we needed. The best part was the balcony that overlooked the Huron - so calming and peaceful.
The room was very clean, and we loved the small kitchenette that came with cabinets, a fridge and a microwave. It made eating on the island much cheaper. A bonus is that the Chippewa is right across the street from Doud's market, so it was easy to run over there for our grocery and toiletry needs.
The staff was very friendly as well, with a helpful front desk and porters. We will definitely return to the Chippewa.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The room was nice enough. Clean and comfortable. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no housekeeping unless you called for it. I think that falls upon the Front Desk staff to call the guests each morning and ask if they need anything and what would be a good time to have housekeeping requests addressed. I also think a room discount would be appropriate with no daily room service automatically provided. My wife and I have always stayed here when we visited the Island but that will probably change in the future. As always, Desk staff were friendly and the Pink Pony wait staff were excellent. I do think Hotel guests should be afforded the additional benefit of being able to make reservations at the Pink Pony rather than waiting in line like everyone else. All told, this time around I feel I got far less than what the room cost me.
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Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bart Berkshire, Guest Services / Front Office at Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
Responded 3 Dec 2020
Thank you for this review! We are sorry to hear your experience wasn't 5 stars. We hope to see you back up at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront for your next visit to Mackinac Island!
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We loved the Chippewa. Mostly because our room was a 2 bedroom and we had a sitting room and a balcony. We loved sitting on the balcony overlooking the water. We went during COVID 19 time so our room was not cleaned daily but if we needed something they were there immediately with fresh towels and take the trash from us. No complaints there. The staff was nice and friendly. We also loved that we were in town and everything was out the front door but we felt away from everything too. Best of both worlds.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for a second time this fall, the first being in August of 2020. Bumped this review from a 4 star to a 5. We stayed in a room right above the lakefront hot tub and it was so convenient just to be able to walk right out the door to Mainstreet or the patio/hot tub area. Our room had a view of both the lake and Mainstreet which was fun. The staff was extremely friendly and the turn down/housekeeping service has returned which is top notch. The beautiful lobby was decked out for Halloween which was fun! We have thought about staying at Mission Point or The Grand, but always settle on The Chippewa because of its ideal location and reasonable rates. The huge hot tub is also a wonderful amenity to have in the chilly fall months(it’s so big, that’s it’s basically a hot pool). My only complaint would be that there was a spot right next to our room where hotel staff (and some guests and other workers on the island) smoked almost constantly, so we couldn’t have our windows open without smoke billowing in. The smoke also blew straight into the hot tub area which was kind of nauseating. Otherwise, we absolutely love this hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This would be the 4th time and my longest stay. Every visit makes it better.
We had stayed in the corner suite overlooking the yacht harbor; however, I was bumped over for some other couple. I was pretty miffed as I made the reservations in APRIL. The thing was, the new room (next door) was actually better. So I refrained from any whining and enjoyed the change.
I prefer the off-season and I like the suite for its space. My favorite thing remains as the housekeepers coming around with Oreo cookies and milk in the evening, and they would even place them in our room by request if we weren't there.
The location and view is stellar! I like being directly across from the Doud's grocery in order to pick up snacks. When I worked on Mackinac Island, it was on the other side of town, so I enjoy the chance to do new things from this location.
The Staff couldn't be any better and special Kudos to Matt at the front desk, all the housekeepers, and my #1 favorite Dock Porter, Archie Horn. He always ensures my bags are carefully handles and gently placed in the room. I love that guy!!!
They arranged for our private carriage tour and any reservations we wanted to make.
Mackinac Island Lodging is usually fairly pricey. I think the value at the Chippewa is amazing. I got a MUCH larger room than comparable hotels. The toiletries are terrific and high quality, too. The rooms were immaculate. It's worth a few extra dollars to invest in a suite, but all the rooms are lovely. I like being on the 4th Floor ... it's like being on top of the World. Thank you to everyone at the Chippewa for another wonderful stay!
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Date of stay: September 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Recommend the 4th floor Lake View for the peace/quiet. Suite is worth the investment!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bart Berkshire, General Manager at Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
Responded 12 Jan 2023
Hi Kim! Thank you so much for your awesome review! Nothing beats oreos and milk before bed! Have a great Winter and we hope to see you back for 2023!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We've been staying at the Chip twice a year for several years, and have never been disappointed there. The hotel is well-kept, the staff is pleasant and helpful, water-side rooms have wonderful balconies with views of the marina and the strait, and the Pink Pony is one of our favorite restaurants on the island. You won't go wrong staying at the Chip!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bart Berkshire, Guest Services / Front Office at Chippewa Hotel Waterfront
Responded 15 Sept 2020
Thank you for submitting this review! We enjoy having you and we are already looking forward to next time! See you soon!
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Having moved west from Michigan 9 years ago our homecoming to Mackinac Island this past summer was everything we had hoped it would be and more. The Chippewa was the perfect place to stay, even during Covid. Having drinks on the dock in front of the hotel in the evening was definitely a highlight of our stay. The room was exceptionally clean and comfortable and while we may opt for a harbor side room next time around the clippity clop of the horses in the street below was a magical sound I had forgotten about. Baggage service was seamless - even with a move to another hotel for the final night of our stay and I have absolutely no complaints. Can't wait to return.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is an excellent waterfront hotel. The rooms are very spacious and spotlessly clean. This is a high end hotel. The water glasses are actually made of glass not some cheap plastic. I strongly recommend that you select a lakefront or harbor view room. They also offer a turn down service than includes cookies, mints and mild.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Pick a waterfront room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Either a decent walk, half uphill or a short carriage ride or a bicycle ride. Good exercise, plenty of scenery along the way. Coming back is downhill, lol.
There are more places to choose from in the Mackinac Island area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
chippewa hotel mackinac island
LOCATION
United StatesMichiganUpper PeninsulaMackinac CountyMackinac Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
57
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