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Rainbow Motel
602 South Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
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Room & Suite (17)
Dining (1)
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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About
#1 of 18 motels in Mackinaw City
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Rainbow Motel is an excellent choice for travellers visiting Mackinaw City, offering a charming environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Guest rooms offer amenities such as a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator, and guests can go online with free wifi offered by the motel.
The property also features a pool to make your visit even more pleasant. Guests arriving by vehicle have access to free parking.
If you’re looking for a pub, consider a visit to Dixie Saloon, The Hook Lakeside Grill, or Key Hole Bar, which are all conveniently located a short distance from Rainbow Motel.
If you are interested in exploring Mackinaw City, check out one of the historic sites, such as Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park and McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site.
Enjoy your stay in Mackinaw City!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pool
Hot bath
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Pool / beach towels
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Fence around pool
Picnic area
Room features
Air conditioning
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Microwave
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Charming
Location
602 South Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 79 out of 100
79
Emmet County Airport
23.4 km•
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Chippewa County Airport
56.4 km•
See all flights
Rental Cars
14 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
Traditional older motel with small room and bathroom, but very clean and functional. Nice grounds and convenient assigned parking. Pleasant indoor pool and hot tub available. Heating, cooling, shower, windows, keys all worked well. The price was very reasonable and the location (within walking distance of Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island--the reason for our stay in Mackinaw City). Helpful and efficient check in under covid-19 conditions. Our only complaint was that the management/owners would not provide more than one bath towel per person per room even when asked. The bath towels provided were relatively small and one towel is not adequate especially with washing hair. We spent two nights at the Rainbow Motel and mentioned this shortcoming to the management.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Request a room away from Huron Street
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 Rainbow Motel was the ideal place for my overnight trip to Mackinaw City. It is located within walking distance of downtown, restaurants, stores, parks and beaches. My room was clean and private with assigned parking. The staff were friendly and helpful. In this time of concerns regarding Covid-19 it was reassuring to see how diligent the staff are about cleaning the rooms and making things safe for their guests. I will definitely stay at the Rainbow again when I return to this historic community in Michigan.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 27 July 2020
Thank you for taking time to tell other visitors about our property. You have included so many things about the Rainbow, and all we have to offer. Many of our guests return year after year, and we love seeing all the familiar faces. Mackinaw City does have many historic place to visit, my favorite is Old Mill Creek, or the Headlands dark sky. Both of these let us see Mother Nature and all she has to offer. We look forward to you returning to visit..
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Loved, loved, loved everything about our recent 2-night stay at the Rainbow Motel. We were given "bike towels" to wipe down motorcycles when we checked in and offered great recommendations for local restaurants. Behind the office was the secret garden with a gazebo, gas grill and utensils, sunflower field & gazing chairs - oh, and the outdoor hot tub, which was the perfect way to end our day after walking 4 miles around Mackinaw Island. Our corner room was clean and comfortable. The owners were readily available and could be seen working night & day. No coffee in rooms but was available at front desk each morning. The firelight hydrangeas in the back were the highlight of gorgeous landscaping on the property. We were so happy to support a local business and not the many chain hotels across the street and will definitely return to the Rainbow next time around.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
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 Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 15 Sept 2020
Your would absolutely love the Firelight hydrangeas right now. They are bright red, and absolutely breath taking. Mike does a fabulous job keeping our flowers, and the grounds looking beautiful. We have many bikers stay with us because they like the convenience of assigned parking close to your door. The bike towels are jut something we like to do so that you have a nice dry bike seat to sit on in the morning. We really appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. You will have to come back in the fall so that you can see the hydrangea in bright color.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We decided to head north one day early and needed a place to stay on a Thursday night. The place we usually stay (The Riviera) was booked. It seemed every place I found was either booked or the prices were too high, or the ratings were so low. Then I found Rainbow Motel. We will definitely stay here again! The room was impeccably clean. The whole property was clean, the flowers gorgeous, places to sit, places for children to play, an assigned place to park. We were close enough to walk to the marina and downtown. Using a coupon provided we went to the Jack Pine Lumberjack show for the first time which was a lot of fun. Had we not done that we would have been very content to hang out on the property of this motel that evening. The price was very affordable at 85.00 a night. Could not be happier! Felt like we hit the jackpot with this one. We are not big fans of the huge chains and we are so glad places like this still exist. The room had a refrigerator which was great as we brought our own simple breakfast to save time and money. We left early to catch the 7:30 ferry to the island so we weren't able to have a coffee provided in the lobby which opens at 8:00 am. But, that's okay at this great rate we could easily afford a coffee on the island at the Watercolor Cafe which was excellent. A large coffee there was 2.75.
Thank you for your kindness and such an excellent place to stay. Can't wait to come back.
Thank you for your kindness and such an excellent place to stay. Can't wait to come back.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 19 Aug 2020
Monica, we greatly appreciate the amazing review. You were able to touch on so many of the finer points of our awesome town, as well as our property. We pride ourselves on our clean rooms, and our extra cleaning measures that have been taken during these crazy times. We hope that you can make it again sometime, we look forward to your return. Safe Travels.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Do not stay at the other big chain hotels. Save your money and appreciate a good stay at The Rainbow Motel. The owners are very nice kind people who take VERY good care of their place. The orginal pink tile, bathtub and sink in the bathrooms are original and in impeccable condition. It is a clean place to stay. No trash in the parking lot. The grounds are beautiful. Super nice people. And if they are booked, they will recommend other locally owned places to stay. Todd, Laura and their staff will take good care of you.
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Date of stay: August 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.
Response from Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 15 Sept 2020
We love how many people can take a trip down memory lane with our retro bathrooms. But like you said, they are clean and well kept. Todd does his best to replace the tiles without interfering with it's original look, and keep the grout looking nice. Our housekeepers are some of the best in town. They take pride in their jobs, and do their best to make your stay enjoyable. We hope to see you again someday. Safe Travels.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We've stayed here 4 times and will continue to patronize this motel. The price is great, the rooms are clean, and their indoor pool and hot tub is wonderful. There are many hotels in the area which I'm sure are fine, however, when you find a great price for clean accomidations, why take chances.
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip 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 Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 13 June 2021
Thank you for continuing to visit us, and for leaving us a great review. We expect our rooms to be clean, and ready as if you are family. My husband takes great pride in having a clean pool, and hot tub. He would never have it any other way. We look forward to trip #5, safe travels.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My 23 year old daughter and I absolutely loved staying at the Rainbow Motel. Contact-less check in and very safety oriented. This is an owner-operated motel in a great location and was our oasis for two nights. We had a very clean room with two double beds, great water pressure and never-ending hot water in the shower/bath combo. The mattresses were very comfortable. Our room was very clean, large, and had a microwave, small refrigerator and mounted HD television. The motel has a heated indoor pool, a small outdoor hot tub, vending machines, ice, and a play area for children, Each room has an assigned parking spot outside the door and an outdoor bench to sit on. Coffee and tea in the lobby in disposable cups with hand sanitizer. We were within walking distance of the small downtown area, the ferry to Mackinac Island, and a park to view the Mackinac Bridge. A small convenience store was a 2 minute walk. The exterior of the motel appeared to be recently refurbished, the grounds were well maintained, and the room had a yesteryear vintage charm and was very comfortable. The owners were really nice, down to earth people and were available to provide information and answer questions. I would stay again in a hearbeat and will definitely be a repeat customer on next visit to Mackinac Island.
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Date of stay: June 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
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 RainbowMotelMackinaw, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 24 June 2020
I love the title of your review, so creative. We can't thank you enough for taking the time to leave such a great review. You told them so much about our property, it was so well written. We do our best to keep our rooms and grounds clean and welcoming. We look forward to your return trip again. It's guests like you that make our job easier, and so much more rewarding. Safe Travels.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed at Rainbow during the week of 5/21 for a dive trip and had the most wonderful stay. The rooms are super clean and comfy, with charming decor. Loved having a refrigerator and microwave so I could keep and heat leftovers. The pool area was clean and warm, the indoor and outdoor hot tubs were so nice after a day of cold water diving. I loved that so many of the guests hung out on the porches of the rooms before dinner/during coffee time and everyone was friendly and chatty. The owners are the real gem here. They are such friendly, warm, enthusiastic, welcoming people (with the two cutest little dogs). They went out of their way to make sure that our group was comfortable and had everything that we needed. They were always monitoring the weather and the wind and reporting back what they expected for lake conditions. They were really invested in us having a great time. The motel is centrally located putting everything from the Rusted Spoke Brewery to the Lighthouse museum within walking distance. The marina is just across the street and there are a few breakfast places within a couple of blocks either way. I'll for sure be back for dive trips and "normal" vacations too!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 2 July 2021
We truly love our dive groups, they have so much fun here. It is easy to hang your suits out to dry, and gather around the picnic table while you fill your tanks, and get ready for the next dive. Thank you for leaving such a great review. Our goal is that everyone have an enjoyable stay while visiting Mackinaw City. Many of our guests return year after year, and some have even formed friendships from their stay with us. When visiting up north being outdoors is the only place to be. We look forward to having you as our guest again. Safe Travels, and happy diving to you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I just took a much needed overnighter to do a road trip color tour. We have stayed at the Rainbow many times before and were delighted to find they had availability for us. We love to stay in what we call the "Mom & Pop" motels...I am all about first floor living, lol. Park at the door...how convenient! We stayed in a queen room and as usual, everything was super clean and it appears they have spent some time refreshing the rooms..at least the one we were in. Looked like fresh paint, new bedspread, bathroom fixtures appear to be new too. Bed and pillows were so comfortable. Give it a try...you won't be sorry.
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Date of stay: October 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 Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 27 May 2021
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. Each year we make improvements from painting, to new furniture, and will always have clean rooms. Our motel has been in the family since 1984, and we plan on continuing to make improvements, that will allow you a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Many of our guests continue to return year after year, and eventually it feels like family coming home to visit. Safe travels, we hope to see you soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I enjoyed our 30th anniversary at the Rainbow Motel. It was clean, welcomimg, and very comfortable for a great price. You park right outside your room and the location is perfect for walking to any attractions in Mackinaw City as well as to ferry docks to Mackinac Island. The pool is lovely and I especially enjoyed the hot tubs: one inside and one outside. I enjoyed swing in the yard and all the landscaping was a quaint and homey. It is a great place to stay!
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip 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 Laura Janeczek, Owner at Rainbow Motel
Responded 2 July 2021
Our location is definitely one of the great things about us. You don't have to park your car downtown, and fight the traffic, everything is within walking distance. We are so happy you were able to enjoy your 30th wedding anniversary with us, but please don't wait another 30 years to come back to see us. Thank you for taking the time to come and visit us, and leaving us a great review. We look forward to your return trip.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We do not accept pets.
I'm sorry, but we are not the Riverra, but a website devoted to customers helping each other. I would share the URL of their website, but Tripadvisor does not permit that.
The beds are newer mattresses and are comfortable! I'm super picky about my pillow firmness so next time I will bring my own. This is such a hidden gem! Staff was so polite and helpful!
This is the cleanest hotel/motel I have ever stayed at! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! :)
It depends one the size of the room, per beds. And time of year...season. Very reasonable pre/post season. 40 for most rooms. very basic motel. Very clean and well kept. Much higher during the summer season.
They open around the 3rd week in May and close in mid to 3rd week in October.
"Be sure to sit at night in the front of motel and watch the cars and people walk by. Be sure to sit in back with the gazebo and the garden"Read full review
"Take cash to buy discounted ferry tickets. Motel offers free coffee in the morning, but no breakfast. "Read full review
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LOCATION
United StatesMichiganCheboygan CountyMackinaw City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
29
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Rainbow Motel
Which popular attractions are close to Rainbow Motel?
Nearby attractions include The Forge (0.4 km), Animal Tracks (0.4 km), and Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Rainbow Motel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, free wifi, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Rainbow Motel?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What are some restaurants close to Rainbow Motel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Murdick's Fudge, Rusted Spoke Brewing Co., and Sweet Spot.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Rainbow Motel?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool during their stay.
Is Rainbow Motel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.5 km away from the centre of Mackinaw City.
Are there any historical sites close to Rainbow Motel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site (3.8 km) and Historic Mill Creek (5.9 km).
Is Rainbow Motel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.