The excitement of a stay at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, begins with the view from the ferry. Lumbering across the Mackinac Straits, Grand slowly comes into view : Perched high on a hill, the sprawling white structure shines like a beacon. As soon as guests step off the ferry, the wonder of the island drapes gently over their shoulders.
A getaway here’s a step back in time. The Grand was built in 1887, and its charms have been embellished and varnished over time. This world class resort has given respite and comfort for 5 U.S. Presidents, all types of industrialists and lots of show biz personalities.
Grand Hotel is not exactly the place to plunk down the luggage and race to The Pearl, the 18-hole golf course. Actually there’s no reason to ever race once youre on the island. Transportation is of 3 types : horse-drawn carriage, bicycle and foot. Waking to the sound of Mackinac Island rush hour is an excellent way to kick off the day : the clip-clop and snorts of horses, the jangle of harnesses, the whirring of bicycle wheels and gears.
The front nine of The Pearl is the original and boasts more than a century in service to go golfing. Walking off the ninth green, a horse-drawn carriage awaits, and the ride thru the woods to the second nine could be more unusual than any golf shot. The back side, added in 1994, is more open, but both sides offer views worthy of vacation photographs.
One of the many packages offered is Tea for 2, a romantic take on golfing. In addition to unlimited golfing, tea is served in the afternoon. Thats as well as the wealth of other conveniences, such as dinner ( women and men dress at 6:30 p.m. Each night ), the worlds longest front porch ( coated with rockers ) and a passport to an earlier, more gracious time.
Organizing a Michigan vacation? Read some more about northern michigan travel and sunrise side.
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