Tag: The Grand Hotel

Somewhere in Time Day #4 “Happy Birthday to Me”

by reissmd, posted in Mackinac Island, Michigan

Today is my birthday and thank you to everyone who sent me their well wishes. Also thanks to those who said they were shocked to hear I was still alive. Before I get to today let me fill you in on last night. We had dinner at the Carriage House at the Iroquois Hotel (7485 Main St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757). The place was recommended by Patrice’s sister and we have to confirm this is a great place to go. The ambience was perfect with wonderful views of the lake and a keyboard player entertaining us throughout our meal. We shared our first course which was the Crab Tower.

It looked more like a crab bungalow than a tower to me. Look at this comparison photo.

A tiny pepper shaker puts the “tower” in perspective.

Even though it was small, it was very tasty so I am glad we ordered it.

Goat cheese salad and French Onion soup followed although they were not photo-worthy, they were delicious. Patrice had the whitefish and I had veal marsala. Unfortunately, I was too busy listening to the music to remember to take pictures.

This morning I was greeted by a series of phone calls and texts from my loved ones wishing me a happy birthday. As I have told many of you I am very pleased that these birthdays continue to come, I just wish they didn’t come so fast.

After breakfast, we took a tour of the stables. We learned a lot of interesting facts about the horses and the carriages. After the tour, we were free to wander the area or return to town or the hotel. After a bit of exploring the area, we decided to return to the hotel. Patrice asked me if I knew the way back and I said, “Yes, just walk downhill and follow the horse dung”. This worked well except this person made things a little difficult.

This tour guide told us they take turns removing the horse droppings and today was her turn.

After a brief rest, Patrice had us signed up for a “Behind the Scenes” tour given by the hotel historian. I knew we were in trouble when the 2-hour tour started out with him spending 40 minutes pontificating in the hot sun. Then we finally started to move along only to stop for another 25 minutes to hear about the outside windows, eaves, and gardens. We then moved inside where he started to go over the posters that lined the wall most of which we had already seen. At this point, I had had enough of the so-called Behind the Scenes tour. Also when he told us that the hotel would be putting in a flower arrangement in the design of “The Scream” by Van Gogh I said to myself, “That’s it!” I am not an art connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination but even I know that “The Scream” was painted by Edvard Munch and not Vincent Van Gogh.

If you want to see our guide, here is a 2-minute answer to the simple question, “Where do the employees come from?”.

Rather than getting annoyed at this guy, I should have just recommended that such a fair-skinned person wear a hat to prevent skin cancer.

We leave early tomorrow. Mackinac Island is a wonderful location but I am not sure I can recommend the Grand Hotel. It was a fun place to stay because of its history, but I doubt I would stay here again. They charge a heck of a lot for the rooms and they are nothing special. The staff is very friendly but most of them are seasonal and don’t seem to know what they are doing. That’s okay with me. I prefer a friendly clueless person over a smartass any day.

That’s enough for tonight. Patrice said tonight would be very special. I got very excited with anticipation and insisted she tell me what she meant. She finally did. At 3:00 AM a storm is expected.

Somewhere In Time Day #2 “The Grand Hotel, and I Do Mean Grand”

by reissmd, posted in Mackinac Island, Michigan

We left a lovely hotel this morning (The Westin at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport). See below.

The lobby of the Westin at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

We then flew to Pellston, Michigan (I never heard of it either), from the Pellston Airport (PLN) we then took a shuttle to a ferry. After a 16-minute ride, we were docked at Mackinac Island. We have also seen the spelling “Mackinaw” and that mystery was soon solved. We were informed that the French originally inhabited this area and named it Mackinac. When the British came they called it Mackinaw. Both are pronounced the same way (Naw not Nac).

After getting off the ferry we were told to walk across the street and get a horse and carriage ride to the hotel. They said that carriages arrive “every 30 minutes give or take a few”. After waiting a bit I looked at Apple Maps and saw that the hotel was only half a mile away so we decided to walk. It is very safe to walk here because the only things you will see on the streets (other than pedestrians) are bicyclists and horse-drawn vehicles. On the way to the hotel, we saw a number of interesting sites.

Hart’s Inn: I don’t know anything about it but it sure looks inviting.
French Outpost: I think they might specialize in stacking turtles here. I am not sure but I will find out later in the trip.

Then we approached this magnificent sight. See below

The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, Michigan

As you can see, the view of the hotel is spectacular. They boast of having the longest porch in the world (I have read it is 660 feet and 668 feet, you can choose). In addition to the outside being a thing of beauty check out these inside shots.

Lounge around the corner from the concierge desk.
A long hallway with shops on one side and sitting areas on the other,

After checking in we lounged around the property which included a stop at the Cupola Bar (the highest point of the hotel). While sitting there enjoying drinks (we had water) and appetizers (we had burrata with tomatoes and warm artichoke dip) you can look out over Lake Huron and chat with your fellow travelers. The bar also has this lovely chandelier.

Murano glass chandelier

After a little more hotel exploring and chilling in the room, it was time for dinner. For dinner, at the Grand Hotel, men and women must wear formal attire. Here is a shot of me in my blazer.

Very handsome, no?

Patrice wore an elegant gown with a plunging neckline that caused everyone to turn their heads to get a look. She won’t let me publish it because our children might see it.

For dinner, we had the “red” menu. The hotel rotates menus (red, green, and yellow). For appetizers, we chose wild mushroom risotto and melon and Parma ham.

Mushroom Risotto
Melon and Parma Ham

Next, we had Corn Gazpacho and White Asparagus soup.

Corn Gazpacho
White Asparagus Soup

Salads followed. We had heirloom tomato and cucumber salad with buffalo mozzarella, mint, and peach vinaigrette.

Heirloom tomato and cucumber salad with buffalo mozzarella, mint, and peach vinaigrette.

The entrees were beef tenderloin and pork chops.

Beef Tenderloin
Pork Chops

For dessert, we had their signature dessert called “Grand Pecan Ball”. We also had vanilla bean crème brûlée. I wanted to try the crème brûlée to see if it was as good as what I make.

Their “signature dessert” Grand Pecan Ball was excellent
Creme Brûlée. I have to admit, it was better than mine.

After that full meal, I told Patrice it was time to work out. Unfortunately, the gym was closed. So after finishing the blog, it is time to go to sleep. We have another fun day ahead.

(Patrice here, he said nothing of the sort in regards to going to the gym. We didn’t even look).