r/upperpeninsula • u/BrilliantChipmunk6 • 4d ago
Travel Inquiry Any Unique/Kitschy Hotels
Any recs on more off the wall places to stay? Doesn’t have to be a giant bass hotel or a lighthouse… but I mean if you know of one help a gal out!
Smaller or local hotels that are clean/safe but give you that nostalgia vibe of just pulling off the highway for the night?
We are planning a roadtrip and are going to start on the West around Ironwood and make our way East and down back towards Memphis, TN.
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u/Happy_Ball_1569 4d ago
The Birch Lodge in Trout Lake is amazing, small, one-off, lake-front and only abt 25 minutes northwest of the Mackinac Bridge, so the drive is easy if you're headed north from the lower peninsula. The main was originally built to be a sanitarium for people sick w TB. The motel was added to the property in the 50s and it's been renovated to be period-specific.
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u/PoorWanderingOne 3d ago
There's the Psycho themed Bates Motel on 2.
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u/OneOfThoseRapGuysGFs 3d ago
Came here to mention The Bates Motel! They have the Psycho themed room with a bloody shower motif!!!
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u/fishisagod 4d ago
If you end up in the Keweenaw, The Crows Nest in Copper Harbor via the Harbor Haus is very cool.
I’d also recommend the Vault in Houghton but it is higher end/boutique.
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u/MaggieMayBomb 3d ago
The Vault in Houghton. Not cheap but v v nice. With a speakeasy in the basement to boot.
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u/Vegetable_Win_8123 3d ago
Falling Waters Lodge in Leland is a favorite of ours. Near Sleeping bear dunes
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u/Away-Revolution2816 4d ago
I never stayed there but ate breakfast. The Tahquamenom Bed and Breakfast in Hulbert. I would spend a couple weeks on vacation in Hulbert and went to the Hulbert Happy Hour bar for lunch often.
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u/SingleElderberry8422 4d ago edited 4d ago
If you're heading towards the bridge, stay in the Dunes motel. You can cross US2 on foot and walk along the Lake Michigan beach and watch the sunset. It's such a cool setting. Near Cut River. https://maps.app.goo.gl/4cvAfQFVbbAajV7Y7
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u/Hotdog-Wand 3d ago
Not really a hotel but this place could be what you’re looking for, take a step back in time. Family owned and operated. Burson’s Delta Resort
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u/CeeCeewasagreatdog 3d ago
We just stayed at the Skyline Inn on US 2. We called for a room and the owner said, “I’ll just leave a key for you, we’ll settle up in the morning.”
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u/Fullofnegroni 2d ago
Birch Lodge in Trout Lake is somewhere I've stayed solely for how charming it looked. It's kind of in the middle of no where, and we stayed off season, in February, because they had great specials. We stayed in the motel and it was perfect, but after touring the lodge, I could picture staying there too. Very retro, MCM, and they've done a terrific job maintaining the property's historic charm. It was a quiet trip and the only other guests were there to snowmobile.
We drove up north to Tahquamenon Falls one day, east to the 'coast' another, and be sure to hit Kitchitikipi on your way to Birch Lodge or on your way home.
Definitely google it!
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u/Upstairs_Role_7602 1d ago
Clarke Motel just 40 min w of the bridge. The rooms are standard (clean, comfy, etc) and they have great cabins, but the real party is in the back! A barn with a rope swing & plenty of decor, also an underground bunker and another building that’s a bar. Very casual spot and tons of fun.
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u/Own-Organization-532 4d ago
Just a bit of the UP is Land O Lakes WI, the Gateway Inn is there. Built in the 30s by a Detroit radio tycoon.
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u/theoneIfed 4d ago
Colonial Motel in Manistique is great and has that old timey vibe but is still modern, safe, and comfortable.
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u/NUFAN210 4d ago
Check out the travel Ironwood site: https://travelironwood.com/category/lodging/
There are a lot of motels and lodging options in the area, a lot of work has been done to update room and some of the motels even have Sauna’s for guests to use as well.
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u/neuroctopus 4d ago
Crystal Falls has that Bigfoot motel, I’ve never stayed there but it is cute.