I’ve been going to Mackinac Island for 15 years and I love staying at the Chippewa Hotel. It’s my favorite hotel on the island for many reasons. The views on the water are amazing and waking up to sparkling waters that shimmer like diamonds as I enjoy my morning cup of coffee or evening wine in our Pink Pony glasses on my patio is heaven on earth.
Enjoying coffee and wine in our Pink Pony glasses with an amazing view!
You know the expression, “home is where the heart is?’ I’ve grown to call the Chippewa Hotel my home away from home because my heart is always there.
Going to Mackinac Island this May brought back fond memories. I remembered the first time I drove over the Mackinac Bridge many years ago and the rush of adrenaline I felt as I left the mainland behind.
Driving over the Mighty Mac!
It was exciting getting on the boat in St. Ignace and churning through the waters feeling alive with the air in my face and lungs as the glory of Mackinac Island unfolded in all its majesty.
My gaze fixed on the rows of beautiful hotels, homes on the East and West bluffs and the fort perched on top. I had this warm, inner peace that collided with excitement as the boat reversed its engines and slowly pulled into the dock as the ducks moved aside as if to make room.
Many years later and countless times I’ve traveled the same route and I still feel the magic and innocence as if it’s my first time coming to Mackinac. Especially this time.
Last year was a tough one for me. I had shoulder surgery last May and then had a cervical neck fusion in September to repair damaged discs. It’s been a long road recovering and healing and many months more healing for full recovery, but we finally made it back to Mackinac for 4 days this May. We missed last year as we had to cancel 3 scheduled trips to the island, including our anniversary In September.
Chippewa Hotel Waterfront- our home away from home!
Once we got off the boat, it was like a family reunion and It was great seeing everyone again and greeted with big smiles, handshakes and hugs! When we opened the door to our beautiful waterfront room, we found some Mackinac sweets left for us and this beautiful note from our Chippewa Hotel family! This personal touch made our return even more special.
When I go to Mackinac Island I can leave my everyday stresses behind and go back in time to a much simpler way of life with no cars- just friendly people, bikes and horses. Every time I’ve gone to Mackinac, it’s filled with great memories that I can take back with me. The rooms at the Chippewa Hotel are beautiful and styled like a beautiful country cottage you’d find on a lake.
I’ve had many rooms but this time we had #402, a top floor corner suite with amazing views of the water and also of the fort up on the hill. The views of the water take my breath away morning, afternoon and night. Aside from beautiful views and rooms, it’s really all about the people at the Chippewa Hotel.
Good morning Mackinac! The early morning sun gently kisses the water. That’s what I call a room with a view!
We even had a friendly visit from Jonathan Livingston seagull!
The entire team of hard-working people, from the dock porters, like Archie Horn and Josh Carley, housekeeping staff, maintenance team, front desk team managed by Bart Berkshire and the hotel management overseen by General Manager, Brian Bailey always make us feel special. They all go out of their way to make us feel like family.
In our 4 days on Mackinac, we enjoyed many great meals with great views at the Pink Pony. We had a great lunch with our good friends Brian and Jeri-Lynn Bailey. They’re living their dream by living on the island and we shared stories about the island, our families and friends. We all had a great time and as they say at the Pink Pony, we had yachts and yachts of fun!
Yachts and yachts of fun at the Pink Pony with our good friends Brian and Jeri-Lynn Bailey.
My wife Brenda and I love biking the 8.2 miles around the island on M 185. I call it my Highway to Heaven. Bike riding is my favorite thing to do and after not being able to bike ride for about 1 ½ years, it was great biking around the island and taking in the majestic shoreline with crystal clear water that is Pure Michigan.
We stopped at our favorite places near Arch Rock, on the shore facing the Mackinac bridge, British Landing where I’m always amazed at the role Mackinac Island played in the birth of our great country.
Beautiful Arch Rock!
The cannon at British Landing keeping guard with the Mackinac bridge in the distance.
As we headed back towards town, we re-entered Main Street and cruised toward home- the Chippewa Hotel.
Our home away from home-Chippewa Hotel Waterfront!
One of our favorite things is biking on the inner roads on Mackinac but not wanting to push myself too hard as I’m still in healing mode, we took a Mackinac Carriage tour which was spectacular with great commentary from the carriage tour guides as well as their “island humor!”
Going up the hill passing the Grand Hotel on our carriage tour.
We haven’t been on the tour in 15 years and we loved traveling on the inner roads to the clip-clop of our horse drawn carriage and seeing familiar sites.
Great view of the Chippewa Hotel and Haldimand Bay coming down from the fort.
Breathtaking view of the lake from the top of Arch Rock.
Me and my bride Brenda enjoying our room with a spectacular view!
I highly recommend staying at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront whether it’s your first time on the island or you come often- it’s a great time! We’re already making plans to return to step back in time at our home away from home and looking forward to making more memories and seeing our friends at the Chippewa Hotel as they greet us again with; “Great to see you again! Welcome home!”
George Piliouras
