Michigan Hotel Wins Best Historic Resort in 2023

For Michiganders and out-of-town visitors alike, a trip to Mackinac Island is always special. While there are sights and activities to delight visitors of all ages, the Grand Hotel is arguably the island’s crown jewel.

Michiganders already know how special the Grand Hotel is, but its iconic status nationwide was recently reaffirmed when the Grand Hotel was recently named the 2023 Best Historic Resort by the Historic Hotels of America.

The award is given to the historic resort that showcases its history in the experience it offers its guests and offers excellent service and customer hospitality. 

The annual awards recognize the best historic hotels in the country and the Grand Hotel joined a list of more than a dozen 2023 honorees that included the Mohonk Mountain House in New York, the Edgewater in Wisconsin, and Skytop Lodge in Pennsylvania.

What Makes the Grand Hotel Stand Out?

The Grand Hotel has been an iconic landmark on the island for over a century, and its architecture and decor reflect the elegance and sophistication of a bygone era. Additionally, the hotel offers breathtaking views of Lake Huron and the surrounding gardens, which are meticulously maintained and add to the hotel’s charm.

Furthermore, the hotel’s amenities and services are top-notch, making it an ideal destination for a luxurious getaway. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including golfing, swimming, and horseback riding.

The hotel also features several dining options, ranging from casual to fine dining, and the food is consistently delicious and well-prepared at each of its on-site restaurants and bars.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a luxurious and unforgettable experience. Its rich history, stunning views, and top-notch amenities make it a unique and special place that is worth the visit.

More Historic Hotel Honors on Mackinac Island

In recent years, Mackinac Island has been a popular spot for historical hotel honors – both at the Grand Hotel as well as other unique lodging on the Island.

• In 2021, the Grand Hotel won the Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel award, which honors the hotel that best engages consumers and shares its history through social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram.
• In 2020, the Callewaert Family of the Island House Hotel on the island earned the Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year.
• In 2023, the Island House Hotel was voted one of the 10 Best Historic Hotels in the US.
• In 2019, Kenneth Hayward of the Grand Hotel was named the Historic Hotelier of the Year.

More of the Best Historic Hotels of 2023

New Member of the Year

JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District| Savannah, Georgia

This award is presented to a new member hotel that best demonstrates immediate engagement, activation, and passionate support of Historic Hotels of America.

Located right in the heart of Savannah, a stay at the JW Marriott affords guests the chance to explore the best that the city has to offer.

Guests of all ages can explore the downtown, which includes a shopping district, live entertainment, bars, and an art gallery.

When they return to the hotel, guests can soak in the timeless elegance of the hotel, which was once the site of a power plant, and the city. The hotel offers on-site dining, a spa and so much more.

This highly-rated hotel is all about offering guests an elegant experience with curated experiences that make every customer feel special.

Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel

Crescent Hotel & Spa | Eureka Springs, Arkansas

This award is presented to a hotel that actively engages consumers by sharing the best of its history through social media, including Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram with interesting facts and stories.

Billed as “America’s most haunted hotel,” this northern Arkansas hotel is nonetheless a popular spot for travelers.

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the Crescent Hotel is renowned as a symbol of hospitality in the state, and the palatial structure is perfect for a dream wedding, a romantic getaway, or even a family vacation.

Haunted or not, the Crescent Hotel offers a variety of accommodations, including cottages and suites, and plenty of amenities to make some lifetime memories.

The hotel offers casual dining experiences, fun-filled events, and celebrations that make staying here feel like a party.

Sustainability Champion

Mohonk Mountain House | New Paltz, New York

This award is presented to a hotel that best implements and practices innovative green initiatives and programs, demonstrating historic preservation is the ultimate green.

Situated in the heart of the Hudson Valley, this Victorian-style castle resort is just 90 miles from New York City and offers travelers the best of all worlds: Beautiful scenery, a quaint getaway, and farm-to-table cuisine.

Mohonk Mountain House has routinely been named one of the best places to stay in its region and in the nation. That’s because it offers guests a variety of captivating events, award-winning spa services, and fun activities like paddleboarding and tomahawk throwing.

No matter what kind of traveler stays here, there’s something for everyone. Guests can make their stay as active or as relaxing as they choose, but at the end of the day, they’ll be rejuvenated by their stay.

Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel

Hassayampa Inn | Prescott, Arizona

This award is presented to a hotel under 75 guestrooms that best celebrates its history in the guest experience and provides exceptional customer hospitality and service.

Constructed in 1927, the Hassayampa Inn is a beloved local landmark with a unique history. During the 1920s, residents challenged designer Henry Trost to design a grand hotel and residents bought shares in it for $1 each.

The iconic red brick building has long been a centerpiece of downtown Prescott. Its name which loosely means “the river that loses itself,” works well because the hotel was designed to be a place for visitors to unwind.

Today, visitors can stay here and marvel at the hotel’s historic features, vibrant murals, and much more. Visitors can enjoy a range of amenities, including dining at the Peacock Dining Room, which offers top-flight meals in a cozy atmosphere.

Best Historic Hotel

Skytop Lodge | Skytop, Pennsylvania

This award is presented to a hotel with 76-200 guestrooms that best celebrates its history in the guest experience and provides exceptional customer hospitality and service.

Opened in 1928, this Northeast Pennsylvania landmark is situated in the Poconos and offers elegance in a country club-type setting.

The hotel has been described as a Dutch Colonial field-stone castle, so visitors may feel as though they’ve entered the grounds of a historic English estate.

Apart from comfortable rooms, Skytop Lounge offers visitors plenty of fun activities. Golfing enthusiasts will love the award-winning Skytop Lounge golf course, and visitors of all ages can enjoy a bevy of fun seasonal activities.

Another great amenity is Skytop’s Adventure Center. Since the resort is located in the Poconos, the center offers scenic ziplines, paintball fields, downhill skiing, and a lot more.

Best Historic Hotel

The Edgewater | Madison, Wisconsin

This award is presented to a hotel with 201-400 guestrooms that best celebrates its history in the guest experience and provides exceptional customer hospitality and service.

Opened in 1948, and situated on the shore of Lake Mendota in the Midwest, the Edgewater is not only historic, but it’s renowned as a prime example of Art Moderne architecture, which includes a streamlined look, a flat roof, and horizontal window bands.

Visitors who love sightseeing are close to both the Wisconsin State Capitol, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the vibrant scene of downtown Madison.

The Edgewater has more than 200 rooms, offers plenty of elegance, first-class amenities, and several on-site restaurants offering the finest in Midwest cuisine.

Best Historic Hotel

Hilton Chicago | Chicago, Illinois

This award is presented to a hotel over 400 guestrooms that best celebrates its history in the guest experience and provides exceptional customer hospitality and service.

Chitown is known for its many landmarks, but Hilton Chicago still manages to stand out as the city’s third-largest hotel and one that’s renowned for hosting some very famous dignitaries.

Visitors here can soak in the history and scenic of the city as they gaze out at Lake Michigan, the Museum Campus, as well as Grant Park

With more than 1,500 rooms and three on-site restaurants, the hotel is a favorite for visitors staying in the Windy City and has seen several presidents stay there during their time in office.

Best City Center Historic Hotel

Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton | New York, New York

This award is presented to a hotel located in a city center that best celebrates its history in the guest experience and provides exceptional customer hospitality and service.

In a city full of historic landmarks and tall buildings, Martinique New York in Manhattan still manages to find a way to stand out.

Opened in 1898, the Martinique has more than 500 rooms and is renowned for its French Renaissance-style construction, including a green mansard roof and decorated windows.

For visitors who want to experience the true hustle and bustle of NYC, this hotel puts them right in the center of the action and just a short distance away from popular places like the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden.

When visitors step inside the ornately designed hotel, with its exquisite woodwork and its grand staircase, they’ll feel as if they’ve been transported back in time.

The Crown Jewel of Mackinac Island

Constructed in 1887, the Queen Anne-style Grand Hotel is renowned for having the world’s largest porch, it’s housed dozens of notable guests, and it’s served as the setting for at least two movies.

Apart from repeatedly being named one of the best historic hotels in the nation, the Grand Hotel has something to offer visitors of all ages.

With nearly 400 rooms, plenty of top-notch amenities, including multiple restaurants, and a variety of accommodations, the Grand Hotel is perfect for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or just a spot for travelers looking to experience the best of Mackinac Island. 

With oodles of historic charm, modern elegance, and a host of recreational activities, the Grand Hotel is the perfect destination for every type of traveler.