Staying At Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island

Mission Point Resort is one of our favorite places in the entire world. We were married in the lakeside gazebo on their front lawn almost 10 years ago and have returned for every anniversary until just recently. We were way overdue for an adventure to our home away from home. This June we were invited to visit again during The Lilac Festival to see all of the incredible updates that have been done to the resort and enjoy a romantic weekend away. We were so incredibly thankful for this sweet time away together.

{This post is sponsored by Mission Point Resort, however, all opinions are my own. Also, this post may contain affiliate links to some of my favorite places and products. To find out more about affiliate links, read my Disclosure here.}

Today I will share with you everything we did at Mission Point Resort and share more details about this glorious place to stay while vacationing in Michigan, but first, let me tell you more about its spectacular location. The Resort is located on a little island in Northern Michigan, accessible only by ferry or plane, called Mackinac Island. The island was featured in the film, Somewhere In Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It’s the type of place where you feel as though you have instantly stepped back in time, where time has literally stood still. There are no cars allowed on the island (other than one ambulance and several golf carts). The main mode of transportation is either horse carriage or bicycle making it even more idyllic.

Getting To Mission Point Resort

After arriving at Mackinac Island via a quick 15-minute ferry ride across the Straits of Mackinac from Mackinac City, we strolled down Main Street taking in the sites and sounds of the island. Main Street is home to several boutiques, hotels, restaurants, and fudge shops which send the most delectable scent of chocolate into the air.

There are 2 ferry companies that transport visitors to the island, Shepler’s and Star Line. Their docks are also located along Main Street neighboring bicycle rental stands, public restrooms, and a Visitor’s Center. When we checked in on the mainland, Shepler’s tagged out luggage for Mission Point Resort so that our luggage was already waiting in the Main Lodge when we arrived at the resort.

Mission Point Resort is on the East end of the island, opposite the Grand Hotel that boasts the longest front porch in the world. From the ferry docks, we turned right, beginning the mile-long walk to the resort. This walk is a beautiful tour of everything that is special about this small island. We passed Fort Mackinac that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812, as well as the harbor where sailboats and yachts danced along the shoreline. Mansions and churches lined the rest of Main Street eventually leading to Mission Point Resort. We couldn’t miss it.

Checking Into The Hotel

Once we reached Mission Point Resort, the hustle and bustle of Main Street seemed to settle and the casual “island-life” atmosphere of the resort took hold. On one side of the street was the resort that boasts 2 lodges filled with hundreds of newly renovated rooms and suites to suit anyone’s needs, while the other showcased beautiful Lake Huron, a front lawn dotted with white Adirondack chairs, a putting green, a gorgeous restaurant, and the stately lakeside gazebo where we said “I Do”.

We proceeded into the Main Lodge lobby that looks a lot like a large tee-pee with several roaring fireplaces, high beams, and sitting areas. It’s the perfect place to warm up after a cool day of bike riding or strolling the quiet streets, to cuddle up with a good book, put a puzzle together with your hubby, or play a board game with friends. The Main Lodge lobby is the main hub, the meeting ground of sorts, for all of Mission Point’s guests, and it’s also where we met Nick, the Mission Point Pup, who loves to greet new friends and chase the geese on the front lawn. Oh, and he loves snuggles and pets too. You can find him at the concierge desk most days resting.

Admiring The Newly Renovated Straits Lodge

All of the rooms and suites at Mission Point Resort have been renovated and refreshed with tranquil color schemes, pops of denim, vintage posters, and gorgeous subway-tiled bathrooms. Our suite was in the Straits Lodge and featured a pretty console table, vanity, wet bar, and sitting area with comfy leather chairs. I loved the denim accent pillows created especially for Mission Point by the Detroit Denim Company. It was cozy, we were ready to move right in.

The Straits Lodge is dog-friendly, handicapped accessible, and even offers a small coffee/sweet shop in the lobby called Strait UP Coffee. It’s a quick walk from the Main Lodge, past the spa, theatre, arcade, Kids Club, and bike rental. Our room still offered beautiful views of the lake from every window.

Here’s a photo tour of our super cute room…

Dining At Round Island Bar & Grill

Our first evening on the island, we dined at Round Island Bar & Grill located right in Mission Point Resort’s main lobby. I love that Mission Point Resort is basically a one-stop shop. They have restaurants, activities, plenty of room options and suites, a spa, a theater, activities, and so much more. On a rainy evening, as we had, it was nice to be able to stay right at our home away from home, enjoy dinner & chocolate chip bread pudding with bourbon ice cream, sit by the fireplace, play a board game, and meander back to our cozy room while stargazing over Lake Huron. All of that and more is possible at Mission Point Resort.

Stargazing On The Front Lawn

Mackinac Island is one of the best places to stargaze and Mission Point’s front lawn offers a front row seat to the galaxies. We love making our way out to the Adirondack chairs late at night, finding constellations, and watching for shooting stars. If you visit Mackinac Island and have the privilege of staying at Mission Point, you have to take a moment to appreciate this beautiful scene. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. And perhaps, if you get lucky, you’ll be able to watch the Northern Lights.

Touring The Property With Sarah

Right before breakfast on our second day on the island, we got to tour Mission Point’s vast property with Sarah Ombry, the PR & Marketing Manager at the resort. She shared spaces with us at the resort that we’d never seen or appreciated before like the culinary garden planted for the chef’s to use in the restaurants and bars, the art gallery near the theater, and the brand new shops and boutiques. We got a quick peek inside the spa and several of the wedding spaces as well. We were amazed at the transformation. It was so sweet of Sarah to show us around and share even more tidbits about this lovely place with us.

Stuffing Ourselves At The Breakfast Buffet

Most of the packages at Mission Point Resort include a breakfast buffet in Round Island Bar & Grill. One day we feasted on omelets made fresh just for us at the omelet station, and the next day we scarfed down plenty of homemade French Toast. There are so many options to choose from at the breakfast buffet, it takes the guess-work out of this first meal of the day and fueled us for a busy morning exploring the island. We highly recommend looking into booking a package with Mission Point that includes amenities like ferry tickets and meals. It makes traveling to Mackinac Island so much easier and affordable.

Shopping At The Boutiques

We spent the morning exploring Mission Point’s new boutique shops and sipping coffee and hot chocolate at Boxwood Coffeeshop. I could’ve dropped a lot of cold hard cash in their Michigan-themed gift shop and specialty boutique. The items were so unique and not what you’d find anywhere else on the island. We bought a bright pink bicycle bag for me, some postcards that match the artwork in our hotel room, and a Christmas ornament to remember this experience.

Unwinding At Boxwood Coffeeshop

After a busy morning of shopping, we sat and enjoyed coffee at Mission Point’s brand new Coffeeshop, Boxwood. They have some indoor seating and a lovely patio outside where you can enjoy your cup ‘o joe. Boxwood gave me major Fixer Upper, Chip & Joanna, vibes with the gorgeous subway tile and gray island counter. The espresso and specialty coffee were delicious too! They also have some grab and go food items to make packing a picnic easy as 1, 2, 3. We’d highly recommend frequenting Boxwood, or the similar coffee shop in the Straits Lodge called Straight UP Coffee, for all of your caffeine needs.

Walking The Resort Grounds & Beyond

We had to visit the gazebo where we were married during this visit to Mission Point. The bright pink and coral tulips were on full display gracing the gazebo grounds beautifully. It’s such a special place for us both, and personally, I think it’s one of the prettiest places in the world to have a wedding. We walked along the Lakeshore Path beyond the front lawn filled with Adirondack chairs. It’s like Mission Point’s own private lake-front beach. We saw families skipping rocks and flying kites in this common space.

Just beyond Mission Point, around the bend to the East, we entered Mackinac Island State Park. It is a beautiful place to walk or bicycle right along the shoreline of the lakes. We saw white lilacs blooming and listened to the lapping waves on the rocks. It’s just about the most peaceful thing ever. We passed beautiful rock formations (that we’d suggest you hike to at least once during a trip to Mackinac Island), Robinson’s Folly and Arch Rock as we posed for pictures and watched for freighters. This highway through Mackinac Island State Park is the only road in Michigan where no cars are allowed, but there are plenty of bicycles and horse carriages. It’s a must-see part of the island, for sure, and unmissable if you plan to bike around the entire island which is just over 8 miles.

Bicycling The Island On Designer Bikes

While we’re on the topics of bicycles, you have to check out Mission Point’s new designer fleet of bikes from Detroit Bike Company. They are so gorgeous and feature beautiful wicker baskets and stitched leather handlebars, as well as Mission Point’s baby blue signature color and white Adirondack chair logo. They are definitely worth taking for a spin or renting for half the day. Our package included half-day bike rentals which came in handy.

We recommend packing a picnic and setting out into the State Park, stopping for fried pickles at The Cannonball at British Landing, and then cutting down the center of the island where you’ll ride past golf courses, the Equestrian Center, the Horse Carriage Museum, airport, Fort Mackinac, the Governor’s Mansion, and more. Or, you could just continue past The Cannonball eatery and continue your trek around the island.

Going Downtown For Sushi & Dessert

After a quick afternoon nap in our comfy room at Mission Point Resort, we walked downtown for dinner before boarding a sunset cruise that was also included in our Island Romance package through Mission Point. We chose to try a new restaurant on the island called, Sushi Grand. Adam’s ramen bowl and my tempura shrimp sushi hit the spot and was exactly the light dinner option we were looking for. There are plenty of dining options on Mackinac Island, from burgers and pizza quick stops to black-tie 6-course dinners. Here, you can find it all and it’s fresh and unbelievably yummy.

We indulged in the Grand Pecan Ball with Mackinac Island Hot Fudge, a Grand Hotel favorite on the island and certainly worth adding to your Foodie Bucket List. You can find this dessert at any of the Grand Hotel restaurants, the Fort’s Tea Room with the yellow umbrellas, and at Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Boarding Our Sunset Cruise

As part of our Island Romance package through Mission Point Resort, we got two tickets for a Sunset Sip ‘N Sail Cruise through the Straights of Mackinac. We boarded the ferry ship at dusk, bought some beverages at their cash bar, and found a comfy seat. Before we knew it, we were dancing along the lake, moving past parts of the island we’d never seen from a boat, and eventually passing underneath the “Mighty Mac” Bridge.

We watched as the sun set just above the horizon, in the most beautiful coral, hot pink display. As the sun descended and nightfall took over, we watched as stars began to glisten in the dark skies and watched as the lights turned on along the Mackinac Bridge. They looked like diamonds glistening off in the distance. It was an evening we won’t soon forget, and certainly something we think everyone should add to their Mackinac Island Bucket List.

Relaxing At Lakeside Spa And Salon

The next morning, I had the opportunity to relax at Mission Point Resort’s newly renovated Lakeside Spa and Salon, and it was absolutely divine. They provided a comfy robe and slippers and led me back to the women’s locker room area which had beautiful showers, another gorgeous sitting area, vanities, and bathrooms. Just down the hall towards the Relaxation Room, we passed a sauna and a steam room. Inside the Relaxation Room, I found several over-sized cozy linen and leather chaise lounges and of course a refreshment station.

I enjoyed the Lilac Body Treatment that day that included a full body massage, a foot mask, and a facial all using lilac essential oil. The room smelled beyond amazing…I literally could’ve layed there all day. My massage therapist, Tiffany, was wonderful also and customized the treatment to meet my needs. I would highly recommend the 90-minute Lilac Body Treatment when you come. It was quintessential Mackinac Island and simply heavenly.

Resting On The Great Lawn

After an already perfect morning, we continued the perfection with coffee from Boxwood and an hour-or-so-long lounge in the Adirondack chairs on the Great Lawn. We watched as families bicycled past us, listened to waves crashing against the rocky shores, and giggling as colorful kites zipped and dipped above our heads. We could tell we were definitely on “island time”. Before we knew it, our coffee was long gone and it was already past 2 p.m. I guess it was time for lunch.

Sipping Mocktails At Bistro On The Green

We headed over to Bistro On The Green for lunch, Mission Point’s outdoor restaurant that boasts beautiful views of the lake and putting green. There were a plethora of options on the menu as far as food and cocktails (also mock-tails which we appreciated). Adam ordered a Lavender Lemonade, and I sipped on a Strawberry No-Hito which paired perfectly with their scrumptions calamari and my deconstructed gorgeous chicken caesar salad. It was a delicious lunch that finished with a giant piece of homemade carrot cake that literally melted in our mouths. I’m not typically a big carrot cake fan but found it to be simply delightful on this warm afternoon.

Putting On The Greens

After watching several other families try their hand at this gorgeous putting green, we knew we had to give it a try. The winner got to choose dessert at dinnertime (which ended up being fudge from our favorite fudge shop downtown inside Murray Hotel). We chose a lilac and a light blue golf ball and hit the greens. We were so bad. I can’t remember the last time we’ve played putt-putt golf, but it showed that it had definitely been awhile. We still had a lot of fun though laughing at ourselves mostly. Golfing during the day was beautiful, of course, but if you’d like to give it a try at night Mission Point offers Glow Golf as an option as well (weather permitting). Our golf tickets also came with our package that was jam-packed with lots of good bonuses.

Selecting Tulips To Take Home

Before we checked out of the hotel, the lovely staff gave us a bag and encouraged us to pack up some tulip bulbs from their garden to take home to plant in our own garden. Ever since my sister and I made the trip to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Time Festival, I’ve become obsessed with tulips. I was so thrilled to be able to take a piece of Mission Point Resort home with us. Their tulips had just finished blooming and the rain showers we’d just gotten tore off so many petals, so they were already taking them out of the ground and replacing them with flowers. If you visit during early June as we did, you might also get the chance to take home some Mission Point tulip bulbs. I can’t wait to see them bloom around our home next spring.

Riding Into Town On A Horse Carriage

One of the many things I love about Mission Point Resort is that they have horse carriage shuttles that arrive every 30 minutes at the front door of the Main Lodge to take their guests downtown. Typically a carriage taxi costs around $6 + tip to take you wherever you’d like to go. Mission Point’s will take you downtown to the ferry docks where you can get off and enjoy your time downtown.

But, if you’d like to go somewhere more specific like The Grand Hotel, The Woods, or beyond, you can ask the front desk to call for a taxi for you. They also come right up to the front door to pick you up. Typically on our last day, we always love to take the shuttle downtown since our feet have about given up with all the walking that we’ve done. Plus, it’s a super relaxing and beautiful way to see the island.

Saying Goodbye To Our Beloved Island

At checkout, the bellhop at Mission Point Resort took our luggage and tagged it for our ferry line and city (Mackinac City or St. Ignace). They took our luggage and handled it for us…getting it downtown and on a ferry and packed away in a little tent on the mainland until we arrived. When we were ready to leave, which we never truly are, we boarded our ferry and picked up our luggage when we get to the other side. It’s super convenient and makes traveling to and from the island faster and easier.

We enjoyed the relaxing 18-minute ferry ride back to Mackinac City, packed our suitcases into the car, and headed home. It always seems a bit funny getting back inside a car, even if we’ve only been on the island for a couple of full days. Driving is so over-rated.

Here’s What To Expect During a Stay at Mission Point Resort

• Handicapped-accessible rooms & a pet-friendly environment
• Wonderful, friendly hospitality
• Fresh, clean hotel rooms and suites featuring Detroit Denim accents
• Plenty of fun activities to do- arcade, bike rental, pool, spa, fitness center, art gallery, theater, croquet, tennis, golf, etc.
• Several places to eat from casual to fancier- including Bistro on the Greens their outdoor restaurant, Round Island Bar & Grill that offers seating inside and outside & is perfect for casual family dinners, Reserve their brand new Wine Cellar, & Chianti the fancier Italian restaurant located in the Main Lodge.
• 2 coffee shops- Strait UP coffee in the Straits Lodge and Boxwood in the Main Lodge
• Carriage shuttles every 30 minutes to take you downtown
• Luggage transfer to and from your chosen ferry and city
• Toiletries from Lakeside Spa and Salon featuring their signature lilac essential oil
• Packages ranging in price and needs with some including unique experiences like a Lilac Tour with a Gardener, the sunset Sip ‘N Sail Cruise, and half-day bike rentals.
• Several boutique shops that offer the perfect Michigan-themed gifts or souvenirs
• A plethora of pretty places to cozy up by a fire or relax outside and listen to the waves
• A vacation that is so relaxation and soothing to the soul, you won’t soon forget it

If you are planning a trip to Mackinac Island this year, we would highly recommend staying at Mission Point Resort. It literally has everything you need to have a perfect romantic Michigan getaway, with plenty for families to do as well. It’s far enough away from the hustle and bustle of downtown where you feel like you’ve discovered your own secret paradise, but not so far away that you can’t enjoy shopping and dining at several of the amazing places offered here on the island. I hope you visit the Mackinac Island soon, and see why it’s been voted one of the best islands in the U.S. by Conde & Naste and Traveler Magazine.

Thank you, Mission Point Resort, for bringing us back to our favorite place in the world and helping us reconnect on this much-needed romantic getaway. We’re counting down the days till we can visit again.