Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
We’re a seasonal inn located in the upper peninsula of Michigan across the street from Lake Michigan. We’re open from April 1st through November 30th.
My husband and I recently enjoyed a 2 night stay at the Colonial Motel with our dog. Communications pre-trip were quick and helpful. We arrived to an easy check in (sign for the office could be a bit more prominent). The owner is very kind and helpful with sightseeing/dining recs, and you can tell he really cares about the property.
Ample parking and an outdoor picnic table so you could eat outside if you wanted. Grounds are very well maintained.
Room was spotless. Enjoyed the fridge and micro and that the fridge was raised a little off the floor so we didn't have to bend down all the way. Bed was comfortable, though he said a new bed was coming. Bathroom had good water pressure and ample hot water though the shower head is quite low if you are a tall person (I am not, my husband is). The sink is small, but there is a nice shelf unit to hold any toiletries. We happened to arrive in an unusual hot spell and the AC worked great and got the room quite cold. The room has carpet in it which is a peeve of mine, but that didn't deter from our overall great experience.
We would 100% stay here again if we revisit the area.
The ice cream shop next door has the best ice cream I have ever had.
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The owner is cordial and welcoming to all guests, many of whom are returning customers. The motel has been in the same spot since 1952 but has been added on to, remodeled and kept in good shape. Seeing the green-tiled bathroom was like being back in my parent’s 1949 post-war single-bathroom home. The king size bed was firm with soft pillow top. Everything was very clean. We appreciated the small refrigerator with separate freezer compartment and a nice, new microwave oven. Coffee and donuts in the lobby each morning brought guests together for good conversation. Definitely would stay here again.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:When you call to reserve a room, ask for options in beds and baths, such as jacuzzi. Do breakfast...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was traveling through the UP solo on a business trip and stayed the night at this wonderful motel after reading all of the positive reviews about it. The motel is impeccably clean and the room was very, very comfortable. In fact, I haven’t slept that well while on the road in a long time!
While the motel is updated has all of the modern things you need like WI-FI, satellite TV, etc, it has a cool retro vibe about it that you can’t get at a large hotel chain. In fact, my room had some very nice, framed, vintage travel ads on the wall and the original tile in the bathroom (which was also spotless).
The location is also near restaurants and across the street from Lake Michigan so you’re close to many fun things to see and do when you stay here.
The owner, Michael, runs the place himself and is a super nice guy too. You can really tell he cares about the motel and the comfort of his guests. He was also very helpful in providing dining recommendations in the area so be sure to ask him if you’re looking for a good spot to eat.
I highly recommend staying here and I’m definitely planning to return with my family for a longer stay next time!
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
With our son and his family now living in Canada we had passed this quaint motel numerous times on our travels through the UP. My wife and I had a chance to stay for about a week the end of July. The king room was excellent, very clean and well kept and the new mattress was super comfortable. Grounds were perfectly maintained and right across the highway to the water for awesome view of Lake Michigan and the great 1.84 mile boardwalk which we ran/ walked each morning. The price for a room was excellent and the owner Mike even gave us a military rate as well! We had such a relaxing time we decided to extend our stay another night and Mike had no problem accommodating our last minute request. The owner was a great guy, very personable with a great sense of humor. Each morning there was coffee and donuts waiting for us the the retro 1950s office area. Mike also was able to suggest places to visit in the area as well as great places to eat. The cleaning crew was top notch, rooms spotless and the grounds perfectly manicured. When you are there ask Mike to tell you about room 6😉 My wife are already looking forward to our next visit back to manistique to visit stay there again. Thanks Mike.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You won't find another motel like this one. The Colonial Inn is VERY clean and very well kept,. Mike offers a very fair price and is very accommodating to you and makes you feel like family upon arrival. Beds were comfortable. Would highly recommend..
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Everything about this small roadside hotel is absolutely charming. The hospitality is off the charts, the rooms are spotless, the water is hot with plenty of pressure and is a great location with hot coffee and donuts in the morning if you like. Stayed 3 nights and we wished we could've stayed a couple more.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Life in Manistique moves at a slower pace and so it only makes sense to stay in a hotel that is a throwback to a bygone era. While I appreciated the modern conveniences like flatscreen refrigerator and air conditioning, what made this hotel special was the authenticity. While perfect for my 2 pups and I, my room was probably one of the smallest but delightfully original—knotty Pine walls, original tile in the bath, and beautiful antique furniture…all so clean and well-maintained it’s hard to believe it’s all 70 years old! Mike hasn’t owned the hotel all this time, but he knows the history of it almost as if he has, and enjoys sharing stories he has learned with his guests. Actually, the whole town is 1950’s friendly, everyone I met, right down to rangers at the state parks had a smile and took the time to make me feel welcome. If 2022 has you desperate for a reset, this is a great place to find it😁
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Colonial Motel is clean and comfortable, and the location by the lake is phenomenal!
The cleaning crew keeps the place spotless, and the mattress was without a doubt the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on at any motel or hotel I’ve ever been to!
The owner is professional, and he is also very caring, catering to the needs of his guests. He even posted ‘Happy Birthday Bruce’ on the marquee when I stayed there.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Best motel in the UP, hands down!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I were lucky enough to find this gem while traveling through the U.P. Mike, the owner, is the friendliest guy and had all kinds of cool suggestions for things to see while we were in the area. He told us to check out Kitchitikipi springs which is nearby and seriously too amazing to be missed. We also enjoyed walking along the beach and out to the lighthouse and his dining suggestions for the area were fantastic. The location is idyllic, the room was spotless and comfortable, and we enjoyed sitting in the lobby area (which is more like a cozy living room with tons of cool vintage memorabilia and 2 super cute doggies) and chatting with Mike. This place is just so unique and we can't wait to go back!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is a true gem - affordable and clean! The proprietor, Mike, is so accommodating, friendly and helpful - he made our overnight stay one of the best ever while traveling through the U.P. Upon our arrival we were greated by his three friendly dogs and a young, barking puppy (who simply wanted a belly rub ). He gave us his helpful suggestions on where to go for dinner and answered our other questions - we really enjoyed our conversation with him. Coffee and donuts were served in the lobby area before we dparted in the morning! We'll definitely be back! :)
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Manistique area.
LOCATION
United StatesMichiganUpper PeninsulaManistique
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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