Tucked on the northern banks of Lake Michigan, Manistique, formerly Monistique, is the only city in Michigan’s Schoolcraft County! The city straddles the Manistique River and even takes its name from it. The river forms a natural harbor on Lake Michigan, with the city even having a lighthouse, the Manistique East Breakwater Light. Manistique is famed for a host of historical landmarks and the great outdoors and makes for a peaceful getaway on the banks of Lake Michigan. With the number of travelers going up, demand for hotels in Manistique, Michigan, and near it has increased. And rightfully so, since the surrounding region offers many opportunities for activities such as hunting, snowmobiling, camping, fishing, boating, and so much more. Outdoorspeople will love the Palms Book State Park, home to Michigan’s largest spring, Kitch-iti-kipi.
Even history buffs have points of interest here in the form of the historic town of Fayette and Seul Choix Point Lighthouse. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to this gorgeous little town for a laidback yet adventurous vacation on Lake Michigan. To that end, here are the 11 best hotels in and near Manistique, Michigan.
Table of contents
- Comfort Inn
- Evolve Vacation Rentals – Thunder Cove Cabin
- Evolve Vacation Rentals – Lakefront Manistique Cabin
- Holiday Motel
- Nahma Inn
- Quality Inn & Suites
- Evolve Vacation Rentals – Stutts Creek Retreat
- Budget Host Inn
- Econo Lodge Lakeshore
- Gray Wolf Lodge
- Northshore Motel
- Where to Stay in Manistique
- Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Manistique
- Recommended Activities in Manistique
Comfort Inn
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Located right on Lakeshore Drive in the heart of Manistique is The Comfort Inn, one of the best hotels in Manistique Michigan. The hotel sits right across from Lakeview Park and Lake Michigan and is the perfect base for those who want to take full advantage of the shoreline. The hotel has spacious rooms, some of which even come with microwaves and fridges. If that wasn’t enough, there are even fireplace and whirlpool suites for travelers who want to upgrade. In fact, the hotel even accepts pets for a small nightly fee. So, if you want to bring Fido along, you’re more than welcome. Since this is a full-service accommodation, you even get access to free weekday newspapers and free local calls.
The rest of the hotel is equally impressive and comes with many amenities such as a fitness center and even banquet and meeting rooms. The absolute best feature is the hearty free morning breakfast, which includes hot waffles, cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, meat, and even eggs.
Evolve Vacation Rentals – Thunder Cove Cabin
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Stay in the charming two-bedroom Thunder Cove Cabin, one of the best residence-like hotels near Manistique Michigan. Located on the southern banks of Thunder Lake, around 20 minutes from Manistique. The fresh alpine air and the lush environs of the Hiawatha National Forest are perfect for those who love the outdoors. Meanwhile, the privacy is perfect for travelers who prefer solitude and serenity away from the crowds. The cabin has two bedrooms with comfortable queen beds and an upstairs loft with a flatscreen TV and a full bed. The living room with a flatscreen TV is where you can get together for a quiet night indoors with Netflix for company. Plus, there’s a fully equipped kitchen where you can cook everything from simple to hearty meals.
But that’s not all. Spend the afternoon at the picnic tables or fishing for bluegill and perches in the lake. Come evening, and get around the outdoor grill or the fire pit and enjoy an alfresco dinner. Roast some after-dinner s’mores while you’re at it before retiring to the dining table when it gets too cold. Later in the night, step out on the huge deck and admire the clear starry Michigan skies.
Evolve Vacation Rentals – Lakefront Manistique Cabin
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The Lakefront Manistique Cabin on the southern shores of Gooseneck Lake is one of the best hotels near Manistique Michigan. Nestled in Hiawatha National Forest, this is the ideal hideaway for unwinding and rejuvenating. The first thing you’ll notice about this two-bedroom cabin is the spacious covered deck, which has Adirondack chairs for you to unwind and enjoy the serene setting. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and a glass of wine in the evening. In fact, the private lakeshore beach is merely a few steps from the rental, where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, angling, and what-not. Evenings are best spent around the stone fire pit grilling the catch of the day.
The interiors of this charming cabin are as amazing as the outdoors, especially the wide windows that open out to lake views. The well-equipped kitchen has everything you need to whip up hearty home-cooked meals. In fact, the cabin even has a charcoal grill for enjoying barbecues. The living area with cushy sofas is ideal for playing card and board games, watching movies, or relaxing. Finally, the bedrooms are havens of serenity with plush beds that’ll make you fall asleep the minute your head hits the pillow.
Holiday Motel
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Located on the highway around five minutes from town is the Holiday Motel, one of the most value-for-money hotels in Manistique Michigan. The Holiday Motel might be a budget inn, but it certainly doesn’t give off a budget vibe. Rooms are warm with wooden ceilings and walls and carpeted floors. Beds in all rooms are plush with down comforters for when it gets chilly at night. Bathrooms, albeit small, are chic and immaculate, which means you don’t have to rough it. Soft light fixtures make the room feel warm and inviting, especially when it quickly gets cold in town. What’s more, all rooms come with flatscreen TVs, microwave ovens, and fridges, which means you can even store leftovers and heat meals. Since this is a motel, it doesn’t have any perks, but it does have free parking if you’re traveling in a rental.
Nahma Inn
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Nahma Inn is one of the best hotels near Manistique Michigan. It lies in the town of Nahma, another Lake Michigan town around 20 minutes east of Manistique. The charming hotel offers a choice of home-like rooms and suites, all of which are done up in pastel hues of blue, pink, and grey. Besides regular-sized rooms, you’ll also find family rooms for families and larger groups. What’s more, all rooms feature private ensuite bathrooms, tea kettles, wooden desks, and windows with lovely views of the surroundings. Downstairs, you’ll find a restaurant and bar that serves a hearty continental buffet breakfast in the morning. Since the inn lies right in front of the Sturgeon River and the Nahma Boat Launch, it’s the perfect base for enjoying activities and attractions around, including the lake.
Quality Inn & Suites
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Located close to the boardwalk, Quality Inn & Suites is one of the best hotels in Manistique Michigan. Chose from many rooms and suites at Quality Inn, which feature comfortable beds that ensure a good night’s sleep. You’ll also find flatscreen TVs for enjoying movie nights indoors. In fact, you can even enjoy popcorn to accompany your entertainment from the popcorn machine for freshly-popped treats. If that wasn’t enough, the rooms even come with ironing boards, desks, sofas, and coffeemakers so you can get a great start to the day. The best feature is the spotless bathrooms, the higher category ones even featuring hot tubs! Business travelers will be pleased to see a business center, complete with Wi-Fi, a computer, and a copy machine. Do you not want to break your exercise regimen? There’s an exercise room too. Above all, start your day right with a complimentary hot breakfast.
Evolve Vacation Rentals – Stutts Creek Retreat
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Nestled on Old Michigan Road on the banks of one of the branches of Stutts Creek is this beautiful Stutts Creek Retreat. Located around half an hour from Manistique, this cabin is the perfect hideaway for travelers who want to go off the grid while still staying close to civilization. Surrounded by the lush Hiawatha National Forest, this lush two-bedroom cabin even has a cozy loft bedroom, both of which have queen beds. So, you’re ensured a blissful night’s sleep with nothing but quietness to lull you to sleep. During the day, spend time fishing at the creek and indulging in alfresco lunches at the picnic table. As evening falls, gather around the fire pit and roast s’mores to perfection.
When it gets slightly colder outside, move to the cushy sofas indoors in the living room and watch a movie on the TV. Prepare dinner or a light evening snack at the fully equipped kitchen or the gas grill on the deck. Wind up the day with a glass of wine on the deck.
Budget Host Inn
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Located five minutes from the center of Manistique is Budget Host Inn, yet another simple digs for travelers on a budget. Choose from 26 rooms at this inn, which offer discounts to business travelers and senior citizens. What’s more, they even have large family rooms and a three-room family suite with kitchenettes. So, it’s an absolute blessing for larger groups of travelers who don’t want to eat out and prepare their own simple meals. Moreover, all rooms have chic ensuite bathrooms, cable TVs, free local calls, Wi-Fi, and even minifridges. Did you know that the deluxe honeymoon suite even has a heart-shaped spa tub? Yes! Begin every day with a hearty continental breakfast, including a host of hot and cold items, including seasonal fruits and cereals. Finally, there’s a picnic area on the property and even a restaurant across the street.
Econo Lodge Lakeshore
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Located right on the lakeshore in the heart of the town, Econo Lodge Lakeshore is one of the best hotels in Manistique Michigan. Rooms and suites here are pleasant and light-filled and spacious as well. Floor-to-ceiling windows let the light in, and the rooms are spacious enough to have huge work desks and cushy armchairs as well. A plush bed takes center stage, and there’s a flatscreen TV as well. The best room of them all is the one with the king bed – it even has a jetted tub in the bathroom! In fact, all of the other rooms have huge bathrooms with bathtubs. So, you can enjoy a soak after a long day of exploring the surroundings. Begin every morning with a free cup of freshly brewed coffee that’ll fuel your day and ensure you have a lovely time exploring the surroundings.
Gray Wolf Lodge
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One of the most luxurious hotels in Manistique Michigan is the Gray Wolf Lodge, which lies right on the lakeshore in the heart of the town. Choose from 40 comfortable and well decked-out rooms, all of which offer lake views. Even entry-level rooms are large with queen beds or two double beds. The second-floor balcony rooms provide even better views of Lake Michigan. The most luxurious of them all is the Whirlpool Rooms, which have a huge whirlpool bathtub right in the bedroom itself! Gray Wolf Lodge is one of the only hotels in the town that has a swimming pool. Enjoy a dip in the indoor swimming pool, which is open throughout the year. After a swim, head to the spa and enjoy a massage. Later on, take walks on the lodge’s private beach on Lake Michigan.
Northshore Motel
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Located right across from the Manistique boardwalk is the Northshore Motel, one of the best hotels in this Lake Michigan town. The hotel’s enviable position means that you can watch the peaceful shoreline right from the comfort of your rooms and the hotel itself. Rooms and suites here follow different themes, such as rivers of Upper Michigan, seascapes, and even the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore ones. All rooms, of which two are dog-friendly, are equipped with cable TVs, fridges, free Wi-Fi, and, of course, beautiful views of Lake Michigan. For travelers’ convenience, there are also chairs and tables, coffee pots, and hair dryers in the rooms. In fact, all of their rooms have bathtubs, except one! When you head down to the lobby, you’ll find bottled water, a toaster, and a microwave, perfect for heating meals and leftovers that you’ve stored.
Where to Stay in Manistique
Manistique is a small town; in fact, it might as well be walkable! It’s divided by the river largely into eastern and western Manistique. Eastern Manistique is the central hub of the town, with a host of hotels located along the lakeshore and the boardwalk. What’s more, this region is also home to most of the museums, galleries, and restaurants and bars in the town. It’s also home to some commercial elements and the city hall all the way up to the northern edge of the town. Western Manistique is more commercial, with a few restaurants and eateries thrown into the mix. It’s also smaller than the eastern part of the town.
What’s great about Manistique is that it’s a quieter base to explore nearby cities and attractions. Perhaps it’s most famous for being less than an hour to the southern shores of Lake Superior. It’s also where the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore sandstone cliffs lie, among the Best US Winter Vacation spots.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Manistique
- Cedar Street Cafe: This quaint venue right in the heart of the town serves delicious homemade breakfasts and lunches. Dig into eggs Benedict, omelets, brownies and croissants while sipping on gourmet and specialty coffee drinks and desserts. Don’t miss tasting their homemade dressings, jams, and carmel and vanilla bean sauces.
- The Upper Crust: Are you out on a date in town? Head to the Upper Crust, a gorgeous waterfront cafe that serves delectable breakfasts and lunches, and even brunches. In fact, their specialties are hearty soups, super fresh sandwiches, and homemade desserts.
Recommended Activities in Manistique
- Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse: Construction on this historic lighthouse began way back in 1910. Almost a 100 years later, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This iconic lighthouse was the reason that Manistique transformed into a 20th-century boom town, with pig iron and timber shipping daily from the harbor.
- Palms Book State Park: One of the most alluring attractions in Michigan, Palms Book State Park is home to Kitch-iti-kipi or the “Big Spring.” Spanning 200 feet across and almost 40 feet deep, it is the largest freshwater spring in the state! The park is also perfect for guided hiking and walking tours.
