Luxury Hotels of the World: Mission Point Resort

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Voted the “Best Place to Stay in Michigan” by Condé Nast Traveler, winner of multiple traveler’s’ choice awards & Wedding Wire awards, plus boasting one of the highest Trip Advisor Scores in the entire Midwest (along with quite literally dozens of other travel and wedding related awards), I knew I had to see what all of the excitement was about for myself. Growing up in Michigan, and as a frequent visitor to the island, I had always heard fantastic things about Mission Point Resort, so I knew we were in for a real treat during our first stay at the hotel. We were so thankful for the chance to take our first micro-trip of the year, after being home since last September, and Mission Point Resort was the perfect way to break our travel fast!

Mission Point Resort

Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Address: One Lakeshore Drive, Mackinac Island,Michigan 49757
Staff Helpfulness & Friendliness: 5/5
Pool & Hot Tubs: Yes
Spa: Lakeside Spa & Salon
Proximity to Other Points of Interest: 5/5

Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island Front Entrance by Annie Fairfax

Our first time back on Mackinac Island this year was a wonderful adventure, and we enjoyed every moment of our stay at Mission Point. When we arrived at the resort, we were given a tour of the grounds and a bit of history about the hotel. Six years ago the new owners purchased a large stretch of lake front property, and the buildings on the land that were once part of Mackinac Island’s College, many of which were in desperate need of repair or a facelift. Since then, they have poured tens of millions of dollars into transforming the resort and its gorgeous grounds into one of the most sought after wedding venues and vacation destinations in the United States. Speaking of weddings, we also learned that they are currently accommodating small, reduced size weddings that had been cancelled by other venues, and that they had a wedding turnaround time of about 5 days from booking to dream wedding ceremony. FIVE DAYS!

Purple Flowers at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island by @AnnieFairfax

Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island by @AnnieFairfax

We had the chance to chat with a newlywed couple while I was taking pictures of the Adirondack chairs (they came up and asked what I was doing) and they started talking about how they were heartbroken at the idea of having to wait another year (or more) to get married. They said a coworker had recommended contacting Mission Point, and their hastily arranged wedding turned out to be far more beautiful than their originally planned wedding was going to be, and that they were just so thankful they were able to get their wedding in on Mackinac Island. I was so impressed to hear their story of how they arranged their wedding in about a week, it was seriously an incredible achievement. If that doesn’t convey to you how talented and hard working the staff of Mission Point are, I’m not sure what will!

I was shocked when the staff told us exactly how much work they had put into the resort to make it as luxurious as possible for guests on the island over the past few years, including updating and redecorating all of the guest rooms, completely redoing the landscaping, adding the island’s largest lawn (the Great Lawn, in case you were wondering), replacing awnings, completely repainting the buildings, and adding the island’s largest spa. They still aren’t finished with all of the improvements they want to make, despite the resort already being a world class travel destination. In fact, they plan to also open one of the world’s largest lemonade stands on their newly renovated Promenade Deck, and they recently rolled out their new picnicking initiative, called the Mission Point Picnic Society. Through this initiative, the resort offers dozens of lunch combinations that guests can pack onto a bike, grab a picnic blanket, and head out around the island to find the perfect picnic spot to enjoy their meal.

Mission Point Resort Picnic Society on Mackinac Island Northern Michigan by @AnnieFairfax

It’s so exciting to see that such an iconic hotel, one that has garnered such international and local acclaim in such a short period of time, is so dedicated to continuously improving, season after season. It feels like each time someone mentions Mission Point, I learn about something new and innovative the resort is doing to give guests the best possible experience during their time on Mackinac Island.

5:14 am Sunrise Over Lake Huron Adirondack Chairs on the Great Lawn Beach View at Mission Point Resort by @AnnieFairfax

Straits View King Room at Straits Lodge at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island Michigan by Annie Fairfax @AnnieFairfax

Our room was a Straits View King Room inside the Straits Lodge, with a wonderful view of Lake Huron. We were initially very disappointed to find that about half of the floor of our hotel room was completely wet, because the air conditioner had been on full blast all day everyday for a week or so, due to the record high temperatures on the island, and hadn’t been emptied more frequently to accommodate for the increased usage. However, when we reported this to the hotel staff, they were so apologetic and very kind, they told us they were sending someone up to take care of it right away, and they offered to move us immediately to a nicer room. They also offered to give us meal tickets, drink tickets, bike rentals, and a round of golf on the house to apologize for the inconvenience. We didn’t take them up on the latter offers, but it was very reassuring to know that they took our concerns so seriously and made sure we weren’t inconvenienced at all. Crazy things can happen any time at any hotel, like when we stayed at a hotel in Italy that lost power for an entire day, or when our hotel in the Philippines had had a miscommunication with their laundry service and was completely out of table linens, so they had to use paper products while we were there. What matters to me is how the hotel and the staff handle situations like these, and how they go about ensuring that all guests have an excellent experience, which Mission Point demonstrated that they do excellently. I’d also like to point out that these staff had no idea that I was a travel writer, so they treated us exactly as they’d treat any other guest.

Pink Flowers at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island by @AnnieFairfax

Sunset Over Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island Michigan by Annie Fairfax @AnnieFairfax

There was so much to do at Mission Point Resort from wading in the lake (or swimming if you prefer, the waters are crystal clear), relaxing at Lakeside Spa & Salon, renting bikes to explore the island and relaxing on the Great Lawn to eating at one of the hotel’s five on-site restaurants, going on a picnic, playing put-put golf on their gorgeous Lakeview course, and watching the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets over the lake, there is something fun for everyone. We loved our time here, and we woke up before dawn every day, and stayed up well after dark in order to make the most of our time on the island. My husband and I had so much fun enjoying all the resort had to offer, and we hope to visit again soon to see what changes and upgrades they’ll make next. Keep an eye for more posts about Mission Point Resort, coming soon!