Thank you for bringing back stellar memories... I was one of 8 bellmen at the Grand in the fall of '78. The college boys had left and the Hotel needed to replace them. I was actually hired over the phone after reading an ad in the Muskegon Heights newspaper; I traveled north by bus and then ferried across to the Island. The bellmen wore classic red cutaway coats, bow ties, white shirts, and striped pants. And all the staff lived in quarters behind the hotel. It was an unforgettable experience. The tourists were called "fudgies" by the townspeople as they sell a lotta fudge at the waterfront. I often regret not accepting the offer to work at The Greenbriar Hotel as a bellman following the seasonal closing of the Grand that October. I remember those days very fondly and pray for the good folk with whom I worked.
I 'm enjoying your video. We live in Houghton Lake & have stayed on the Island often, but never at the Grand. Enjoy ! The night time downtown is so cool. Pizza @ the Rx on a corner in town. Very quiet as tourists leave.
When I was growing up....my family owned a home on Huron Rd. on the island. I was staying at the home during the summer of 1979 when they were filming the movie "Somewhere in Time!" I remember being out front one day doing some painting on our wooden fence. To my surprise....Jane Seymour drove by and said hello. She was riding a bike around the streets enjoying herself when filming had stopped for the day.
Thanks for sharing this Vaca! I have it on my list for 2023. In 1976, I drove across the Mackinaw Bridge on my way to St. Claire Shores with my BFF. I was 18yo and looking for adventure. 💯❣️
In 1981 my new wife and I drove to Mackinac, stayed in a rustic log cabin motel in Makinaw City (the owner opened a special private suite for us as we were newlyweds!) and we took the Shepler ferry to spend a super day on the island eating, shopping, and riding bikes. We spent some time on the huge porch of the Grand Hotel (all by ourselves!) and we snuck into the hotel proper and had a look around! Keep in mind this was only a year or so since the movie "Somewhere in time" was filmed on the island. We were so fortunate!
that's awesome Jim... I named my daughter Elise Mckenna :-) She can't go this time for her first visit yet but my friend and I are going back after 26 years soon!! The Hotel and the movie men a lot to me since my great aunt sent my mom and I the movie long ago... they both are long passed now too 😞
The ticket sticks on your permanent driving record as well! In my eyes, its kinda some shady entrapment. The island doesnt enforce speedometers on bikes rented, or brought in. With that being said, theres no way for anyone, at any point in time, to know how fast they're even going.
Roscommon Michigan here. We went to the island 2 days ago! It's amazing. I hadn't been there for 35 years, which was our honeymoon! It changed a little but that hotel hasn't! We got a great tour on foot and really enjoyed the gorgeous homes and gardens!!
The ice cream at Molly Moos is to DIE FOR!!! We were pretty bummed out last visit, because the ice cream parlor was closed due to the impending GOP convention. That ice cream is one of the things that gets me all the way around the island 😭. The fudge helped me get over it though....sort of.
Stayed there on sister trip in the 80's $400.00 per nite even then!.. hasn't changed..no cars..we rented horses to get around..had hotel pack picnics for us!
Good video , we've never stayed at the Grand but your video shows what to expect if we do, very good thank you. By the way we're neighbors we're in Kalamazoo. Have a good one.
@dgeneeknapp3168 yes you can ride the horses or rent bikes even if you don't stay at the hotel. You can rent a carriage and horse or just a horse or rent one with a driver. Biking around the island is great
The Grand Hotel doesnt tell the real stories on how they treat their employees here . I worked for this hotel for the First season on my 17 birthday . I went back when i was 48 for my last time to work as a Bellman and Doorman .I didnt stay for the Full season that year because this hotel management has gone to Hell in a hand basket . They told me to leave and fired me because i wouldnt Sleep with one of the younger black employees that was a Bellman too . So i went back to San Francisco again . Shabby place behind the Scenes for real. !!!!
Did you know that you were the only one who bitched on this site? Mackinac Island does not miss your presence at all. You are Frisco's problem now Howie.
Why is the guy so quiet? I was hoping the guy could talk about some MANLY things to do on the island, like a Sports Bar or a Pool Room to shoot pool or something just for the Men without the girls. In fact all the men were so quiet. What Gives?
I lived in Michigan 35 yrs but now am permanent resident of tiger town USA Massillon Ohio my home as kid Ohio way better than mi for sure accept for natural beauty mi ok
Thank you for bringing back stellar memories...
I was one of 8 bellmen at the Grand in the fall of '78. The college boys had left and the Hotel needed to replace them.
I was actually hired over the phone after reading an ad in the Muskegon Heights newspaper; I traveled north by bus and then ferried across to the Island.
The bellmen wore classic red cutaway coats, bow ties, white shirts, and striped pants. And all the staff lived in quarters behind the hotel.
It was an unforgettable experience.
The tourists were called "fudgies" by the townspeople as they sell a lotta fudge at the waterfront.
I often regret not accepting the offer to work at The Greenbriar Hotel as a bellman following the seasonal closing of the Grand that October. I remember those days very fondly and pray for the good folk with whom I worked.
I 'm enjoying your video. We live in Houghton Lake & have stayed on the Island often, but never at the Grand. Enjoy ! The night time downtown is so cool. Pizza @ the Rx on a corner in town. Very quiet as tourists leave.
When I was growing up....my family owned a home on Huron Rd. on the island. I was staying at the home during the summer of 1979 when they were filming the movie "Somewhere in Time!" I remember being out front one day doing some painting on our wooden fence. To my surprise....Jane Seymour drove by and said hello. She was riding a bike around the streets enjoying herself when filming had stopped for the day.
Your genuine excitement is infectious. Thank you for sharing. You gave good details and insight.
My Wife and I rode horses also, thanks for Memories
She's gone now, But I will never forget the good times
I'm so sorry for your
loss 😢💔
Thanks for sharing this Vaca! I have it on my list for 2023. In 1976, I drove across the Mackinaw Bridge on my way to St. Claire Shores with my BFF. I was 18yo and looking for adventure. 💯❣️
you must go! finally going back with my former housemate after 26 yrs- she said it was the best vacation she has ever had
In 1981 my new wife and I drove to Mackinac, stayed in a rustic log cabin motel in Makinaw City (the owner opened a special private suite for us as we were newlyweds!) and we took the Shepler ferry to spend a super day on the island eating, shopping, and riding bikes. We spent some time on the huge porch of the Grand Hotel (all by ourselves!) and we snuck into the hotel proper and had a look around! Keep in mind this was only a year or so since the movie "Somewhere in time" was filmed on the island. We were so fortunate!
that's awesome Jim... I named my daughter Elise Mckenna :-) She can't go this time for her first visit yet but my friend and I are going back after 26 years soon!! The Hotel and the movie men a lot to me since my great aunt sent my mom and I the movie long ago... they both are long passed now too 😞
This was so much fun to watch!! Happy Anniversary to that sweet couple!!!!!
Well done chronicle of your great Mackinac Island Grand Hotel experience. I've been on the island but never at that beautiful hotel. New sub 🥂
My dream trip. Thank you for taking me along on yours. Your are a fun girl.
Awesome an gorgeous hotel
Awesome video! Can't wait to go back to Mackinac Island. Such a gorgeous place and you captured it so nicely!
Beautiful place, beautiful video ❤️
That looks like such a fun trip!! 🤩
fun fact about the island you can actually get a speeding ticket on a bike
Can confirm, this is true
or on a horse
The ticket sticks on your permanent driving record as well! In my eyes, its kinda some shady entrapment. The island doesnt enforce speedometers on bikes rented, or brought in.
With that being said, theres no way for anyone, at any point in time, to know how fast they're even going.
Roscommon Michigan here. We went to the island 2 days ago! It's amazing. I hadn't been there for 35 years, which was our honeymoon! It changed a little but that hotel hasn't! We got a great tour on foot and really enjoyed the gorgeous homes and gardens!!
Thanks for the video. Mackinac is on my bucket list. One suggestion, you could have shown a lot more of the island and less of yourselves.
Those horses go out for 30 minutes and then unless you know how to handle them, they head right back to the food!
The ice cream at Molly Moos is to DIE FOR!!! We were pretty bummed out last visit, because the ice cream parlor was closed due to the impending GOP convention. That ice cream is one of the things that gets me all the way around the island 😭. The fudge helped me get over it though....sort of.
Stayed there on sister trip in the 80's $400.00 per nite even then!.. hasn't changed..no cars..we rented horses to get around..had hotel pack picnics for us!
Looks amazing. Ty For sharing.
Been there a couple of times. Great place to go to, you will love it. Best fudge in the world!
I plan on coming back around Labor Day to walk full five miles across big Mac bridge
You sounded so thrilled to be traveling with your in-laws I think I seen a hint of sarcasm
An afterthought to boggle your mind. The Grand Hotel was built in 90 days ! TRUE !
If you like that one, go to the Greenbriar in White Sulfur Springs. I love both. Although Greenbriar did not have horseback riding last time.
Fudge? We used to have that here in Leland but now all we have are fudgies that invade during the summer. :P
Wishing you many return trips in your life.
Good video , we've never stayed at the Grand but your video shows what to expect if we do, very good thank you. By the way we're neighbors we're in Kalamazoo. Have a good one.
my family was in this video! we went to the hotel for vacation the same time as you, what are the odds.
Can you tell me if you can ride the horses, even if you don't stay at The Grand?
@dgeneeknapp3168 yes you can ride the horses or rent bikes even if you don't stay at the hotel. You can rent a carriage and horse or just a horse or rent one with a driver. Biking around the island is great
My two beagles would like that too but I doubt it would stop them from getting to the front. Thanks for the video.
Thx your sharing
How much per room night ?
Way too expensive
We are staying on the island next week but can't afford the Grand Hotel.
Manistique Michigan
Honey, you are in St. Ignace, not Mackinaw City. :D
yup, i’d recognize my hometown anywhere LOL
Too bad they had to get rid of the Esther Williams pool, but this whole video was wandrous!
The Grand Hotel doesnt tell the real stories on how they treat their employees here . I worked for this hotel for the First season on my 17 birthday . I went back when i was 48 for my last time to work as a Bellman and Doorman .I didnt stay for the Full season that year because this hotel management has gone to Hell in a hand basket . They told me to leave and fired me because i wouldnt Sleep with one of the younger black employees that was a Bellman too . So i went back to San Francisco again . Shabby place behind the Scenes for real. !!!!
Did you know that you were the only one who bitched on this site? Mackinac Island does not miss your presence at all. You are Frisco's problem now Howie.
Don't believe a word you said.
This is really nice. I cooked on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. But after seeing this----F both of them.
It's just wrong for a hotel that far north to only have an outdoor pool.
My 35 years as mi resident did not stay at historic mackinaw hotel always sold out
Ohioian are so jealous of Michigan having traveled both i understand why.
Ohio has better more quality more grocery stores and more jobs than mi now too.
Why is the guy so quiet?
I was hoping the guy could talk about some MANLY things to do on the island, like a Sports Bar or a Pool Room to shoot pool or something just for the Men without the girls. In fact all the men were so quiet. What Gives?
Ohio has way better more fresher food than mi and bigger portions and hot
Lots places in mi food very cold
I lived in Michigan 35 yrs but now am permanent resident of tiger town USA Massillon Ohio my home as kid
Ohio way better than mi for sure accept for natural beauty mi ok