The Chippewa Hotel Waterfront: Mackinac Island Review
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Planning a trip to Mackinac Island and wondering where to stay? In this post, I’m sharing my full review of the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront – a historic, centrally located hotel with unbeatable views, great food, and everything you need for a fun Mackinac Island getaway.
Why Choose the Chippewa Hotel on Mackinac Island?
If you’re visiting Mackinac Island for the first time or just want to be right in the heart of the action on Main Street, the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront checks a lot of boxes. I chose The Chippewa for my most recent trip to the Island which was a girls trip with my bestie- and I’m so glad I did! Located right on Main Street, this historic hotel is steps from all that Main Street has to offer. It contains the famous Pink Pony Restaurant and adorable shopping at the Pink Pony Store. I fell in love with the Chippewa on my most recent trip to the island and look forward to telling you all about it here. I’ll be honest—those pink petunia baskets and matching umbrellas on the patio totally sold me when picking this hotel for our girls trip. But once I got there, I fell in love with all the charming and unique details it had to offer.
The Chippewa Hotel was the ideal home base for our July girls’ trip. We had an absolute blast with The Chippewa being our hub. This is my full review of the hotel, including what to expect during your stay, a look at the amenities, the pros and cons, and which types of travelers will get the most out of staying at the Chippewa. I’ll also include a few helpful packing tips to make your trip even smoother.
Location & History of the Chippewa Hotel
The Chippewa Hotel dates back to the early 1900s and has retained much of its historic charm while adding thoughtful modern upgrades. It sits directly on the Lake Huron shoreline, so the views of Lake Huron are unmatched. If you are looking at the water from the hotel, The Arnold Transit ferry dock will be on your right and a marina for private boats will be on your left. Many of rooms offer balcony views of the harbor, ferries, and marina. There are also rooms facing the bustling Main Street.
Whether you’re watching relaxing on the hot tub deck (which is right on the water) or under a pink umbrella enjoying lunch at the Pink Pony Patio Bar, you’ll enjoy endless stunning water views at the Chippewa.
Tour of our room at the Chippewa Hotel
There are a few different room types to choose from, including rooms which have a view of main street, and Lake Huron.
We stayed in room 414, which is listed on The Chippewa’s website as: Top Floor Harborview Suite Two Queens + Sleeper.
Close
The Top Floor Harborview Queen Suite is located on the 4th (top) floor of the hotel with a balcony overlooking the Lake Huron. Right when you walk into the room, you see the Two Queen Beds in a large bedroom. Then, you pass through a small hallway with a bathroom sink, mirror and countertop to your right and the bathroom with walk in shower to your left. On our girls’s trip, it was so nice to have a sink and mirror area separate from the bathroom to get ready without having to be in the bathroom. The room also contained a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge. The living room offered a great place to lounge with couches and a table. There was also a glass door in the living room which faced out towards the lake with two chairs and a table on the balcony.
This double queen rooms was HUGE- double the size of a normal hotel room. It was so nice to have some extra space to spread out You get this huge room size when you choose a double queen room, whether it is lake view or Main Street view. We had our own private balcony with stunning views of the marina. I cannot overstate how nice it was to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Main Street enjoy our balcony, sipping coffee and recharging while watching the ferries come and go.
I would highly recommend The Top Floor Harborview Double Queen Suite for a group of friends or family because of the ample space, lounge area separate from the bedroom, and private balcony which offers another space to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery of the marina.
My bestie and I woke up early in the morning before the first ferry came in, walked across the street and grabbed some coffee at Good Day Cafe. We took it back to our hotel room balcony to relax and enjoy and watched the Island come alive as the first Arnold Transit ferries. From our balcony, we could also see Marquette Park, Fort Mackinac, and the bustling Main Street between the park and the marina.
It is worth noting that some of the rooms may be noisy at night, as the party goes late into the night with live music at the Pink Pony Bar which is located in The Hotel. We did not notice any noise, but this is a definite possibility while staying at The Chippewa, because you are right at the heart of the action. This leads me to suggest some items that I would bring along for a stay at The Chippewa:
packing Suggestions for a stay at the chippewa hotel
- Extra phone/device chargers [historic hotels are not known for having extra outlets/bedside USB charging]
- Foam earplugs just in case of late night noise from the Pink Pony bar which is adjacent to the hotel
Hotel Amenities That Add Value
1. The Iconic Pink Pony Restaurant & Bar
Attached to the hotel, the Pink Pony is a must-visit. Whether you’re staying at the Chippewa or not, people flock here for the outdoor dining, live music every day, and famous rum runners. Not to mention the pink umbrellas added to the fun girl’s trip vibe!
- Great food (I had a club sandwich and fries and it was so good!)
- Beautiful marina views
- Convenient for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late-night drinks
The Pink Pony does not take reservations. You have to put your name in at the restaurant, and they will text you when your table is ready. When we were there, the wait was 2 hours for lunch! A pro-tip to work around this is to look for bar seating. My bestie and I did just that, and were able to score seats at the bar immediately! We loved it- the seats had a beautiful view looking right out into the marina.
2. Don’t Miss: Shopping at The Pink Pony Club
If you’re staying at the Chippewa Hotel (or just passing by), don’t skip a visit to the Pink Pony Store — an adorable gift shop located right next to the Pink Pony Restaurant. This was my favorite store on the entire island! It is a colorful little boutique is packed with fun souvenirs, comfy apparel, and island-inspired accessories that make perfect gifts for yourself or others.
Whether you’re staying at the Chippewa Hotel, just grabbing a bite at the Pink Pony, the adjacent shop is a must-visit for souvenirs that are actually cute, stylish and wearable. Their offerings are the perfect way to bring a piece of Mackinac Island home with you because they are things you will actually wear and use because they are so cute! Not your typical gaudy tourist styles.
3. Rooftop Hot Tub & Sun Deck
One of the hidden gems of the hotel is its large hot tub (it really looks like a pool). You’ll find lounge chairs, a peaceful, panoramic view of the lake and the ability to order food and drinks from the bar at the Pink Pony Restaurant (without having to wait for a table!).
4. Walkable, Central Location
You won’t need to rent a bike (unless you want to), because everything from fudge shops to kayak rentals to horse-drawn carriage tours is right outside your door.
Pros and Cons: An Honest Review
✅ Pros
- Waterfront rooms with balconies
- Attached to one of the island’s most popular restaurants
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Large hot tub with pool deck and lake views adjacent to the Pink Pony Restaurant
- Great for couples, small families with older kids, and first-time visitors
❌ Cons
- Can get noisy at night if you’re right above the Pink Pony
- No breakfast included, continental breakfast
- Doud’s Market (the grocery store) is located right across the street, as is Good Day Cafe coffee shop
- One small elevator
- This is NOT a luxury resort or luxury experience– The vibes are more cozy and charming
Who Should Stay at the Chippewa Hotel?
This hotel is a great fit for:
- A girls’ trip!
- First-time visitors wanting to right in the middle of the action on Main Street
- Families with older kids (less ideal for toddlers due to stairs/small elevator)
- Anyone who wants to walk to everything
Not ideal for: those seeking secluded, ultra-luxurious stays like the Grand Hotel or Mission Point Resort.
If you are planning a trip to Mackinac Island, congratulations! It is sure to be a fun and memorable experience. The Chippewa just might be the perfect place for you. Also check out my tips and tricks for getting to Mackinac Island on the ferry. Cheers to your next great Michigan adventure!
