Best Hotels in Michigan: A Complete Guide 2026

Michigan's most decorated hotels split into three regions: Iconic Island Destinations, home to the Grand Hotel and The Inn at Stonecliffe; Detroit and Southeast Michigan's Urban Boutiques, home to Shinola Hotel and Detroit Foundation Hotel; and Up North Lakeside and Golf Resorts, home to Inn at Bay Harbor and Grand Traverse Resort. The Grand Hotel is frequently ranked Michigan's number one hotel.

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Explore Michigan's Top-Rated Hotels

Michigan is split by two peninsulas and framed by four Great Lakes, giving it a car-free island retreat, a major industrial city rebuilding itself around design and architecture, and hundreds of miles of freshwater coastline running from Traverse City down to Saugatuck. Mackinac Island bans cars entirely, while Detroit has spent the last decade turning historic buildings into some of the Midwest's most talked-about hotels. Few states combine that much lake shoreline with such a distinct island tradition.

That range of experiences is what separates the state's top hotels, from a 19th-century island landmark to Michelin Key-winning urban boutiques and championship golf resorts on the water. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions, grouped by what defines each one.

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How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional where a source figure exists, and unlisted where it doesn't, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

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Michigan's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

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Iconic Island Destinations

Grand Hotel

• Address: 286 Grand Ave, Mackinac Island, MI 49757
• Category: Historic grand hotel
• Rating: frequently ranked #1 in Best Hotels in Michigan
• Standout feature: the 19th-century landmark features a 660-foot front porch overlooking Lake Huron and 388 uniquely decorated rooms designed by Dorothy Draper & Company. It maintains a formal evening dress code and operates seasonally
• Best for: travelers wanting a historic, formal grand hotel experience on a car-free island

The Inn at Stonecliffe

• Address: 8593 Cudahy Cir, Mackinac Island, MI 49757
• Category: Historic boutique estate
• Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 490 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: the recently renovated bluff-top estate sits away from the busy downtown docks, with a pizza oven patio and manicured lawns facing the Mackinac Bridge
• Best for: couples wanting a quieter, more intimate alternative to the Grand Hotel on the same island

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Detroit And Southeast Michigan's Urban Boutiques

Shinola Hotel

• Address: 1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
• Category: Design-forward boutique hotel
• Rating: 4.5/5 across roughly 1.5K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: the hotel earned Detroit's first-ever Michelin Key for its architecture and service, and it runs an exclusive luxury watch lending program for guests
• Best for: design-focused travelers wanting a downtown Detroit stay with custom artisan finishes

Detroit Foundation Hotel

• Address: 250 W Larned St, Detroit, MI 48226
• Category: Historic boutique hotel
• Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 1.3K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: the hotel occupies a reimagined 1929 fire department headquarters, blending its original industrial architecture with a modern, design-forward interior
• Best for: travelers wanting a boutique stay that captures Detroit's industrial and creative history

Royal Park Hotel

• Address: 600 E University Dr, Rochester, MI 48307
• Category: European-style boutique hotel
• Rating: 4-star hotel on Google
• Standout feature: the riverside hotel sits along Paint Creek and is known for its on-site restaurant and a lounge that hosts traditional afternoon tea
• Best for: travelers wanting a European-style boutique stay outside downtown Detroit

The H Hotel

• Address: 111 W Main St, Midland, MI 48640
• Category: Contemporary luxury hotel
• Rating: 4-star hotel on Google
• Standout feature: the hotel offers tech-forward rooms and an elegant indoor pool, and consistently appears on U.S. News luxury rankings
• Best for: business and leisure travelers wanting a contemporary luxury base in Midland

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Up North Lakeside And Golf Resorts

Inn at Bay Harbor

• Address: 3600 Village Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor, MI 49770
• Category: Lakeside luxury resort
• Rating: 4.7/5 across roughly 941 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: the Marriott-affiliated resort sits directly on the shoreline of Little Traverse Bay, with private balconies and a nature-inspired full-service spa, and operates as a fully cashless property
• Best for: travelers wanting an upscale, shoreline resort stay in Northern Michigan

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

• Address: 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd, Acme, MI 49610
• Category: Lakeside golf resort
• Rating: 4-star hotel on Google
• Standout feature: the 900-acre resort recently completed a $10.5 million renovation across 242 rooms and offers 54 holes of championship golf alongside a private beach club
• Best for: golf-focused families wanting a large-scale resort near Traverse City

Saint John's Resort

• Address: 44045 Five Mile Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170
• Category: Golf and event resort
• Rating: 5-star hotel on Google
• Standout feature: the resort pairs upscale rooms and suites with two dining venues and its own championship golf course
• Best for: travelers wanting an elevated golf resort stay close to metro Detroit

The Hotel Saugatuck

• Address: Saugatuck, MI 49453
• Category: Boutique bed and breakfast
• Rating: 3-star hotel on Google
• Standout feature: the boutique property offers in-room fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and waterfall showers with views stretching toward the lake
• Best for: couples wanting an intimate lakeside retreat in Saugatuck

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Michigan Hotel Taxes And Fees

Michigan's combined state and local taxes on hotel stays run to roughly 12 percent in many parts of the state, among the higher combined lodging tax rates in the country, with the exact rate depending on the city or county's own local accommodations tax layered on top of the state sales tax. Resort fees are also common at destination properties like Grand Traverse Resort and Saint John's Resort, and these are charged separately from tax. Confirm the exact combined rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking.

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Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Travelers wanting a classic island getaway should choose between the Grand Hotel for a formal, historic experience or The Inn at Stonecliffe for a quieter, secluded alternative on the same island. Detroit-focused travelers have several strong options: Shinola Hotel or Detroit Foundation Hotel downtown, or Royal Park Hotel and The H Hotel for a suburban base in Rochester or Midland. Up North, Inn at Bay Harbor and Grand Traverse Resort suit lakeside golf trips, Saint John's Resort suits a golf-focused stay near Detroit, and The Hotel Saugatuck suits couples wanting an intimate lakeside escape.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What's the nicest hotel in Michigan?

The historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is widely considered Michigan's nicest hotel, known for its iconic 660-foot front porch and old-world luxury. Shinola Hotel in Detroit is a strong modern alternative, holding the city's first-ever Michelin Key.

2. Is there a 5-star hotel in Michigan?

Saint John's Resort in Plymouth is consistently ranked as one of Michigan's top 5-star destinations, offering upscale suites and its own championship golf course. Most of the state's other top properties, including the Grand Hotel and Shinola Hotel, sit in the 4-star tier with strong guest ratings.

3. What is the best place to stay in Michigan?

The best place depends on the trip. Mackinac Island suits travelers wanting historic charm near the Grand Hotel, Detroit suits those wanting design-forward urban boutiques like Shinola Hotel, and Northern Michigan suits lakeside relaxation near Inn at Bay Harbor or Grand Traverse Resort.

4. What is the nicest resort in Michigan?

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa stands out as one of Michigan's nicest resorts after its $10.5 million renovation, offering 54 holes of championship golf and a private beach club near Traverse City. Inn at Bay Harbor is a strong alternative for travelers wanting a shoreline resort on Little Traverse Bay.

5. What is the best hotel in Detroit?

Shinola Hotel and Detroit Foundation Hotel are Detroit's two top-rated boutique properties, both set inside historic buildings reimagined with modern design. Shinola holds the city's first Michelin Key, while Detroit Foundation Hotel occupies a converted 1929 fire department headquarters.

6. Are there golf resorts in Michigan?

Yes, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa offers 54 holes of championship golf near Traverse City, and Saint John's Resort in Plymouth has its own championship course closer to Detroit. Both rank among the state's top-rated golf-focused stays.

7. What is the best hotel on Mackinac Island?

The Grand Hotel is Mackinac Island's most famous and highest-ranked property, known for its formal dress code and seasonal operation. The Inn at Stonecliffe offers a quieter, more secluded alternative on the same car-free island.