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Thunderbird Inn: Traveler Reviews

2.0 of 5
146 Old US Hwy 31, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Hotel amenities
Thunderbird Inn
Ranked #9 of 40 hotels in Mackinaw City
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60 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Mackinaw City
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 25, 2012

  • Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Mary H about Thunderbird Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveler and not of TripAdvisor LLC nor of its partners.
TeresaDitta, General Manager at Thunderbird Inn, responded to this review
October 16, 2012
I am so glad you enjoyed your stay with us. I hope to see you again sometime in the future.:)

Sincerely.

Teresa Anderson/GM
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC nor of its partners.
Calumet, Michigan
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“towels, what towels?”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed September 17, 2012

My friend and I just returned from Mackinac City. We stayed at the Thunderbird on 9/ 15 & 16th. We had a nice clean room, great breakfast, big clean pool! I only have 1 complaint and that is towards the housekeeping. When we checked in we didn't have any towels in our rm. We called the desk in which we were told that they were still being washed. We never got any!! We went and had to take pool towels to use. The next day we got back from the island and we came back to find that our beds weren't made, no clean glasses , 4 bath towels, ( no smaller ones) and no toilet paper! I have NEVER been in any motel where they didn't make the beds , even if you agreed to not having the sheets changed! Overall though, had a good stay!!! Wish the pool opened earlier though, so we could swim before checkout! ;-)

  • Stayed September 2012, traveled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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See 2 more reviews by purplelover45 for Mackinaw City
Ask purplelover45 about Thunderbird Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TeresaDitta, General Manager at Thunderbird Inn, responded to this review
October 16, 2012
Thank you for choosing our hotel for your stay, I do apologize about the housekeeping and will work very hard to see that that does not happen to anyone else. I will also get some new towels ordered so people arn't having to wait. I hope you enjoyed Mackinaw.

Sincerely,

Teresa Anderson/GM
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Friendly, clean, great value”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 14, 2012 via mobile

We pulled in just before midnight looking for a clean motel at a good price. We usually stay at larger chains but find the price high in tourist areas. They had a king available at a great price. The room was very clean and in good condition with the room amenities found in chain Boyle's. The hot breakfast was tasty. The folks were friendly and even allowed us to fill our coffee thermostat for the road. Will definitely stay again.

  • Stayed September 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Bluetvl about Thunderbird Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TeresaDitta, General Manager at Thunderbird Inn, responded to this review
September 17, 2012
I am very happy to see you enjoyed your stay with us. We hope to see you on your next trip to Mackinaw. If I may be of any further service please don't hesitate to let me know.

Thank you,

Teresa Anderson/GM
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South Lyon, Michigan
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Trip to Mackinaw”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed September 14, 2012

Location was good.room was clean,towels and linens could be updated.could have gotten a better rate as a walkin because end of season. Breakfast was good. Bed to soft for me but overall nice place



  • Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Review collected in partnership with Easytobook.com

Ask Edward H about Thunderbird Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TeresaDitta, General Manager at Thunderbird Inn, responded to this review
September 17, 2012
I am glad you enjoyed your stay I apologize if the beds were to soft. I hope we will see you again when you come through the area and we will work on a better price for you.

Thank you,

Teresa Anderson/GM
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Appleton, Wisconsin
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Headache instead of relaxation”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed September 12, 2012

My boyfriend picked the hotel on our recent weekend getaway to Mackinac. He was drawn in by the price, the fact that there was a "indoor pool", and that they offered a continental breakfast. When we pulled in to the motel I didn't have high hopes. Walked in to the lobby to find every surface covered in cat hair and a cat jumping up on the counters, all over the sofas, etc. I didn't even want to set my bag down. Not the warm greeting someone with cat allergies needs. The room was ok - no signs of cat hair, at least. Bed/bedding was quite comfortable and contemporary. Decor was dated, but I didn't expect anything too fancy from Mackinaw City, especially for the price. TV was old and the reception often poor. Would have appreciated more outlets or powerstrips for charging the cell phones, iPad, electric razor, etc.

Hotel is very close to a couple ferry lines. In fact we walked back to the hotel when the ferry returned to dock rather than waiting for the shuttle to drop us off. There's a sidewalk the whole way, but you do have to cross two main roads to get back to the hotel. When we got back to the parking lot, we found a note on my windshield stating the housekeeping cart had been blown into my car while we were away. There must have been a hurricane while we were on the island. We found a fairly sizable dent on the front drivers side fender and a large divot and scuffs on the factory chrome rim. Not cheap repairs! Guess the Thunderbird Inn really did leave an impression. It's been almost a month and the hotel's insurance company has yet to even acknowledge the incident, let alone pay out so I can repair my damaged "baby". The manager was very nice and apologetic about the whole thing, but that doesn't fix the $1500 damage done.

If housekeeping had kept better control of their cart, this hotel would easily earn an extra point or two on the ratings scale. If you do chance it and stay here, park as far away from your room as possible. We will not be returning.

  • Stayed August 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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See 2 more reviews by al54913 for Mackinaw City
Ask al54913 about Thunderbird Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TeresaDitta, General Manager at Thunderbird Inn, responded to this review
September 17, 2012
Once again I would like to apologize for the cart. There was not a hurricane but it was a very windy day. We have taken way more preventable measures to ensure this does not happen again. If you are still having issues with the insurance company please call me and I will do whatever I can to assist you.

Sincerely,
Teresa Anderson/GM
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Additional Information about Thunderbird Inn

Also Known As:
Best Western Mackinaw City
Mackinaw City Best Western
Best Western Thunderbird Hotel
Address: 146 Old US Hwy 31, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Region: United States > Michigan > Cheboygan County > Mackinaw City
Amenities:
Business Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Kids Activities Pets Allowed Room Service Swimming Pool
Hotel Style:
#4 Best Value Hotels in Mackinaw City
Price Range: $
Hotel Class:2 star (2*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
We are a Beautiful Boutique Property completely devoted to customer service and clean rooms. We provide all the things you have grown to love and trust from a hotel including free WIFI, free breakfast, an indoor pool, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards, cable TV and much more. We are AAA approved, Pet friendly, AARP accepted, along with many other discounts and very close to all local attractions including the ferry lines and water park. Here at the Thunderbird Inn we welcome everyone with a smile and we are confident you will leave with one. ... more   less 
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