hard to find this kind of host these days. Carol and Mike are just what the doctor ordered when he said get some rest and let go of that stress. Stayed three days and that was not enough. Very clean and spacious rooms. They must have many repeat customers because there is a good group of folks sharing the events of their day with them as the laughter is genuine. Yeah I really liked my visit and am sure to return for years.

After dealing with very unpleasant staffers at a chain hotel, we saw the reviews for the Tradewinds. Loved the room styling. Loved the comfortable beds. Loved Carol, the proprietor. Loved the convenient location. Do yourselves a favor and stay at this shining gem in St. Ignace. We are returning next month!

Do yourself a favor and drive right past all of the chain motels in downtown St Ignace. Just beyond the hospital and Bessie's Pasties is the Tradewinds. You will be greeted by Carol who is the friendliest person you will ever meet. She will give you recommendations for dinner- let you play with her dog Maggie and then give you a nice, clean quiet room at a fantastic price. We have been coming through St Ignace for years and staying at Carol's place (which is what we call it) the last couple years. One visit and she will know your name the next time. If you want to have personalized service, a clean room and a great view of Lake Huron, go to the north end of the hotel/motel strip and stay at Carol's- you won't be disappointed.

Our plans were to stay two nights in the area, and we spent the first night across the bridge in the lower peninsula at the Comfort Inn in Mackinaw City. I was very highly unimpressed and annoyed by the Comfort Inn and their lack of advertised amenities. We decided on the next day to look across the Straits in St. Ignace. In driving down the hotel/motel strip in St. Ignace we happened upon The Tradewinds. We were actually going to turn around in their parking lot and double back to one of the chain motels.

We noticed that it was an old 60's style motel but that it was very well maintained. Neat, clean and well-cared for. We then noticed the price on the sign. $39 a night! We decided to "inquire within" and met the very friendly owners. We decided to stay and were happy that we did. It is a little dated, but frankly that's part of it's charm. No phones in the room, but who uses them anymore in this age of mobile phones. No morning breakfast (but there is coffee/coffee maker in the the room), but after having two sad, little chain hotel breakfasts in as many days, I can't say that no breakfast is a bad thing.
They have free wifi, which is how I am writing this review - another amenity advertised at the Comfort Inn but that I never was able to use because it was down.

The other nice thing is that even though it is on the main road through St. Ignace, it is set back from the road enough that we slept with the window open and never heard the traffic that goes past.

We make about two trips a year up here and only wish that we had discovered The Tradewinds years ago. EXCELLENT VALUE FOR THE MONEY!