Reasonable lodging at Boyne Mountain

I am planning to take my family to Boyne Mountain during the Christmas break. Can anyone recommend a nice, clean place to stay that is near Boyne Mountain that does not cost $350/night?

Thanks.

Sandy

Reasonable lodging at Boyne Mountain

You may want to try vrbo.com or greatrentals.com to see what homes/condos in the area are available for rent. You should be able to get better pricing.

Reasonable lodging at Boyne Mountain

Are you looking for lodging right at the resort, or within a few minute%26#39;s drive? Your Boyne Mountain lift tickets are good at Boyne Highlands as well (about 40 minutes north) so if it were me, I%26#39;d stay somewhere in between and ski at both.

I would highly recommend Mountain Run at Boyne Mountain. They are part of the Bluegreen Vacation Club. You could see their rental rates and rooms at Bluegreenrentals.com. I just checked at they are going for $219 for 2 bedroom (sleeps 6) condo with complete kitchen. The kitchen does come in handy (you don%26#39;t have to eat out every meal if you don%26#39;t want to) Check it out. The ski trails are right outside your patio door!

I may be able to do a rental for you. We own Bluegreen timeshares which Mountain Run is part of. I can check and see availability for you. How many people do you have? You can e-mail me back at roblisadouglass@yahoo.com.

We just booked a weekend at Mountain Run through Bluegreen rentals and it was $289/nt for 3 bed/3bath/whirlpoo/2balconies and numerous other amenities. I won%26#39;t be going until the peak of ski season but it looks great.

Hi CDJD,

What days are your ski dates? I know Christmas week is all sold out for 1 and 2 BR%26#39;s right now. That may change as we get closer though.

You were fortunate to find a 3BR at Mountain Run. They are sometimes hard to find due to the fact that they are actually a 2BR and a 1BR that they are connected by a common foyer with the laundry area. Usually these are split up by people using the condo units separately. So you will actually have 2 refrigerators, 2 stoves, etc.

I%26#39;m going to be up there this weekend to use the waterpark with family and friends. If anyone ever needs time up there and I have Bluegreen points available, I%26#39;d be glad to look renting you some. I also have friends that may have points available. I can e-mail you a points chart if you want also. Weekdays are much fewer points than weekends. I can guarantee you weekdays are much lower cost than $300 per night. A 3BR would run about $750 for a Sunday checkin and Friday checkout in Red season (January 5 through ski season). A 2 BR would be about $450.

I also have references if you%26#39;d like to check with them. Send me an e-mail if anyone is interested. roblisadouglass@yahoo.com

We are going the first weekend in February. Unfortunately going during the week is not an option for us. Yes we are aware about the 3 bedroom setup but that actually works best for our group. Thanks for the tips.

I agree with you on the 3 BR setups. Works great for us also, especially when the inlaws are along!

My favorite place to stay at Boyne and I go each weekend throughout ski season is the Brown Trout. It is ideally situated right across the street from Betty%26#39;s a great place for breakfast or lunch and the quik mart and gas station. There are 2 other restaurants right around the corner as well. It is only about a mile out of the Boyne driveway and very clean and comfortable. THe knotty pine feels so up north like. Gary and Laura are the owners and so helpful and friendly you%26#39;ll feel right at home. Last weekend for crazy days they stayed up driving their guests and shuttling them for free lest anyone get caught drunk driving. They are expert mushroomers, and fishermen and know the local area very well. Save your money, stay there or their sister motel The Falls. Save your money, stay there, park on the circle drive at Boyne for only $10 and come and go,Boyne attendants will save your spot. Best of both worlds. Also there%26#39;s a breezeway with doors for each room, I back in and am unloaded in minutes. Try that with a big resort. Check-in and out and move in and out a breeze. Tell them Sally sent you..they%26#39;ll know who you mean!!

Hmmmmmmm, some really great, free advertising here-LOL

Birch Run/Frankenmuth shopping question

Hi Everyone

I see the post asking about other shopping in the Great Lakes Crossing area but I was wondering something similar but specific to Birch Run.

We will be spending a few days in Frankenmuth and for sure hitting Birch Run for some shopping. I know there are the outlets there but it has been YEARS since I have been and I was wondering if there is a Target nearby as well.

Thanks so much in advance.

Birch Run/Frankenmuth shopping question

According to the Target website, there are no locations in Birch Run. I believe the closest locations are those on Miller Rd in Flint and on Lapeer Rd (off of I-69) in Flint. Both of these locations are ~20 miles south of Birch Run but you be able to stop if you are coming across I-69 from the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia.

Birch Run/Frankenmuth shopping question

There is also a Target in Port Huron about 5 miles north of the Blue Water Bridge. It%26#39;s located in the Birchwood Mall.

Was just there a few weeks ago---no Target, but there is a Meijer store. IMO, not as nice as Target, but has lots of grocery%26#39;s. It is kinda of like a Super Walmart, but a lot better.

motels with outdoor pools

We%26#39;ll be visiting Jackson this July for a wedding. What%26#39;s the best motel with an outdoor pool?

Thanks!

motels with outdoor pools

there is the travelodge which is off of highway 94, exit 137, most of the hotels have indoor pools due to the cold weather in the winter. I know thi cause i work at one of the hotels...

motels with outdoor pools

I%26#39;d go with Fairfield. I think they have an indoor and outdoor pool. Most hotels around here have indoor pools because of our long winters. Travel Lodge does have a pool but the place is not quite as well kept as Fairfield.

Thanks for the info. It looks as if this is the only motel with an outside pool. But there sure are some negative reviews!

I wonder how much it%26#39;s improved? Or if it has? There aren%26#39;t very many recent reviews. Any one stayed there recently? Thanks.

It doesn%26#39;t look as if Fairfield has an outdoor pool, according to their website. I think I%26#39;ll call them to make sure.

I also came up with a B%26amp;B in Concord which I%26#39;m now considering as it has a pool and is close to the wedding site. Kind of expensive, though.

Maybe I%26#39;m too attached to the idea of having to have a pool? Just remember how hot it can be in southern Mich. in July!

But maybe there%26#39;ll be great thunder storms and it won%26#39;t even matter whether there%26#39;s a pool or not!

Thanks for every one%26#39;s help.

If anyone has experience w/ the B%26amp;B in Concord, I%26#39;d love to know.

oregongirl,

I haven%26#39;t stayed here lately but I do drive by it quite frequently. It is a popular spot for truckers and they also rent rooms out by the month so you get a different type of visitor there. The Colonial Inn has an outdoor pool too but is even worse than the Travel Lodge.

Concord is a quaint little town. I never even knew there was a B%26amp;B there. It is a nice quiet little village. You will feel like you stepped back into time there.

I was just thinking that if you end up going to Concord be sure to check out Cascarelli%26#39;s in Homer or Albion for a meal one time. I believe the owners of both places are related and both are great little places to eat.

Thanks for dining suggestions.

I made a reservation today for the b%26amp;b in Concord. They have a pool, hot tub, a pond for swimming and kayaking. The people seem real nice and accomodating; they offered us the use of 4 bikes while we%26#39;re there. It feels like a real vavation!

I%26#39;ll post our experience this summer after the trip. Thanks for all your responses.

Yes please do. That sounds like a great time and I%26#39;d love to hear about it as it might be an ideal weekend get away for my family. Have fun in Michigan.

pentoolonphotoshopcs2

Webcams on Mackinac Island

I can%26#39;t seem to get enough of Mackinac Island, so when I can%26#39;t be there in person, I often have one of three webcams open on my desktop.

The newest addition to the webcam family is one atop the Chippewa Hotel that allows you to control the camera. It is on the Mackinac Island Chamber of Commerce website, courtesy of boatnerds.com. The link to the webcam is: http://www.mackinacisland.org/webcam.html

There%26#39;s also the webcam from Horn%26#39;s Bar:

http://www.hornsbar.com/webcamlarge.htm

Lastly, I visit the webcam at The Island House Hotel:

http://www.theislandhouse.com/island-cam-22/

You can also visit the webcams of the Mackinac Bridge at: http://www.mackinacbridge.org/bridge-cam-20/

If you know of other webcams on the island or bridge, please post them here.

Many thanks and best wishes for a wonderful 2009!

Webcams on Mackinac Island

This is good to know, thanks for the info!

Webcams on Mackinac Island

Thanks AP! I have the Horns Bar and Island House open usually a couple times a day. Good to know about the other! Can%26#39;t wait to check it out.

My husband often catches me daydreaming staring at the screen. Then reminds me our next trip isn%26#39;t for another 8 months. Party pooper!

Thanks Kdets89!

I am having trouble this weekend getting the controllable webcam to function. It worked yesterday morning but now has an error when the Java script loads. Anyone else having this problem?

Now that 2009 has arrived, it%26#39;s time to think about the next trip to the island. We%26#39;ve never been there in June, so....

We were having fun with it yesterday too, but couldn%26#39;t get it this morning either.

Most of the times we have been to the Island have been in June. Wonderful time as long as you can avoid the rain, which is what always seems to happen to us in early June. Later in the month is great! We%26#39;ll be making our trip in August this year.

wow thanks! thats so neat how you can move the camera yourself!!

how fun thanks for posting this!

So the controllable webcam on the Chippewa Hotel is now my favorite on the island.

If you know of any other island cams, please add them to the list. Thanks!

I have found another webcam in the Mackinac Island area. This one features a view of the Mackinac Bridge and Straits, from what looks to be Mackinaw City:

9and10news.com/weather/skycams/skycam.asp…

There are also other northern Michigan webcams on the same TV station web site.

My husband says the same thing to me when he asks what Im doing at the computer monitor. Just checking to see what its like. I vacation in Mackinaw City and the Island every year. Although I dont call mine party pooper I call him old geezer. It doesnt cost anything to look.

I like looking at the cams also. It%26#39;s nice to see the ice and snow all melting and the water moving. Can%26#39;t wait to see the boats in the harbor, we are going in June during the lilac festival for our first visit! Does anyone know when they will be bringing the horses over to the island? I would love to watch them arriving from the ferries. Thanks!

is it good to visit Mackinac Island at this part of the year

Hi all.

I live in Detroit, and I have one week vacation starting tomorrow.

I wanted to go out somewhere close. I like the natural landscapes of Mackinac island. but I was wondering if it is good to visit Mackinac Island at this part of the year.

please advise me.

thanks

is it good to visit Mackinac Island at this part of the year

I, personally would not visit the island this part of the year. Most everything is closed. Nothing opens til the beginning of May meaning the shops and most hotels and inns. Also, I think all three ferry lines dont really start their 2009 schedules until just before most of the places on the Island open for the season. I think a good time to visit is the last part of May or first part of June. This is the time period I went last year and also is the time frame I am visiting again this year. The temperature is right around 70. Just right.

is it good to visit Mackinac Island at this part of the year

The Island is still beautiful this time of year, but I think a couple of days would be pleanty. Here are photos from a year ago and info on how to get to Mackinac Island in winter: www.mightymac.org/mackinacislandwinter.htm

I am not sure the Ferries run regular at this time of year. Mackinac is one of the most beautiful areas in our state- go in Summer or Fall and truly enjoy it then..

As already mentioned, the island is very quiet right now. Ferries are not running so a short airplane ride is the only way on %26amp; off the island.

If near total isolation is what you seek, it might be good, but in my humble opinion, wait until the shops, inns and restaurants are open and then enjoy exploring the island when it%26#39;s truly beautiful.

In the future, going over the New Years holiday or during the island winter festival when you can probably ride over on the ice bridge would yield more enjoyment for you.

I take it you have already left. I%26#39;d go furthur north and and see Tahquamenon Falls also. And then head on down to Traverse City and Petoskey. You will get a good variety of activities and nature that way.

St Joseph beaches in June?

I%26#39;ve never been to any of the beach towns in Michigan, but would like to take my family there this summer. We%26#39;re already going to Colorado in early August, so would need to go to Michigan in late June to early July. Is the water temperature of southern Lake Michigan warm enough for the kids to comfortably swim in early summer -- or is this trip an idea that should wait until we can go in late summer?

St Joseph beaches in June?

It just depends on mother nature. Early July sounds more appealing. June not so much.

St Joseph beaches in June?

The water is usually still pretty cold in June. Last summer by the middle of July the water was perfect for swimming and it was great clear thru Labor Day weekend. Lake Michigan can be tempermental -- sometimes it is wonderful one day and then seems to turn over and is freezing cold the next. Always hard to know for sure, but your best bet for swimming would be to visit in July or Aug.

';Turn over'; that is exactly what it does. We have prevailing westerly winds here. When we get that occasional easterly wind it actually blows the warmer surface water away from the shore, and it returns when the winds turn around. There%26#39;s always a silver lining. When this happens the sailors have wind but the lake stays calm and smooth.

colorstay

camping on the island? or $100 or under lodging during peak

...season....are either of these an option. So far I know of no lodging under $100 during peak season but also if there%26#39;s not is there camping on the island then? I%26#39;m imagining there likely is but I have not heard there is yet. Any info. would be appreciated, thanks for the help~

camping on the island? or $100 or under lodging during peak

I%26#39;m pretty sure camping is not allowed on the island.

If you can find lodging under $100 per night during the peak season I am sure many of us on the forum would welcome hearing about it.

There are campgrounds in Mackinaw City and lodging under $100 per night there and in St. Ignace but that probably doesn%26#39;t help anyone who wants to stay on the island rather than day trip over.

camping on the island? or $100 or under lodging during peak

24fan is correct about no camping on the island.

You may be able to find a B%26amp;B on the island at $100 during peak.

As an alternative to staying on the island, you can stay in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace and take the ferry over each day, though you need to weigh those costs as well.

Peak season of course means peak rates. Shoulder or off season could be more affordable for staying on the island.

Be sure to look at the reviews on Trip Advisor to compare lodging options, pricing and quality.

Camp in Mackinac City and ride the ferry to the island each day. It%26#39;s fun and easy. For the best experience, bring your own bikes.

Everyone is correct that there is no camping on the Island. Depending on the size of the party, you might also consider a condo rental (Sunset Condos is who we usually go with). Rates are reasonable, and if you get one with a kitchen, you can save money by cooking some meals for yourself. You can pack boxes and coolers of food and they will be shipped to the condo with your luggage.

Ditto the suggestion to bring bikes!

thanks for the helpful input!

Try the B%26amp;B%26#39;s - this year, with the economy the way it is - you might get a room for $100 or less.

Mackinac Island is semi-recession proof. Those of us addicted will still be there, despite the fact that our 401K%26#39;s look like 101B%26#39;s.

Suggestion (as above): bring a cooler as luggage filled with food which will save on meals. We will bring oatmeal and a hotpot, for example for breakfast and peanut butter and jelly for lunch, as well as instant soups.

We like going out for dinner - but if you are budget minded, the Murray Hotel has a fairly priced all you can eat pizza and salad buffet (our kids love it).

Renting bikes is very expensive and it is great having them at all times!!

Be careful!! I have substituted as Island doctor a few times - and there are accidents (usually people suddenly stopping for one more picture without looking behind them - if you are careful - you will be fine).