Located near Lake Michigan, Thunderbird Inn is a haven for relaxation. Unwind by the swimming pool with sun loungers or take advantage of the indoor pool. With in-room WiFi and helpful staff, this motel offers excellent value.
Reviews
7.67.6 out of 10
Good
Popular amenities
Pool
Pet friendly
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Free WiFi
Free parking
Main amenities (6)
Indoor pool
Free ferry terminal shuttle
Vending machine
Concierge services
Limited hour front desk
Tour/ticket assistance
Feel at home (6)
Children stay free
Rollaway/extra beds
Refrigerator
Television
Coffee/tea maker
In-room climate control (air conditioning)
$77 nightly
The total price is $83
$83 total
Aug 21 - Aug 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Room options
Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms
View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed
Standard Room, 1 King Bed
8.28.2 out of 10
Very good
16 reviews
(16 reviews)
Highlights
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Pillowtop bed
Shower/tub combination
243 sq ft
Sleeps 2
1 King Bed
View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds
7.87.8 out of 10
Good
39 reviews
(39 reviews)
Highlights
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Pillowtop bed
Shower/tub combination
Hair dryer
Coffee/tea maker
Sleeps 4
2 Queen Beds
View all photos for Superior Room, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa, Courtyard View
Superior Room, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa, Courtyard View
8.08.0 out of 10
Very good
11 reviews
(11 reviews)
Highlights
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Pillowtop bed
Shower/tub combination
248 sq ft
Sleeps 2
1 Queen Bed
View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub
Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub
7.67.6 out of 10
Good
4 reviews
(4 reviews)
Highlights
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Private indoor hot tub
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Pillowtop bed
355 sq ft
Sleeps 2
1 King Bed
View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed
Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed
8.08.0 out of 10
Very good
27 reviews
(27 reviews)
Highlights
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Pillowtop bed
Shower/tub combination
243 sq ft
Sleeps 2
1 Queen Bed
View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Jetted Tub
Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
Mackinaw City Dock - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
Mackinaw Bridge Museum - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - 2 min drive - 2.6 km
Headlands International Dark Sky Park - 6 min drive - 5.5 km
Getting around
Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 29 min drive
Mackinac Island, MI (MCD) - 32 min drive
Free ferry terminal shuttle
Restaurants
McDonald's - 11 min drive
Keyhole Bar & Grill - 17 min walk
Zodiac Party Store - 10 min drive
Dixie Saloon - 18 min walk
Burger King - 10 min drive
About this property
Thunderbird Inn
When you stay at Thunderbird Inn, you'll be within a 15-minute walk of Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal and Lake Huron. Guests can enjoy the indoor pool, and hiking/biking trails, parasailing, and cross-country skiing are nearby. Also, Lake Michigan and Headlands International Dark Sky Park are within a short drive. Fellow travelers say great things about the helpful staff and overall value.
Languages
English, Spanish
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
48 rooms
Arranged over 2 floors
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
DONE
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - midnight
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
This property will place a credit card authorization of 1 night for any bookings where payment for the stay will be made on site instead of at the time of booking.
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Children
Children (12 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
No cribs (infant beds)
DONE
Pets
Pets allowed (dogs and cats only, 2 total)*
Service animals welcome
Specific rooms only, restrictions apply*
Pets must be supervised
Off-leash area available
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
DONE
Transfers
Free ferry terminal shuttle
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Traveling with children
Children stay free (see details)
What to do
Access to nearby indoor pool
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Parasailing nearby
Cross-country skiing nearby
Skydiving nearby
Ziplining nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Pool loungers
Facilities
1 building/tower
An indoor pool
Room amenities
Be entertained
32-inch flat-screen TV
Cable TV channels
Home comfort
Climate-controlled air conditioning and heating
Coffee/tea maker
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Pillowtop mattress
Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Shower/tub combination
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Free local calls
Food and drink
Refrigerator
More
Access via exterior corridors
Fees & policies
Children & extra beds
Rollaway beds are available for USD 40.0 per night
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of USD 35 per pet, per stay
Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)
Pool access available from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a smoke detector on site.
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
This property accepts credit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property. The policies listed are provided by the property.
Also known as
Thunderbird Inn Mackinaw City
Thunderbird Mackinaw City
Thunderbird Inn Motel
Thunderbird Inn Mackinaw City
Thunderbird Inn Motel Mackinaw City
Frequently asked questions
Does Thunderbird Inn offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Thunderbird Inn does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Thunderbird Inn?
Yes, there's an indoor pool. Guests have pool access from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Are pets allowed at Thunderbird Inn?
Yes, cats and dogs are welcome, with a limit of 2 total. There's a charge of USD 35 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees. Dog exercise areas are available.
Is parking offered on site at Thunderbird Inn?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Thunderbird Inn?
Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM. Contactless check-out is available.
Is there an onsite casino at Thunderbird Inn?
No, this motel doesn't have a casino, but Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace (16-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at Thunderbird Inn and nearby?
Have fun with nearby winter activities like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing, and in warmer months enjoy a round of golf at the nearby golf course. Enjoy a swim in the indoor pool or use the motel's other amenities, which include access to a nearby indoor pool.
What's the area around Thunderbird Inn like?
Thunderbird Inn is a short 8-minute walk from Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal and 11 minutes' walk from Lake Huron. Travelers say this motel is in a good location.
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Thunderbird Inn Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
7.8/10
Cleanliness
8.4/10
Staff & service
7.0/10
Amenities
7.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.2/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Bed
Breakfast
Location
Shower
Indoor pools
Bathroom
Value
Hot Tub
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Aug 14, 2025
Clean and convenient location!!
John
John, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Aug 5, 2025
Excellent value; clean, comfortable, friendly and helpful staff
Cynthia
Cynthia, 3-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 18, 2025
The property was clean, well maintained, staff were helpful and professional, close to highway, lots of places to eat nearby.
Patricia
Patricia, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 26, 2025
Safe, quiet and friendly staff. We are a return guest.
Candy
Candy, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
Jun 29, 2025
Like the area, the room was nice.
Laura
Laura, 2-night trip
8/10 Good
Aug 10, 2025
The floor was not that much clean but I like the beds with 3 kids.
Lai
Lai, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jun 16, 2025
We were the only guests, it was great!!
Ashley
Ashley, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 11, 2025
Fair rates and clean.
Robert
Robert, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 27, 2025
The staff and beds were the best. My only complaint is the coffee pot didnt work 😌
Wendy
Wendy, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 15, 2025
Simple place nothing fancy
Marlene
Marlene, 2-night trip
8/10 Good
Jun 20, 2025
This was clean and safe. We were pleasantly surprised with the comfort of the mattresses. We would stay there again.
Karen
Karen, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 6, 2025
Excellent
Ajay Kumar
Ajay Kumar, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
Aug 18, 2025
No exhaust in the bathroom and only light in the bathroom was a timed heat lamp. Otherwise room was goof.
Donald
Donald, 1-night trip
6/10 Okay
Jul 19, 2025
Needs a lot of updating and upkeep.
Calvin
Calvin, 2-night trip
4/10 Poor
Jul 18, 2025
If cleanliness is important to you, maybe skip this hotel. The counters were dirty (dried fluids and dead bugs), the pillows had hairs on them, and the floors weren’t mopped.
Ryan
Ryan, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Aug 4, 2025
Great last-minute choice. The folks behind the counter were nice and were helpful. The rooms decor is dated, but I don't care about that - it was kept very clean and had a nice roomy fridge. Towels and bedding were clean and nice. A/C was very cold. Water was hot and worked well. That's what I want in a room. We did not use the pool. We noticed it had water in it but no one was using it when we arrived, so I can't comment on the condition of that.
Becky Ann
Becky Ann, 1-night trip
4/10 Poor
Jul 21, 2025
Nothing
Geraldine
Geraldine, 2-night trip
6/10 Okay
Jul 19, 2025
Litter in the grounds and a previously used wash cloth, stiff as a board, still hanging on the shower curtain rod from someone before.
Ryan
Ryan, 1-night trip
2/10 Terrible
Jul 6, 2025
40 minute wait to get checked in and then had zero respect for the clients and had to buy my own toilet paper cuz I couldn't get none from the front desk had no microwave in room and couldn't get clean linens I want my money back
Zachary
Zachary, 2-night trip
4/10 Poor
Jun 29, 2025
The room was disgustingly dirty. Bottom of feet were black if one went barefoot. The bathroom stunk like pee.
Pool was green but we were able to get indoor waterpark passes at a different facility for free.
The only this good about the stay was the front desk was friendly and helpful.
Ben
Ben, 1-night trip
6/10 Okay
Jul 17, 2025
Staff very friendly. Room ok, could have been cleaner. Bed was clean but floors quite dirty. Floors need to be mopped after every customer when they clean the rooms. Pet friendly. They had a building which indicated you could do laundry. Put money in the machine. Didn’t work. Lady at front desk seemed upset when we asked her for refund of what we put in washing machine. She said, “ The laundry is not one of our amenities. “
Vicki
Vicki, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
Jun 16, 2024
Nice place to stay
Kai
Kai, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Aug 8, 2024
Great stay, very friendly staff!!
Peter
Peter, 2-night trip
8/10 Good
Sep 16, 2024
Good, affordable place to stay in Mackinac City.
Chris
Chris, 2-night trip
4/10 Poor
Jul 29, 2025
It took me a conversation with Expedia to get a clean room and we ended up with a 2 queen bed room instead of a king bed room. 1st room mattress was stained, 2nd room mattress was worse and there was a large area of either blood or food behind nightstand with killer dust balls. The manager offered to have room cleaned but by then I had decided to contact Expedia for a refund. Refund was refused. Manager then took us to the 3rd room which we then agreed to. No apology from manager! Would not recommend!