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Thunderbird Inn

2.5 star property
Motel near Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal in Mackinaw City

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Photo gallery for Thunderbird Inn

Children's play area - outdoor
Property grounds
Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub
Exterior
Indoor pool, open 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, sun loungers

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
  • Parking included

Explore the area

View in a map
146 Old Us 31, Mackinaw City, MI, 49701
  • Place, Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Mackinaw City Dock
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Headlands International Dark Sky Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Jetted Tub

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Jetted Tub

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Jetted Tub

  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(16 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Superior Room, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa, Courtyard View

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Superior Room, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa, Courtyard View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(12 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

7.6 out of 10
Good
(4 reviews)
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Pillowtop beds, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

7.8 out of 10
Good
(40 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(28 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the area

Mackinaw City

In Mackinaw City .Within a 15-minute walk of the motel, you'll find Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal and Lake Huron. Also, Edgewater Beach is within half a mile (1 km) and Mackinaw Crossings is within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Motels in Mackinaw CityOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • 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 - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Headlands International Dark Sky Park - 5 min drive - 5.5 km

Getting around

  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Keyhole Bar & Grill - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Dixie Saloon - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Wienerlicious - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Darrow's Family Restaurant - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬14 min walk

About this property

Thunderbird Inn

Motel near Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal in Mackinaw City
As a guest of Thunderbird Inn, you'll find an indoor pool, a vending machine, and tour/ticket assistance. WiFi is free in public spaces. Free self parking is available. You'll have access to the indoor pool at a partner property.

This Mackinaw City motel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 48 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • No smoking on site
Thunderbird Inn offers 48 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Beds feature pillowtop mattresses. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include phones along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested.

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator
  • Indoor pool
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free ferry terminal shuttle
  • Free self parking on site

Things to do

  • Indoor pool
  • Indoor pool (guest access)

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Free local calls
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability

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.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: USD 35 per pet, per stay
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • An off-leash area is available
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 40.0 per night.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 35 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 40.0 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
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
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. 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 Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and cash. This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
    For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • Pool access available from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
  • Children 12 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Pets are welcome in certain rooms only; other restrictions apply (please see the Fees section for related charges). To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Thunderbird Inn Mackinaw City
Thunderbird Mackinaw City
Thunderbird Inn Motel
Thunderbird Inn Mackinaw City
Thunderbird Inn Motel Mackinaw City

Reviews

Thunderbird Inn Reviews

7.6

Good

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 323 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 345 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 176 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 97 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 65 out of 1006 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Cost
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Excellent value; clean, comfortable, friendly and helpful staff
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

NAYEEMUDDIN, Columbia

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Becky Ann, Junction City

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Kim

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I made a reservation and paid in advance. I arrived at the Thunderbird at 10:20 and was told I did not have a room due to overbooking. Again, room was already paid for!! I was traveling with my 2 elderly parents. I got upset but was told this motel also owned the neighbor motel so I could get a room there. The room was in need of updates. Toilet was clogged which resulted in a trip to office to be given a plunger to fix myself. Big spider in tub. Shower curtain rod was not affixed to the wall and was not secured. As I had no other option we stayed but got out first thing in the morning. The whole experience was stressful! I would not stay again and would not recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

I think it's average for a hotel in this price range. However, we were uncomfortable with window without locks, too dirty floor and etc.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Lucy

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Carmen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very friendly staff. Service was good. Room was clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Diane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was convenient location, bikeable. Staff were great, responded quickly to any issues.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The staff and beds were the best. My only complaint is the coffee pot didnt work 😌
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Jeff

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

ROBIN, Lake Mary

Travelled with pets
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Checkin took a long time for a prepaid stay. Small lobby and people lined up out the door at 4 pm. I got there a little early and told I had to wait. When I came back there was the line. Walls thin. Could hear people outside on the walkway talking until at least midnight. Could hear toilet flush and shower in next room. Certainly way overpriced for facility but I needed a place to stay that night.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Candy, Iron Mountain

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Safe, quiet and friendly staff. We are a return guest.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
some of the outlets are bad. I had a hard time plugging my chargers. Other than that, it was good.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Geraldine

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nothing
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Ryan

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Litter in the grounds and a previously used wash cloth, stiff as a board, still hanging on the shower curtain rod from someone before.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Calvin

Needs a lot of updating and upkeep.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was clean, well maintained, staff were helpful and professional, close to highway, lots of places to eat nearby.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Ryan

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Vicki

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
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. “
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jaimie

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marlene, Charlotte

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Simple place nothing fancy
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Richard

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The check in process is SO SLOW, the staff are in no hurry and there is frequently a line out the door. When rooms are assigned, they did not look at all like the pictures. One of the two rooms missing a refrigerator. That room also had NO pressure in the shower. Maintenance could not fix, and we had to argue with the front desk for a new room. Literally there was no water in the shower. The hotel is in desperate need of maintenance as the rooms are not in good shape. I will never stay at this hotel again. The owners also own the 2 hotel next to this one.
That's pool and yes it was open.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness
Fair rates and clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025