With a stay at Clearwater Lakeshore Motel in Mackinaw City, you'll be on the waterfront, just steps from Lake Huron and a 3-minute drive from Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. .This beach motel is 4.1 mi (6.7 km) from Headlands International Dark Sky Park and 8.2 mi (13.3 km) from Wilderness State Park.
Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
Mackinaw City Dock - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
Mackinaw Bridge Museum - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - 4 min drive - 3.7 km
Headlands International Dark Sky Park - 7 min drive - 6.6 km
Getting around
Mackinac Island, MI (MCD) - 33 min drive
Restaurants
Keyhole Bar & Grill - 3 min drive
Dixie Saloon - 4 min drive
Wienerlicious - 3 min drive
Darrow's Family Restaurant - 3 min drive
Starbucks - 3 min drive
About this property
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel
Beach motel with a private beach and free breakfast
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel offers 40 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves.
Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and complimentary toiletries. Housekeeping is provided daily.
An indoor pool and a hot tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a private beach.
Make yourself at home in one of the 40 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards.
Head down to the water and enjoy a day at the private beach, or take advantage of other recreational amenities including an indoor pool and a hot tub. Additional features at this motel include complimentary wireless internet access, tour/ticket assistance, and a picnic area.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Free self parking on site
Food and drink
Free buffet breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Things to do
Hot tub
Indoor pool
Family friendly
In-room microwave
In-room refrigerator
Indoor pool
Separate bedroom
Conveniences
Limited-hour front desk
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Beach umbrellas
Firepit
On a private beach
On the waterfront
Outdoor entertainment area
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Accessibility
No lift
More
2 floors
Built in 1990
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Entertainment
Flat-screen TV with cable channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Microwave
Refrigerator
More
Air conditioning
Iron/ironing board
Laptop workspace
Phone
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 11:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit 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
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties
Property is also known as
Clearwater Lakeshore
Clearwater Lakeshore Mackinaw City
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel Mackinaw City
Clearwater Lakeshore Hotel Mackinaw City
Clearwater Lakeshore
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel Motel
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel Mackinaw City
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel Motel Mackinaw City
Reviews
Clearwater Lakeshore Motel Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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.
9.2/10
Cleanliness
9.4/10
Staff & service
8.8/10
Amenities
8.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.6/10
Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 723 out of 1082 reviews
10 - Excellent
723
Rating 8 - Good. 229 out of 1082 reviews
8 - Good
229
Rating 6 - Okay. 82 out of 1082 reviews
6 - Okay
82
Rating 4 - Poor. 30 out of 1082 reviews
4 - Poor
30
Rating 2 - Terrible. 18 out of 1082 reviews
2 - Terrible
18
Reviews
6/10 Okay
Karen, Farmington
Travelled with group
9 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The breakfast was average. Eggs were good, while biscuits were cold. Not much else.
The beach has large rocks to try to maneuver over to get to the water. This definitely needs corrected & is a safety hazard. The bonfires were a nice touch.
The buildings need a good power washing.
Beds were comfortable.
Staff was exceptional and available, clean property lived the kayaks and campfires/s’mores every night. Breakfast was very good and fresh and cleaned continuously. Great proximity to ferries and downtown.
This was my third stay at the Clearwater and the things i love have remained the same...the smores on the beach at sunset, the pool and hot tub, but some things have changed. The staff are the same, but they are not as helpful or pleasant as they once were. Still, i would stay again. Hopefully they get new mattresses that dont have springs in my back next time.
Basic breakfast options but then not much for us lacto-vegetarians other than cereal and bread
Room was neat and clean and beds
comfortable and very good hot water but the sink/wash basin drain stank so much on every use
Not very quiet, our room was on first floor next to the stairs and entryway door and janitor room so there was always loud movement around and loud closing of doors
Overall a 4/5
Fire pits on the beach, just steps from our balcony overlooking the lake... what's not to love? Friendly staff & good breakfast, too. I wish we could have stayed longer!!!
Terrible staff, very rude and not welcoming at all.
Room smells bad and is very dirty, clearly not well taken care off. The only upside to this place is that they have a lakeview area in their backyard, otherwise I wouldnt pay this much ever again for this dumpster.
We had a great stay here. The rooms were clean and nice, though there was a strong perfume scent. The pool and hot tub were nice. Breakfast was great. The bonfires with s'mores supplies provided were awesome. The only thing is that the beach is not swimmable and there is no beach where you can walk to the water. There's huge boulders that separate the upper part and lower part of the beach, but the part by the water is mucky and muddy and not crossable. Otherwise, great stay. Would stay again.
Our room was a little small, but adequate. The staff and special touches make this hotel a great place to vacation. Ralston's attention to detail and genuine hospitality made our stay very enjoyable. We hope to visit again some day.
We needed a place to stay last minute and this was one of the only locations with an opening. This night stay ended up being amazing- our suite was right on the water, the beds were comfortable and the room had everything we needed. The firepits and s’mores were so fun. I definitely recommend this place for Families.
This could be a nice hotel if they can get rid of the musty smell, renovate the bathrooms and pull up the carpeting. Outside grassy area is covered in goose poop. Bonfires are a nice touch. Would not stay here again.
I am so impressed with the hotel. It is comfortable, clean and in a great location, quiet and not too far from downtown. I only wish the room was a bit bigger. The staffs are friendly and that’s a great selection for breakfast overall is very comfortable. Stay I would recommend it for solo traveler or maximum of two people.
Preyanuch
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
8/10 Good
Alicia
Travelled with family and small children
27 Jul 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Property was a great overnight stop with a beautiful view of the bridge and the island and had a small beach to walk on. The pool was great for kids to get energy out and well maintained. Very friendly staff. Only thing we weren’t expecting was the property was a little older than expected and we were in the second floor with no elevator so it was super hard to get our heavy luggage up the stairs. There was also a small water drip from the ceiling in the hallway. Overall…great stay and we would stay again!
The view was spectacular. Friendly staff. Came back to my room after gone all day. Clean towels and room provided. Only downside is bathroom is very small. Would recommend and stay again.