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Thunderbird Inn

2.5 star property

Photo gallery for Thunderbird Inn

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

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View 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 Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

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

Pillow-top 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

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About the area

Mackinaw City

With a stay at Thunderbird Inn in Mackinaw City, you'll be within a 15-minute walk of Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal and Lake Huron. .This motel is 3 mi (4.9 km) from Lake Michigan and 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from Headlands International Dark Sky Park.
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 with free parking, 8-minute walk to Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal
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.

Recreational amenities at the motel include an indoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 48 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an indoor pool, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. A ferry terminal shuttle is provided at no charge, and free self parking is available onsite.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free ferry terminal shuttle
  • Free self parking on site

Things to do

  • Indoor pool
  • Indoor pool (guest access)

Family friendly

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

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Pool loungers

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

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

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

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 allowed for an extra charge of USD 35 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total pets
Pets cannot be left unattended
Specific rooms only, restrictions apply; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
An off-leash area is available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 12 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 40.0 per night
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Pool access available from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

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. 321 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 344 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 173 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 98 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 65 out of 1001 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great value and comfort. Shuttle service to ferry a bonus.
Stayed 2 nights 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

6/10 Okay

Peg

Liked: Staff & service
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

8/10 Good

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Pool was dirty
Stayed 1 night 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