Michigan has plenty of typical chain hotels if that’s what you’re after.
But if you want to stay somewhere that’ll actually stick in your memory—somewhere with a little personality, the state’s got you covered.
These aren’t places where every room looks exactly the same or where the lobby could be anywhere in America.
These are hotels that committed to a vibe and went all in. Here are four you should check out before they show up in everyone’s Instagram feed.
1. Double JJ Resort – Rothbury
Ever wanted to pretend you’re a cowboy without actually having to leave Michigan?
Double JJ Resort in Rothbury is basically an all-in-one dude ranch, waterpark, and golf course that’s been around since the 1930s.
The whole place leans heavily into the Western theme—the Back Forty section looks like a Hollywood movie set with wooden buildings.
It’s made to resemble an Old West town, complete with a general store and ice cream parlor.
At the Sundance Saloon & Steakhouse, animal skulls decorate the walls, furniture is covered in western motif tapestries, and tree trunks take the place of legs on tables.
The accommodations range from rustic cabins and log homes to more modern condos and suites, all with Western-themed decor.
You can go horseback riding (they’ve got 105 horses and even offer cattle drives), hit the Gold Rush indoor waterpark with Michigan’s tallest indoor waterslide.
Another activity you can try is to play a round of golf on the championship Thoroughbred course.
In winter, there’s snow tubing and sleigh rides. It’s a lot, but that’s kind of the point.
If you’re going to commit to a Western-themed resort in West Michigan, you might as well go all the way. Just don’t expect subtle.
2. Bavarian Inn Lodge – Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth calls itself Michigan’s Little Bavaria, and the Bavarian Inn Lodge is ground zero for that theme.
The whole hotel is decked out in Bavarian decor—German-inspired architectural details, and 360 rooms themed after local Frankenmuth families.
The big draw now is the Bavarian Blast Waterpark, which opened in March 2025 and became Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark at 170,000 square feet.
It has 16 waterslides, a not-so-lazy river, a huge wave pool, private cabanas, Michigan’s first swim-up bar, and other attractions.
There’s also an expanded Family Fun Center with a three-story ropes course, laser tag, mini bowling, and over 180 arcade games.
The waterpark is open year-round at 80 degrees with a glass atrium roof, so it actually feels like summer even when there’s snow outside.
Is it touristy? Absolutely. Is it crowded? Often, yes.
But if you’ve got kids or you’re nostalgic for the kind of indoor waterpark vacation your parents probably took you on, this place delivers.
Plus, the family-style chicken dinners at the attached restaurant are legitimately good, even if you have to wait in line for them.
3. Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island
If you’re looking for something more elegant and less “dragon delivering cookies,” the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is the polar opposite of the first two.
This place has been around since 1887 and looks like it belongs in a different century—in the best way.
The hotel sprawls across the island with the world’s longest front porch (660 feet), and every single one of the 388 guest rooms is decorated differently by design firm Dorothy Draper & Company.
Rooms reflect different themes inspired by prominent historical figures, events, and decorating styles, each with its own design and ambiance.
You might stay in a room inspired by Teddy Roosevelt or Esther Williams, or one of their signature suites with names like the First Lady Balcony Suite.
The hotel has been renovating in recent years, including a major refresh of the Parlor and Main Dining Room in 2025, but the Victorian elegance and old-school glamour remain intact.
There’s a dress code (jacket and tie for men at dinner), activities like mini golf and pickleball, the famous Esther Williams swimming pool, and the Jewel golf course.
It’s formal, it’s expensive, and it’s definitely not for everyone.
But if you want to feel like you’ve stepped back in time to when people took summer vacations very seriously, Grand Hotel delivers that experience better than anywhere else in Michigan.
4. The Siren Hotel – Detroit
The Siren is what happens when someone takes a 1926 Italian Renaissance Revival building and turns it into a boutique hotel inspired by the Roaring Twenties and Detroit’s musical history.
The lobby is lush and dramatic with Art Nouveau sirens on the doors, multiple sitting areas, and a vibe that’s somewhere between vintage glamour and modern minimalism.
Each of the 106 guest rooms is layered with retro-modern design, vintage elements, and panoramic downtown views.
The rooms have names like The Hideout (with bunk beds), The Chamber, and The Parlor Suite, which is a two-story penthouse with a spiral staircase.
Everything’s decorated with custom furnishings, terrazzo tiles in the bathrooms, hand-woven quilts, and Italian linens.
The aesthetic is deliberate and stylish—maybe a little too stylish for some people’s taste, but at least it’s trying something different.
The hotel also has The Candy Bar, an intimate cocktail lounge that’s become popular with Detroit locals.
Its location is perfect if you’re downtown for a game at Comerica Park or a show at one of the nearby theaters.
Fair warning: some reviews mention the rooms are on the smaller side, and you might hear noise from the bars below.
But if you want a hotel that feels like it actually belongs to Detroit rather than just being dropped there by a corporate chain, The Siren is worth checking out.
Why Bother With Themed Hotels?
Look, not everyone wants to stay in a place where every design choice has been carefully curated around a specific concept. Sometimes you just want a clean bed and decent WiFi.
But themed hotels, when they’re done well, give you something to remember beyond “yeah, we stayed somewhere near the thing we wanted to see.”
They’re part of the experience, not just a place to crash between activities.
Pick one (or all) based on your tolerance for crowds, your budget, and a theme of your liking.
Either way, we hope you enjoy your next hotel stay!
Featured image credit: @thesirenhotel via Instagram