Drummond Island Lodgings

BIRCH TREE RESORT
(906) 493-5355
At this year-round resort, a row of 10 clean, fully furnished cabins face a sloping lawn and boat launch on protected Maxton Ba. 8 cabins are older and on the plain side; 2 newer ones have fireplaces and knotty pine. All cabins have satellite TV (there are also 400 free movies to see), decks, picnic tables and grills.
   Like the neighboring Papins' Resort, the Birch Tree is in a quiet area near the Potaganissing River and chain of lakes. It's also near a series of bays. The alvar plains are nearby. This is a good camp for naturalists, kayakers, anglers, hunters, and snowmobilers. There's a large bait shop on the protected harbor. Donna Messenger, co-owner with her husband, Kim, sometimes gives fishing reports on public TV's "Michigan Out of Doors." She's happy to give an honest fishing report to all callers. 5 boats (no motors) are available. There's a shared fire pit by the beach, a dock (the public is welcome to fish here), and a horseshoe pit. Cabin rates range from $500/week for 4 people to $625 for three bedrooms, no matter what the season. Openings year-round. Call ahead for best availability. Phone in bait shop. ATT cell phones work fine.

DRUMMOND ISLAND HOTEL
(906) 483-6799
A short walk from the Four Corners, this 9-room hotel fills a real need for overnight and weekend visitors. Off a central hall are the rooms, quite large and attractive, with either one king or two queen beds. All have mini-fridges, in-room coffee, and WiFi internet. Microwave, irons available. Rates: May thru Sept $89 weekends, $79 midweek. Oct thru April $79 weekends, $69 midweek. Large parking lot accommodates boats, snowmobiles. Access to ORV and snowmobile trails. Picnic area.

DRUMMOND ISLAND RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
(800) 999-6343
The resort's 40-room hotel is not very far from the 21 cottages that are on or near Potagannissing Bay, near the trout pond on the golf course or on Sugar Maple Lane, on a hill overlooking the resort. All buildings have a rustic flair, usually with log walls. Guests can borrow equipment and participate in many activities at no charge: canoeing, tennis, horseshoes, bikes, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and sledding. It's an easy walk to the sauna, gym, and outdoor pool by the hotel. Bayside Dining is by the water. Pins, the informal restaurant by the bowling alley near the hotel, offers pizza, sandwiches, and more.
   The two-story log great room is the hotel's focal point. It has limited cooking facilities for gatherings. A porch extends building's length. The 40 guest rooms are decorated for a cozy feeling, with tied-back curtains and fringed area rugs. All have WiFi internet, satellite TV, phones, VCRs, and minifridges. Typical rooms have 2 queens or 1 king. The loft rooms have 2 queens below and an extra queen in the loft—ideal for kids. Rates are $155 in peak season (from early June through early Sept.), $119 or even less otherwise. Some loft rooms are available. Ask for cost/extra person. Check internet specials.

DRUMMOND ISLAND RESORT COTTAGES
(906) 493-1000; (800) 999-6343
20 log cottages, mainly with three to five bedrooms. Some are distinctive—a couple were designed by Tom Monaghan—others resemble each other. Many are 2-story log cabins with 2-story living rooms, 2 baths, complete kitchens, fireplaces, and 3 queen beds. Thirteen of these are lined up overlooking Potaganissing Bay. They have good views of Beaver Pond, the golf course, or Potaganissing Bay. Daily rates are mostly from around $200 to $367 and up. Ask for cost/extra person.

DRUMMOND ISLAND YACHT HAVEN
(906) 493-5232; (800) 543-4743
20 attractive cottages with picture windows and decks are sited to take advantage of excellent views of Potagannissing Bay and its many islands. Some cottages are on the water. Others are perched on the wooded hillside behind it. The 3-bedroom cottages with big stone fireplaces are especially nice. All cottages have satellite TV, WiFi, and phones. One large sandy beach is next to the cottages. Extras include outdoor grills and picnic tables, horseshoes, croquet, basketball, volleyball, and hiking trails nearby. The cottages are set apart from the owners' busy Yacht Haven marina, where fishing boats and motors, pontoon boats, runabouts, and water-ski boats can be rented. See site for photos and rates. Reservations accepted a year in advance; it's best to make them by year's end at least. The Baileys are descended from old island families and have seen and done a lot on the island themselves. Today they are also co-owners of the Drummond Island Resort. They give advice when things aren't too.
   Yacht Haven (same phone, website) also manages two other nearby resorts on Potaganissing Bay, right in "the village." La La Lakes Resort is in an open area not across a broad lawn from the water. The cottages (from $500 to $800 a week) have decksUp on a small bluff, H&H Resort ($415 to $735/week, depending on size and amenities) has six simple cottages, some with no showers. They have decks and charming, glowing rustic wood interiors. Call for access. Both resorts are pet-friendly.

FORT DRUMMOND MARINE $ RESORT
(906) 493-5471, (906) 493-5474
Five year-round cottages and houses, mostly with 2 or 3 bedrooms, are part of this complete marina with general store. They sit up on the east shore of Whitney Bay
overlooking the water. Rates are mostly from $400 to $600/week, and around $100/night. One house, on an island, comes with pontoon boat. Another has four bedrooms. There's a dock and fish-cleaning station. Near snowmobile trails.

LAKEVIEW RESORT
(906) 493-5241
A few hundred feet west of Vechell's is Steve and Karen Kemppainen's resort of 8 cottages with water views, built on a hillside. Rates Here too, peace and quiet reign, and the views are sublime. There's a fish-cleaning station, freezer, and motors and a pontoon boat to rent. Bonfire circle. Weekly rates are $470 (2 bedrooms) and $510 (3 bedrooms). Historical note: Steve's grandparents were part of Maggie Walz's idealistic community.

PAPIN'S RESORT
(906) 493-5254
Papin's 19 log cabins are away from the village in a beautiful, quiet, natural setting on Scott Bay. Kayakers have easy access to both the Potaganissing River and the bay. Birders, hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, and anglers all come here. See detailed website. There are docks (catch perch in spring) and a small harbor. There's a community fire pit and a fish-cleaning station. No swimming beach; Big Shoal beach is 12 miles away. Pontoon boats and fishing boats and motors are rented here.
   Ron Papin founded the resort with his wife, Bonnie. He had a sawmill on Johnswood Road, so it was natural to use his extra time and wood to remodel and build these charming, distinctive cabins. They have many plans and settings. All but one have covered porches; 10 are on the water. Now Ron and Bonnie have retired. Their daughter, Amy, and her husband Mike Bailey are in charge. Cottages are rented by the week in July and August. Rates go by the person and generally range from $425/week (2 bedrooms) to $800 to $1,000 for large cabins that can sleep up to 12. Ask about daily rates. Five cabins are off-site. Call in January for good availability. Same rates for other seasons.

VECHELL'S CEDAR VIEW RESORT
(906) 493-5381
Tourist Road on Potaganissing Bay enjoys fabulous views of the bay with its many islands and picturesque rocks. The road used to be lined with simple family resorts like Vechell's and the neighboring Lake View Resort. Now large second homes have replaced many of the resorts. Both Vechell's and Lake View have the same wonderful views and are an easy bike or ORV ride away from natural areas with streams and ponds, full of wildlife. Ten simple two-bedroom cottages face the lake. Each has a microwave, a TV, and a fireplace supplied with wood, and each comes with a fishing boat. Rates are $450/week, $95 or $75/day (2-day minimum). $15/extra child. Floating dock, bonfire pit. Online comments mention Alvira Vechell as a most personable host.

WA-WEN RESORT & DRUMMOND ISLAND RV PARK
(906) 493-5445
Stating with an 8-cottage resort and the concept of "Drummond Island Outdoor Toys," the owners have capitalized on an outstanding, natural location where the Potagannissing river flows into Maxton Bay. They cater to guests ranging from serious birders to snowmobilers and ORV enthusiasts. On-site rentals range from canoes ($20/day) and fishing boats ($55/day, $220/week with motor) to pontoons ($175 and $700). Free dockage for 1 boat/cabin. For $150-$200 a day four-wheelers and snowmobiles can be rented. Drummond seems big enough to handle silent sports and motorized fun too. Eagles, American bittern, osprey, blue heron, and other birds can sometimes be seen up-close on the bay. 8 cottages sit up on a sunny hillside. 3 bedrooms are most typical, renting for $675-$700/week and $135-40/day. Some porches are shady, others sunny. Across two big lawns, 19 RV campsites, rented seasonally or daily, are in an unpaved open area with a bathhouse. Rates: $35-40/day for full hookup, $30 for water and electric. There are a swimming pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and a bonfire pit, plus loaner games for kids and games with prizes if it's a rainy day. Laundry and computer room. WiFi internet throughout.

YACHT HAVEN
(906) 493-5232; fax (906) 493-5229
33 attractive cottages with picture windows and decks are sited to take advantage of excellent views of Potagannissing Bay and its many islands. Some cottages are on the water. Others are perched on the wooded hillside behind it. The 3-bedroom cottages with big stone fireplaces are especially nice. Two small, sandy beaches are next to the cottages. Extras include outdoor grills and picnic tables, horseshoes, croquet, basketball, volleyball, and hiking trails nearby, cable TV, wi-fi.. The cottages are set apart from the owners' busy Yacht Haven marina, where fishing boats and motors, pontoon boats, runabouts, and water-ski boats can be rented. Weekly/daily rates: for 1-3 bedrooms $90-$230/night. . Reservations accepted a year in advance; it's best to make them by year's end at least. The Baileys are descended from old island families and have seen and done a lot on the island themselves. Today they are also co-owners of the Drummond Island Resort. They're good to talk to when things aren't too busy.

ANNIE'S ATTIC
(906) 493-5378
Close to the ferry and on the island's south side, away from other resorts, Anne Stadler has three antique-filled guest rooms in her family's 1911 cottage and one in the attractively remodeled rear carriage house behind it. She is a portrait photographer and former editor of the island's monthly newspaper. There's a stone fireplace, and a lawn with a grand view of Whitney Bay, its islands, and freighters. Birds, butterflies, and wildflowers abound here as on much of the island. There's a canoe for guests to use. In the main house, two guest rooms ($65/night) share one bath. The carriage house is $75/night. All guests served a full breakfast. $10 less/night without the breakfast.

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