U.S. 2 from the Bridge Lodgings

SUPER 8 OF ST. IGNACE
(906) 643-7616
33 of the 61 rooms have balconies and an excellent view of the Mackinac Bridge, especially pretty especially at night. 18' x 30'
indoor pool. Free continental breakfast. Guest laundry. All rooms have Wi-Fi. Short walk to Big Boy restaurant. Summer rates for two: $99 lake side, $109 weekends. $10 less for other rooms.

STRAITS VIEW MOTEL
(800) 401-1813; (906) 643-9355
The hidden surprise of this 14-room, single-story motel is the beautiful, park-like area in back with fine views of the Mackinac Bridge; sunsets and passing ships; and the Straits from the Waugoshance peninsula to St. Helena down below. Owners Mary and Ivan Wilde have furnished the back lawn with 3 rustic swings, 2 picnic tables with umbrellas, and a bonfire pit to encourage guests to linger. The motel consists of two buildings parallel to the highway. Most rooms have neither the bridge view nor direct highway noise. Rooms are air-conditioned with cable TV and phones. Summer rates ($58-$68) vary for weekdays and weekends, single beds, double beds, kings, and queens. Ask about spring and fall rates. $5/extra person. Coffee and donuts in office.

SILVER SANDS RESORT
(906) 643-8635; (888) 706-0092
This well-run family resort has 750' of Lake Michigan beach, gravelly but with sand hauled in for a children's play area by the playground. 12 well-spaced rustic-style housekeeping cabins have been remodeled and maintained. One row faces the water; another row is behind them. All are far away enough from the highway that waves would likely be louder than highway noise. All cabins have small covered porches. Some have screened sleeping porches, and two have charming stone fireplaces. Each has 2 bedrooms with a sofa sleeper, a picnic table, charcoal grill, bonfire ring, and cable TV. Ask about two larger cabins: one with a jacuzzi, washer, dryer, TV/VCR, and microwave, the other with four bedrooms, two baths, and a dishwasher. The back row of cabins is rented by the week or night: $75/day, $450/week in summer. Front cabins on the water, with sleeping porch, are $675 to $1,150 in summer. Ask about off-season rates.

THE BALSAMS RESORT
(906) 643-9121; (313) 791-8026 (Labor Day to early June)
Rooms in the simple 6-unit motel facing U.S. 2 have been redecorated in a woodsy way. Behind them are 9 little log cabins in a cedar forest. They were designed in the best picturesque vernacular of the 1920s. They're along a creek crossed by footbridges. Artists Orr and Eva Greenless designed and built them starting in 1927. The log or knotty pine cabins, casually furnished, have loads of little nooks: tiny terraces, bay windows, alcove beds, and sometimes a stone fireplace. The stream and trails meander through the woods. Wildlife abounds on the 40-acre property: ducks, mink, deer, fish, great blue heron, and occasionally eagles and pileated woodpeckers, June wildflowers. Across U.S. 2 is a sandy, private Lake Michigan beach. There are two, one on the beach, another one behind the motel, with shuffleboard.
   Things stayed in a charming but decaying time warp until 4 metro Detroit families fell under The Balsams' spell and restored the place with modern systems and city water. A group of 5 cabins is ideal for reunions. Cabins sleep from 2 to 7 and rent for $750-$800 a week in summer, or $130 a night at other times. Each has a picnic table and grill.
   The older motel's picture windows look out onto Lake Michigan across the highway. Its spacious rooms come with minifridge and microwave. Motel guests can use grounds and their own picnic area, too. Current rates: $65-$75/night for summer weekends, more for special events, less for midweek and off season. Phone in office. Wi-fi throughout. No air-conditioning—seldom necessary. Reserve early for best summer availability.

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