Watersmeet Lodgings

SUNSET MOTEL
(906) 358-4450
14 pleasant rooms have lots of amenities: air-conditioning, cable TV, refrigerators, microwaves, phones, and shower/tub combos. There's a freezer for fish catches. Locally knowledgeable owners. The motel adjoins mini-lockers for boat and snowmobile storage and a gas station/convenience store. Walk to the grocery and a diner and bar. Rates (including tax) range from $52 for 2 in a double bed and $62 (2 people, two beds) to $120 for 6 in a large end unit with 3 double beds and sofa-sleeper. Smoking and no-smoking rooms available.

DANCING EAGLE RESORT/ LAC VIEUX DESERT CASINO
(906) 358-4949
This complex has more on a single site than any other hotel in the Western U.P.: a 132-room hotel with indoor pool, conference rooms, a small exercise room, a large and attractive lobby with stone fireplace, 9 holes of golf in a forested setting, a casino with occasional big-name entertainment, and 14 sites for RV by the parking lot ($5/night, including water and electric). Across the road is an oval racetrack for snowmobile and ORV rallies.
The staff is competent and friendly. In season (June thru Sept.) standard double rooms are $75 Sun.-Thurs, $86 Fri & Sat. Otherwise they are $65 and $75. Deluxe kings with Jacuzzis and fridges are $119/$129 in summer, $108 and $119 otherwise. 14 two-room whirlpool suites have fireplace, pullout sofa, microwave, fridge, and wet bar. There's a smallish indoor pool room with a whirlpool and sauna. Many snowmobilers book winter weekends a year ahead; reservations for summer weekends should be made two months in advance.

VACATIONLAND RESORT
(906) 358-4380
This attractive, 13-cottage resort enjoys a wooded setting and long, sandy beach on Thousand Island Lake, part of the Cisco Chain of 15 lakes. The lake, popular with boaters and anglers, is still quiet enough for nesting loons. (Otters and eagles are often seen, too.) The 13 newish housekeeping cottages have water views. Most sleep 4 to 7 in two or three bedrooms; three sleep two people. Smoking and non-smoking available.
Rentals are by the week from mid-June thru mid-August and Christmas week). Samples: cottage for 4 is $725 in summer, $455 or $90/day in in winter, spring, color and hunting season. Two larger cottages for 8 are $1,420-$1,600 week in summer, $890 and $1,000 or $175 and $200/night. Peak seasons are booked a year ahead, but waiting list people can sometimes be accommodated. See website for details. Attractive interiors have knotty pine paneling, maple furniture, picture windows, some fireplaces. Cottages come with aluminum boat, picnic table, grill, lawn chairs, microwave. No phones. TV with 5 channels (networks plus PBS).
Amenities include a playground, courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball, a swimming raft, bonfire pit, large sauna, and fish-cleaning station. Games, puzzles, good videos to borrow. Guests can borrow kayaks and canoes to explore the lake and Sunfish sailboats. The pontoon boat, motors, and upgraded fishing boats can be rented. No jet skis. 10 minutes from snowmobile trail if lake is frozen. Heated workroom.

WILDERNESS BAY RESORT
(906) 358-9956; 358-4319
Veteran fishing guide Tom Schwanke and his wife, Joanne, bought part of an old resort on an east bay of Thousand Island Lake in 1995. They have built five new cabins, mostly log and mostly with covered porches, next to the lodge that now houses an impressive bait and tackle shop and general store with groceries, beer, and wine. Tom is happy to mark maps and advise anglers. He posts a weekly fishing report on his web site, along with detailed info on the Cisco Chain of Lakes. Store customers are welcome to use picnic tables by the lake. No jet skis or snowmobiles. The resort now caters to quiet sports like fishing and hunting, and in winter ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. (Sylvania's trails are nearby.)
    Cabins are close-spaced, all with lake views and a gentle slope down to the beach. All have satellite TV and DVD/VCR, complete kitchens, grill and picnic table, and a 14' boat. No phones. They sleep from 3 ($725/week, or $600 or $120/night in off-seasons) to 8 ($1,100/week, $900 or $180/night in off-seasons). Changing availability posted on web site. Spring fishing and summer book up early.

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