Empire Lakeshore Inn

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jul 2026

Christina

Had to pay a cleaning fee for service animal when the price for the night was already so high. I looked at the price the day off and was over $100 cheaper. Otherwise fine for the night.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2026

Thomas L

The motel was situated in the perfect spot for us. We traveled as a family and three rooms were close together. It made it easy for our grandchildren.

Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

17 Jul 2026

Max

Was taking a shower ran out of hot water almost within seconds. Then there was black fuzzy all over the sheets . I thought they were bugs . Parking was horrible not enough spots very tight .

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2026

gino

Clean room, comfy beds, quaint location, very walkable.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2026

Linda

You won’t find a cleaner place to stay. The staff takes excellent care of the property. Plenty of parking. Keurig coffee pot with all you need for coffee. Room has a fridge with a little freezer, a microwave and a desk area. The beach is a short walking distance. Heritage Trail for walking or Biking is less than a mile down a quiet Lacore Rd. Only 2 restaurants amd 1 gas station. If you are coming for rest, peace and quiet this is where to come. Thank you to the staff for a great stay!!

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2026

Jeanne

The man at the front desk was the only reason the stay got 4 stars instead of 5 stars. He was efficient but not friendly

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2026

Rene'

Perfect location bike ride easily to attractions like beach restaurants shopping and bike trail.

Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2026

Justin

We had a two-night stay at this hotel. Initially, we were a bit confused about where to check in, but we eventually found the right place. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The rooms were clean. However, I’d recommend booking a room on the upper floor, as you’ll hear footsteps from the room above you. The noise was quite noticeable throughout our stay. We had a generally positive experience.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jul 2026

linda

Thankyou we will be back

8/10

Excellent

15 Jul 2026

Pheng

Wish they had a play pen for our room for our toddler to make our sleeping situation easier. Rooms were spectacular, clean, smells great. Staff was super nice, we had a small power surge but they fixed it within 20 mins.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

14 Jul 2026

Emily

I did not interact with staff but they made it very easy with clear instructions in both the room and on the office door. The soaps are miniscule but they do replenish daily. Beds are very soft, fyi. It was hard on my back. Great location to anywhere in Empire and the beach! Easy parking too.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2026

Gail

Super location. Close to the beach and the dunes. Porpoise adorable and well maintained.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2026

Lisa

very easy LATE check in, room was perfectly appointed and clean and comfortable

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2026

Ranee

Quaint, nice little spot and walking distance from the beach. Great experience!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2026

Bryan

Loved that it’s so close to sleeping bear dunes!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jul 2026

Dan

I’m not typically a motel person. But…. Communication was amazing (Let them know of your getting in late so they can accommodate you when you get there). Rooms were immaculate. I mean absolutely spotless and I’m picky. Beds were comfortable and clean with a variety of pillows. Each room has a table with a couple chairs to sit outside, and there are some Adirondack chairs on the ground level for groups. The property backs up to a gas station, but we honestly didn’t hear anything. Each room has a digital thermostat, fridge, microwave, Keurig, shelves/drawers, and a TV. We will definitely be back!

Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

11 Jul 2026

Kristin

Very convenient to the beach but our AC didn’t work.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jul 2026

Joseph

The owners and staff are all very nice people, I appreciate them. The rooms are great and so clean.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2026

Travis

The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs. The rooms are clean and well kept. Our family has stayed here three different times and had a great experience each time. I highly recommend The Empire Lakeshore Inn!

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2026

Jeff

Quiet

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2026

Doron

Very clean and comfortable.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2026

Emily

Empire is a cute small town, perfectly located for Sleeping Bear Dunes and beach. Lakeshore Inn was clean, quiet, comfortable and had great customer service. Easy check in and out, had all we needed after days of exploring.

Family_with_children

4/10

Poor

07 Jul 2026

Donna

I was disappointed with the noise outside, and that this morning a circuit breaker must’ve blown while I was in the shower.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2026

Jeremy

Great location, clean room and easy parking! Would highly recommend and would not hesitate to stay here again!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2026

Rachel

Great location and everyone was very friendly!

8/10

Excellent

30 Jun 2026

Jessica

Very nice place, all the basic needs but nothing fancy. Rooms were clean. Keurigs in the room were a bonus. EZ Mart attached to BP had some decent breakfast options as options in town were minimal to none. Great location close to Sleeping Bear.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2026

Annette

Clean nice hotel near with a good location

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2026

Kimberly

Cute clean rooms

Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2026

Roscoe

Super clean and comfortable. Great location close to all the local attractions.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2026

chad

Enjoyed our stay- great location, recently remodeled and very clean and comfortable

Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2026

Cathy

A clean and pleasant hotel, centrally located for a visit to all the trails of Sleeping Bear Dunes. We enjoyed our stay.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2026

Curtis

Great location for our travel

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2026

William

Spacious clean room, comfortable bed, friendly staff

Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Jun 2026

Maria

Clean room and nice location

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jun 2026

William

Property very close to empire village. Easy walk into town to shop and dine. Rooms very large and comfortable. Easy check in and out. Very close to the sleeping bear dunes. Many lakes in the surrounding area as well as other cites close by to shop and dine. Visitor center right to hotel. I would stay again when in the area.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jun 2026

Eric

Great location for sleeping bear dunes

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2026

Sherri

Everything about staying was great. Thank you to Rosemary and all the rest of the staff.
If you are using your gps to get there use the address they provide. If you use Google maps it will send you to the building across the street. Lol this is not their fault.

8/10

Excellent

11 Jun 2026

Joann

Clean
Convenient
Good value for the money
Spacious rooms

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jun 2026

Steven

Cozy, sparkling clean room in a perfect location for those visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. Good shower pressure, comfortable bed, nice to have the fridge, microwave, and abundant power outlets on each side of the bed. We appreciate that they have a recycle bin & returnable bin on the property. Will absolutely return in the future!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jun 2026

Emily

Very convenient location, clean rooms, cleaning staff was lovely and hilarious she made the whole stay better - seemed to be around throughout the day and if you were late to check in had a good easy process so you could do it yourself upon arrival! Beds were super comfy and Inn was walking distance to some cute spots!!

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jun 2026

Ruth

Great location, walkable to Empire. Comfortable room, friendly travelers.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

04 Jun 2026

Julie

There are no room specific balconies or patios. There is the common walking area that passes each room door and some have a table and chairs looking into parking lot but there are no actual balconies off the rooms. Rooms above the front desk (where we stayed) have no outside area. Inside of room clean and modern, water pressure good, location quiet. When we arrived about 6:45pm the room keys were in mailbox next to lobby. Only saw an employee when we departed and a man said he’d take our room key. Overpriced for what you get.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2026

Susan A.

This is a very clean hotel. The room was decorated very nicely, and it’s walkable to a couple of restaurants in town. It was right near the sleeping bar dunes visitor center and very convenient to the park.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2026

Alessandra

I cannot say enough good things about my stay, a lovely spot and very clean and comfortable room.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2026

Kelley

The room, the property, the building...everything was so clean! Super easy check in process. Minimal amenities, but it's not really needed for everything else in the area. I would definitely stay here again!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2026

Sheila

Small Inn that was clean and quaint!

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2026

INDULIS

Everything was perfect. Very clean, quiet, good location, not far from all places of interest.

Partner

4/10

Poor

25 May 2026

Daniel

We had to call twice to get information on how to enter our room. Manager who spoke with us, said she could not call us earlier because Expedia did not include our phone number with our booking. We’ve booked with Expedia multiple times and I’ve never had this issue before. Area around the bed still had sand on it. The walls are not well insulated and you can hear noise noises from all the other rooms. We will not stay at this property again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 May 2026

Steven

The place is well maintained and looks recently renovated. There is plenty of parking available and check in/out is super easy. The only complaint I have is that the walls are thin and you can hear your neighbors pretty clearly. I was next to someone who was talking on their phone all night and I was having trouble falling asleep because of that. The room does include a white noise machine which did help a bit.

Self

2/10

Poor

23 May 2026

Randall

Went to check into our room and there was nobody available at either site. Called numerous times and reached a voicemail stating they were busy with another customer. It prompted me to leave my name and number so they would return my call as soon as possible. Left my phone number and name. Never received a call back. No room available at any hotel nearby. Had to drive an hour south to find an open room.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2026

DANA

Clean room.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2026

Bethany

Nice, quiet area.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 May 2026

Stephan

Every was neat and clean

Partner

4/10

Poor

03 May 2026

Sarah

We were going to Sleeping Bear Dunes so there really are not a lot of options for stays. The service was fast on the phone during business hours. I did not love that the after hour check-in requires taking a key from a public box for safety reasons. The pillows and bed were very uncomfortable. When we got to our room the heat was not on and the room was at 59 degrees, mind you it is 40 and dropping. We spent a long time trying to determine how to turn the heat on (it is not using the wall thermostat but the ac looking unit which is very difficult to get to as a counter top was installed right on top of it). The unit proceeds to blow cold and hot air. Both the bath tub and toilet are leaking water and the bathroom floor is warping because of it. Additionally, you can hear everything from the rooms around you and outside (I can see why they provide a white noise machine). Aside from all of that the room was clean. Hard to recommend but I know it’s one of the only options.

8/10

Excellent

10 Apr 2026

Amy

Clean room, modern room. Unable to shower as there was not enough water pressure to keep the shower on.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2026

Fran

Parking is right in front of your door, well lit.
Heater worked perfectly, towels soft, everything clean.

6/10

Pleasant

09 Feb 2026

Andrea

Extremely uneven heat along with some vent outside making noise all night.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Dec 2025

Daniel

Spotless room comfortable bed great stay even in the dead of winter

Business

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2025

Jamie

We stayed for one night for a winter trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Clean and great location!

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2025

Michele

Great clean place to stay. Very comfortable setting

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2025

Philip F Von Voigtander

High quality in every way. Excellent handicap room.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2025

Renda

Loved the area! Close to everything including a beautiful beach to watch the sunset. Also a great area to get around by bicycle.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Nov 2025

Lynn

This only hotel in this little city was a find! It is located at the South end of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, near the Pearce Stocking Scenic Drive through this end of the Park. Taking it will bring you to the closest you might ever be to Lake Michigan in this National Lakeshore Park with the Lake Michigan Tutnout. Then, there is about a 50 yard dirt path taking you to the dunes, where in about 40 yards you will be on the Dunes viewing glorious Lake Michigan!!

The stay was in the Annex and for only overnight, the reservation made at the last minute on our way home from Mackinac Island. The reservation process was a bit different, but it worked out perfectly!! The room was clean and very pleasant, non-smoking with a noise curfew, equipped with a one-cup coffee pot, toiletries of soaps, shampoo and conditioner. To be honest, we do not remember if it had a microwave and small refrigerator. The bed was very comfortable for my bad back.

It was not an issue for us. but some might not like that you needed to go to their bigger hotel a block away to get ice in your bucket.

They had one room available for a rate that fit our budget of under $150. We will always check to see if they have availability when we come that way again, which will be within the next couple of weeks!

Restaurants are sparse, but a great dinner restaurant,The Manitou, with a varied menu and delicious food is not very far away in the woods by Honor, Michigan.

You will be glad you chose it!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2025

Tim

Very nice and clean

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2025

Dominique

clean and comfortable room

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2025

Anthony

The room was clean and fresh upon arrival. Staff was very nice. AC worked just fine and the parking was great. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Empire!

10/10

Exceptional

27 Oct 2025

Diana

Great place to stay

Late fall and it was chilly outside. Great heater to warm up the room before sleeping. Then we turned it down. Very comfortable. Easy access to village of Empire, the beach as well as to Glen Have, Glen Arbor and Leland Fishtown. It is one of our favorite places to stay in that area! Our third or fourth time!

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2025

Renee

This is our go-to place to stay in Empire. Always perfect for our visit to Sleeping Bear.

8/10

Excellent

24 Oct 2025

Ryan

We stayed at the annex so not sure on the newer motel. Annex is an older building that they have fixed up pretty nice. Walls are thin and they provide noise machines but if you have an active neighbor who likes to talk into the night you will hear them. Overall a nice motel for a place to sleep.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Oct 2025

Manson

Like that there is a convenience store and gas station next door. Did not like that you can hear and feel people walking up the stairwell from the bottom floor next to it.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2025

Clark

Nicely located near Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore; gas station virtually next door.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2025

Dana

Enjoyed our stay! Clean, updated room. Convenient location for our travels along M-22.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2025

Courtney

Nice place to stay in a calm quiet area

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2025

david

Modern clean

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2025

Lonnie

Very clean, close to everything we wanted to do.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Oct 2025

John

Stayed in a room where there was no light in the entryway. Dangerous.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2025

Dina

The room was super clean and cozy

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

11 Oct 2025

Barbara

Very happy with this little place. Toured M 22 and had an excellent stay. Check in was simple and the whole hotel was clean and cared for. Thank you.

6/10

Pleasant

09 Oct 2025

Sara

Nice and clean with great location but faucet dripped all night and the noise from other rooms was substantial .

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2025

Reanna

Clean, conveniently located, friendly staff.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2025

Nikki

For the last six years, we have stayed here for the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon. It’s clean! The people are friendly and welcoming.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2025

Gregory

Wonderful stay.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

03 Oct 2025

Deborah E

Great location and very comfortable room. We spent a couple days biking the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. Great ice cream shop in walking distance. Definitely recommend. The reason I did not choose excellent was because we were in the annex and they had no ice machine.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 Oct 2025

Emily

Room was clean and met our needs well

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2025

ROBERT

Clean room

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 Sep 2025

Jeanne

Thought it was closer to the lake. Clean room, comfy beds.

8/10

Excellent

22 Sep 2025

Billie

Call to check in was easy , phones staffed efficiently

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

21 Sep 2025

Robert

2nd floor, no elevator, awkward location in dead end hallway, not many food options.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

16 Sep 2025

William

Ok

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

Robin

Rob K.

Great location for Sleeping Bear Dunes and surrounding area! Within walking distance of restaurants, beach, gas station, and National Park Visitor's Center. Hotel was very nice, quiet, clean, and comfortable. Empire is a nice little town. Empire Village Inn pizza is amazing! Catch the sunset at Empire beach or on Empire Bluffs Trail!

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

14 Sep 2025

William

Acceptable motel

Overall, it was acceptable. The bed pillows were much better than average for a hotel; the bed was maybe a little above average for comfort. The bathroom was disappointing in three ways: first, the shower curtain smelled sour. I have run into that problem at a lot of hotels that still use shower curtains. Why can't housekeeping staffs carry a bottle of dilute bleach solution and spray the inside of the curtain? That would be really easy and would kill the sour smell (to which I am really sensitive). Second, the sink drain was very slow. Dirty water sat there a long time, which is pretty disgusting. I told the housekeeper about it; who knows if she passed the word to the owners. Third, I am glad I took my own soap, shampoo because the stuff they stocked the room with was pitiful. They owner left an envelope to encourage tipping of the housekeeping staff, which I find off-putting. And the housekeeping staff did nothing except take away used towels, at my request. Maybe I expect too much........

Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Sep 2025

Sydney

Nice and clean! Check in was easy.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Sep 2025

Daniel

Beautiful property. Spacious and clean room. Just a few maintenance issues spoiled a perfect start. Bath tub stopper not working. Microwave shuts off after a few seconds. Slow drain in sink. All minor details. I’m sure they will take care of it all. Room is still a very good bargain for the area.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Sep 2025

Pamela

We stayed in the annex and you had to drive or walk across the street through an EZ Mart parking lot to get ice in the main building and that wasn’t very convenient. Also there were no USB plugs in the room which seems below par in my travel experience. And a small roach in my bed one night. It was very convenient to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2025

Larry

Great quaint place to stay and very convenient to the Lake and Bear Dunes. We will be back for sure.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2025

Jay

Very clean and cozy

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

28 Aug 2025

kathleen

It is in an amazing location. Just a short walk to the lake & short drive to Empire Bluff Trail!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2025

Verified traveler

Great place.

Very comforting and clean. The area was quiet and workers were very nice.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Aug 2025

Margaret

Nice place.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Aug 2025

Leah

Clean!!!!