The Hampton Inn & Suites in Manistee, Michigan, opened in July 2023. I have wanted to stay there since it opened, and we finally got our chance over Labor Day weekend.
The Hotel
Manistee is a beautiful community located on the shores of Lake Michigan. The hotel faces the sandy 1st Street Beach and Lake Michigan. Lighthouse Park and the Manistee North Pier and Lighthouse are also just a quick walk from the hotel.
The Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee is a Hilton property that can be booked with Hilton Honors points. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and a full-service restaurant on the 5th floor. The Windward Restaurant features large windows that face the lake, offering stunning views.
The Room
I booked a One King Suite with a microwave, mini fridge, and wet bar. Of course, Labor Day weekend is a popular time for any Michigan beach hotel. Hilton uses a dynamic pricing model, so the price fluctuates based on demand. We wanted to enjoy one of the last beautiful Michigan summer weekends, so I booked our stay at their peak rates.
The hotel website showed they were sold out for several weeks before our stay, so even though I have Hilton Diamond status, I had no hope for any kind of upgrade. But the temperature dropped significantly a few days before our trip, and there were some last-minute cancellations, so we were upgraded to a waterfront room with a balcony!
The Vibe
Our stay was part of a long weekend road trip, so we only stayed one night. Check-In is at 4 p.m. and Check-Out is at 11 a.m. We had been canoeing all morning, so I was happy the hotel offered so many amenities, which allowed us to just kick back and enjoy our stay.
We started with a drink at the Beach Bar before wandering out to explore the beach and see the lighthouse. Later, we had dinner with a view at the Winward Restaurant located on the fifth floor. After dinner, we relaxed with a cocktail on the huge outdoor patio and watched as the sun set. We finished our evening with a soak in the indoor-outdoor hot tub.
After a fabulous night’s sleep in our super comfy king bed (love Hilton beds), we headed down for coffee and breakfast. This Hampton Inn offered a nice selection of breakfast items and was well-maintained. We had time for one last visit to the hot tub, which was delightful with the crisp morning air.
My Review
Things we Loved
- The room was spacious and had everything we needed
- The room and facilities were all in great shape, and everything worked properly
- Sandy beach and Lake Michigan access right in front of the hotel
- Several nearby sites are walkable from the hotel
- Lots of onsite amenities like restaurants, bars, pool/hot tub, and gym
- Complimentary Breakfast (of good quality)
- Very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous staff
There is a huge playground next to the Hampton Inn & Suites, which would be the perfect place for little travelers to blow off some steam!
Things we didn’t Love
- 4 p.m. check-in time. I would prefer 3 p.m.
- Dynamic pricing means all the best times to visit are $$$
- Paper cups for coffee (that’s just a me thing, not a big deal)
- The view from the restaurant was great. BUT the prices were high, the food quality and service were not that good, and the wine list was absolutely awful. Bottom-shelf grocery store wines at best.
My overall rating for this hotel is 5/5. You can’t beat the location for this hotel. Our room, the staff, and the facilities were all wonderful.
I will totally be staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Manistee again. Next time, I will avoid a holiday weekend and attempt to find better rates. We will also venture off the property for dinner.
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