2017 marks the 5-year anniversary since the opening of Bicycle Street Inn & Suites on Main Street in downtown Mackinac Island. By all measures, the new hotel has been a great success, fueled in part by excellent word of mouth and an increasing number of visitors to the island over the past few seasons.
Most business proprietors would be content to let the money roll in during a strong economy, but the owners of Bicycle Street Inn & Suites — and its 3-year-old Waterfront Collection hotel across the street — refuse to sit on their laurels.
Led by partners Ira Green and Melanie Libby, the property underwent a major renovation project after the 2016 summer season. The original first floor retail marketplace was repositioned into a new lobby and mezzanine level with seven beautiful, new guest rooms.
When past visitors and guests returned for the 2017 season in early May, the transformation surprised them. They were expecting to find the usual shops and central courtyard open to the public. Instead, they found themselves diverted from the hotel’s plush, new private lobby reserved for hotel guests.
Now, all the previous retailers are gone except two remaining store front anchors — Winchester's Restaurant and Sanders Candy Shop — which still have their own separate entrances on Main Street.
Green said he recognized rapid changes occurring in the retail landscape and wanted to be in front of the issue.
“It was a smart decision to remove the first-floor retail shops and replace them with a new mezzanine level, private hotel lobby and guest rooms. The original space became a popular gathering spot for island visitors, but it got so busy it detracted from the guest experience we were trying to create for our upper floor rooms and suites,” he said.
“We could also see the upward trend of online retail sales cutting into sales for our leased courtyard shops,” Libby said. “So, despite the increased traffic, there was downward pressure on future rent potential for these spaces. It made better sense to transition now by building more guest rooms and offer more hotel amenities as our room occupancy continues to grow and prosper.”
The new mezzanine level guest rooms feature single king and double queen accommodations, and bathrooms with walk-in glass showers and granite surround, granite vanities with premium fixtures and LED integrated mirrors. The property now boasts 56 rooms and suites in all with premium, private label pillow top beds and bedding, custom designed furnishings, digitally controlled AC and heat, 43" HDTVs, mini fridge, microwave and coffee-maker, along with premium in-room amenities and complimentary wifi.
Additional projects just completed include their reimagined restaurant called Winchester's Craft Food & Drink, a fitness room, business workstation and guest laundry room. Whether you visit for an overnight or an extended stay, Bicycle Street Inn & Suites and Waterfront Collection is confident you'll have all the amenities you need, and perhaps some you were not expecting.
Summer rates start from $235 per night and include ferry ride discounts, a complimentary continental breakfast in Winchester’s, and free luggage handling to/from the docks. Guests can enjoy a 5-percent discount on any available July and August date when using the hotel’s sharing coupon.
For reservations and more information, visit www.bicyclestreetinn.com, or call toll-free (855) 560-8005.
