Western up lodging
- Thread starter 96xltsp
- Start date
If you're looking at chain motels, it hard to beat the Ramada in Hancock. Otherwise you have many excellent choices. Running Bear in Paulding, Wildlife Refuge in South Range, Krupps in Twin Lakes, Trailside in Calumet, Parkview in Twin Lakes, and the list goes on.
If this doesn't help, check the Northwoods Directory in the bottom left corner of your screen.
If this doesn't help, check the Northwoods Directory in the bottom left corner of your screen.
You aren't going to find any 'chain hotels', except in Houghton, which is a college town, and even then, you may not like it. They are down town, and although the ones on the river are alright, you still end up driving through the streets. Staying in Ironwood is similar. Street riding to get where you want to be.
I'd suggest Mass City, Rockland, Twin Lakes, South Range area. Check out the Northwoods Directory here on this site (last link on the left side bottom). So many good places to stay and great people. You'll be happier with those places than any 'chain hotel'. And you'll find that each one of them will treat you very well, and accommodate your cancellation needs or whatever you might run into. They live by moral rules, not corporate rules. I've stayed at them all, and never ran into one problem, ever.
I'd suggest Mass City, Rockland, Twin Lakes, South Range area. Check out the Northwoods Directory here on this site (last link on the left side bottom). So many good places to stay and great people. You'll be happier with those places than any 'chain hotel'. And you'll find that each one of them will treat you very well, and accommodate your cancellation needs or whatever you might run into. They live by moral rules, not corporate rules. I've stayed at them all, and never ran into one problem, ever.
600_RMK_144
Well-known member
And it's always good to support the locals rather than the big chains. These mom & pop places really rely on your business to survive. Never been to the UP, but up to MN many times and always try to find a great "local - family owned" place to stay. You can certainly count on better service and possibly even kindle a new friendship with the owners (I get Christmas cards from 3 different ones up in MN annually). Please consider this option.
Just a few points of clarification before we turn a request for lodging info into a personal axe grinding session.
1) There are chains outside of Houghton and Hancock. AmericInn in Calumet and Silver City are two examples.
2) Many of the "chains" in the Keweenaw are actually locally owned and operated. Just because you have a "chain" sign hanging outside your business does not mean you are corporate thug. Plus the chains supply lots of jobs to locals. So automatically avoiding a chain can have the opposite results of what some are trying to accomplish.
This was just some food for thought and meant as a bit of a clarification. It was in no way an attempt to take business away from the smaller "mom and pop" businesses, just a clarification if ones actions are done to support the "locals", they should make sure which businesses are owned by the locals and will benefit the locals and which ones will benefit the big corporations. I agree that people should support the locals when visiting an area.
zimmbob and ryankessler, please forgive me if it seemed like I was picking on you. Your intent was good and honorable. It was not my intent to pick on your posts, but I realize it could have seemed that way. I just wanted folks to know that there are chain hotels that are locally owned and did not want them to be avoided, just because they had an chain affiliation.
-John
1) There are chains outside of Houghton and Hancock. AmericInn in Calumet and Silver City are two examples.
2) Many of the "chains" in the Keweenaw are actually locally owned and operated. Just because you have a "chain" sign hanging outside your business does not mean you are corporate thug. Plus the chains supply lots of jobs to locals. So automatically avoiding a chain can have the opposite results of what some are trying to accomplish.
This was just some food for thought and meant as a bit of a clarification. It was in no way an attempt to take business away from the smaller "mom and pop" businesses, just a clarification if ones actions are done to support the "locals", they should make sure which businesses are owned by the locals and will benefit the locals and which ones will benefit the big corporations. I agree that people should support the locals when visiting an area.
zimmbob and ryankessler, please forgive me if it seemed like I was picking on you. Your intent was good and honorable. It was not my intent to pick on your posts, but I realize it could have seemed that way. I just wanted folks to know that there are chain hotels that are locally owned and did not want them to be avoided, just because they had an chain affiliation.
-John
600_RMK_144
Well-known member
Well said and I completely agree. Thanks for expanding on my comments & clarifying. Can't wait to get up there this year!!!
packerlandrider
Well-known member
I would shy away from staging a snowmobile trip out of Baraga - spotty snowfall and only really one way out of town unless you are familiar with the area.
As far as the Houghton/Hancock area is concerned, there are 4-5 main options. The Ramada in Hancock is by far the most convenient, with the groomed trail right next to the parking lot. Travelodge in Houghton is the next closest to the groomed trail as it is only a could blocks from the bridge, however, being right downtown I think there are some minor challenges as far as space goes. The Franklin Square Inn and Super 8 are very near or on the waterfront, and while they are a 1/2 to 3/4 mile away from the groomed trail, the non-groomed trail to get to the main trail is rough, but nearly all snow covered. Finally, the Holiday Inn is up the hill on M26, and my parents have stayed there the last two years for the Ride-In. To get to the main trail just have to follow about 2 blocks of residential streets to get to the main trail, was no problem whatsoever under normal snow conditions.
Aside from the Holiday Inn, all I can really discuss is the location relative to the groomed trail and parking accommodations. The Ramada is definitely the most convenient, but the other four are all very manageable under normal snow conditions.
As far as the Houghton/Hancock area is concerned, there are 4-5 main options. The Ramada in Hancock is by far the most convenient, with the groomed trail right next to the parking lot. Travelodge in Houghton is the next closest to the groomed trail as it is only a could blocks from the bridge, however, being right downtown I think there are some minor challenges as far as space goes. The Franklin Square Inn and Super 8 are very near or on the waterfront, and while they are a 1/2 to 3/4 mile away from the groomed trail, the non-groomed trail to get to the main trail is rough, but nearly all snow covered. Finally, the Holiday Inn is up the hill on M26, and my parents have stayed there the last two years for the Ride-In. To get to the main trail just have to follow about 2 blocks of residential streets to get to the main trail, was no problem whatsoever under normal snow conditions.
Aside from the Holiday Inn, all I can really discuss is the location relative to the groomed trail and parking accommodations. The Ramada is definitely the most convenient, but the other four are all very manageable under normal snow conditions.
garyl62
Active member
Very well said!
Ramada is the best for location and in house services (food/drink). Travelodge is a couple blocks on city streets and it seems like parking is tough (not a fan of leaving the sled right next to the street) but they manage. Super 8 is right on ungroomed trail that is just about a three minute ride from the bridge and they have a big lot for trailers and sleds. Never been to the Franklin Square or Holiday Inn so can't say anything about them. Usually Super 8 has the best deal and if you pre pay 2 weeks in advance you get another 15% off.
EXCESSIVE FORCE
New member
You made a good choice,as we were treated well there. We've also been treated (over and above) well at the Americinn locations at Calumet and Iron River,MI.
garyl62
Active member
good choice x2,
Look around at the other places in town while you're there, and also look at the Northwoods Directory at the bottom left of the menu list to become familier with the names of other places, then while you're riding when you see the signs for those places go check out their trail access and how they look to you. Sometimes its nice to be "in town" yet we've also enjoyed being a little more off the beaten trail sometimes too.
What are your dates in Jan?
garyl62
Active member
Thanks, just wondered, it's always fun to meet up with some fellow JDer's if the schedules allow. That is the one weekend we're not up. Have a great time!
berglandbaybar
New member
check out the Walleye Lodge on Lake Gogebic. They are new owners this year and making some very nice changes at the place.