The Grand Hotel was built in 1887 and features 385 guest rooms with no two decorated the same. Breakfast and dinner are included daily. With a front porch of 660 feet, it is the world's largest. The Grand Hotel's swimming pool takes 500,000 gallons of water and is named for the actress Esther Williams who starred in the 1949 moves This Times for Keeps.

The hotel is located on Mackinac Island which became one of the nation's favored summer resorts during the Victorian erea. Mackinac Island is accessible only by boat or plane. Visitors and residents travel by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage.

Each room is tastefully decorated with its own special character and style. Each guest room is complete with numerous amenities including indivudallly controlled AC, mini bar, in-room safe, cable TV, iron and coffee maker. There are four categories of rooms.

Activities at the Grand Hotel include golf, tennis, swimming, Fort Mackinac, Horseback Riding, Cycling, Carriage Tours, Vita Course, Exercise facilities, and the Grand Hotel Spa: Astor's.