Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront — Hotel in Manistee

Just went on a 10 day in vacation where we stayed at 5 different Hampton or Tru Hilton hotels throughout the west side of the Michigan. This was the most expensive hotel but by far our favorite and well worth the price. We had stayed here 3 years ago when it was brand new and it only has gotten better. We brought our son and his family this time. For a family the biggest plus of this hotel is its location right across the park street from the 1st street public beach. The beach has a playground and you can walk the long beach or the pier. Right on the other side of the hotel is another playground and park.|The hotel amenities also are an added plus for the location. It has an indoor pool for when the weather is bad and also a very large partly indoor/ partly outdoor whirlpool that is nice for adults to relax in. |The patio on the west side of the hotel is great for watching the sun set over the lake. They have 3 or 4 gas fire pits to add to the ambiance, with adirondack chairs, tables/chairs, several cushioned Rattan couches and wooden benches . A patio bar (this was not open the first time we stayed here - no liquor license at that time) is a nice convenience but can be busy. We stayed on a Wed and Thurs night and they added a guitarist/singer on the patio for Thurs evening. As we sat enjoying drinks on the patio our grand kids played in the sand just in front of the patio.|The hotel is well maintained and still looks new. The staff was very helpful and inviting.|I used the fairly large exercise room (5 or so treadmills or elliptical machines and free weights, plus plenty of room to just exercise or do yoga). The plus is that the machines look out through floor to ceiling windows that look upon the beach. That morning I spotted dear crossing the beach. |The breakfast was up to Hampton standards with usual fare of hot eggs, bacon, sausage pancakes, cold cereals, danish, juices etc. |This Hampton also has a small bar and restaurant on the top floor (5th) that provides great views of the beach, lake and harbor. The restaurant is upscale cuisine with a more limited menu than the typical chain restaurant and higher price, but the food is great tasting and presented great. |The odd sides rooms face away from the beach on the 4th floor so get an even number if you want a small balcony to watch the beach and sunset, but with the available patio we didn't mind the odd numbered rooms.|The hotel is about a mile from downtown Manistee but there is a walkway along the river if you want...

So this place has annoyed me since they began building it, idk y it jus seemed pointless and right next to the beach really? Why? Cuz we need another motel that no one can afford? We have plenty of motel hotels in Manistee, they trying to make this a vacation spot and sorry it's not and this place is to high class for its location. And there has been harassment from drunken guests at the motel to people visiting the beach/park. I myself had a terrible experience. As I was visiting the beach one day like many other with the wife and kids and we hadn't eaten and jus wanted something close so not to lose our spot at the beach and jus didn't want to drive ATM. Anyway we decided to call the motel and ask if they have a restaurant inside. She informed us that there was a bar restaurant and we could get certain things on take out. Ok cool so she told us what was available for takeout and we decided on two large pizzas easy peazy jus two pepperoni pizzas they said 20 mins. Ok sweet so after about 25 mins I walked over there took the elevator up to the restaurant where I stood for about 10 mins before anyone came up to the podium that said wait to be seated so I'm standing there being starred at by all the other patrons in there and I tell the girl what I was there for she said ok hold on walked around a corner and was gone for about another 10mins n then she came back and didn't say anything to me walked past me and out the doors. So shortly another girl comes up I tell her what I'm ther for and at this point I'm pretty pissed but I kept my composer and she said hold on let me check she comes s back and says oh we are sorry we are backed up right now it's gonna be 25 mins and I. Like but I called and ordered like 45 mins ago and they said I know but we are doing our best so I said ok... Wth n walked out went back to the wife who was waiting patiently on the phone wit me and we decided that was bullshit and shit customer service so we went elsewhere for food and will never give that place any good praise for anything. I say avoid this place if you can. Not for me maybe it will be for you but this is how I...

Took a 3-day 2-night vacation to Manastee and enjoy some Great Lake atmosphere. It was cloudy and INCREDIBLY windy, but from my 5th floor balcony I was still able to enjoy my time there. Plus despite the clouds, we did get a peek of a sunset that I was able to frame my wife and daughter with. Perfection. And the room was pretty good too. Miss the presence of a microwave, but apparently that is becoming an industry standard unless you get a suite, so I'm not going to knock a star off for that one.

I REALLY enjoyed the hottub setup. The hot tub has both an inside- and an outside- bay, both of which are connected by a rubber flap. With it getting windy and cold at night, the hot tub felt especially nice. The indoor pool was also nice, though small (I imagine they had to sacrifice the pool size so they could include the hot tub in the floor plan, so I think that is more than an even trade. It really is a nice hot tub!)

Service was great. I have a special shoutout for Nadine, who was the clerk for 2nd shift, and one other girl who worked the overnight that I was, sadly, not able to get the name of before she left on the morning of the last day. Both of you girls did great, thank you for your attention despite my many random and silly questions. My family appreciated it.

The location is absolutely gorgeous, firepits outside that are now active and lit during the night, and also right off of the 1st Ave. Beach, and with parks and playgrounds literally next door. I never got to try out the restaurant, so I can't say much for them, but I did appreciate some of the local dining locations that were only a hop, skip, and a jump down the road. (The Outsider in particular is a nice barcade-like setup, with lots of pinball machines when you're done with your food or drinks. Highly recommend if that is your scene)

All in all, I was extremely satisfied. Despite the moderately icky weather during my stay, the hotel didn't make me feel like the weather ruined the trip at all. My family will come again. Maybe even when the water is a bit calmer during the summer, so we...