Purple Martin Lakeside Inn & Bird Sanctuary on Lake Huron — Hotel in Rogers City

Nothing like the pictures. This is an old warehouse or garage. Someone slapped up some divider walls, laid down carpets over the cement floor, and loaded the place up with second hand furniture from the 80s, thinking it could be mistaken for “cottage” or “shabby chic.” But it’s just old. Inside, the mattresses, bed linens and bath towels, etc should have been replaced a long while ago. Guests expect crisp bedsheets, a mattress that doesn’t sag, and fluffy, large towels. Outdoors, the property sports peeling paint, lawn furniture that is worn and stained, no wood in the fire pit, a smelly green pond, with stuff quite literally falling down at the pavilion. The bird feeders are empty and the patio area has clearly been untended for quite some time, as evidenced by the dead plants in pots, and debris on the patio. There is no staff on-site overnight. If you need anything, you’re on your own. God help you if other guests are there and they are party people. You pay for a bottle of water. Coffee is free though. That was the second star I gave this place, because coffee is precious. There are no snacks for guests, and nothing is open late. It’s too late for us to leave and try to hunt down someplace nicer. The manager who met us (after we called because the place was locked up) could not tell us what was being served for breakfast. We were asked on the website to provide dietary needs . We did. We aren’t being accommodated. |The town of Rogers City leaves a lot to be desired as well. We were directed to the Lighthouse Restaurant for lunch after we arrived. Yuk. Sandwiches, chips and a tossed salad ( no entree salads) of bagged iceberg lettuce and cherry tomatoes, and from a bottle bland ranch dressing is the best you can expect. The food is strictly what can be found at GFS. The town is as down at the heels as the Inn foreshadows. We are driving another 30 min to Cheboygan just to try for a decent dinner. We chose The Purple Martin Inn based on reviews. I don’t know where those 4 and 5 star reviewers were staying, but it sure wasn’t where we are!! |The state of Michigan could do very well if it would build a fine state lodge between Ocqueoc Falls and Lake Huron, where one could have a lovely room with a view, hike the Trails around the falls, and enjoy Lake Huron, and maybe get a great meal and good bottle of wine at the lodge restaurant . Target families, Michigan. The Falls were over-run with families with small children. Nice job making the Falls accessible, for everyone. |I won’t recommend The Purple Martin Inn or Rogers City as a tourist stop. Make a day trip to the Falls, and take your tourist dollars where they try harder to convince you your money...

Nestled serenely in Rogers City by the gentle embrace of Lake Huron, the Purple Martin Lakeside Inn is a haven for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and travelers seeking a tranquil retreat. The proximity to the expansive 40-mile Huron Sunrise Trail makes it an excellent base for cyclists looking to explore the picturesque outdoors at their own pace.

Rogers City itself is a delightful lakeside hamlet. Its claim to fame includes the vast Carmeuse Calcite Operation to the south. As a history and marine enthusiast, the series of shipwrecks and lighthouses to the north hold a special allure, beckoning one to delve into their stories.

A short 15-minute drive southwards leads to Thompson's Harbor State Park. Ideal for hikers and off-road bikers, it's an exquisite, secluded location that lets you truly connect with nature, undisturbed by the usual tourist bustle.

The inn itself is a marvel of comfort and beauty. Ample parking space and blazing fast wifi are just some of the conveniences offered. Inside, the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, accentuated by the affable staff. Their culinary prowess ensures every meal is a delightful experience, and being a haven for birdwatching, the inn truly lives up to its name. The seating options, both inside and out, are plentiful and diverse, from cozy campfire spots to shaded garden retreats and even exclusive areas to witness the mesmerizing Purple Martins during their season.

It's heartening to see the new owners, from Owosso, Michigan, preserving the inn's essence by retaining the dedicated team from the previous ownership. Their combined efforts ensure that whether you're a couple seeking solitude, a family on a vacation, or part of a large group, your stay will be memorable.

Their transparency is commendable – room sizes listed on the website are true to life. While the Robin might be on the cozier side, the other rooms offer ample space, and there's even a two-bedroom cottage for those seeking a more private experience.

Pack your camera, lace up your walking shoes, and hop on your bike to unearth the treasures of Rogers City and the comfort of the Purple Martin Lakeside Inn. You might just be tempted to make this enchanting corner of Michigan your permanent abode. After all, it's a hidden gem in the big mitten state that is sure to...

So extremely disappointed in The Purple Martin Inn! My husband retired on Saturday, July 29th and I looked forward for two months to our 3 day/2 night stay at the Inn, having reserved the Hummingbird Suite and prepaying for the entire stay- this was what he wanted for a retirement celebration. We received an email confirmation with the details of the Hummingbird Suite being confirmed. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the Inn today we were told that our Suite was not ours afterall, in spite of the email confirmation and prepayment. We were offered a much lower quality room, with no lake view; the room was dark and the floor was uneven with 3 different levels. We asked why our confirmation was not being honored and told that someone else had booked our Suite for one night -the first night of our stay-before we booked it and that we booked through an online booking service rather than directly with the Inn. A truly honest, considerate and customer service- oriented innkeeper would have offered to fix this situation: given us the room, since our reservation was for 2 nights, not one and prepaid; offered to find us other another room at another property, or offered to comp the lower quality room without a lakeview. No concern or consideration on the part of the innkeeper- she was callous, cold-hearted, rude, smug and inconsiderate, refused to help us in any way, insisting the mistake was ours, not hers. It was a horrible experience, the innkeeper, Michelle, was abominable- the most despicable excuse for customer service that I have ever witnessed. A completely ruined vacation and it didn't have to be- if the innkeeper had simply cared, had been polite, considerate and knew anything about good customer service. After we returned home, the owner of the Inn contacted us- not to apologize for our terrible experience and refund our money, but to try to force me to delete this post! This was supposed to be a pleasant vacation that turned into a scam on senior citizens, offering one type of room - lakeview, prepaid and written confirmation- then refusing to honor the contract, refusing a refund, refusing any kind of help whatsoever other than a bait-and-switch tactic for a lower quality room. Buyer beware- this Inn is...