The Blue Pelican Inn & Restaurant & Side Door — Restaurant in Central Lake Township

It always pleases us to be able to pass on a good word when stumbling upon a gem of a place that far exceeded any of our expectations. We stayed there Saturday night. We were only seeking a location that would be close to a large organized bicycling event around Torch Lake where we could get a decent night's sleep. This place happened to be located right along the planned 63 mile riding route. Clean and quiet, were the only requirements. We were a little wary of the place because of all the "haunting" reports that are published on their own web site, leading us to wonder whether the emphasis of this place was going to be hoax over quality. Nearly opted to stay instead a little further away in Traverse City where the nightly rate would have been over 3 times what we spent and the quality, though impersonal, would be consistent and the entity very well known. Decided to opt for the convenience and price and take a chance. ||Glad we did!||||The place is really much more like a B&B than a hotel or motel, that just happens to be the upstairs of a couple of restaurants and a saloon. We were welcomed by friendly and helpful staff, even though we arrived a little bit early. (They do close during part of the day, and it's understandable how some might feel a bit disconcerted if they arrive when it is nearly empty. However, in such an instance, one would easily find their room number and key laid out and clearly marked, letting them know that they are indeed an expected guest). ||||Our first (and final) impressions were that the staff were friendly and very customer satisfaction oriented, and the place was clean and charming. Special mention to the manager who is obviously a hard worker and runs a 'tight-ship', but who couldn't be friendlier or more accommodating. ||||The restaurant offered wonderful service and delicious fare that was far beyond any expectation. We had breakfast and dinner there. The salads were crisp and the seafood fresh. The breakfast skillets original and tastefully done. One would have expected to pay double for these meals at a grand resort in T.C. ! (wink, wink)! ||||The rooms were clean and comfortable but bare bones. This is not a luxury hotel. There is a lounge area that has a television, coffee maker and refrigerator stocked with cold drinks shared by the 7 or 8 rooms. Our intention wasn't to live in the room, but just have a quite, comfy, good night's sleep. Which we had!||||Oh...and there was no weirdness and no ghosts, although I suspect that some of the management might enjoy...

A 30 year plus family cabin owner in Central Lake. We decided to add this restaurant to our yearly adult night out. We typically bike or park in the middle Central Lake and walk to the various establishments and spend a lot of money, knowing we are gladly helping local traditions and memories continue for the families who have been coming to the lakes for 20 plus years. Unfortunately, right at 5:00 pm and the place was empty, we walked through the outside bar and were rudely met by the bartender because we asked a simple question of where to report for a table. We saw a sign as we walked in, but felt it necessary to acknowledge the staff as we walked in. The bartender stated, “You have to walk in and talk to the hostess.” Which is fine, and we were amenable. BUT, as we walked in, she grossly stated in disgust tone to a waiter, “Isn’t that what is says on the sign?” AND THE WAITER WALKED OUT to the sign to to check the message. As to confirm what the rude bartender said. Now, I know what the sign says and were ready to comply, but felt it okay to ask anyway because I am a people person and prefer one to one contact when it comes to systems PLUS there were ZERO tables set. Nobody was in the outside area nor inside. So, simple and kind guidance would have won the day. Instead, we were rudely received. When entering the restaurant as told, we stated we were going elsewhere because of the MOST TERRIBLE WELCOME I’VE EVER RECEIVED TO A RESTAURANT. We went and spent a few hundred dollars in Bellaire instead. PASS OVER THIS PLACE WHEN LOOKING FOR OPTIONS. I will post this very same review every year we come to Central Lake until I pass.

In response to your ridiculous reply:

As a 54 year old Midwesterner, born and bread person, you reply is the MOST RIDICULOUS thing ever written on Google. We arrived at 5:00 pm on the nose because of your posted hours. Your bartender lied about her tone and intentions as we would have been okay with anything other than the tone she used, but immediately turned around and walked out after your wonderful hostess did greet us but the bartender ruined our planned night already. We are MIDWESTERN PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD FOR OUR LIFE AND WILLING TO SPEND WONDERFULLY TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF OUR HARD EARNED MONEY. Your staff failed tonight and cost your servers massive tips because WE ARE MIDWESTERNERS WHO APPRECIATE HARD WORK AND WILL TIP WELL OVER 25 PERCENT of a bill knowing we are supporting other HARDWORKING MIDWESTERNERS. This will be...

My husband I stayed at the Inn last night and overall we were very impressed. I thought the room as $110/ night but ended up only being $89. The building appears to be updated but has that old character feel. We stayed in room #4, "the pecos room". When we got upstairs, the hallway was very dark and we had a hard time seeing. I noticed this morning that the one side of the hallway light bulbs were burnt out but the other end of the hallway was not. Our room was very cozy and clean. It was a decent size for just the two of us. This is an inn but the rooms feel like bed & breakfast lodging. It feels like your renting a room from a family, instead of being a hotel. Which I really liked about it. I ordered dinner from the restaurant downstairs and came down to pick it up. Service was quick and the food was average. I didn't have anything fancy- just chicken strips with fries. ||||At the Inn, the doors to the rooms are left open unless they are checked out, so before I left I walked up and down the hallways just to peek into the other themed rooms and they all seem very nice, varying in size. My only complaint about the place was that it seemed short staffed. But the person that checked me in seemed rushed and was also assisting the restaurant. She was very friendly and took the time to explain things to me but appeared to be busy. When I was walking up and down the hallway, I noticed a little seating area with furniture, tables, a fridge, coffee machine, TV, etc. If I hadn't walked down, I never would have known about this. There was also no one answering the front desk phone or the room service phone (this may be seasonal). Then when we checked out, there was no one in the building. Also, when I called to make the reservation, I had to leave a message and some one called me back the next day. This is why it appeared to be short staffed. This all could be factors of it being a slower time of the year.||||A few things to note, ||There is no TV in the room. ||There is free WIFI, works really well. Bring your own laptop and you'll be fine. ||No coffee pot, or blow drier in the room. ||The rooms have their own heat setting.||You receive a free breakfast for a small restaurant down the road. The food and service was good!||Only a ten minute drive to Short's Brewery Pub. ||*40 minute drive to Traverse City.||||I would definitely stay there again. I think the summer time...