In More Ways Than One!
The Hamilton (Mackinaw City)
This past weekend was a return to the ice in St. Ignace, Michigan. I wrote about it in a previous article, and the tournament, along with snowmobiling, is something the local businesses look forward to each year. I can only imagine the financial toll many companies took after not having the tournament in 2021.
The tournament went off without a hitch, with over 150 teams attending the weekend event. The official puck dropping on the first game was 11:45 on Friday, with the champions from each division being crowned no later than 2 PM on Sunday. As I stated, the tournament went off without a hitch, but there was plenty of talk of “shady” hotel practices over in Mackinaw City!
For years, Mackinaw City has been a key destination for many Michiganders and tourists alike. Generally, I have learned if you are late in getting a room for the St. Ignace Pond Hockey Tournament in St. Ignace, you resort to renting a room in Mackinaw as the next best thing. It is not ideal, in that you have to traverse the bridge several times, but it is better than no room. Unfortunately, customers have arrived to find a room they rented in a not currently open hotel.
As reported by Tess Ware in the Petoskey News-Review, complaints have been filed against three properties.
These complaints allege that some visitors to Mackinaw City booked rooms at the Beach House or Crown Choice Inn that were advertised as available and after arriving in the city saw that the hotel had been closed without notice. A sign on the door directed them to the Hamilton Inn which offered them a substitute room, which did not match the description or amenities of the rooms the guests had originally booked. When refunds were requested, the staff refused, citing a 72-hour reservation window that the guests were not made aware of until after the cancellation window passed.
At face value, it looks like collusion between the three properties, but the investigation is ongoing. At the very least, the stigma of unfavorable business practices, and the bait and switch, will be associated with these establishments.
This is the one year I opted not to stay at the Hamilton, and I can assure you I will be staying away for the foreseeable future. One of our teammates did stay at this establishment but was first to complain about their lack of breakfast. (Breakfast was part of the package but the patrons were told it was not meant to be)