Iron River Lodgings

AMERICINN LODGE & SUITES
(906) 265-9100; reservations (800) 396-5007; americinn.com/hotels/MI/IronRiver

This luxurious downtown motel, finished in 1996, has been so successful that it's been expanded to 66 rooms. Standard rooms on regular winter weekends are $100 Fri & Sat, $90 midweek. Whirlpool rooms $10 more. Summer rates range from $84 to $104, depending on date and events. Suites also available. Northwoods wildlife is the decorating theme. Masonry construction means quiet rooms. The lobby/breakfast room has a big stone fireplace, antler chandeliers, comfy sofas. Breakfast tables can become game tables. Free breakfast buffet includes hot and cold cereal, Belgian waffles, bagels, muffins, and fresh fruit. Hot drinks available any time. The beautiful indoor pool has big windows, a whirlpool, and a sauna. On snowmobile trail. March, 2008

40 E. Adams/U.S. 2 just east of downtown Iron River. 2 rooms ADA accessible. Call on others. Children: 12 & under free with parents. No pets.

LAKESHORE MOTEL
(906) 265-3611; lakeshoremotelicelake.com

A lakefront setting, well informed owner-managers, and lots of extras make this simple motel special. All 20 rooms overlook Ice Lake just east of Iron River, half a block from Ice Lake Park. Rooms are redecorated and air-conditioned, with cable TV (ESPN & Disney included) and phones. Regular rooms with one bed are $38 (1 person) and $44 (2 people); 2 beds $53 and $56. See site for small and large kitchenettes, trailer, and cabins. Free coffee and continental breakfast in the office. Away from highway noise. Over 500 feet of shoreline has a small sandy swimming beach, a boat launch for guests, a dock and picnic area. Guests can rent a rowboat or paddle boat. Year-round fishing. Call at least 4 months ahead for best availability in July; reserve early for August, too. March, 2008

1257 Lalley Rd., 1 block south of U.S. 2 on the east edge of Iron River, 1 1/2 miles east of downtown. Handicap access: call. Families: rates by the room, not the person. 2 pet rooms.

CHICAUGON LAKE INN
(906) 265-9244; chicaugonlakeinn.com

This attractive 24-room motel, on one floor, is near the entrance to the spectacular George Young Recreational Complex, where lunch is served. (See Points of Interest). Rooms have contemporary, Indian-inspired decor. All have phones, air-conditioning, microwaves, mini-fridges. No cable (it's not out here); TVs have 3 channels, but the big-screen TV in the comfortable lobby has 100 satellite channels for that important game. Standard rooms ($64) have one king or 2 queens. 2 whirlpool rooms ($89) have a king, a DVD, microwave, and mini-fridge. Continental breakfast is served in lobby. There;s a volleyball court, a campfire area used on weekends, and a fish freezer. Wi-fi throughout. Next door is a boat launch on 1,100-acre Chicaugon Lake. Close to Pentoga Park on the lake. On main snowmobile trail. About 10 miles from Ski Brule and Iron River. March, 2008

1700 CR 424, about 5 1/2 miles east of Gaastra and 7 miles east of M-189. 1 room ADA accessible. Call on others. Children: 6 & under no extra charge. Pets: $10/night. Call ahead.

LAC O'SEASONS RESORT
(800) 797-5226; (906) 265-4881; lacoseasons.com

Because it's somewhat larger than most lakeside cottage resorts, Lac O'Seasons offers many extras. There's a large lodge with fireplace, gathering area, satellite TV, and kitchen (ideal for reunions renting cottages here). There's a big indoor pool with whirlpool, sauna, and a game room with video games, pinball, and pool. After dinner, many families come up to the lodge for ice cream (10 flavors) and socializing, while kids swim in the lake or pool. Stanley Lake is a quiet lake, known for walleye, with musky and large and smallmouth bass. Over 600 feet of the resort's wooded shoreline goes down to the lake. Sand has been moved in to create a small beach, protected by an L-shaped swimming dock. Two swimming rafts are farther out. Kayaks, canoes, and fishing boats are for rent. Apaddleboat free to guests.

Of the 14 housekeeping cottages, built over the past 26 years, 8 are on the lake. Some have fireplaces. Typical rates for 2 bedrooms: lakeside $800-$885/week or $120-$140/day, $735/$110 otherwise. See web site. All have TV/VCRs (just two channels on the TV), microwaves, decks. No air-conditioning or internet access. Rentals are by the week in mid-summer. 2-night minimum otherwise. Summer availability is better than at smaller resorts. Call in January for best choices. March, 2008

176 Stanley Lake Dr., 7 minutes southwest of Iron River, close to Ski Brule. Wheelchair accessible: one unit. Family-friendly. No pets.

SKI BRULE
(800) DO-BRULE; (906) 265-4957; skibrule.com

Of all the U.P. ski resorts, Ski Brule does the most to offer families a variety of activities, winter and summer. Lodgings are in the condos and chalets in this beautiful rural area near the Brule River Valley. There is no pool, indoors or out.

Summer activities on the premises include rafts, tubing, and canoeing, sporting clays (shooting), guided one-hour trail rides on horseback, and mountain biking. Fishing is a huge area attraction. There is no pool. A beautiful indoor pool and outstanding golf are 15 minutes away at the George Young Recreational Center outside Iron River. Swimming at Lake Ottawa isn't far, either. Not air-conditioned. Nightly, weekly, and monthly rentals of housekeeping units. Summer rates are $61/night or $366/week for 2 in condos, $109-$160 nightly or $654 to $960 per week for 4 to 6 in chalets, depending on newness and amenities. One home on a private lake that sleeps 6 to 12 is $2,300/week. Ask about hot tub units. Many package rates available—best to call or check online and see which fits your needs, especially for winter lodging and ski packages. March, 2008

7 miles southwest of Iron River. Take M-189 south, look for sign. Open year-round. Handicap accessibility: call. Families: no extra charge for age 9 & under. $10/extra person. Pets: $10/pet/night in some units. Call or see site.

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