Motel selections here are arranged from the locks and river out along Bus. Spur I-75.
See also: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; Bay Mills/Brimley, Cedarville, Hulbert.
NOTE: Motel row is mixed in with shopping plazas and fast food on Business Route I-75. It includes older, independent motels in town but up the bluff and too far to walk to the locks. Large facilities, closer to the I-75 exit, are from 60 to 100 rooms and most likely have indoor pools. The biggest pools are at the Quality Inn and Hampton Inn. The Comfort Inn is adjacent to Cascade Crossing with Wal-Mart and a movie multiplex.
Casino business helps fill rooms everywhere in the Michigan Soo, of course. Many motels offer free casino shuttles and special casino packages. Some offer Agawa Canyon train packages.
Kewadin Casino's growth fueled a long lodgings boom here. However, more new lodgings were opening just as competition increased from other casinos in Mount Pleasant and Detroit. As a result, there may be 300 rooms too many - good for visitors, bad for the local lodgings industry.
From the perspective of environments that have a sense of place, the most interesting locations by far, are those by the waterfront - either near the locks or within walking distance to the waterfront parks. Ships move through the locks and down the river at all times of day and night. It's fun to take an evening stroll and watch a giant vessel passing by, with its superstructure lit up like a party boat.
Area motels can fill up from gamblers and special events, but with so many rooms, turnover is high and summer availability is better on short notice than in smaller vacation areas. Book early (April or May) for special events.
Consult the convention and visitors' bureau or AAA for a wider range of lodging possibilities.
Motel selections here are arranged from the locks and river out along Bus. Spur I-75.
ASKWITH LOCKVIEW MOTEL
(906) 632-2491; (800) 854-0745
The well-run motel is across from the locks' visitor center. A few of its 47 mostly drive-up rooms have limited views of the locks; most don't. This is an ideal location for boatwatchers who want to be where the action is at a moment's notice. The motel is really a collection of attractively remodeled tourist cabins and motel buildings. The property has room enough for cars and some small lawn areas. A little terrace with tables is in front. Hanging flower baskets and good maintenance make up for the cramped site.
The ample rooms are rather elegantly furnished. All have cable TV, air-conditioning, and phones. Many bed configurations. Complimentary coffee and continental breakfast are served in the office. The Lockview Restaurant is next door. Free shuttle to casino. Sample rates for two from 2007: $64-$78. Less before mid June.
327 W. Portage right across from the Soo Locks Information Center. Open from last weekend of April to October 15. Wheelchair access: some ADA accessible rooms Children: $3/extra person. No pets.
LONG SHIPS MOTEL
(906) 632-2422
This pleasant, place across from the locks has 23 attractive drive-up rooms on one floor. All rooms have cable TV and air-conditioning. Some have phones. Morning coffee is available in the office. Various bed configurations: one queen, one double, two doubles.
427 W. Portage, opposite the west gate of the Sault Locks Park. Open from May thru mid October. Handicap access: call. Children: under 10 free; $5/extra person. No pets.
RAMADA PLAZA HOTEL OJIBWAY
(800) 654-2929; (906) 632-4100
This elegantly renovated hotel, built in 1928, wins high marks for service. It enjoys an excellent location next to Locks Park. (Trees mean there's seldom a locks view, except from the hotel restaurant.) There's a comfortable lobby, cozy bar, small indoor pool with sauna, spa, and fitness room, and a good restaurant (Freighters) with a beautiful setting. 71 rooms are on six stories. All have high-speed internet and voice mail, and in-room coffee. Rooms vary from small but luxuriously decorated to large, elaborately furnished two-room suites with spas, king beds, and wet bars ($199 year-round). Non-holiday summer rates for standard rooms (2 doubles or 1 king and pullout sofa): $140 (in winter $120). Book ahead, even in winter. On winter weekdays it's frequently full with technicians up from Detroit to test vehicles under arctic conditions. Near snowmobile trail.
240 W. Portage just east of Locks Park. Wheelchair-accessible.
DORAL MOTEL
(906) 632-6621
A pleasant outdoor pool area, picnic tables, and a good view of passing ships from the second floor are special attractions at this two-story, 20-room motel circa 1970. The ground-floor view is somewhat obstructed by the ticket office of the Soo Locks Boat Tours. Rooms have phones, cable TV, and air-conditioning. Summer AAA rates are around $66 (for 2 doubles or one queen), or $69 for king rooms. Ask about off-season rates. Morning coffee in lobby. Good location for walking to see Sault's historic buildings. The Antlers restaurant and Valley Camp are within two blocks. Best to reserve at least a week ahead for summer weekends.
518 E. Portage across from the Soo Locks Boat Tours parking lot. Open from Mem. Day weekend into Oct. Handicap access: call. Children free with parents. $5/extra person. No pets.
BUDGET HOST CRESTVIEW INN
(906) 635-9672
Many independent older motels are on Ashmun in suburban Sault Ste. Marie, north of thr V where I-75 Bus. Spur joins M-129. This pleasant, owner operated motel stands out because it accepts dogs and it's in an excellent area for walking and jogging, on top of the Easterday Hill and ____ blocks from Lake State U.
ARE YOU RIGHT AT EASTERDAY?
DOG REGS...
EXTRA PERSON, WHAT ABOUT KIDS
43 rooms on one floor form a court.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
(906) 632-3999; (800) 632-7879
This five-story, 97-room facility has an unusual location away from the other chains, right near Lake Superior State University and the last Michigan exit of I-75. It has an indoor pool and exercise room. Some rooms on upper floors have a view of the St. Mary's River and International Bridge. It would be a good choice for people who like to walk or jog near their lodging. Listed rates: $69-$99. There's a free continental breakfast and an attractive lobby.
Just south of Easterday at I-75 exit 394. Wheelchair access: some ADA accessible rooms. Family-friendly.
RIVER-AIRE MOTEL
(906) 632-8342; (231) 946-2921
Totally off the beaten path, this charming four-room motel is south of Mission Point and a 10-minute drive to the locks. The property extends back to the St. Marys River, where a picnic area and benches offer a serene place to watch boats and have evening bonfires, weather permitting. Each room, paneled in knotty pine, has a king bed, a minifridge and microwave, in-room fcoffee, and a sofa bed. Rooms have cable TV and air-conditioning. Guests can use the office phone. Rates are currently around $50 —an incredible value, made possible because a facility like this is too small to advertise. All no-smoking. By reservation only.
On Riverside Drive just south of Three Mile Road, 1 1/2 miles south of Mission Point. Mainly open July and August. Call for other times. Handicap access: call. Dogs: call.
HAMPTON INN
(906) 635-3000; (800) 426-7866
Hampton Inn has the most attractive indoor pool and lobby area in Soo, Michigan. For some families, that's quite important. Continental-plus breakfast with hot entrees. Summer weekday rates for two: $99. Next to Abner's restaurant, not far from Ang-Gio's and Studebaker's.
3295 I-75 Business Spur. Handicap access: some ADA accessible rooms. Family-friendly; children stay free with parents. No pets.
PLAZA MOTOR MOTEL
(906) 635-1881
Fabulous English-style gardens and beautiful rooms the equal of any bed and breakfast make this 21-room motel almost unique. A relaxing atmosphere in this adult getaway is paramount, and rooms are designed for cocooning, with minifridge, microwave, and coffeemaker with Godiva coffee. All have phones, cable TV, and wireless high-speed internet access. Even the smaller rooms seem luxurious, thanks to Waverly fabrics and furnishings that underscore the English country look. Each room is different; the king rooms have four-poster beds with canopies. Because the market here is so competitive, rates are amazingly low - currently $49 to $70. Owner-managers Jim and Lori Anderson have had the motel since the late 1980s, and every year they add to the garden, a mix of perennials and annuals. Benches and a gazebo, furnished in wicker, encourage guests to enjoy the gardens. The fountain helps mask road noise. It's hard to believe that Wal-Mart and the cineplex are just around the corner.
3901 I-75 Bus. Spur, exit 392, just north of Three Mile Rd. Open year-round. Handicap access: call. Adult atmosphere. No pets.
BEST WESTERN SAULT STE. MARIE
(906) 632-7877
Close to the I-75 exit, across from Wal-Mart, this newer hotel (53 rooms on two floors with interior corridors) has several popular features. Each room has wi-fi internet, coffee, microwave, and minifridge. There's a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, a medium-size pool, sauna, and game room — and some pet rooms. Some fireplace whirlpool suites. Rates for standard rooms on non-special events weekends are from $109 down to $69 in slow seasons.
Next door, under common management, is the TRAVELODGE (906-632-4366): one floor, drive-up rooms, and a good continental breakfast with cereal, fresh fruit, but no hard-boiled eggs or fresh waffles. Guests can use Best Western's pool. Some rooms have wi-fi internet; others have hard-wired internet. Some rooms are suites with a half-wall between areas. Standard rooms for non-special occasions: $59-$79.
4281 I-75 Bus. Spur northeast off I-75 exit 392. Open year-round. Wheelchair accessible. Pets: call.
KEWADIN HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER
(800) 539-2346; (906) 635-1400
This vast 24-hour, full-service Las Vegas-style complex, the flagship of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa's casino empire, not only has the casino but an indoor pool, gallery of Native American art, weight room, and live entertainment, including frequent headline performers. Many tribal facilities including the Big Bear Arena are nearby. Consult the website or call for current packages and room rates at the 320-room hotel.
2186 Shunk Rd. east of town. See map. Wheelchair-accessible. Family-friendly. No pets.
