Mackinac Island, Michigan – Mackinac Island Grand Hotel It’s a landmark in its own right, but it’s also something of a traveling nesting doll, in that some spots within hold iconic status in their own right.
One such spot is the Cupola Bar, a favorite among first-timers and repeat guests alike, with its elevated position in the historic resort offering fantastic views of the Straits of Mackinac, the Mackinac Bridge and the freighters and ferries passing by.
It’s a beautiful place during the day, but at night, when the sun goes down and the sky turns velvety dark, it takes on an even more old-fashioned charm.
During the off-season, the Cupola Bar space was refreshed with new furniture, new fabrics and special design touches, so this season guests can enjoy an even more luxurious atmosphere.
The renovation was undertaken by Dorothy Draper & Co., one of the oldest interior design firms in the United States, whose team has worked with the Grand Hotel for many years, not only on guest suites but also on design elements of the hotel’s colorful, patterned public spaces.
The Grand Hotel and its design team have shared photos of the revamped Cupola Bar with MLive readers. By day, new furniture and design elements give the bar a chic garden party feel. At night, it becomes a festive spot to sip on drinks and listen to music.
Below are highlights from a design note by Rudy Saunders, design director at Dorothy Draper & Company.
“The space transitions from day to night and offers one of the best views on Mackinac Island,” Sanders writes. “Located at the top of the Grand Hotel, this two-story bar will make you feel like you’re high in the clouds, looking out over 270-degree views.”
- The entire surface is covered in wallpaper, a deep navy color with a metallic moire-like texture that adds a touch of glamour to the space.
- The carpeting throughout was also custom designed and manufactured by Ulster Carpets in Ireland, with large swirls in shades of blue creating a dreamy atmosphere and evoking movement.
- The lower level is a summer resort-worthy space with a large white checkered bar with a white marble counter flanked by brass lamps with emerald-green shades.
- On the lower level, you can dance the night away on the black and white checkerboard dance floor.
- Above the dance floor is a stunning Murano chandelier designed by Carlton Varney (a protégé of Dorothy Draper and the late president of Dorothy Draper & Company) for The Cupola Bar in 1987. Matching Murano sconces were added to the upper level to add a touch of sparkle.
- The ceilings on both floors are covered in stylized cloud-patterned fabric that creates a tent-like feel.
- Around the perimeter on both levels are large banquettes covered in custom deep navy blue fabric from Carleton V Ltd. Above the banquettes are bolster pillows from Carleton V High Garden with chartreuse leather piping from Samuel & Sons.
- The chairs are classic iron garden furniture in acid green with cushions finished in Carleton V Ltd. High Garden.
- Tables around the room are draped with tablecloths that transition from day to night. By day, the classic Carlton V Boca Grand trellis pattern is visible. Flip it over to reveal a sparkling Carlton V Pinwheel bordered in Samuel & Sons silver tape, creating a glamorous atmosphere by night.
Magnificent observation deck
The hotel’s iconic cupola was built along with the rest of the hotel in 1887. For its first 100 years it was an open-air building and where some of the most important work took place in the hotel’s early years.
On days when visitors were expected to arrive, employees stationed on that escarpment could see steamships approaching the island and trains arriving at Mackinaw City Station on the mainland. That was the signal for resort staff to throw a proper welcome party, Grand Hotel resident historian Bob Taggatz told MLive in a previous interview. That was the start of a string of extravagant events aimed at impressing Grand Hotel guests.
“They were lined up on the front porch,” he said of his employees, “and the manager stood at the bottom of the stairs, ready for the guests to arrive.”
The employee assigned to the job was looking for two things: steamboats approaching the island’s wharf carrying hotel guests, and trains stopping at Mackinaw City, a mainland station about seven miles across the channel from the island.
Unlike today’s people who arrive on a ferry or small plane and spend a few days on the island, at the turn of the century most tourists came to the island for a summer stay.
“Our guests come to stay for the season, and our season is only two months long,” Tagatz said. “We had to be prepared for them.”
When a ship or train was in sight, a staff member in the cupola would run down the hotel’s main staircase to let people know that a guest was coming. It was a signal to prepare to greet the guest. The staff would line up and greet everyone properly. Guests would be called by name and ushered in with great fanfare, Tagatz said.
Old photographs show that in the hotel’s early days, guests would climb into the cupola themselves, likely because they found it the perfect vantage point to watch the parties held in the tea gardens in front of the hotel, or perhaps to watch the sunset and the occasional dancing Northern Lights.
“You can’t get a better view than that,” Tagatz said.
A bar with a million dollar view
A century after its construction, the Cupola was closed in 1987 to mark the Grand Hotel’s 100th anniversary, and the two-story structure was transformed into the guest-favorite Cupola Bar, with its art glass chandeliers and breathtaking views that put you at the top of the island.
Tagatz encourages people to visit during the day, watch the boats passing through the straits where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet, and get a bird’s-eye view of island life below. Then, he suggests, return in the evening to listen to a live pianist, grab a window seat, sip a cocktail and watch the lights of the Mackinac Bridge. As the sun dips below the horizon, toast island life.
“This is a great place to come and watch the sunset.”
Love Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel? Read more about its fascinating history here:
Hollywood star in pool saves Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island mansion’s theater becomes showcase for Grand Hotel’s fine dining restaurant
Jane Seymour shares love for Mackinac Island over ‘Somewhere in Time’ weekend
