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Empire Lakeshore Inn

2.5 star property

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Exterior
Point of interest
Deluxe, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
11730 S. Lacore Rd, Empire, MI, 49630
  • Place, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Empire Bluff Trail
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for King Bed Annex

King Bed Annex | Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

King Bed Annex

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(45 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for 2 Double Beds Annex

2 Double Beds Annex | Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

2 Double Beds Annex

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(40 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Deluxe, 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe, 2 Queen Beds

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(35 reviews)
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe King Bed

Deluxe King Bed | Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe King Bed

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(18 reviews)
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

Empire Lakeshore Inn

Colonial motel in Empire with free parking
This motel features express check-in, express check-out and a garden. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a picnic area and a vending machine.
Empire Lakeshore Inn offers 12 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and designer toiletries. Rooms open to balconies or patios. A pillow menu is available. LCD televisions are featured in guestrooms. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit and complimentary toiletries.

This Empire motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of Empire Lakeshore Inn's great location. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center. Free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking are available.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Amenities include a terrace and a vending machine
  • Guests have great things to say about the clean guestrooms and the location
  • Steps from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and 13 minutes on foot from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Empire Lakeshore Inn offers its guests a terrace, a vending machine, and a garden. WiFi is free in public spaces. Empire Lakeshore Inn also features a picnic area, express check-in, and express check-out. Free self parking is available.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Colonial Empire motel.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Onsite parking includes off-street options

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1987
  • Colonial architecture
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Pillow menu

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • LCD TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
The check-in location differs from the property location; go to: [11626 S. Sunset Drive Michigan]
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and key retrieval information; your host will greet you
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Host will greet you, key retrieval

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 4 children 18 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Cleaning/housekeeping/linen fee: USD 25.00 per stay

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorise the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property does not have a front desk. The check-in location differs from the property location. To check in, guests will need to go to 11626 S. Sunset Drive Michigan
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property at least 24 hours prior to arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests planning on arriving outside normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and key retrieval information. The host will greet guests on arrival.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Up to 4 children aged 18 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.

Property is also known as

Empire Lakeshore Inn
Empire Lakeshore
Empire Lakeshore Inn Motel
Empire Lakeshore Inn Empire
Empire Lakeshore Inn Motel Empire

Empire Lakeshore Inn Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 588 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 256 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 88 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 34 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 35 out of 1001 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Audrey

Travelled with group
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Close to Sleeping Bear Dunes & within walking distance to Empire Beach. Just a standard motel room. Weird thing was that the cleaning staff came in daily to replace towels & get trash but not once made the beds understanding that it’s eco conscious not to change the sheets every day but would have been nice to come back and have the beds straightened up. Also no decent coffee in Empire if that is inportant to you. There was a coffee maker in the room though.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Patricia

Travelled with family
Shower doesn’t work. No ironing board Would no recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Joseph

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I have stayed at this property before, once at the new location, and this time at the "annex", which is the old location. The first time, I had a decent enough experience, but that is because I arrived there much later than this time. Unlike last time, I arrived a little earlier than check-in time. To be fair, it said that they may not be able to check me in early, but it was still possible (which is the case for most hotels and inns in my experience). I got there at 3 pm and the guy walked to the office and asked who I was. I gave him my name, he flipped through some papers behind the desk then quickly said that I needed to come back at 4. One hour really shouldn't make a difference when no cars were in the parking lot at either location. Once we got into the room, we found staining on the carpets and walls, damage to the furniture and walls in the bathroom, mold (or at least a lot of hard water buildup and a strong smell from the Keurig), and a bunch of notices telling us of ways in which they will bill us $150 for this or for that. I think the price for the hotel (almost 300 dollars for one night) is way too much since the walls were thin, the TV had issues with connection, the condition of the room, the lack of breakfast at the property, having a sign in the room telling me that I had to go to the other property (either a 5-10 minute walk or 2-3 minute drive) with the ice bucket to go get ice, and the fact that the room itself uses an unsafe standard house key.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Kristin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Cute
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Spotless

I’m the type of hotel guest that is peeling back the bed sheets and pillow cases, searching behind the fridge, etc and this place was spotless. Location was great. Room has everything you may need! Definitely recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marc

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stay next-door to the sleeping bear fell apart visitor center. This location is very convenient. Small quiet tile. Was able to get a good meal at the village Inn, which I could walk to and in the morning I got up and rode my bike to empire Bluff Trail Before heading up to sleeping Barry to ride the Heritage Trail
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Better than I expected! Owner left key in mailbox for easy access. Updated room and so quiet!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Kristen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
It was a lovely and clean space and had very easy access to Sleeping Bear Dunes and the beach. Also close to all the cute towns surrounding Sleeping Bear Dunes. The bed and shower were nice. The owner was not personable and said about 6 words between the check in and check out process. He did not seem very interested in interaction.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Earla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We decide to pay at check in but were told bytext that we needed to pay over the phone by noon or the room would be forfeited check-in was at 4.00
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peg

Clean. Good size frig. Microwave. Keirig. 8 min walk to public beach.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin, Grand Rapids

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location! We could easily walk to the beach, shops, ice cream, and breakfast the next day. Close to everything we wanted to explore!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sunniva

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, modern facilities and a great location for exploring the area around Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tanya

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice property with a convenient location.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

William, Mt. Pleasant

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location, we enjoyed our stay here.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kendall

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean and rooms seemed newly renovated. Late check in was very convenient. Highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Tim

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The shower wouldn’t turn hot. And the facet I. The sink blew off.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ernst

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice, easy access, good location.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Lewis

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Nice location, tight parking area, knew no food even though knew in advance, noisy, no clocks and no employees to voice information, but was clean and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Moe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect

Shocked by how clean the room was last year, and they did it again this year. Out of all the hotels and air bnbs I've been too, this is easily the cleanest. Towels were replaced while we were out for lunch as well so we didn't even have to ask. Looking forward to next year
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Yaoyao

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Amy

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
So it’s a pretty nice place, but the $300 per night rate is definitely for location—it’s a relatively short walk to Empire Beach which is usually a difficult place to find parking otherwise. Also, it’s close to Sleeping Bear Dunes. We were REALLY disappointed with the wifi since cell service is spotty at best. The only ice machine is in a different building across the street…and traffic is super loud. The main intersection in Empire is directly outside your window. Also..be aware that Empire has very limited food/grocery options and everything is SO expensive ($30 for a 12 in pizza). This place may not be the best if you’re looking for budget friendly, or things to do other than the beach/SBD. We spent way more money than we planned here. Take your vacation budget…triple it…and you’ll have a great time.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Riley

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025