Mackinac Island featuring the Tulip Time Festival

10/30/2024

Trip Rating:

Loved Chicago; I thought there was too much down time between Chicago and Mackinac Island. Maybe town time is a poor choice of words, but it appears to have moments where the trip dragged on. Mackinac Island was lovely, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Ford Museum and factory tour. We went on our own to the Motown Museum in Detroit, it might be a nice idea to see if it is doable to add to the tour. Thank you. The tour director was lovely. She was a little animated at times, but she did a great job.

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Collette Support

10/30/2024

Trip Rating:

We loved Chicago and absolutely loved the Grand Hotel. The porch and rooms were amazing. The meals were fabulous.

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Collette Support

10/28/2024

Trip Rating:

There were so many wonderful things about the trip . Somewhere in Time is one of my favorite movies so it was special to be there where it was filmed. My sister in law, Penny and I got to stay in a room with canopy beds. I grew up with a canopy bed and she had never slept in one . It brought back sweet memories:) The Grand Hotel was beautiful , and bike riding on the island and carriage rides were so much fun :) There were 10 of us from Cleveland, TN ,but we met so many new friends . There was so much laughter :) Chicago was so pretty when we took the architectural boat ride , visited the Bean , and toured the Art Institute. We had so many delicious meals , but I think my favorite was the prime rib at the Grand hotel . Our tour manager, Dawn was great , and told us so much about where we would be visiting each day, and even gave us homemade scones and air fresheners. Our bus driver, Jack was fun and always got us everywhere safely . I would highly recommend this . It was like a trip if a lifetime for me :)

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Collette Support

10/28/2024

Trip Rating:

Chicago was to short but great. Two days would have been much better. Everything about Macinac Island was wonderful and the right amount of time. Frederick Meier Gardens were enjoyable. The experience at the Ford Factory was great. However, the time watching the F150 assembly was way too short. Everyone wanted more time. All the rest could have been left out. Most travelers on this tour were well traveled and would have preferred whatever driving time it took to get between the above points but leave out the mundane. Colette travelers want only quality travel time.

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Collette Support

10/23/2024

Trip Rating:

This tour was worth every penny. Most memorable experience was coming up the hill with the first look at the Grand Hotel. The island itself is beautiful along with all the fudge shops.

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Collette Support

10/23/2024

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Collette Support

10/01/2024

Trip Rating:

We loved Mackinac and the Grand Hotel and would like to re-visit in the future. The other highlight was the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village......the staff members at the Village were exceptional, gracious and well informed.

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Collette Support

09/30/2024

Trip Rating:

I would have liked to have one more day in chicago and take off the frankenmuth day. Otherwise, all went perfectly. our tour manager, Chad was outstanding! He went over and above what was required. He went out of his way to walk us to dinner venues at each stop, even when he himself wasn’t dining at that particular restaurant. He printed out details of restaurants and shops at each of stops. My first collette tour. Was so impressed, I just signed up for the willow valley/collette trip to Tuscany in May 2025. I will look for more opportunities to travel with Collette. One of the best trips I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. Loved the trip book too. Great way to share our pics with everyone. Love your cancellation policy too.

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Collette Support

09/30/2024

Trip Rating:

Not on actual tour, but actually a side trip - visiting the Ford Rouge assembly plant. Fascinating, would have loved to see more.

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Collette Support

09/30/2024

Trip Rating:

Loved Mackinac Would like another day in Chicago Loved Sculpture Garden And Dow Estate Would skip Frankenmuth Would actively suggest Ford assembly plant tour

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Collette Support

09/30/2024

Trip Rating:

-

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Collette Support

09/30/2024

Trip Rating:

This was a wonderful trip! It was well planned and thought through. I had never been to Chicago and loved our hotel and its location. I visited the Chicago Art Institute on our free afternoon, which was amazing. The bus trip in the morning was great as we saw highlights of Chicago. Leaving Chicago we were treated to interesting places on our way to Mackinac Island which also broke up our time on the bus. The Grand Hotel did not disappoint. It was beautiful and great fun to explore. The carriage ride around the island was terrific. The area where we stopped to change horses had very nice shops and the prices were a bit lower than in town. I was able to visit the butterfly house 2 minutes from our stop. It was well worth the visit as I saw butterflies I’ve never seen before and took lots of photos. It’s doable if you don’t mind a quick trip through it. The meals at Grand Hotel were memorable as well. I didn’t want to leave! Again, on the way to our next destination, we were taken to interesting places such as the Alden Dow house. All of us were surprised as to how much we enjoyed the tour of this fascinating home. Frankenmuth was a fun spot, but I would recommend skipping Bronners Christmas store and spending more time in the little town. On to The Henry Ford museum. We spent more than half of our time in the outdoor area seeing the homes of famous Americans, which were transported to the town. We rode in a model T, took the train ride, and stopped for a very fun time in Mrs. D Cohen’s hat shop where you can try on hats from that time in history. Lots of photos and interesting information from the shop keepers. We went to the inside museum in the afternoon where we saw cars from history such as the car where President Kennedy was shot. There’s more there than anyone can see in a day. We had an excellent last night meal in a fun Ford restaurant. Our tour leader was great filling us in on sites we were visiting, showing informative little videos on the bus, and being a friend to each of us. We all agree, this was a marvelous trip!

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Collette Support

09/30/2024

Trip Rating:

This was an amazing trip and l would absolutely reccomend it. The only part l didn't care for was Frankenmuth, but some people would miss shopping at the Christmas venue. Chad was wonderful and l would consider seeking for another trip with him. Another day in Chicago and on Macinac would be wonderful.

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Collette Support

09/23/2024

Trip Rating:

This Tour was at a perfect pace. There were too many wonderful things that we saw, and did to point out any one singular one as my favorite. Millennium park in Chicago and the waterfront was Beautiful. What can you say about the grand Hotel on Mackinac Island except spectacular and Mackinac island itself. Of course when going to Michigan you cannot not go to Dearborn to see the Henry Ford Museum. That is a must. This is one of those tours that fulfilled everyone’s wants and wishes and went beyond most expectations.

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Collette Support

08/16/2024

Trip Rating:

Probably THE BEST TOURMANAGER AND DRIVER we have ever had. He was most helpful and knowledgeable.

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Collette Support

08/13/2024

Trip Rating:

Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel.

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Collette Support

07/23/2024

Trip Rating:

Stops in Grand Rapids was spectacular at Sculpture gardens. Stay at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island was fantastic. Disappointed in rest of Island. Just a tourist trap. Really enjoyed Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Detroit. Tour Guide was great.

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Collette Support

07/23/2024

Trip Rating:

The tour was well planned out. Tour guide Kevin was exceptional in keeping us on track, handling whatever came up and remaining pleasant and upbeat the entire tour. Hope to one day be on another tour with him.

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Collette Support

07/22/2024

Trip Rating:

Well organized.

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Collette Support

07/16/2024

Trip Rating:

Our tour manager, Dawn was Excellent in every way. She communicated clearly and often and was able to answer all kinds of different questions. The tour itself covers a lot of ground via bus (from Chicago to Mackinac City to Detroit) so there's lots of sitting. Be prepared for that. The visit to Mackinac Island was clearly the highlight and we were blessed with amazing weather. I could easily have spent another couple of days on the island to soak up the atmosphere and explore the island more.

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Collette Support

07/16/2024

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Collette Support

07/16/2024

Trip Rating:

It was great. We loved Dawn our tour director. She was so much fun. Loved all of the cities we visited. Would definitely use Collette again.

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Collette Support

07/16/2024

Trip Rating:

Best food was Harry Caray's in Chicago

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Collette Support

07/16/2024

Trip Rating:

Had a wonderful tour. Every place we visited was worth the time spent there. The hotel on the island is a unique and wonderful experience.

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Collette Support

07/16/2024

Trip Rating:

chicago river cruise, henry ford museum, art museum in chicago and millieum park

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Collette Support

07/12/2024

Trip Rating:

We had an excellent time and Chad was wonderful!

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Collette Support

07/12/2024

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Collette Support

07/12/2024

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Collette Support

07/12/2024

Trip Rating:

Fabulous tour guide, friendly and knowledgeable. Lots of fun.

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Collette Support

07/12/2024

Trip Rating:

definitely The Grand Hotel!

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Collette Support

07/12/2024

Trip Rating:

Excellent tour. Loved Grand Hotel and Hyatt-Canopy and Courtyard ok. Not impressed with Frankenmuth or Christmas store. Loved the rest.

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Collette Support

07/12/2024

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Collette Support

07/02/2024

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Collette Support

06/11/2024

Trip Rating:

Below average, never collett again, we were left in an airport with no transportation from 2 am till 9am , only a security guard in her office, all doors unlocked. Never again with collect travel

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Collette Support

06/11/2024

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Collette Support

06/10/2024

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Collette Support

06/10/2024

Trip Rating:

Secret Garden

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Collette Support

06/04/2024

Trip Rating:

Really enjoyed the Bavarian village and Christmas shop. Had problems with accommodations.

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Collette Support

06/04/2024

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Collette Support

06/04/2024

Trip Rating:

Everything was just great. Well planned trip. Jen was the best tour manager .

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Collette Support

06/04/2024

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Collette Support

06/04/2024

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Collette Support

06/04/2024

Trip Rating:

If anyone is thinking of going on a bus tour I highly recommend this year. Wow ! What a fantastic trip. We were there in May and were lucky enough to see the northern lights as a xtra bonus. Everything about the trip was wonderful. Thanks again to Jen and Phil. They were the best

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Collette Support

06/04/2024

Trip Rating:

Staying at the Grand Hotel

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Collette Support

06/03/2024

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Collette Support

06/03/2024

Trip Rating:

It was a great experience to see Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel. Loved it.

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Collette Support

05/30/2024

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Collette Support

05/28/2024

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Collette Support

05/28/2024

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Collette Support

05/28/2024

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Collette Support

05/28/2024

Trip Rating:

The tour was very well planned and exceptionally well lead by our tour director. Everything was made very clear and we felt very well cared for. If I had one recommendation it would be to list optional side experiences for our free time well in advance of our departure for the tour. We had a wonderful time shared with wonderful fellow travelers.

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Collette Support

05/28/2024

Trip Rating:

A Chicago River Cruise should be included in the tour. A warm Spring caused tulip time to have lack of fresh flowers. Have local tour guides recommend getting off the bus at the central park of Holland to see blooming, fresh tulips so not disappointed at the Windmill area when the spring is warm. Machinac Island: The carriage rides in carriage wagons need to have personnel to help people ON as well as OFF the high carriages so no one falls. Large distance beween the two precariously positioned steps & no handrails is not acceptable. ADA upgrade for the carriage rides if the company is not using the lowboy. Offering a handicapped tour of the Secret Garden would be thoughtful! Need more time at Frankenmuth. There was only time to eat or time to explore. We could not do both! More time is needed at Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village. Need at least a day & 1/2. Model T rides need ADA upgrade & personnel that are capable to help people in & out of the Model T. The personnel at Canopy by Hilton Downtown Grand Rapids were extremely accommodating & made us feel like family. The VARIETY in the tour was my favorite part.

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Collette Support

05/28/2024

Trip Rating:

The complete trip was fantastic. Sightseeing in Chicago wonderful. “The Grand Hotel”. Icing on the cake. Henry Ford Museum and dinner that night what a great was to finish the trip.

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Collette Support

10/02/2023

Trip Rating:

Every thing was good. My favorite other than the island was the boat tour in Chicago.

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Collette Support

08/01/2023

Trip Rating:

It got off to a bad start in our conversation in fort worth. We were delayed and and missed our flight out because of a storm. After sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours we had to get off the plane again and couldn't leave until the next morning Leaving all of us seniors to try get some sleep on those hard chairs so we were all stiff and sore by morning. Very unpleasant.

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Collette Support

08/01/2023

Trip Rating:

Collette should have knowing that the Grand Hotel was the destination for high and elementary students during the time we were there. Also, the five star rating was not what we expected due to the employees arriving just a few days earlier

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Collette Support

08/01/2023

Trip Rating:

Holland, MI tulip festival and Frankenmuth were less than I expected (could have done without). Grand Rapids hotel was disappointing (understaffed)

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Collette Support

08/01/2023

Trip Rating:

Tulip festival was extremely crowded, tulips were pretty much over...Frankenmuth was a bit disappointing... good chicken dinner for lunch though. Grand Rapids hotel was stark and understaffed. Restaurant was closed and we had to walk around to find something opened for dinner. Not many decent options.

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Collette Support

08/01/2023

Trip Rating:

I can't say enough about this trip. There was plenty to see and time for shopping, looking around etc. The tour manager was one of the best!! She was always available when necessary.

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Collette Support

08/01/2023

Trip Rating:

Absolutely beyond our expectations. First, Jen went above and beyond in organization and knowledge. She and our bus driver Andy were the best! We had a great mix of planned activities and free time. The Grand Hotel and all of Mackinac were like a fairy tale. The restaurant choices were outstanding. I chose Collette because it also included Frankenmuth and we were not disappointed. However, more time in the Christmas store would have been good , but that’s just me. Our rides were spaced wonderfully with stops in between that made them feel much shorter. My only complaint. The bus needs cupholders and a pouch on the back of the seat.

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Collette Support

07/27/2023

Trip Rating:

The airline travel was poorly planned. We had 20 minutes to change planes is Dallas....and we're OLD!!! Dallas is known for storms...our flight was cancelled....and WHY did we have to go to Dallas to get to Chicago.?? We spent the night in the airport and missed the first day of our Chicago tour

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Collette Support

07/27/2023

Trip Rating:

The tour guide was very good and active all the time. The Grand Hotel was a bonus.

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Collette Support

07/27/2023

Trip Rating:

Loved the tour but wasn't happy with having to change planes on the way home when many direct flights were available.

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Collette Support

07/24/2023

Trip Rating:

The car you picked us up in in Chicago was not the right car to be picking up six singers in. We had to climb over the backseat to get to the third one row of seats. It should’ve been more like the van, that picked us up in Stockton and took us to San Francisco.

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Collette Support

07/24/2023

Trip Rating:

Breakfast meals generally were disappointing, fake eggs, no pancakes, no French toast at some. Didn't care for Grand Hotel buffet breakfast, but off menu was good. Dinner meals could have been better, except for Welcome Dinner. Didn't care for dinner choices. Was disappointed with Grand Hotel meal first night. I've had better elsewhere. Didn't like that dinner was so late in evening. Too close to bedtime. Didn't like that had to dress up so formally each evening. Farewell Dinner was disappointing, didn't care for dinner choices. Would have thought a better restaurant. Didn't care for Chicago bus tour. Guide needed to use megaphone when off bus or ear buds/radio, we couldn't see what she was talking about most of the time. Tour manager suggested we go on river boat tour. It was expensive and covered the same things we heard on bus tour. Meijer Gardens was good, disappointed that Japanese gardens were under renovations. Alden Dow tour was awesome. Would have liked to be able to take pictures inside though. Ford Museum was very good. Much more than expected. We had trouble finding some things even with the map, very few employees around to get assistance. Greenfield Village wasn't exciting, we have way better one at home. Mackinac island was fun, nice town, great shops and museums. However, after our carriage ride tour, the driver was supposed to let us off at one of 3 places -the Fort, downtown or back at Grand Hotel. He stopped at the Fort, but made everyone get off downtown except girl scouts. **** has heart condition and can't was far at a time. He didn't have phone number to call for a taxi and had to walk all the way back, stopping many times to rest. He was exhausted by the time he got back. Tour guide was pleasant, but didn't rotate seats on bus much, hard to understand what she was explaining. She was at front of bus explaining things, pointing out things, we couldn't hear, or see what she was pointing out. I had hard time figuring out what she was explaining. Seat rotation was one seat at a time. We started in middle on one side and ended up in rear on same side, never made it to front. Other tours rotate 4 at a time. Bus driver didn't explain bus procedures, emergency procedures, bathroom procedures, etc. WHY DON'T YOU HAVE LONGER SURVEY TO RATE EACH HOTEL, EACH RESTAURANT, EACH TOUR ETC, LIKE FOR PAST TRIPS WE'VE TAKEN? Hotels were generally good. Westin was too far from other restaurants and it was dangerous to walk to them. While we were in the restaurant an alarm went off. The staff had no idea what to do. They said it never happened before. They didn't have us evacuate. The staff needs to be trained. Collette might want to suggest book to read before trip: Devil in the White City, by Eric Larson.

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Collette Support

07/24/2023

Trip Rating:

Didn't care for most dinners, except Welcome Dinner. Tour director could have been clearer when explaining on bus. Didn't like having to dress up formally at Grand Island.

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Collette Support

06/14/2023

Trip Rating:

I liked Chicago very much. The hotel was my favorite. I could have spent at least another day there.

We are pleased to hear you had a great time on our Mackinac Island tour! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, we hope to see you again soon!

Collette Support

05/30/2023

Trip Rating:

Excellent trip with the right amount of excursions and free time!

We are pleased to hear you had a great time on our Mackinac Island Tulip Festival tour! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, we hope to see you again soon!

Collette Support

05/30/2023

Trip Rating:

Excellent tour with knowledgeable tour guide. Excellent time allotment at all of the sites. Only improvement— suggest a wider variety of food places to eat at the smaller cities like Grand Rapids -felt like all of the choices were pub food as it was always focused on walking distance vs better places via an Uber

We are pleased to hear you had a great time on our Discover Mackinac Island tour! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, we hope to see you again soon!

Collette Support

10/20/2019

I loved our tour guide, she was on top of every thing Austin, Tx.

Trip Rating:

Excellent,wish the weather had been better
Trip Rating:

Always had wanted to see the Grand Hotel, having 2 nights there was great.

10/13/2019

Trip Rating:

Yes, Chicago, Machinau Island and Ford Museum/ Greenwich Park, Detroit were great ..the winery was not so good as well as Frankenmoth .. never got to see the town and too much time in Bonners. ?service by Suz and Jack could not have been better
Trip Rating:

2 Hotels did not accommodate Handicap bathrooms a total of 3 nights.

10/13/2019

Trip Rating:

Loved the Island, the tour guide and bus driver were excellent I been on other tours and they were the best. The overall trip was good but there was a lot of time on the bus.
Trip Rating:

The Island the hotel are wonderful. I would have liked to see more of Chicago.

10/13/2019

Trip Rating:

Very good and well run, very effective services
Trip Rating:

Enjoyed tour but a lot of time on bus.

10/13/2019

Trip Rating:

The trip perfectly planned. Bus driver fantastic. Tour manger as well
Trip Rating:

Different from other trips.

09/29/2019

Trip Rating:

Great tour manager and bus driver. Everything went as described before leaving.
Trip Rating:

spending time at the Grand Hotel. Stepping back in time.

09/29/2019

Exemplary

Trip Rating:

Exemplary, except for the lousy limosine service.
Trip Rating:

Chicago was greatto see from the ground.

09/17/2019

Trip Rating:

Good service, excelent driver, informative tour director and local guides.
Trip Rating:

Chicago city tour, mushroom houses, Machenac Island/Grand Hotel and Ford Museum.

08/07/2019

Trip Rating:

I liked the hometown limo service - home to airport and airport to home. Also I liked that there were very few optional tours so the price paid for the trip is pretty much the price paid for the trip. Optional tours add so much more expense to tours.
Trip Rating:

Staying in the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

08/04/2019

Our second Collette trip and looking forward to a third.

Trip Rating:

Wonderful Tour Guide, Marc was patient and had a great sense of humor. He knew the history of areas we went through. Bus driver Jack did a good job driving and not one complaint about packing and unpacking all our luggage.
Trip Rating:

The Grand Hotel is a once in a lifetime experience. From the beautiful room with the canopy beds (each room decorated differently) to the staff made us feel like valuable guests. The dinners were unbelievable with white glove service!

07/17/2019

Trip Rating:

Excellent,Professional, a great family and learning vacation for all
Trip Rating:

Mackinac Island absolutely gorgeous, Chicago fantastic, Henry Ford Museum lots of fun. Everything was well out together and wonderful. My family and I fully enjoyed everything about this tour. Highly recommend

07/07/2019

Our 3rd bus tour and the shortest and I really feel it was just average.

Trip Rating:

I hope the problems I had will be solved since we now have a local travel agent to work with. I had 3 or 4 tell me they could provide additional service when we extended our trip to another city before returning home, but when it came time to do so, they couldn't provide a rent car and seemed to be at a loss as to how we were to get to airport to rent it.
Trip Rating:

Sitting on the porch looking out to see Lake Huron.

07/07/2019

The reception's foods are pretty good.

Trip Rating:

The Grand Hotel was the highlight for this trip, but unfortunately our room has no view at all, just the building roof. I am really disappointed.
Trip Rating:

To stay in the Grand Hotel at least one night was my dream, this tour make my dream came true.

06/03/2019

Trip Rating:

it was very good
Trip Rating:

I enjoyed the local guide in Chicago. She was very informative and entertaining The weather in Holland was nice and the Tulips were gorgeous I truly enjoyed Mackinec Island. It was a step back in time. I enjoyed the Grand Hotel. The Christmas store in Franenmuth was amazing. Greenfield Village was interesting and The Henry Ford Museum was also interesting as it had so much more than cars.

06/03/2019

Great trip with many unforgettable experiences.

Trip Rating:

The guide was excellent and the trip went smoothly. We loved Chicago and the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island was an experience of a lifetime.
Trip Rating:

I would have liked to have one more day in Chicago and more time on Mackinac Island.

06/02/2019

Trip Rating:

Great service. Really appreciated the pick up and ride to the airport and back.
Trip Rating:

Chicago. So much to see and do. Did not need a guide in Holland. Did not need to see their post office, fire station, etc. Would have preferred to have seen the other tulip farm. Getting off the bus could have been done in order. We basically sat in one place and never rotated any closer to the front.

06/01/2019

Trip Rating:

Our tour manager, Althea Bartlett, was marvelous. She made our first trip with Collette very fun. The lodgings each evening were clean, the bus ride was clean/relaxing, the meals provided were superb.
Trip Rating:

The Grand Hotel for Mothers’ Day. The beautiful character of the Inn, the meals provided were superb, the ambiance of the island made it a perfect day.

05/31/2019

Trip Rating:

The points of interest and accommodations were spectacular! The tulips were beautiful in Chicago as well as in Holland Michigan. The Grand Hotel made me feel like Royalty...
Trip Rating:

The Grand Hotel was amazing!

05/31/2019

Great services

Trip Rating:

I have taken several tours with various companies and Joel was one of the very best tour guides I’ve ever experienced. He was personable and knowledgeable. He came up with ways to make long bus rides interesting.
Trip Rating:

I felt the overall pacing was too fast. The hotel in Grand Rapids was the pits. Surely Collette could find another one that didn’t need total renovation. That said, Mackinac Island and the Henry Ford experience were top notch and well worth the trip. More time in either of those would have been great.

05/31/2019

Memorable trip.

Trip Rating:

Good hotels and tours in Chicago and Mackinac Island. Tour guide and driver pleasant and informative.
Trip Rating:

The time in Chicago was wonderful and could have been a day longer. Mackinaw Island was also a special treat!

05/31/2019

Trip Rating:

The driver, manager, and local guides all did a great job. They were friendly and courteous. They were also knowledgeable about the areas we visited.
Trip Rating:

I loved going to the Tulip Festival and seeing the local high schoolers in Dutch clothing performing dances.

05/30/2019

Trip Rating:

Collette has great tour managers, with great knowledge, Always looks out for their traveling companions Not my first trip with Collette
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I had taking a trip to the Grand Hotel with you before, however, this was a very special trip as I was to and did meet a new cousin that we connected thru Ancestry.com. Also traveled with dear friends, having just lost my partner....

05/28/2019

Everyday was a new adventure

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Loved the airport pick-up and the hotels were very nice. The 5 stars are really for our tour guide-Mark. He was wonderful and so full of suggestions for eating and things to see and do when we had free time. It was a small group and it was fun to meet everyone and it gave us lots of room on the bus. The Grand Hotel was really GRAND and we enjoyed Holland. The biggest surprise was the Ford Museum—I though it would just be old cars but it was so much more. We could have spent the whole day there..It was like the movie-Planes, Trains, and Automobiles it everything
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Hard to pick a favorite-every stop had something to amaze us..Of course we loved Mackinac Island but we also enjoyed Chicago, Holland, Frankenmuth and Dearborn

05/28/2019

I always enjoy Collette Tours and usually learn something new.

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Tours are well organized and informative. Accommodations are always exceptional and convenient. Tour guides are educated and well versed on tour itinerary and they are personable.
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The Grand Hotel was an experience I would not have experienced on my own.

01/06/2019

Very organized, bus was very comfortable, thank you for a wonderful trip.

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Bus driver was great, our tour guide kept us informed on the days activities. I appreciate all the information on the cities and small towns we went through. I would recommend you to all my friends.. Thank you so much for a wonderful vacation, best vacation I've ever had.
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The mushroom houses was fun. Driving on the suspension bridge was exciting. How nice to sit back in a comfortable seat and just enjoy the journey.

01/05/2019

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Frankly, Jean Marie Sindelar's constant attention to detail made the difference. She should be a professional tour guide for Collette.
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Great itinerary. Travel arrangements were excellent.

01/05/2019

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Great bus driver and itinerary
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Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

01/04/2019

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The trip was wonderful, and made better by having Jean Marie Sindelar as our coordinator - she misses no detail.
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17 fudge shops on the island!

01/04/2019

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Have been on a number of Collette tours. This one was good!
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Staying on the Island at the Grand Hotel. Such a wonderful experience.

11/01/2018

Had a great tme. Tour guide Jane was the best I have ever been with.

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Everything was great except the stop at the vineyard for wine tasting. This was a waste of valuable time. Too long to get someplace not worth seeing.
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Stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

10/08/2018

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I enjoyed the tour, however the trip from Chicago to Traverse City was too long for one day, and we arrived too late to enjoy anything about Traverse City. Same thing with arrival in Frankenmurth, late arrival, unable to enjoy town. Both times we were steered to a place before we arrived- in Traverse City it was a Winery, and in Frankenmurth it was a Christmas Store- these side stops could have been shuttled to after we arrived at hotel for afternoon. The guide and step on guides were great, activities in Mackinac Island were good. I especially enjoyed Chicago and Mackinac Island
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I noted previously that I felt the stops in Traverse City and Frankenmurth arrived too late to enjoy the town. We were steered to a winery and a Christmas Store, making these trips optional could have allowed more time in the towns

Thank you for traveling with Collette to Mackinac Island. Your feedback has been forwarded to the Product Development Team so that your comments regarding the itinerary can be reviewed. This feedback will be used to enhance this tour for our future guests.

Collette Support

10/08/2018

Somewhat Disappointing Trip

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Somewhat disappointing. The tour needed to be at least two days longer in order to really see everything that was on the itinerary. This does not include an extra night at the beginning of the tour in Chicago, which I did, which would make three more nights. The problem was that we got up quite early to leave and didn't get to our hotels until after 5:00, leaving time for just dinner but no shopping or really experiencing the towns. I was somewhat disappointed in The Grand Hotel, but that wasn't Collette's fault. I loved Collette's service of providing cars for transport to and from the airports. The only reason I booked with Collette was because they were the only company I could find that went to Mackinac Island and included The Grand Hotel during the time frame I wanted to go. Not sure I would use them again. So many other companies that seem to do a better job and are not quite as expensive. Tour guide was just so-so.
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The one day I was on my own in Chicago. Had a marvelous time!

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Collette Support

07/15/2018

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Service in what area?? Only issue we had with the whole trip was the bundling of people leaving for the airport into on time/van. we were at the airport 3 1/2 hours before our flight.
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The whole group showed up for ballroom dancing first night, and of course Cathy Donahues experience at that hotel and sharing all the little insights with us.

07/15/2018

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My third Collette tour and will be going on my fourth in October. So far, all the guides have been wonderful and have enjoyed each and every tour immensely.
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The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

07/14/2018

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It was well organized. The bus was clean and the driver very perfessional. It was a well balanced trip as far as what we did and saw.
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It was all that was advertised.

07/14/2018

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Tour director was very friendly and helpful. Hotel stays were top notch. Provided meals were very good. Nice mixture of daily activities. The first day of travel from Chicago was very long.
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See above answer. Mackinac Island was my favorite experience.

06/29/2018

It was s convenient time that I could go on that trip.

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I thought the price was very high. The Chicago hotel was fine. The ride to macinac island was fine BUT the Frankenmuth trip was terrible, the Ford Museum was terrible. The trip would have been better if you went to Chicago to Macinac Island and back to Chicago. Kathy, the guide was great. The bus was very uncomfortable..
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The Grand Hotel experience was Grand!!!

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Collette Support

06/29/2018

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Organized & well done
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Great trip Great time well done

06/29/2018

We also enjoyed Henry Ford Museum.

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Had a wonderful trip to Mackinac Island. Tour Manager was fun, knowledgeable and able to solve problems that came up. Would have liked more time in Frankenmuth, less time in Greenfield Village.
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We had never been to Chicago or Michigan. We enjoyed each town we visited. We traveled with friends we met on the National Parks Tour in 2015. This was our 9th tour with Collette!

06/02/2018

Saw places that I never knew existed,

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Always recommend Collette great value for your dollar.
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The Ford Museum and village, 6hrs was not enough time, could spend 5 days there.

10/27/2017

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Great service from the start
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Everything Great !! The tour was more that I had hoped for.

10/27/2017

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Service was excellent.
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Enjoyed Chicago and Greenfield village, grand hotel! And the music box museum

10/27/2017

Always the best in everything!

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They always have the best accommodations and the very best tour guide and bus driver. Always enjoy our trips with them.
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Staying at the Grand Hotel! Also the horse and buggy rides and the glorious scenery.

10/16/2017

All the annoying details taken care of

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Ease of getting from airport to hotel in large city. Tour guide's attention to detail of travels: lunch stops, airport runs at the end, local knowledge, pacing of trip.
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The natural beauty combined with the old fashioned hotel was a wonderful experience.

10/16/2017

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The tour was well organized and the tour director was very good. I will go on another tour with Collette and recomend the company to others.
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I needed more guidance on where the best shoppong areas were located. My room was beautiful.

09/27/2017

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Collette trips are always excellent. Usually have had really great tour directors. Did not feel like the tour guide we had on our Mackinac Island trip was as outstanding like have had on other Collette Trips.
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All the hotels where we stayed were really nice. Loved getting to stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island for 2 nights. Loved seeing the Henry Ford Museum & hope sometime I can go back to visit the Village in Dearborn also.

08/27/2017

Had a grand time except for the hours on the bus and anxious moments to ge

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The tour guide and driver were wonderful. Very safe and very knowledge.
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The town itself was a T-shirt haven. Even the carriages were in a muddle at times

07/30/2017

Very good

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Tour mgr was very good...some restaurants not so much...a women from Birmingham named Bernice Hill ruined the trip for many
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It would have been five if not for Bernice Hill

07/15/2017

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Top Notch!
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Music Museum and Macinac Island

07/14/2017

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You a company that is always presacticing customer service. Great Tour guides
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Everything was great with the exception of the hotel in Frankenmuth. Breakfast was not very good nor was the housekeeping in the hotel.

07/05/2017

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Things were always in order and on time. Loved that we had free time to do things on our own. Patty was a great tour manager and took great care of us. She told history of each location, which was informative but also enjoyable. Would love to do another trip in the future.
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Got to see great highlights of each place, had good hotels, nice meals. My favorite was the Island. So beautiful!

07/04/2017

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Our tour to Mackinac Island and the Chicago area was fantastic! It was the best tour we have taken so far! Our tour guide and bus driver were both knowledgable and curteous.
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The stops on our tour were wonderful! We had a day to ourselves to tour Chicago; the Navy Pier. Collette guided us around the city with a very knowledgeable historian. Frankenmuth was so unique, with its Bavarian atmosphere. And of course, the cherry on top was Mackinac Island. The Grande Hotel is so magically beautiful. We arrived during Lilac Festival and enjoyed the aroma of the blooms everywhere!

06/30/2017

Great Getaway

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All three destinations Chicago, Frankenmuth and Mackinac Island were all exceptional. Patty Houlker (our guide) and Gene (our bus driver) went out of their way to find off track points of interest that made the tour that much more interesting.
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Chicago - What a wonderful surprise! Frankenmuth - Had a festival and was a lot of fun Mackinac Island - The Grand Hotel was truly grand

06/04/2017

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Great tour guide. Yes
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Most enjoyable but nothing is perfect.

06/04/2017

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With this being my eighth tour I definitely will travel with Collette again. I have told many people of my great time and the terrific tour managers, accommodations, and venues. The guest is truly treated as a guest and friend.
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The Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island, its amenities, its food, and the service are just over the top. The carriage ride through the park was so much fun!

06/01/2017

Well organized, great locations to visit, nice hotels...

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Staying at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island was great.
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The days on Mackinac Island was the reason I took the tour but all other locations were a bonus. Enjoyed it all. Thanks for having a comfortable bus with clean windows ( mostly) to take pictures!!😀

10/18/2016

The Grand is Gransd

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great. Becky was a fantastic guide with undersanding and personality, well informed and will to help. The driver was also wonderful. He was fun and helpful.
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The guide were well informed and enjoyable. The horses were the best. The horses worked hard and enjoyed making us happy.

10/17/2016

I would recommend this tour to my friends. Thanks

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the tour director was wonderful, thoughtful and knowledgeable the bus driver was an excellent driver also a good personality the tour itself was at a great pace
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the Ford museum The Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island Chicago and Wrigley field

10/12/2016

It was too expensive for what you got. Not enough time at the Ford Museum. ...

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It was too expensive for what you got. Not enough time at the Ford Museum. Mackinac Island was great except should have left an hour or two earlier so more time could have been spent in Frankenmuth. Our tour director was great.
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It was a beautiful & charming place. The Grand Hotel lived up to expatations. Enjoyed lots of fudge in town!

10/11/2016

It was an excellent tour. The advance planning and on tour leadership were...

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It was an excellent tour. The advance planning and on tour leadership were very well done.
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The accomodations and meals and service were all excellent. The taxi rides and tour of the state park were fun. It was a thrill to get to dance in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel.

09/12/2016

Trip Rating:

Look below.
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Too much time on the bus. We traveled 1200 miles in the week. The Grand Hotel was a great experience.Other hotel were excellent. I was surprised how so few meals were included. I have taken tour dozens of tours (including Collette), and meals were mostly included, resulting in less out of pocket expenses. The stop at the Ford Museum and Greenville Village were not included -all for $15 a day. Cheap!

08/18/2016

Well worth the trip to Mackinac Island!

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Car service in Florida and Detroit was very good but in Chicago to ORD was the pits. Next time I will handle the air and ground transportation myself.
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Loved the Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, plus the Grand Hotel tour and Chicago tour. To much time on the bus with nothing to keep us engaged. Would have liked more history of Michigan and Wisconsin as we motored along. Wasn't impressed with the accommodations in Detroit and Green Bay but the Grand Hotel and Chicago accommodations were great with their rooms and breakfast. Of course the Grand Hotels dining was five star.

08/15/2016

Wdurb

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Great tour, tour director, and bus driver.
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Great tour. Grand Hotel and all of Mackinac Island were memorable

08/15/2016

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Outstanding in all respects - Tour guide, Bus and Bus Driver, Tour Content and Local Guides.

07/11/2016

I have no respect for a company that overcharges for rooms and whose employees make false statements.

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I was stunned to learn the cost that Collette was charging of the pre and post trip hotel nights. When I called and questioned A Collette representative about the cost they told me that Collette did not get special rates from hotels, they paid the same as anyone, which I know is completely false. Colette's policy of changing seats on the bus is childish and demaning.
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The Grand Hotel was Excellent, the Marriott Chicago was very good, but the Best Western Greenfield and the Tundra were only fair. The Edsel Ford House was amazing, but I was NOT pleased that our tour was cut short and we diid not get to see everything we should have. Very disappointing!!!

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Collette Support

07/11/2016

The itinerary was very interesting and guide did an excellent job.

Trip Rating:

We were very happy with all aspects of the tour except for the timing of the flights arranged by Collette travel. Virtually all other members of the tour had flights which left at much more reasonable hours. I am sure the amount saved by Collette by putting us on these off these "red eyes" could not have impacted your margins by that much.
Trip Rating:

The view of the Grand Hotel as we approached by horse drawn carriage was very spectacular., while the optional river tour of Chicago was really breath taking.

06/28/2016

Suggested amendments.

Trip Rating:

We thought tour was managed well. Thought our tour director was great & knowledgable (Patty). I was frustated about not being able to get info on phone about dining for one of nights on Macinac Island as info did not state where we would dine (attire needed). Should state where we dine to help us pack correctly. Before tour it would be nice if Collette would send list of names& places tour mates are from.
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Tour was good. Mackinaw Island was the best value of tour. Beautiful hotel, room, dining, service. Favorite experience was island & views of Chicago city views. Fair well dinner was good but we were to spread out to visit & say goodby.

06/26/2016

Cheers for Collette!

Trip Rating:

I love traveling with Collette! Everything is so well-planned and executed so flawlessly. The places they take you are interesting and informative, and there are usually some little special treats included in their trips that are not included by other travel companies doing the same itinerary. An example of this was the private dinner and tour of the Eleanor and Edsel Ford estate in Detroit that was a part of our most recent trip to Mackinac Island, MI. Interesting places to go with wonderfully knowledgeable, personable tour managers make Collette a favorite company with whom to travel!
Trip Rating:

Visiting the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, along with a stay at the charming Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island were the highlights of the trip!

06/13/2016

Vacation with Collette to get your best value.

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We were well pleased. The tour guide was wonderful. He was interested in keeping the trip organized and on time. He gave us good informatior in each area we visited and gave us time to explore on our own. I already recommended Colette to others. I would suggest entertainment one evening, like going to jazz or some musical event.

06/13/2016

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Marc P was an excellent guide. This tour package was a great experience for a first time traveling alone. All connections and transfers were well done .
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Tundra Lodge was not up to Collette standards Macinac&Chicago were splendid tours great accommodations

06/08/2016

Overall Good experience!

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The Grand Hotel stay was wonderful! The tulip festival was so-so - too many people! Our tour had us there on a weekend and Mother's Day weekend at that! Way too crowded to be able to fully enjoy the experience!
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Highlight of the tour was the stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. It was wonderful, even if a bit on the cold side. I would like to return some day at a different time of year when it is not so cold!

05/30/2016

Poor start

Trip Rating:

It was a good trip but got off to a rocky start. The first hotel where we stayed two nights was poor. We arrived in time for lunch - there was no lunch and no place to go for lunch. Collette made the flight reservation and should have either informed us of no lunch possibilities, so we could have eaten at the airport or booked us on a later flight. The hotel food - dinner and breakfast - was poor. We didn't meet our leader until the next day. No welcome at all!
Trip Rating:

I enjoyed our two night stay in the Grand Hotel - sort of a life time dream. However the stores in the hotel were a disappointment. My travel companion can always find some memento of a trip and she didn't buy anything! A first for her! I think the sunlight at the tulip gardens made it a spectacular day. I loved walking among all the flowers. I think that Chicago was the most unexpected, but really a most interesting part of the trip. The visit to Millennial Park was fun. The Navy Pier was a disappointment. Not a necessary stop at all. A river cruise would have been more pleasurable.

05/24/2016

This trip is awesome, Mackinaw is incredibly beautiful.

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Our tour guide Jane was so informative and as nice as anybody could ever be, and Jack the driver was a great driver, so friendly and always there to help.
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I would have to say the Henry Ford museum and Greenfield village went beyond my expectations. Mackinaw was just awesome and Chicago was really great too. Had a blast.