Empire Lakeshore Inn

2.5 star property
Sandy fun near Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Empire Bluff Trail

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Photo gallery for Empire Lakeshore Inn

Exterior
Exterior
Deluxe, 2 Queen Beds
Point of interest
Exterior
Empire Lakeshore Inn sits near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, offering a peaceful retreat with its garden and welcoming terrace. Guests appreciate the in-room WiFi, express check-in and check-out options, and consistently mention the helpful staff who enhance their stay.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

Deluxe, 2 Queen Beds

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(34 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Air conditioning
Fridge
LCD TV
Pillow menu
Premium bedding
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

2 Double Beds Annex

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(38 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Air conditioning
Fridge
LCD TV
Pillow menu
Designer toiletries
Private bathroom
Shower/bath combination
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Deluxe King Bed

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(18 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Air conditioning
Free rollaway/extra beds
Free cots/infant beds
Fridge
LCD TV
Pillow menu
Premium bedding
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

King Bed Annex

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(45 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Air conditioning
Free rollaway/extra beds
Free cots/infant beds
Fridge
LCD TV
Pillow menu
Designer toiletries
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
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About the area

Map
11730 S. Lacore Rd, Empire, MI, 49630

What's nearby

  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - 6 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 8 min drive - 9.0 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Joes Friendly Tavern - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Trattoria Funistrada - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Empire Village Pizza & Spirits - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Little Finger Eatery - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Empire Lakeshore Inn

Motel near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Located close to Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Empire Bluff Trail, Empire Lakeshore Inn provides a terrace and a garden. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Free self-parking
  • Express check-out, express check-in and a vending machine
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff and location
Room features
All guest rooms at Empire Lakeshore Inn have perks, such as pillow menus and air conditioning, in addition to amenities, such as free WiFi. Guest reviews highly rate the cleanliness rooms at the property.
Other amenities include:
  • Bathrooms with designer toiletries and shower/bath combinations
  • Balconies or patios, wardrobes/cupboards and fridges

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

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
4 children, up to the age of 18 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

Property is also known as

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Empire Lakeshore Inn pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Empire Lakeshore Inn?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Empire Lakeshore Inn?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Empire Lakeshore Inn?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Empire Lakeshore Inn located?

Located in the heart of Empire, this beach motel is within a 15-minute walk of Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Empire Bluff Trail and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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Empire Lakeshore Inn Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 573 out of 989 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 258 out of 989 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 89 out of 989 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 989 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 34 out of 989 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel good value
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anne

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

10/10 Excellent

William

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

10/10 Excellent

Jay

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Very clean and cozy
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Larry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great quaint place to stay and very convenient to the Lake and Bear Dunes. We will be back for sure.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

kathleen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is in an amazing location. Just a short walk to the lake & short drive to Empire Bluff Trail!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sunniva

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

Ernst

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

10/10 Excellent

Tyler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The stay was great!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin

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

Dany

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place very comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

William

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Ok
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Sally

Disliked: Amenities
Stayed at the Annex facility. Office closed on morning of check ou.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Holly

Liked: Amenities
Nicely renovated property. Like an old style hotel with nice updates. Check in invoked getting our room key from a mailbox. Parking is tight.
Dune Climb just minutes away.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leah

Clean!!!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place was great! We were only a short walk to the beach at Lake Michigan. And there were shops and restaurants to walk to from our room. Also, our daughter left one of her favorite stuffed animals there, and they mailed it back to us, which was so nice of them! Definitely recommend!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Kristin

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

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved our stay! Super cute and clean!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very family friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deborah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent accommodation
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed a couple of nights for a girls weekend. Loved the area (small town). Very comfortable beds and clean rooms. Would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love this place.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kendall

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

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

6/10 Okay

Pamela

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
We stayed in the annex and you had to drive or walk across the street through an EZ Mart parking lot to get ice in the main building and that wasn’t very convenient. Also there were no USB plugs in the room which seems below par in my travel experience. And a small roach in my bed one night. It was very convenient to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025