Empire Lakeshore Inn

2.5 star property
Colonial motel in Empire with free parking

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Photo gallery for Empire Lakeshore Inn

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

King Bed Annex

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(45 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Air conditioning
Free rollaway/extra beds
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
LCD TV
Pillow menu
Designer toiletries
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

2 Double Beds Annex

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(40 reviews)

Highlights

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

Deluxe, 2 Queen Beds

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(35 reviews)

Highlights

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

Deluxe King Bed

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(18 reviews)

Highlights

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

About the neighborhood

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

What's nearby

  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 19 min walk - 1.1 miles
  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - 5 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • Little Glen Lake - 6 min drive - 5.6 miles

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 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
  • ‪Food For Thought - ‬6 min drive

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 speak highly of the helpful staff and location
Room features
All guestrooms at Empire Lakeshore Inn include perks such as pillow menus and air conditioning, in addition to amenities like free WiFi. Guest reviews highly rate the clean rooms at the property.
Other amenities include:
  • Bathrooms with designer toiletries and shower/tub combinations
  • Balconies or patios, wardrobes/closets, and refrigerators

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • 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 elevator

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 available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
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

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Housekeeping 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-authorize 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, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

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?

Check-out 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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Reviews

Empire Lakeshore Inn Reviews

8.8

Excellent

9.2

Cleanliness

9.2

Location

8.6

Staff & service

8.8

Eco-friendliness

8.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 597 out of 1028 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 269 out of 1028 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 92 out of 1028 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 1028 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 35 out of 1028 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Courtney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to stay in a calm quiet area
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nicely located near Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore; gas station virtually next door.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed our stay! Clean, updated room. Convenient location for our travels along M-22.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Billie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Call to check in was easy , phones staffed efficiently
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nikki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For the last six years, we have stayed here for the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon. It’s clean! The people are friendly and welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 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

Tyler

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

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed in a room where there was no light in the entryway. Dangerous.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 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

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

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

Allison

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

William

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

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice quiet place
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peg

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

6/10 Okay

Lewis

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

Teresa

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice and new.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

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

Nice place,great location

I really liked the Lakeshore Inn. It was a clean and cute room. The mattress was a little too firm for me but everything else was good.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice room, well run.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Close to sleeping bear dunes and beautiful beach
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect location!! The beach was great! The staff were very friendly!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024