In my previous post I told you that the carriage driver let both of us off, only 5 minutes walking distance from Mackinac Island Grand Hotel where we went for Afternoon Tea...
Yes, the tulips were in full bloom in front of Mackinac Island, Michigan's Grand Hotel on June 3...
The Grand Hotel got built in 1887 in just 93 days!
Quite a sight isn't it?
Such perfect tulips!
There were lots of tourists taking photographs but husband Pieter managed to capture their beauty very well.
For entering the Grand Hotel you must pay a fee of $ 10.00 and you may give yourself a tour.
We instead did head straight away for the
Grand Hotel Afternoon Tea in the Parlor.
Each table had a bowl that gets removed when serving tea or coffee.
My iPhone 4S on the table...
A plate with an array of pastries and tea for me and coffee for Pieter.
On the right of the plate you also see a fresh-baked scone...
Pieter happily pours his coffee...
Looking really tempting.
Even though I usually don't eat any sweets, I did have the chocolate dipped strawberry and the little chocolate that was filled with yummy coconut mousse and topped with a blueberry.
I also ate the fresh-baked scone, without any marmalade.
Lovely cups!
Perfect timing at 4:00 PM with our Ferry departing at 5:00 PM.
But inside the building with the air-conditioning running, I was pleased that I did bring my packable polyester and silk Escada jacket!
This is a more than 100 year old Grand Hotel tradition, of serving Afternoon Tea in the Parlor, accompanied by a chamber music recital.
We enjoyed this lovely harpist.
The carpet reflects the red Pelargonium, that grow outside, see photo below!
Stunning view over Lake Huron!
When we leave for going on the veranda outside, I had t take these photos...
Sherry and Champagne with petite finger sandwiches.
An array of pastries...
Sorry for the poor quality but I wanted to give you a better look.
Plate with petite finger sandwiches.
Speaking of 'finger', we both were quite surprised that also our array of pastries got served without
any pastry fork! Only a spoon for scooping up the mousse.
That is quite different from Europe and at this level I would have expected it as well.
Tea cups on a tray with lovely rose.
Coffee got served in these tea cups as well...
They might want to see my blog post:
{Difference Between Coffee & Tea Cups}
No, that is
not our Carriage... This is only for guests that stay at the Grand Hotel.
Love that big arch above the grand door!
Great architecture and for completing all that in 93 days, back in 1887 is quite astonishing!
Our Carriage driver did point out something about the azure blue color underneath those balconies for tricking birds into nesting elsewhere...
Tales from the Head Grand Hotel Painter where he states that every April they use some 150 to 200 gallons paint on the exterior!
Time to say goodbye to this incredibly romantic and patriotic looking island of Mackinac, Michigan...
We had such a perfect day and still very sunny!
Windy it got a little bit so Pieter kept his
Burberry score from
Last Call Outlet on and especially for crossing the Straits of Mackinac on Lake Huron.
It was lovely for living a day in the late 1800s and seeing so many different carriages.
Grand Hotel
Opened on July 10, 1887, the Grand Hotel was built by the Grand Rapids & Indiana and Michigan Central railroads and the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company through the efforts of Sen. Francis B. Stockbridge. It is built of Michigan white pine.
With its magnificent colonial porch, longest in the world, it is a classic example of gracious living seldom seen today. One of the outstanding landmarks on the Great Lakes,
it is the world's largest summer hotel.
We just walk around the corner for boarding again
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry and for making it back to Mackinaw City.
The long Mackinac Bridge is visible here.
Hope you enjoyed this very special Grand Hotel Afternoon Tea, where many First Ladies stayed over their Century of service.
