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Motel

Erin Motel

Stay at Erin Motel, a highly rated kid-friendly motel in St James, MI. Close to Beaver Island attractions and Pellston Regional Airport.

26260 Main St, St James, MI 49782, United States View on map
9.6/10
Exceptional Based on 76 recent guest reviews
Kid-friendly
What recent guests emphasize

Exceptional hospitality and waterfront location

Recent reviewers highlight the welcoming hosts, scenic private beach, and clean, cozy rooms, making this motel a standout choice for visitors eager to explore Beaver Island.

Guests often praise

  • Warm, friendly, and highly accommodating hosts who go above and beyond
  • Beautiful private beach with relaxing views and easy water access
  • Clean, well-maintained, and cozy rooms with thoughtful amenities
  • Convenient downtown location within walking distance to ferry, shops, and restaurants
  • Calm, quiet atmosphere enhanced by proximity to the water and nature

Worth knowing

  • Rooms are generally smaller in size but efficiently maintained and comfortable
  • Highly recommended to book well in advance due to limited availability and popularity
  • Some guests note the motel is best suited for visitors with light luggage or no car, given its walkable location
  • The motel is kid-friendly, likely appealing to families traveling with children
  • Peak season is ideal for visits; some island businesses close after Labor Day

Best for

  • Travelers seeking a waterfront stay with private beach access on Beaver Island
  • Guests valuing personal, attentive service and local hospitality
  • Visitors wanting a central location close to ferry, airport, and town amenities
  • Families traveling with children, thanks to kid-friendly accommodations
  • Those looking for a peaceful retreat with opportunities to relax by the water
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About this property

Welcome to Erin Motel

Erin Motel offers a quiet, waterfront setting in downtown St James on Beaver Island, Michigan. With a 4.8 rating from 76 reviews, it is praised for clean, cozy rooms and a private beach directly accessible to guests. The property is described as quaint and well-maintained, featuring a sandy shore on the bay where visitors can relax and enjoy scenic views, including sunrise and moonlight reflections over the water.

Guests frequently highlight the welcoming and attentive hospitality provided by the owner, Kim, who is noted for accommodating needs beyond the typical, helping make stays comfortable and personalized. The motel’s location is convenient, close to shops, restaurants, and ferry access, removing the necessity for a car while providing easy access to local attractions.

Nearby points of interest include the Beaver Island Historical Society and the Beaver Island Harbor Lighthouse, both within short distances, making the area suitable for visitors interested in sightseeing and local history. The motel’s setting scores moderately for recreation and getting around, reflecting the laid-back island atmosphere.

Facilities focus on a kid-friendly environment, emphasizing simplicity and practicality rather than extensive amenities. Rooms, though described as on the smaller side, are well-kept and offer comfortable accommodations ideal for travelers seeking a straightforward, scenic place to stay.

Overall, the Erin Motel fits guests looking for a peaceful, water-adjacent base on Beaver Island, where personalized service and a friendly atmosphere are key highlights. It is well suited for visitors who appreciate easy access to nature and local culture in a relaxed, unpretentious setting.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Kid-friendly
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

KD
Kelli Detmers Mar 31, 2026
10

I would highly recommend staying at The Erin Motel !! It has the absolute best beach and view on Beaver Island. Kim and her husband are exceptional hosts so warm and inviting . They go above and beyond the Norm in every way. They had everything that we either forgot or couldn't get if the stores were closed. Very clean and we felt like friends with them by the time we left. The Best ever!! So friendly and accommodating and extremely organized. They made our stay enjoyable And we will definitely come back

G
GT Feb 22, 2026
10

Great little motel! Rooms are small but very clean and in good repair. Kim and Bill are great hosts and very accommodating. There is a nice little sandy beach on the bay side with picnic tables and chairs to relax at. It is very convenient to several businesses, restaurants and bars. The town is relaxing and most people seem warm and friendly. It was convenient to walk around with minimal traffic and nice sidewalks along the bay. I’m going to return and stay here again!

JR
Jennifer Radtke Feb 21, 2026
10

We absolutely love staying here while we visit the island. This visit was our third stay at this hotel. The private beach is always a great place to chill. This time we stayed in the Harbor Loft, the apartment on the second floor of the hotel. Its location in town and the view from the deck makes the stay worth it alone. Lastly, Kim, she was very accommodating from booking to our arrival. We’ll definitely be back to stay again in the future.

M
Michelle Jan 23, 2026
10

This little slice of heaven was AMAZING! Huge thanks to Kim for the wonderful hospitality and unforgettable experience on Beaver Island. Kim, the owner, is incredibly sweet and accommodating—we felt so lucky to have found this place! The rooms are perfect, and being right on the water, you can hear the waves all night long. There’s a cute little beach where, if the weather cooperates, you could easily spend all day relaxing. She’s thought of everything in the room, and it was both spacious and cozy! Kim went above and beyond to help us make the most of our short one-night stay on the island, ensuring we didn’t miss a thing. This was our first time on Beaver Island, but if we ever return, The Erin Motel will definitely be our go-to spot. It's the perfect location—right in town, walking distance from the ferry, and just a short taxi ride from the airport. Plus, shops and restaurants are literally next door or across the street, so no car needed! From what we could tell, it’s the only motel right on the water—you just can’t beat it! Thank you for everything, Kim

BM
Bernie McVey Jan 14, 2026
10

Kim was truely wonderfull, other reviewers were not exaggerating. We experienced a rare heat wave late june while on the Emerald Isle of Lake Mich and a plunge into her cool waters at her Erin Motel beach saved my dog and my self from heat distress. Neat quiet,downtown location on the front side and Paradise bay on the harbor side of this tidy little gem. Convenient location to the ferry ,lovely accommodations. We will be back! Thank You Kim. Casper thanks you too.

M
Margaret Dec 29, 2025
10

Beach front motel, great cozy, clean rooms, front desk woman (owner?) is named Kim. Kim is incredibly kind and welcoming, when my boyfriend and I took a dip in the cold mid-May bay, she laughed with us and took some pictures for us. We love Kim!!! Definitely going to stay here again!!

BM
Brenda Morajka Dec 27, 2025
10

I can't say enough about The Erin Motel. From the moment we arrived our proprietor greeted us with smiles and happiness. She welcomed us to The Erin & the Island. She made us feel at home! We were shown all the amenities and were told to help ourselves, most especially if she wasn't around. I learned the ins & outs of taking care of a motel room. I was even allowed to use the laundry machines! We had a Bay side room which overlooked the private beach, awesome views, watching the sun rise at 7 in the morning or the moon across the water. There's not enough space to say everything I'd like. Make your reservations months in advance! The rooms book fast! Go before Labor day, some shops & stores close up right after. Enjoy your stay! We did

PP
Paula Pogmore Dec 26, 2025
10

Our guys stayed there for work on the island and it they enjoyed it. Each room was equipped appropriately, but the best thing was the service! Kim was especially welcoming and hospitable and helpful with any of our questions!

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Erin Motel

St James, Michigan, USA

Based on sightseeing, recreation, and getting around

  • Pellston Regional Airport 3 hr 18 Car
  • Chippewa County International Airport 4 hr 16 Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Michigan. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Beaver Island Historical Society 49 reviews

Beaver Island Historical Society

26275 Main St, Beaver Island, MI 49782, United States

4.7 · Museum
Beaver Island Harbor Lighthouse 125 reviews

Beaver Island Harbor Lighthouse

Michigan Ave, Beaver Island, MI 49782, United States

4.8 · Historical Landmark
Font Lake 1 reviews

Font Lake

Michigan 49782, USA

5 · Lake
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