Whaleback Inn

Lakefront hotel in Leland with free parking

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Where to?

Dates

November 2025

1

December 2025

The Whaleback Inn sits near Historic Fishtown and Van's Beach, creating a peaceful retreat. Guests connect with in-room WiFi, relax on the scenic terrace, and have easy access to the nearby dock while enjoying the tranquil garden setting.

Exceptional

Popular amenities

Housekeeping
Air conditioning
Parking included
Free WiFi

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Nov 1 - Nov 2

Tomorrow

Nov 2 - Nov 3

All rooms

1 bed

2 beds

Showing 6 of 6 rooms

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Lake View

Wonderful

Highlights

Deck/patio

Air conditioning

Heating

Fridge

TV

Hairdryer

Desk

Daily housekeeping

237 sq ft
Lake view
Sleeps 4
2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Lake View

Exceptional

Highlights

Deck/patio

Private indoor hot tub

Air conditioning

Heating

Fridge

TV

Hairdryer

Desk

450 sq ft
Lake view
Sleeps 2
1 King Bed

Traditional Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Lake View

Exceptional

Highlights

Deck/patio

Air conditioning

Heating

Fridge

TV

Hairdryer

Desk

Daily housekeeping

237 sq ft
Lake view
Sleeps 2
1 King Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking

Exceptional

Highlights

Deck/patio

Air conditioning

Heating

Fridge

TV

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Desk

237 sq ft
Sleeps 2
1 Queen Bed

Apartment (Cottage Suite)

Exceptional

Highlights

Balcony

Separate dining area

Air conditioning

Heating

Kitchen

Fridge

TV

Sofa bed - double

495 sq ft
Sleeps 4
1 Queen Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

Single Room, 1 Queen Bed, Lakeview with Loveseat

Exceptional

Highlights

Air conditioning

Heating

Fridge

TV

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Desk

Daily housekeeping

Lake view
Sleeps 2
1 Queen Bed

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About the area

1757 N Manitou Trail, Leland, MI, 49654

What's nearby

Historic Fishtown - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Manitou Island Transit - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Van's Beach - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 6 min drive - 9.0 km
Leelanau Sands Casino - 17 min drive - 24.2 km

Getting around

Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

‪VI Grill - ‬14 min drive
‪Fishtown Village Cheese Shanty - ‬3 min drive
‪Pedaling Beans Coffeehouse - ‬6 min drive
‪Streetside Grille - ‬15 min drive
‪The Cove - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Whaleback Inn

Hotel near Historic Fishtown

Located close to Van's Beach and Manitou Island Transit, Whaleback Inn provides a terrace and a garden. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Other perks include:

Free self-parking
A dock and smoke-free property

Room features

All guest rooms at Whaleback Inn boast comforts, such as air conditioning, in addition to

Extra amenities include:

Showers, free toiletries and hairdryers
Fridges, heating and daily housekeeping

Similar properties

Breakfast included
Parking included
Free WiFi
Restaurant

HK$1,002 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Dec - 3 Dec

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

Free self parking on site

Family friendly

In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

Dock
Garden
On a lake
Picnic area
Terrace

Accessibility

No lift

More

5 buildings
Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Shower
Towels provided

Entertainment

TV

Food and drink

Refrigerator

More

Air conditioning
Desk
Free local calls
Heating
Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM

Early check-in subject to availability

Late check-in subject to availability

Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Late check-out subject to availability

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours

To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between 27 October and 10 April.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types at the property

Important information

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; cash is not accepted

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

Whaleback Inn Hotel

Whaleback Inn Leland

Whaleback Inn Hotel Leland

Frequently asked questions

Is Whaleback Inn pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Whaleback Inn?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Whaleback Inn?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Whaleback Inn?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Whaleback Inn located?

Situated on a lake, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Van's Beach, Historic Fishtown and Manitou Island Transit. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Manitou Passage Golf Club are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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Whaleback Inn Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

10

Location

9.8

Staff & service

9.8

Eco-friendliness

9.6

Property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Cumbee

22 Sept 2025

Fanadtic place lovely owners. Clean ...beautiful gardens

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

21 Jun 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities

This was one of the most beautiful and unique inns we’ve ever stayed at. A great location with a lovely view of the water and dock for us to go out on. The staff was warm and welcoming and the grounds felt safe and homey. highly recommend!

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Evelyn

7 Jun 2023

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

Water view…homey…great location to town..quiet…lots of area to sit and relax…would highly recommend

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Cathy

21 Jul 2025

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

Very nice stay there. The couple running the Inn are really friendly and helpfull. The only complaint I have is the smell of the water in the shower. It smells like sulfur, very stinky. But not the Inn keepers fault of course.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

19 Oct 2024

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

View of the lake is nice, front porch socializing very nice

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

David

8 Oct 2025

Liked: Cleanliness

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities

The water smelled and didn’t taste good. You had to buy bottled water and bags of ice. No coffee maker in the rooms

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

10 Jul 2023

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

We loved the Whaleback Inn. We were so delighted with the view and location. We only stayed one night, I wish we had longer. I loved that there was a private dock to enjoy the water views and relax in the sun.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan

27 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities

Caretakers were welcoming and warm and welcoming for our day there. Rooms were clean and comfortable. Relax outside with a beautiful view of the lake. Very peaceful.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

15 Sept 2022

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

Great hidden treasure

Such a cute and friendly Inn. I would recommend this to all my family and friends.

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

12 Sept 2022

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

Will return!

We loved our short stay at Whaleback with the beautiful premises and view of Lake Leelanau and friendly interactions with staff, and close proximity to Leland, we can't wait to come back some day!

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen

20 Aug 2022

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

Nice

All good. Friendly helpful staff. Nice setting

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

1 Jul 2024

Charming Lakefront Chateau

Drew and Rachels hospitality was amazing, Frank, the resident cat is mostly disinterested, yet friendly. The whole place is very charming and feels like a community as you walk to the breakfast bar with Hannah's fantastic muffins. Sitting on the porch with friends, food and a wonderful view of the lake, makes me sad to think of all the times ive missed being here in the past. 10/10 recommend!

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Ginny

6 May 2019

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

Whaleback In

Nice staff and clean great view. Bummer was that we we shared a wall with the amenities room open 24 hours. Unfortunately we had to listen to the traffic in and out of this room. A nice place ... would ask for a different room if we went back.

Stayed 1 night in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Vicki

4 Oct 2025

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

This place is located on the edge of Leland where it is peaceful and has a beautiful view of the lake. We were so blessed to be able to stay there. We highly recommend staying there when you are in the area.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

KatieLynn

24 Sept 2025

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

The entire experience at the Whaleback Inn was like stepping into a small town romance novel. Every cabin was cozy and the owners were very welcoming and hospitable. There was a great community area and ample outdoor seating on the porch, property, and pier that gave the best views. We absolutely loved our time there and will be booking again soon!

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amie

24 Aug 2025

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

.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy

5 Aug 2025

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

Very clean

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Bruce

31 Jul 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Location and view to water was beautiful. The rooms were very outdated and the beds not comfortable.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott

30 Jul 2025

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

We really enjoyed our stay, the owner Drew made sure we felt welcomed when we first arrived and gave us a very thorough tour of the property. Both Ty and Rachel (who were the innkeepers) were always very approachable with any of our needs throughout the trip, including with helping us get situated with the onsite kayak rentals. We definitely plan to be back, as this place had a nice remote feeling and gorgeous up close view of Lake Leelanau!

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Crystal

25 Jun 2025

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

Great place.

Definately will stay again. Resident cat Hank is so cool. He has got it made. I can’t say enough . Relaxing. Clean. Quiet. A true get a way.

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary

28 May 2025

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

This amazing, cozy, cottage setting was perfect for a quiet retreat. Ty and Rachael made me feel like i was family and had all the comforts of home. The view was perfect, overlooking the lake. I highly recommend!

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashley

4 May 2025

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

Rachel had our room ready as soon as we arrived on the property. Our room was very clean. The community room is adorable and cozy. There are some snacks using the honor system, and some complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and oatmeal. I would highly recommend.

Stayed 1 night in May 2025