Ice Fishing at Portage Lake Onkama

As I am writing this post I am watching the cars and trucks go by with their snowmobiles and ice shanties in tow. I came out of my hibernation long enough to glance down the road at the lake and saw a few shanties already out there, so the ice fishing has begun! As soon as I hear what is biting I will post the info and hopefully some photos.

FYI: We have one room left for New Years Eve. It won't last long, so call ASAP.

Ice Fishing on Portage Lake

Well, I had a break for a few weeks. Mike and I drove down to Nashville TN to visit my sons. So nice to get away.
But, my break is over as the calls are coming in from our ice fishermen. Last year the ice fishing was phenomenal and I am hoping his year is the same.
I will let everyone know as soon as I see the shanties out there, so check back soon.

FYI Reservations are coming in early for next summer already. If you have definite plans to stay next summer, I advise you to reserve now.
I will call everyone in April to confirm.

Onekama area restaurants

Just wanted to share a link to another one of our areas best restaurants. Great food, great prices and great entertainment. http://shayschophouse.com/index.htm

Record Brown Trout caught on the Big Manistee River

RECORD BROWN: Tom Healy of Rockford (right) holds the 40.4 pound brown trout he caught on the Big Manistee River on Wednesday morning. It is believed that this is a world record brown trout. At the left is fishing guide Tim Roller of Cadillac. (Dave Yarnell/News Advocate)

Trout Fishermen/women Special at the Travelers Motel
Fishermen: Mention the New Record Brown Trout caught in the Manistee River and get your second night stay at half price!

Labor Day Week in Onekama Michigan

We had a large group cancel their trip and now have a couple of queen/futon rooms available on September 4 and 5 as well as a couple single rooms. Smoking and non-smoking. Please call soon to make your reservation!

Onekama, The Southern Gateway to The Most Scenic Highway in Michigan

Sorry, I have not posted for quite a while. Things have been pretty crazy around here!
I can't believe the summer is almost over already.
Labor Day week-end is filling up, so get your reservations in ASAP. The 4th and 5th are filled up, but we still have availability for the 6th and 7th. The Manistee County Fair will be here that week-end so there will be lots of fun things to do. Hope everyone is enjoying the rest of the summer!

Riding along beautiful M22

M22 is a favorite among motor cycle enthusiasts. The scenic ride brings bikers from all over the country.
What a wonderful group of "biker girls" we had here at Travelers Motel recently. Unfortunately for them they got caught in the rain while riding along beautiful M22.
They were such an enjoyable group of ladies! I hope they come back soon.

Great Fishing at Portage Lake, Onekama

We have some happy fishermen this week! Travelers Motel is the place to stay.
Please check previous post for availability.

Update on Room Availability at Travelers Motel

To help with your Travel plans I have listed our current room availabilities. These will be updated every week.
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. We are now taking reservations for 2010. Kitchenettes suites are starting to go already!

Please call and reserve before coming up this way to avoid the"I can''t find a room anywhere!"
I will do my best to assist you with finding a vacancy in the Onekama/Manistee area.

Week -end of the 26 &27: NO VACANCY

Fourth of July week: July 3 & 4: NO VACANCY
July 5 : one queen and one double in smoking. Non-smoking: One double


July 17&18: NO VACANCY

July 24&25: One double, non -smoking.One double,smoking. Two queens, non-smoking.

Kitchenette Suites

#7 Larger kitchenette: No vacancy until August 4

# 6 Smaller kitchenette: Still available for July 28- August 2 . Opens up August 4 for entire month of August, except August 15,16 and 17

Beautiful day in Onekama

What a beautiful day

For a wedding.....and for me dreaming about being 30 years younger!


Remember to reserve early!
FYI
The larger kitchenette still has openings for the last 2 weeks in August. The smaller one has opening for 3rd and 4th week of July and all of August. The week -ends are filling up for the rest of the rooms.
The week-end of the Energy Fair is almost full as well. We have one queen room, smoking, for that week-end.
For the 4th of July week-end we have two single, non smoking, one single, smoking and one double, smoking.
I hope everyone is having a great week-end!

Check out our cozy, clean and economical rooms!

Here at Travelers Motel you will find the rooms to be very clean and cozy.



Your comfort is our first priority.

The first picture is the breakfast area. you can see the large deck out the window where a view of the lake can be enjoyed.

The next picture is of one of our one bedroom kitchenette suites. This room can sleep up to 7 guests and the price is much lower than any cabins or cottages in the area. There is a gas grill right out side your door as well as a charcoal grill at the picnic/fire pit area.






















We also have single rooms at a great price, as well as doubles ( 2 double beds or queen bed & futon) See photos below


Please make your reservations soon!

It's the Onekama Marina Memorial Week-end Shake down Tournament!

Do you like Salmon Fishing? Are you competitive? Get out on the beautiful open waters of Lake Michigan and you may win the big prize!For more info on the tournament call 231-645-8366. Here at Travelers Motel we still have a few rooms available for the Memorial Week-end. Please call soon and take advantage of our low prices. Summer pricing start June 18th.
FYI
We only have 4 rooms left for the July Fourth Week-end. Hurry up and make your reservation if you plan to come up to this area.
I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer!

Spring Special at Travelers Motel Onekama, MI

Stay one night and get the second night free! What a deal! You won't find a better deal any where!

We have two one bedroom suites available this week-end. One sleeps up to 7 people.
We have one pet friendly room left for those who won't travel without there beloved pet.

Also available are queen/futon, non smoking and singles(one double bed) smoking and non smoking.

Get your friends and family together and take a drive to the most beautiful area in Michigan. Take a walk on the pristine beach at Portage Point.

Don't forget the free casino shuttle and the coupons worth $5.00 redeemable at the players club. Or sit outside around the fire and gaze at the wonderful array of stars.

The fish are still biting out on the lake and our fish cleaning station is up and running. Last week we had a waiting line( see previous post)
Call soon, the rooms wont' last long at this price!

To receive the special rate please mention this blog when reserving your room.
Offer ends when I say so.
Hope to see you soon,
Jane

Update: As of 5/22/09 this special is no longer available.

Waiting line at the fish cleaning station!

Walleyes, walleyes, walleyes!
This picture says it all.

Word is out... We got perch!

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Spring weather. It seemed like it was never going to get here! But, now that it has, so have the fishermen and women. The word is that the perch in Portage Lake are many and good size.

Once the word gets out that there is good fishing on the lake we enjoy watching boat after boat come in to town. The season has begun!

We are almost filled up here at Travelers Motel for this week-end, so any of you "last minuters" we have a couple rooms left. Call soon as this area will be getting filled up everywhere.

Fishing Betsy Lake and staying at Travelers Motel

Nice size lake trout caught by a recent guest.

It is going to be a beautiful week-end. Call soon as we get filled up pretty fast once the good weather hits.

Free Rooms at Travelers Motel, Onekama, MI

Yes, you read that right! But of course there are strings. For every paid guest you send to us we will give you $1o.oo off your room rate. So...if you are staying in a $50.00 room and send us 5 guests, well there you go. A free room! Taxes still apply. Guest referrals must be paid in full at the time of your reservation. If your referrals stay with us after your stay, you will receive credits toward your next stay.
We are having this promotion as an attempt to stay in business during these hard economic times.
Please help the "little guy". Small business are what America is all about. Especially us "Mom & Pops" We have seen so many fail around here lately. Those of you who know us, I am asking you to please find a way to get up here and help our area!
Thank you. We look forward to seeing all our regular guest as well as meeting some new ones.

Got Perch?

We do. Lots of them.









Right here in Onekama/Portage Lake. Come on up, enjoy the beautiful weather and have great day out on the ice!

Cure for Cabin Fever: Come to Onekama!

Get out and enjoy beautiful Northwest Michigan!
Ice fishing is still going great with an abundance of blue gills, HUGE walleyes and some perch.
During your visit , the Douglas Valley Organic Vineyards is definitely a place you will want to stop. Drop in for some great wine tasting. I hear the cross country ski trails are great.
I am looking forward to the fresh organic produce this summer.


The slots at The Little River Casino have been winning a lot more lately it seems. A couple of our recent guests have won jack pots of $45oo. and $18oo.00. The Prime Rib and Seafood Buffet there on Fridays and Saturday is to die for! The crab legs are my personal favorite. My husband usually makes about 4 trips to fill up on the delicious prime rib!
And of course, everyone already knows about the Blue Slipper Bistro, if you don't you owe to yourself to check out this award winning restaurant!
The shops in the Victorian Village of Manistee, just 10 miles south of here are another great place to spend an afternoon. Great restaurants and pubs there as well.
If you mention my blog when you call for reservations now through Feb, I will take 50% off your second night stay. So what is stopping you? Say good-bye to Cabin Fever and head up north. The roads are clear, the rooms are warm and photo opportunities are endless!
Above photo from Onekama area amateur photographer, Denise Rosen

Great Lakes Renewable Energy Fair 2009

I know it is hard to think about summer with all this snow, but it is just around the corner!
I just found out that the Annual Great Lakes Renewable Energy Fair will take place the last week end in June at the Manistee County Fair Grounds here in Onekama. Last year the fair brought over 6000 visitors to the area, including a visit from Governor Jennifer Grandholm. Get your reservation in early as we are already filling up. We still have one kitchenettes suite and a 2 doubles, 3 queen, and 1 single. More info on the fair coming soon. Don't forget,weekly rates are a real money saver.

The Fourth of July week-end is also filling up fast. Sorry, no kitchenette suites left for that week-end. They get snatched up a year in advance. I will post ASAP if I get a cancellation.
I am looking forward to another great summer. Tourism here in Northwest Michigan is thriving. Every year we get a ton of visitors desperately trying to find a room in this area. All the lodging facilities in the area do assist in finding vacancies but by Friday there are NO vacancies within a 100 miles. Even the Roach way (road way) fills up. Do check on Wednesdays for cancellations or better yet, get on a cancellation list for a room.
Here's to a great summer season! Thanks, in advance, for choosing The Travelers Motel

Catching nice perch here on Portage Lake

I just got word that the perch are biting. Yea! You all know how much I like perch! They are catching some good size perch, around 12 inches I am told. Word gets around fast so make sure you reserve your room before coming up.

Attention Ice Fishermen and women..Walleyes are huge this year!

Well, I had a little break. But now it is back to work. The ice fishermen are coming! Take a look at the 10 lb walleye caught last week on Portage Lake. Also reported are perch and some bluegills.
Next week is the big tournament so call soon for reservations. We still have the large suites available for your fishing groups.

Inaugural Manistee County Winter Fun and Ice Fishing Contests

Special offer during the week-end of the Manistee Winter Fun Festival. Guest stay the second night at half price!
Don't miss the all the fun including 2 ice fishing contests on Portage Lake in Onekama Jan 31st.
Get more info at www.visitmanisteecounty.com