Dune Climb Inn

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Dune Climb Inn

Family Suite (2 BR) | Living area
Children's play area - outdoor
Family Suite (2 BR) | Living area
Family Suite (1 BR) | Private kitchen
Superior Studio, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed (BDS)

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
  • Parking included
  • Business services

Explore the area

View map
7194 S Dune Hwy, Empire, MI, 49630
  • Little Glen Lake
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪55 min drive‬

Room options

Superior Studio (SWB)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Superior Studio, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed (BDS)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Standard Studio (SS)

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Family Suite (2 BR)

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

Family Suite (1 BR)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

Superior Studio (SWS)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Empire

With a stay at Dune Climb Inn in Empire, you'll be in a national park, within a 10-minute drive of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Little Glen Lake. .This hotel is 1.8 mi (2.8 km) from Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum.

What's nearby

  • Little Glen Lake - 1 min drive - 0.4 km
  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - 4 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 7 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Glen Lake - 7 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 9 min drive - 6.6 km

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • Cherry Republic
  • Art's Tavern
  • ‪The Foothills Cafe - ‬14 min drive
  • Boonedocks
  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Dune Climb Inn

Hotel in Empire with free parking
Dune Climb Inn offers 14 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered once per stay and change of towels can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a limited basis.
Recreational amenities at the hotel include complimentary bicycles.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 14 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided once per stay.
Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, a television in a common area, and a picnic area. This hotel also features charcoal grills, a vending machine, and bike storage.
Featured amenities include microwave in a common area, refrigerator in a common area, and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free uncovered self parking on site

Things to do

  • Bicycle storage
  • Free bicycle rentals
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (once per stay)

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • In a national park
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 1 floor
  • Built in 1937
  • Renovated entire property - May 2024
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 43-inch flat-screen TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), key retrieval

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 40 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 150 per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
1 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 200 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Pet deposit: USD 150 per stay
  • Pet fee: USD 40 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

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, debit cards, and cash
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

Dune Climb Inn Hotel
Dune Climb Inn Empire
Dune Climb Inn Hotel Empire

Dune Climb Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 38 out of 58 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 58 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 58 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 58 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Debbie

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was an awesome hotel… we were able to use the community room. The rooms were so cute with vintage frig.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barbara

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eugene

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

Cozy motel in a spectacular setting

My room was cozy and a throwback to a bygone era, but with modern amenities.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

N

Travelled with partner
Great place
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Alicia

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Lynnette

Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service
The property appears to be closed for the season; however, did permit booking a room. The television did not work on first night, dead ladybug and dust on bedspread, thick dust behind furniture (had to plug charger in) and on the ceiling fan. The room is very small with only space to walk around bed and does not have table or chair to sit at for work space. They do have a nice common area but being the only one on the premises at dark was not somewhere I would choose to sit!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brett

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Inn was located in the perfect spot to get places, but be outside the busy areas. The room was very cozy and the bed was extremely comfortable. The community room was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect location; great historic/retro road trip vibe.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Michelle

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Really nice spot, with access to dunes. Room was mostly clean, with minor dust and some cobwebs in bathroom. Really thin walls! Can hear neighbors TV, door slamming in the morning when they left! Could use better black out curtains for windows and in bathroom (completely see through). Overall, really good location and Was able to bring my dog 🐶
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Joy, Jenison

Liked: Cleanliness
Motel room was clean, comfortable bed and hot water in shower. Property had a nice community room, grills and fire pit areas. Very convenient for enjoying Sleeping Bear Dunes area. We would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, comfy beds and pillows.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very accommodating. We arrived early and they quickly finished preparations and let us in early.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

2/10 Terrible

Yaoyao, Solana Beach

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Adam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very good stay, and would do it again. Staff was great. Very clean. Bathroom sink needs to be replaced, and bathroom could use exhaust fan. Common room was cozy and inviting. Very to close to nearby attractions.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Rustic Getaway in the Woods

Perfect spot for anyone planning to spend time in Sleeping Bear or just traveling on M22! Very rustic and humble, it allows you to spend time in nature away from light pollution and people. We were able to see the Northern Lights while sitting next to a bonfire that we built with wood supplied by the hosts. Absolutely perfect spot. If you're wary of spiders, be prepared.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melinda

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

STEPHEN

Travelled with partner
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Great location. Close to dunes. Quiet and very comfortable. Refrigerator in cabin 5 was not working.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cherrie

Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked the shared kitchen and outdoor spaces. The location was fantastic
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Barbara

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

curt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was adorable! It also smelled very clean when we entered our room.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Naomi

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

Great place for hikers.

Basic but very nice. Comfortable and convenient. Great place to stay to hike in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lovrenco

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shirley, Arvada

Liked: Amenities
Delightful, rustic stay. Will stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024