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The Island House

Come Work & Live where others Vacation!

Originally built in 1852, The Island House was the first summer hotel on Mackinac Island. Today, completely renovated, The Island House boasts 94 rooms and is home to the 1852 Grill Room. During the 1995 season an addition was built containing 3 Jacuzzi suites, an indoor pool, and The Ice House Bar and Grill.

Island House View

Our family of businesses is comprised of the Island House Hotel, Ryba’s Fudge Shops, several Starbuck’s stores, Mary’s Bistro, The 1852 Grill Room, the Ice House, the Pancake House, Fred’s Hamburgers, and Harbor Place Apartments.

Working on Mackinac Island is a truly unique experience. The Island House, and its family of businesses, offer some of the best employment opportunities on the Island. We accept candidates that are available to work for varying lengths of time. But the later in the season a person can work the better, many positions run through late October.

Our Jobs

Lodging/Housekeeping, Food and Beverage, Hotel Operations, Maintenance/Landscaping, and Front Desk/Reservations

Sleep and Eat

Housing is offered by The Island House and Rena’s Fudge Shops, Inc. to its employees to aid in their smooth integration into the community.

Housing is dormitory style. We have men's and women's dorm. During the peak of the season, room occupancy will vary from 2 to 4 so be prepared to share a room.

There are shared common living areas in the dorms that all residents have access to. The dorms are fully furnished and there is cable television in the common areas. There are also kitchen facilities available with full size stoves, microwaves, and refrigerators for residents use.

Payphones and coin operated laundry machines are also located in each dorm.

We do have very limited couples housing available. For select positions Management housing is also available outside of the dorms.

Housing is provided at a cost of $65.00 per week.

Other Perks

All employees receive a 33% discount at company owned restaurants; including the Ice House, Mary’s Bistro, the Pancake House, the 1852 Grill Room, and Fred’s.

Hotel Discount–When booked through proper reservation channels The Island House and receive a 33% discount.

There is a seasonal bonus program for hourly employees.

Getting Here and Getting Around

There are no cars on Mackinac Island. The main modes of transportation are horse drawn buggy and bicycle.

All new and returning employees must arrange their own transportation to and from Mackinac Island. In addition, the employee must cover all relocation costs incurred. It will be necessary to take a ferry from the Mainland to Mackinac Island. The cost is about $25.00 for a round trip ticket. There are three ferry companies that service the Island.

Automobile Storage-If you intend to bring an car with you it will be necessary to store it on the mainland, since there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island. Each of the three ferry lines that service the Island offers car storage.

Since there are no cars on the Island, it is suggested that you bring a bicycle.

Starline: or 1-800-638-9892
Shepler’s: or 1-800-828-6157
Arnold Line: or 1-800-542-8528

For Fun

Mackinac is made for the outdoors person. 80% of the Island is a State Park with an excellent trail system perfect for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. The trails are also open to horseback riding. There are two golf courses on the island as well as public tennis courts. Don’t forget about the water. Mackinac is located where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet and the Straits of Mackinac could be your backyard. Kayaking around Mackinac

How to Apply

Apply Now

To apply, please fill out our online application. You can also email your resume, but we ask that you still take the time to complete our application.

You can call for details or further information: (800) 626-6304.

Many answers to common questions about working for our company, or Island life, can be found in our website.

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