Dune Climb Inn

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Dune Climb Inn

Superior Studio (SWS) | Free WiFi, bed sheets
BBQ/picnic area
Meeting facility
BBQ/picnic area
Exterior

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Business services
The current price is $238
$224 nightly
$238 total
Total with taxes and fees
Jun 4 - Jun 5

Explore the area

View in a map
7194 S Dune Hwy, Empire, MI, 49630
  • Place, Little Glen Lake
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Glen Lake
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Studio (SS)

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

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

Superior Studio (SWS)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

Superior Studio (SWB)

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

Family Suite (2 BR)

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

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
  • Free WiFi

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

Empire

With a stay at Dune Climb Inn in Empire, you'll be in a national park, within a 5-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 - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 3 min drive - 1.8 miles
  • Glen Lake - 6 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • Crystal River - 7 min drive - 5.7 miles
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 8 min drive - 4.1 miles

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Art's Tavern - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Cherry Republic - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪La Becasse - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Glen Arbor Wines - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Mill - ‬8 min drive

About this property

Dune Climb Inn

Dune Climb Inn offers 14 air-conditioned accommodations with hair dryers and ceiling fans. 43-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the in-room microwaves and coffee/tea makers. 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 microwaves and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and ceiling fans, 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.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Free uncovered self parking on site

Things to do

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

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave

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

  • Area rugs in room
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No elevator
  • Smooth flooring in room

More

  • 1 floor
  • Built in 1937
  • Renovated entire property - May 2024
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 43-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Freezer
  • Microwave

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Heating

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

If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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

Welcoming dogs only

1 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property 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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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. 54 out of 80 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 21 out of 80 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 80 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 80 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 80 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aaron

Great place to stay
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Christina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect location, room was clean and staff was super responsive, would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It is a nice, clean, comfortable place to stay. We would stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Inna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay near close to the lake(s) and dunes
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was a great stay plus the bed was super comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient to all attractions, rustic but lovely. Loved the cottage feel
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, clean and close to the dunes
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joe

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great roadside inn. Room was cozy and perfect. I visited in winter when most tourist amenities are closed, so glad this inn stays open. Fridge, microwave, and fully-stocked coffee machine were very helpful. Everything was clean and staff was very nice to leave the light on for me when I told them I was arriving late at night. I will definitely stay here again. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

N

Great place
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian

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

8/10 Good

Eric

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Rooms were clean and had a nice retro look to them. Was nice that they had a fire pit area and chairs to hang out in outside.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian

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

8/10 Good

Jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Convenient place to stay to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes. The room was fine, the bedroom area was very nice. The bathroom was good but could use some updating.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marianne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful management for check in and out. Also quiet. Close to Sleeping Bear Dunes! Bed very comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Will

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Beautiful sky at night.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shirley

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

10/10 Excellent

Jenny

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Great amenities like borrowing bikes and having a common room available for use (stove, dishes, utensils, etc.). Perfect location to dunes.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room was cozy, clean and had everything I needed esp coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator. I especially liked that it is located on the Heritage Trail so I could easily walk out the hotel door and walk or bike the trail. The management was responsive quickly to my questions. Thanks for a nice stay.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overnight stay. Used their loaner bikes for a 10 mile morning ride. The bikes need servicing overall, but I’m not complaining. No complaints and I’d stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property is a short drive off M22. Easy to find. Sits between Empire an Glen Arbor Manager was awesome an very helpful. Close to sleepy bear dunes scenic drive. Room was very nice enjoyed our stay
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ben

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My room had a cozy, retro, cabin vibe that was perfect. Clean, bright, warm, the bed was very comfortable. In the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes and minutes away from all I wanted to do. It was an easy, self check-in that I was well informed of and went off without any glitches. I would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Horace

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect place very close to Dunes and Park
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Roger

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great property. Great location. Very clean and comfortable beds. Very helpful staff as well.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eugene

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