Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel Installing AC In All Rooms - 1st Time In 121-Year History

In a bow to warmer summers and modern tastes, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is putting air-conditioning in all rooms for the first time in its 121-year history.

“Years ago, people came here because of the coolness in summer,” Dan Musser, hotel president, said Thursday. “But I think the summers have been getting warmer. Whether it is global warming or not, there are more uncomfortable nights in summer than I remember as a child.”

Many of Mackinac Island’s historic hotels and homes have never had air-conditioning, but travelers these days expect it whether they use it or not, Musser said. Fanning yourself on the veranda just doesn’t cut it anymore. In July, Mackinac Island has 75-degree days and 60-degree nights. But global warming forecasts predict a 2- to 13-degree increase in Michigan summer temperatures by the end of the century.

All of the Grand Hotel’s 385 rooms will be air-conditioned when it opens May 3. The public spaces and newer rooms have had air-conditioning for years, but the hotel has never been able to figure out how to get it into 170 lakefront rooms on the famous front without disrupting the classic architecture—or installing air conditioners in windows.

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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/FEATURES07/70412037/1025/FEATURES

You know, air conditioning is one of the reasons energy consumption is so enormous. And part of the reason we need so much air conditioning is because of computers, so it's a cycle.

I can't believe anyone would need air conditioning at 75 degrees.

I wonder if they could also do a retrofit of their system utilizing geothermal assist.......

but I just sort of bemoan how everyone's become addicted to air-conditioning. I had a friend visit a few years ago - the temperature was (uncharacteristically for Seattle) about 90, and very few places have air conditioning here. It was practically impossible to find a place to eat. She rejected place after place; finally, we ate outside and I got attacked by a pigeon!