The Vault Hotel Houghton

Hotel · Houghton

The Vault Hotel Houghton

Hotel · Houghton

1

600 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931

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The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null
The Vault Hotel Houghton by null

Highlights

Art deco hotel in former bank, chic rooms, speakeasy bar  

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600 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931 Get directions

thevaulthotel.com
@thevaulthoughton

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600 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931 Get directions

+1 906 481 1100
thevaulthotel.com
@thevaulthoughton

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Last updated

Aug 19, 2025

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@eater

An Eater’s Guide to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula | Eater Detroit

"A boutique hotel housed in a restored 1887 bank building that pairs modern amenities with historic character, featuring a basement speakeasy-style bar in the old counting room and cozy, design-forward rooms." - Amanda Ponzio-Mouttaki

https://detroit.eater.com/23025094/best-restaurants-michigan-upper-peninsula
View Postcard for The Vault Hotel Houghton

Sarah Niemela

Google
The rooms are pretty nice. I recommend one with a jacuzzi tub; they’re much nicer. The Counting Room is a nice, exclusive bar that makes really great drinks. Their hours aren’t the best as they’re closed Sundays and Mondays. Breakfast could be improved. There are bagels, muffins, cereal, assorted beverages, yogurt. They used to have quiche that they’d heat up for you, but that wasn’t offered either morning we were there. For the price of the rooms, I’d expect a better selection. Also staff is very hard to come by since there isn’t a desk in the lobby. They hide in the back. We’ve stayed here about 4-5 times, even though we’re local. I’m not sure I’ll bother going back though.

Karen G

Google
We stayed 1 night at the Vault hotel, it was very clean and in a great location over looking the water. It is an amazing location especially for parents who are visiting their students at Michigan Tech!

miner4315

Google
We took our youngest son (17 months) and stayed here as a getaway for the weekend - absolutely WONDERFUL! From the moment we walked in we were welcomed graciously by the host to a beautiful, private, spacious lobby. They accommodated an early check in (extra appreciated with a toddler who needed to nap!). The complementary concierge bar was amazing - yogurt, coffee, milk, pop, chips, breakfast… we never went hungry! The room was gorgeous, and the bathroom was like something from my dreams - plus it was big enough we could put our pack n play in there for the baby and he could sleep comfortably while we relaxed in the room. The hotel is locked, so is wonderfully private and quiet. We can’t wait to come back!

Robert Cavagnol

Google
Super cool boutique hotel in a perfect location in the heart of downtown. Upscale and relaxed feel. Staff very friendly. Shower water pressure was great. Coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques all within a couple blocks. Great spot for a romantic get-away.

readingteach627

Google
This is a unique and fun boutique hotel. It is a great location right in the main part of downtown Houghton. Free parking is in a covered lot across the street. The rooms are nicely decorated and include lovely bathrooms. We were in a two bedroom suite that was perfect for our group. There were pull out dividing doors that separated each bedroom from the sitting area. Nice offerings for a continental breakfast in the lobby, too.

Matt Benzik

Google
Booked the vault hotel for a single night during peak fall colors, the new money floor was nice and the room was decorated wonderfully. The kicker of the night was the basement bar, Grant was my bartender and he was a spectacular host. His ability to craft the drinks on the menu were unmatched, and the menu was curated by someone who clearly knows thier stuff. He spent time talking about the cocktails and introducing me into drinks that I may not have ordered otherwise relating them to other drinks I consider some of my favorites. Ever since the vault opened I knew I wanted to go there at least once, but thanks to the bar the Vault will be a stop for me every trip back to Houghton.

Maryam Hh

Google
I really want to inform people before wasting their money and booking this less than mediocre hotel. I travel for work all the time, I always try to research and find nice hotels to make my time away from home more comfortable. I thought this hotel will be comfortable and clean based on some of the reviews, but it was a big disappointment and waste of money. Do not expect much for the rate that you pay at this hotel because the service is at 3 stars the best. The rooms are dirty and they do not get cleaned between guests. I found tons of hair on the ground as soon as I walked in. There were pieces of breakfast cereal on the ground and around the bed. The toilet had stool stains on it, which was absolutely disgusting. There was dust everywhere, the shower was gross, and I spent three days with my shampoo bottle being empty. They had placed bed sheets on the bed before fully dry, so the bed was wet. I escalate the situation, specially after I walked in and saw the dirty toilet, the front desk staff told me that the manger will call you, but I never received any calls, they simply don’t care. You’re better off staying at one of the chain hotels that are at 3-4 stars in Houghton, at least you know exactly what you’re getting for your money, and they will be a lot cleaner.

Trent Cockerham

Google
Super cool concept! Very nice boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Houghton! It's convenient to everything! The amenities are a nice touch. The rooms are super comfortable! And, absolutely do not miss out on the Counting Room! A must visit for a tasty cocktail in a speakeasy setting! We will be back!
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Charlie M.

Yelp
Service: The person/persons manning the front are less than cordial. If this hotel is working toward a great niche feel, then customer service should be top notch. We found the individuals cold and uninterested in creating a welcoming environment. In contrast the bartender in the Counting Room made the experience very special. Food: I see other reviews were positive about the breakfast, but we were underwhelmed. Bagels, toast and cold cereal are not that exciting but to be fair we did not try the quiche. Coffee was mediocre at best. The room: Nice, bed is a bit low to the ground but tolerable. Shower was good. Bathtub looked enticing but didn't try. The French Press coffee in the room was a nice touch, but was tempered by the fact that there was only enough to make one cup?! Lost the "wow" factor on that note. Parking: Great space across the street, covered with easy access. Overall this hotel seems to be striving for the niche boutique experience, has the potential, but misses the mark.
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Nawana L.

Yelp
I did not actually stay at the Vault Hotel but was a guest at the Counting Room. Collin is an amazing master of drinks and comes highly recommended! He perfected me a lemon drop! The bar has a speakeasy vibe, very demure and quaint. The next time I'm in Houghton, I will be sure to stay at the Vault just so I can visit this place again.
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Emily S.

Yelp
I have stayed at The Vault twice and enjoyed both of my stays. The rooms are spacious and well kept. I enjoyed the complementary drinks and snacks in the lobby. Staying at the hotel gets you access to The Counting Room speakeasy bar. The drinks I have had there have been top notch. I will say that the beds are a bit low to the ground for my taste, and you must ask the person working the front desk for the breakfast quiche because they are not out with the other breakfast food.

Ann N.

Yelp
Best hotel I have been in in a while and I travel for work and cannot wait to visit again. Perfect boutique hotel! Hidden gem.
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Kyle G.

Yelp
Incredible hotel. They've converted an old bank into a nice hotel, with some rooms having the original vaults in them. The vaults are basically a sitting room with cocktail sets and chess sets. The rooms are quite nice. The only downside was the shower: it got scalding hot immediately and would not cool down. The lobby has lots of snacks and drinks to take, all of which are delicious. Breakfast is included and was pretty good: I enjoyed the ham quiche. The main draw is The Counting Room: the speakeasy bar in the basement. The only way to get in is an annual membership (which is VERY expensive) or by staying at the hotel. The drinks are absolutely fantastic and the bartender was great to talk to. I really enjoyed the visit. Highly recommend The Vault. Most hotels in the area are pretty expensive and I think this one is worth a little extra for the experience.

Kristine B.

Yelp
This was our second stay there and I'd have to agree with others that the quality this time was less than stellar. For starters the speakeasy bar is closed on Sundays which was the primary reason for our choosing to stay there. Surprisingly the cost to stay on a Sunday is even higher than during the week when the bar is open. Needless to say we were very disappointed. Our rooms shower head and head held sprayers were sticking and could only be switched if the water was turned off. There were also only 2 hangers in the room. For the amount charged this hotel should be top notch which it is not. This will be our last stay at The Vault because it's no longer worth the money to us.
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D L.

Yelp
This is an absolutely beautiful hotel. It will remind you of the small hotels in Europe. The rooms are beautiful and very clean. The staff was super friendly and very helpful with information. Nice little breakfast which they offer a broccoli, bacon or ham Quiche (I would recommend the ham). The hotel is very secure, digital locks on all doors, including the main entrance. So upon your arrival at check-in, use the phone next to the front door to get the attendant.

Marie B.

Yelp
Best hotel in all of Michigan. Yes. I'll say it again: BEST. HOTEL. IN ALL. OF THE STATE. OF MICHIGAN! It's boutique, sexy, cozy, CLEAN (hallelujah!!!) and unique. The speakeasy downstairs is amazing. When we stayed, it was for hotel guests only. Hopefully that's still the same now. We LOVED our stay, and we cannot wait to go back.
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Tiana C.

Yelp
I love this hotel! I was not expecting anything of this caliber in Houghton. But the staff was friendly, rooms immaculate, the vegetarian breakfast quiche in the morning was delicious! They have snacks and drinks readily available 24/7. And have even more for breakfast. They really put effort in and it shows. I appreciate a good hotel, and this one is definitely worth staying at.
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CJ B.

Yelp
A pretty nice place in Houghton! Love the complimentary snacks and the staff is great.
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Jill J.

Yelp
We just spent two nights there and felt totally pampered. Beautiful surroundings from the lobby to room to The Counting Room bar in the cellar, with attentive staff when needed, quiet and peaceful. Grant and Collin in the bar were very knowledgeable and friendly, we enjoyed quite a few unique cocktails and were never disappointed. Convenient parking and perfect location in walking distance to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and shopping.
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Suzanne H.

Yelp
I really would have given this hour a 4.5 had that been possible. Summary because this is long...I highly recommend booking a room at The Vault. We'll be back. The Vault is a great hotel and a lovely option of the moderate chain-based hotels in Houghton. The staff is friendly, the rooms are well-appointed and interesting. Our room had a very comfortable bed (tempurpedic-ish mattress) and feather and synthetic pillow options. There was also a small sitting area featuring a fold-out couch. My son rates its comfort as "the most comfortable fold out but still not that comfortable." The room also had a nice bar area with coffee service (French press and locally roasted coffee), fridge, and microwave. The bathroom was also well-appointed with a large shower, thick towels, and lit mirror. The breakfast service was great...locally made mini-quiches and baked goods. The location is great...walking distance to KBC, which is really all that matters. The parking is convenient. The lobby is non-traditional...no front desk, which is a neat touch. The staff greeted me with laptop to complete the transaction. So why not 5 stars? 1. Value. The rooms are expensive. I would file it in the "if you really want to treat yourself" category. Last time I stayed at the Country Inn in Houghton it was $160 (total rip-off), so it makes it easier to justify the cost of The Vault (we paid $260) 2. In-room microwave...oddly you have to remove the microwave from a storage cabinet and move it to the countertop to plug it in. This could easily be solved by putting a plug in the cabinet. 3. The bed frame is an ankle biter. It is a low wooden platform frame. The mattress is smaller than the platform by design (aesthetically pleasing), but this leaves the corners of the platform exposed. We all clipped our ankles (not a whiner...ouch!). It seems like we aren't the only ones because the sharp corners were chipped on both sides of the bed. 4. Now this is picky...I travel a lot for work and *hate* the super-sized pump-driven body wash/shampoo/conditioner. I travel with my own shampoo, but I really prefer a bar of soap. There was one bar of soap for hand washing, which we moved back and forth from sink to sink to shower. The soap, btw, is lovely (very high quality for hotel soaps).

Jacob G.

Yelp
The Vault Hotel staff were great! Every encounter had a smile and where always helpful. The Counting Room Bar is a really cool place to grab a drink and relax. It truly reminds you of a secret speak easy.

David H.

Yelp
Ants everywhere! Double queen suite was an ant haven with ants located all around perimeter of the room! Did receive room change, but not much else. This was a second stay here and as someone else mentioned, cleanliness has gone down hill.

Rob H.

Yelp
Great hotel tucked away in Houghton. Highly recommend. Staff was extremely accommodating with a looming snowstorm and our need to amend our plans. Sarah was outstanding and even alerted us to an item left in our room. She arranged shipment for return. Amazing experience. We'll definitely be back.
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Willow C.

Yelp
When I was a student at Michigan Tech, what is now The Vault was, at that time, a Wells Fargo (I'm starting to sound like my parents...). I was very intrigued to see what a boutique hotel in Houghton, MI would look like! And wow, are we impressed. The style and decor upon entering is stunning and impeccably tasteful. It's slightly reminiscent of a Gatsby-type style- lots of dark jewel tones, velvet furniture, beautifully lit and white marble and tile. The welcome bar downstairs (and breakfast in the AM!) is full of coffee, tea, quiche, bagels, sweet treats- all made from local vendors. I really appreciate any venture that makes an effort to support other local businesses and their products. It's obvious that the proprietors of The Vault wanted to create a community-focused operation here. I can't wait to come back. And one last thing- don't forget The Counting Room when you visit!

Jane V.

Yelp
Refreshing vibe after several lackluster "mom and pops" on our rural road trip. Bed was comfy, amenities in the room adequate, breakfast decent especially when adding quiche, fresh fruit, baked muffins and access to coffee, tea and drinks 24-7. It's also a nice touch to have freshly baked cookies mid afternoon. It's a bit off-putting when you arrive and door is locked, but quickly resolved with quick attention from the on duty person. Free, easily-accessible garage parking as well.,My biggest beef is very spotty wi-fi. It is simply not dependable and it doesn't seem to matter the weather, time of day etc. we are all so dependent upon decent WiFi and at the price for a room here, I'd expect better.