About

We are Kim & Brent Post, proprietors of Mackinaw Timbers.

We have always loved restoring properties and fortuitously, happened upon Mackinaw Timbers, a vintage roadside motel which, it its former life was known as Bu-T-Rest Cabins. The cabins have been serving travelers on and off for almost 80 years, rumor has it, even hosting the Harlem Globetrotters when they visited Cadillac, MI years ago.

Our journey to breathe new life into Mackinaw Timbers and restore it to its former glory (with some 21st century updates) began in 2017. It took months to find the right people who shared our vision as our goal was not to “rehab” in the traditional sense, but rather, maintain the integrity of the original log cabins while refreshing and restoring in and out.

The structures are well built of log and originally were log on both the interior and exterior until the early 1990’s when the exteriors were insulated and sided. Inside however, you’ll still find much of the craftsmanship of the 1940’s—when each log was tongue and grooved, doors were hand built.

We’re always very interested in finding out more about the history of these cabins and we look forward to hearing from you if you have any information or photos from Bu-T-Rest or Mackinaw Timbers’ past life.

A roadside classic cabin-style motel in northern Michigan, Mackinaw Timbers Cabins received new life in mid-2021. A house and 10 cabins, each with a nostalgic, vintage vibe which boasts interiors of the original logs, bead board and knotty pine. They are tastefully decorated with a different theme but all recall the 50’s or 60’s. Mackinaw Timbers Cabins are a delightful slice of Americana in the middle of "Up North".

Today, the cabins feature modern amenities which include comfy new mattresses, flat-screen TVs, mini kitchens, each with microwave, sink, counter-high refrigerator, percolator coffee pot and hot pot. In the evening, enjoy the fire pit as you watch the sun go down and then on a clear night you can see the stars shining in the midnight blue sky. This rustic boutique motel has plenty of free parking, is within 7 minutes of local lakes, rivers, trails, restaurants, nature center and downtown Cadillac.

Each of our 11 rustic cabins has been updated to bring the best elements of country lodging to Michigan's "Up North" with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and smart TVs, complemented by charming décor and the comfiest mattresses. Vintage Michigan accents, with a nod to our log cabin history add a classic, but still rustic, feel to these revitalized rooms. Pour-over coffee (portable and sustainably produced!), updated bathrooms, kitchenettes and American-made bath products are thoughtfully curated.