We’re Diane and Rob, and we’ve owned and operated the Woodland Motor Lodge since 2002. Before this we lived and traveled extensively around North and South America and Europe. We find Grayling to be a great place to live and raise our children. Here we all enjoy the many outdoor activities and the peaceful lifestyle we find in Northern Michigan, away from the Big City.
We are very positive about the area and what we have to offer. About 70% of our customers are repeat visitors, and we have a high occupancy rate and many no-vacancy nights. We think that means we’ve been doing the right things here, and we intend to keep satisfying our customers and improving our rooms and amenities. We’ve found running a successful motel to be simple, if not always easy:
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- Keep the rooms very clean
- Be nice
- Deal with everyone with loving kindness
- Cultivate a team helping us that reinforces and strengthens this
Diane
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- Chief Officer of Doing Everything
- Grayling Chamber of Commerce Board Member (2009-2022), Chairperson (2015 – 2017)
- Grayling Promotional Association Member (2004 – 2013, 2022 – )
Rob
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- Chief Officer of the Vibe
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Founded a local meditation group. Talk to him if you’re interested in meditation and classical yoga. Free meditation and yoga classes!
- Grayling Visitors Bureau, Board Member, Chairperson (2003 – present)
- North Country Community Mental Heath, employee, (2004-2023)
We must talk about the wonderful team that helps us keep the Woodland Motor Lodge clean and presentable and a happy place to be. Everyone helping here is a great person, they have great work ethics and we and our customers are lucky and very blessed that they’ve chosen the Woodland Motor Lodge. It is with their help and attention to details that we feel confident that our guests will have a clean place to stay and will leave the Woodland Motor Lodge happy and relaxed.
Scott is our groundskeeper and maintenance guy, he’s been with us since mid-2024. We’re fortunate to have his positive attitude and work ethic.
Eric is the head housekeeper. He is a wonderful young man who really wants to do the right thing. He has a young son that he is raising and is doing a great job at being a dad. Eric has done a great job learning how I want the rooms to be and does a great job cleaning. He is also so willing to help out with anything that a guest needs.
Helen arrived in 2024, bringing a permanent smile and friendly attitude. If she’s not cleaning you may find her barbecuing at the picnic pavilion.
Amy is our part time housekeeper. Amy is an incredible person. She is a mom to some wonderful children including one very special boy with special needs. In addition to raising her family she is an inspiration by returning to school and is in the middle of becoming a nurse.
We have been blessed in the past with some amazing people: Adam, Ben (see his ‘Notes from Ben‘ section), Julie, Chris, Sheila, Vicki, Wasana, Tracy, Danielle, Robbie, JD, and more. Thank you all for the gift of your time and your service. It has not been forgotten.
