Doherty Hotel

I have been to the Doherty a bunch of times, thought I should write a review! Came in on a Monday for the burger special, my husband said the burger was great and I got the southwestern sauté and it was awesome. Good beer, good wine. All was good, we left happy and full.

About 15 years ago I had an Easter Brunch here and remember it being pretty good, but for some reason had never been back until yesterday. For some reason they don’t have their menu online except for the day by day Specials page, and based on the Unilocal reviews I was hesitant, but I try to keep an open mind so I went. I’m glad I did! I’m guessing that the reviews here of careless and inattentive servers applies more to the conference side. All the servers in the bar/​restaurant side seemed experienced and pretty well on top of things. The restaurant/​bar does look a bit dated, but it seems appropriate for the building. We asked for menus at the bar just so we could make a snap judgement as to whether we wanted to stick around and eat or head to our plan B. The menu is a solid 6 pages longer than what was online and I saw SEVERAL things I really wanted to try so we stayed and got a table. They brought us our drinks and a complimentary bowl of popcorn. Strange, BUT it is a bar as much as a restaurant, so ok. Our server was friendly and told us about today’s specials and her favorites.
I love lamb and they have several lamb options which made me very excited. I decided to go for the Lamb Stew in an Irish Soda Bread Bowl (which plays into the city’s claim to Irish heritage) and the Bean & Ham soup for my starter (redundant, but if it tastes good, I’m all for it!). It’s been a super long time since I’ve had Irish Soda Bread, but I recall it as being very dense and almost cracker like so I figured the bowl wouldn’t be getting eaten. The wife ordered the appetizer sampler which has a few house battered items, so I looked forward to that. My soup was very good with a nice smoky ham flavor and came with a slice of tasty baguette and butter. When the entrees arrived my stew looked fantastic and was overflowing from the bread bowl, which looked more like a traditional type bread bowl which actually made me happier than had it been an actual Soda Bread bowl. I immediately began dipping the top cap into the pool of gravy which was thinner than I prefer, but had a fantastic thyme and rosemary flavor. The lamb was tender as were the potatoes and carrots. Very good stuff! The hand breaded mushrooms and onion rings had a good flavor, but the batter was somehow hard. Almost chewy. Maybe too much flour? They could be perfect if they can correct that. If you’re a beer fanatic like myself and are curious, they use Bud Light to make the batter with. The rest of the sampler platter was pretty standard. The house made marinara for the fried cheese was decent. Nice bright tomato flavor. I will definitely be coming back to sample the lamb chops and the French Dip among a few other items spotted on the menu.

Good food and alright service. With a few updates this place could be extraordinary! The Bloody Marys and pricey cuisine are staples here as you come into Clare you have to take a dip as many of us have here in the pool or better yet the got tub. If you’re lucky you can swap business stories with the everyday Canadian businessman on vacation!

We had the opportunity to eat here again on a couple of occasions, once in the bar and once in the renovated/​expanded dining area. The menu has been updated a bit, and some locally sourced ingredients spotlighted; nice. Our dinner party had absolutely delicious dinners — whitefish and steak in our party of three — with real key lime pie for dessert. Our service was fine. We also enjoyed a TGIF of apps and beer in the bar, which maintains a vintage feel, sports a great leprechaun mural from the 1930’s and also boasts a colorful history as a hangout for the Purple Gang during Prohibition. We like the changes and hope the Doherty continues to refine its menu and service.

I always stop at the Doherty for lunch during the summer. I had the Crocque Madam and it was phenomenal! Their bloody marys are always a hit!

After reading all the reviews, recommended and not recommended (what’s with that?), I have to say that I have always had good food here. The corned beef and prime rib melt in your mouth. The buffets are excellent. The prices seem reasonable too. A burger or sandwich is $ 8.95 and comes with a side. Dinners are more expensive, if course. The waitresses have all been very attentive. We have never spent the night at the hotel.

The glory days of this hotel are long past. The bathrooms in the conference center and the restaurant were filthy dirty. I can’t understand what the management is thinking. The condition of the bathrooms speak volumes about a hotel. What these bathrooms say isn’t good.
The décor and general condition of the furnishings are looking mighty tired, seems like time for a total make over.
This used to be the place to stay while in Clare, now I’m not so sure.

The Doherty Hotel is clean, comfy and has a lot of personality and character since it’s almost 100 years old. The pool area was warm, clean and a welcome experience after being on the road for a long length of time. My husband and I also enjoyed the fact that the hotel is located in the quaint little town of Clare, Michigan. We enjoyed walking around the downtown area straight from the hotel doors.

Ick. I tried to get past the dirty, outdated décor but the food wasn’t any better. Strange and minimal ‘salad table,’ is absolutely not worth the price. Our waitress was sweet but clueless, as in didn’t know the vegetable of the day and shrugged her shoulders and stated that she had no idea when asked about a beer. Skip this place.

Excellent quesadilla and potato skins; however, the over-​powering smell of the buttered popcorn machine is a deal-​killer for me.

We love this place…
Honestly, I’m not sure if some of the reviewers I’ve read below WERE at the Doherty.
Since my first ‘taste’ of the Doherty Hotel– from it’s cozy, historic atmosphere — to the owners and management that treat you like family — to the friendly, always smiling staff that are trained very well to make you comfortable… the Doherty is our home away from home.
And the food– Please don’t take my word for it, but I challenge you to find a more diverse, extensive, creative and YuM menu! Try NOT to LOVE the unbelievable salad bar with more fresh items and options than I can find in my hometown grocer’s produce, deli and bakery sections combined. Or the specials (i won’t eat a buger anywhere else!) They change their menu a couple of times a year, and I’m always anxious to try the new dishes and wines.
I see groups — small to large — there year after year, singing the praises of the town, and the Doherty. These owners really care about the community, their customers and their business. I always see the owners and managers out on the floor meeting, greeting, welcoming, and socializing with guest. They really seem to care about what’s going on and making sure everyone is comfortable and content.
We’ve held family gatherings there ranging from just two people up into the thirties. The hotel sales staff is always eager to accommodate our needs, and frequently it has been on short notice. We’ve never been disappointed. I’ve been to some of the most beautiful weddings at the Doherty. There are always compliments enough to go around regarding the planning, service, presentment, options and care taken.
I encourage you to stop for a moment. Take a peek in the Lounge and check out the unbelievable murals that were painted during the Depression. Most of the staff is knowledgeable about them and will fill you in if you ask. There is a world of Clare and Doherty Hotel historical information on the hall walls between the back entrance and the Lounge.

For where I am, this should be a 4 – 5 start, but it wouldn’t do in a developed area.
The staff is amazing.
The hotel is out dated.
The beds are comfortable.
The beer is cold.
The food leaves something to be desired.
Overall…C —

every year my organization hosts a large leadership training at the doherty — we’re talking over 200 people, all with specific needs and dietary restrictions, all needing accommodation and three meals a day — the doherty and its wonderful family-​run staff have always been extraordinary and quite literally taken care of everything — not only do they manage to remember and satisfy all of our large group’s needs, but they also handle any of our last minute requests with ease (and trust me, there are many) — the success of this event in large part is contingent upon the doherty’s excellent staff and management, and we have yet to face any kind of disappointment — i cannot emphasize enough how refreshing it is to work with such a professional and caring family business —

This place is way awesome! If you want the feel of an old cocktail lounge to hang your head low or whisper a shady business deal, go here! Okay, I exaggerate a little…

Size does matters… don’t bother to order a martini at this bar. I ordered the chocolate martini and the bartender gave me a half a glass and when I said it’s missing half she told me the glass was large. IT WAS A STANDARD SIZE MARTINI GLASS!

We had the pleasure of staying here, after years of hearing stories from my step-​brother & sister-​in-​law about how much they love this place. The location is great, the staff very friendly, & the lobby was nicely decked out for Halloween. Now for the room– nice size, but the bed was hard as a rock & the pillows were not much better. You get a complimentary breakfast with your stay, which was good. In spite of our experience with the rock hard bed– I would be willing to try it again– just in another room. It seems like a place that is kind of past its prime & in need of some TLC, & I hate to give up on a classic…

So, before you look at all those stars and go crazy on me… read!
I will say first that we spent an entire week here… slept, ate, meetings… I felt like this was my new home!
The best thing this place has going for it is a friendly staff and atmosphere an awesome salad bar, endless popcorn in the bar, oh and a fireplace in my room!
The hotel is a bit older and conservative… Like the old Holiday Inn Holidomes that may still exist… chlorine heaven I like to say… the rooms were boring, the beds were bleh and the color scheme was from sometime in the early 80’s I think… mauve and powder blue and green… ugh!
The restaurant serves great food, lots of home cooking and the banquet staff was on it all week for us!
I would have to say, that even tho I am partial to Conrad and Co, I would stay here again!

Nice building, nice location. Servers seemed to be trying. Drinks in the bar were ok. A really loud long table of wasted people sitting on one side of the bar. The kids at the end of the table found them to be as droll as we did. From other reviewers, I can guess who these people were.

Nothing outstanding at the Doherty.
The bar is and has been a place to stop for a drink and a sandwich. Now that the bypass is complete; downtown Clare is pretty much off the radar
I have been to a number of business meetings here over the years. Not the worst place; but it certainly isn’t the best

First off: this is a review of the restaurant and not the hotel part. I can’t imagine why anyone would need a hotel room in Clare, MI… but I’ve never stayed there and I hope I never do. It seems creepy.
Doherty is right about where you can find all those mid-​Michigan suckers who think they’re hot stuff while livin’ in Clare, MI. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have its high points, but the Doherty isn’t nearly as special as it (or its patrons) want it to be. So it’s old and historic — big deal.
There seems to be an attempt to create an «upper crust» feeling which really doesn’t quite work — especially when most of the people in the place are wearing baseball hats. I’m not from some old school of dining, I realize there are places where hat wearing is acceptable, but if you’re going to try and be something special then for someone’s sake you better MAKE IT something special.
All of the entrees here are pretty much typical Midwest dining. Lots of burgers, steaks, a few wraps, and some seasonal Michigan salads. I think there may be a few of the «finer things» like duck on the menu but don’t quote me. My wrap was pretty plainly delivered, no real seasoning, and just a pretty «blah» experience. Not bad, but definitely not good. I’m glad I wasn’t paying for the meal, otherwise I would have cursed myself and wished I had crossed the street to the 24 hour Whitehouse restaurant.
Everyone’s food looked good overall, but nobody seemed like it was really worth what the prices were. I would be expecting some «hot damn, this stuff is ROCKIN’» if that were the case. However, we mostly sat in silence throughout the meal.
Doherty tries though so it deserves some credit. And although Clare isn’t busting at the seams with places to dine at — there’s definitely better options than this place even if it does happen to be a franchise (hey, I’m referring to Big Boy here… not McDonald’s). But, if you’re going more for the atmosphere that a place provides, then the Doherty is going to be as close to romantic as you can find in the local area. You can find me across the street where all the real action is though… chillin’ at the Whitehouse.