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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

West Michigan's Best Bed & Breakfasts

There's something special about staying at a B&B that instantly makes you feel welcome. Here you're not just another guest, you become part of the family for your stay. Cozy rooms, outstanding breakfasts, and time to slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life.

A Country Place Bed & Breakfast is located in South Haven, and will leave you just .24 miles away from public beach access to Lake Michigan. The B&B offers five uniquely decorated guest rooms, all of which offer their own private bath, television, & mini fridge, with three boasting electric fireplaces as well. You’ll enjoy a scrumptious homemade breakfast in the morning, and freshly baked goods, snacks, and beverages around the clock. You’ll be hosted by Chuck and Katie, as well as the resident dog Lola! Visit during the month of October to witness the entire house transformed into a haunted B&B!

Amanda’s Bequest Bed & Breakfast is a Heritage FarmStay experience located in Montague, MI. Along with your choice of three uniquely themed guest rooms, on-site heritage cooking class activities, and a full breakfast featuring heirloom recipes, you’ll enjoy the great history of this site when you stay. Built in the early 1870s, the building was originally the manse (parsonage) for the Ferry Memorial Church, built to honor Amanda’s son, who had fallen during the Civil War. The building has been moved since its creation, and served as apartments for almost 30 years before John & Valerie purchased the property and began uncovering & recovering the beauty of the original building. Spend your visit learning to churn butter or make jam, stroll in the woods, gather eggs, relax on the back gazebo, or do absolutely nothing at all.

Antiquities’ Wellington Inn welcomes you to Traverse City, and transports you to an era of quiet and gracious living. A time when life was slower, when families entertained at home, and downtown was a leisurely stroll past elegant neighborhood homes. Antiquities’ Wellington Inn is a 1905 neo-classical mansion built by one of Traverse City’s lumber barons, and now fully restored to its original grandeur. Enjoy a full breakfast each morning in the dining room, or enjoy refreshments any time of day just off the third floor ballroom. Located just a short walk away from the attractions and beaches of Traverse City, your hosts will be happy to help with any arrangements to ensure a memorable stay.

Your stay At Willow Pond in Fenwick will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. Their guests' most frequent comment is how peaceful and relaxing they find it at this country inn, here in “the middle of the mitten.” Their 26 acres nestled in Michigan’s heartland is in small town, just minutes away from exploring the orchards and farm stands, passing by the horse drawn buggies of the nearby Amish and Mennonite communities on your way to antique shops, and golf courses, lakes and bike trails, cute little stores and old fashioned movie theatres. Beautiful, quiet surroundings and great food await you on your stay.
BaySide Inn is located in the heart of downtown Saugatuck, and is positioned on the Saugatuck Harbor. Originally built in 1927 as a boathouse with living quarters on the upper level, the building sat partially submerged for years due to high waters until Kathy & Frank Wilson purchased the property in 1990 and transformed it into the prestigious B&B that it is today. Relaxation is the focus here, as you’re invited to relax in front of the fireplace in the central living area, enjoy the outdoor hot tub just four feet from the water’s edge, or watch sailboats and yachts head for Lake Michigan from the outdoor deck.

The Bridge Street Inn is a three story, historic Colonial Revival home in the summer resort town of Charlevoix. Located just steps from Lake Michigan, you’ll enjoy gorgeous sunsets from the wrap-around porch before you retire to one of eight comfortably appointed guest rooms. Formerly known as Baker Cottage, The Bridge Street Inn was built in 1895 as just one of over a dozen cottages for guests of the Beach Hotel to stay at. The Beach Hotel no longer exists, but The Bridge Street Inn carries on its historic character and elegant tradition. Join your fellow travelers for wine and cheese in the living room each night, and request turndown service to be treated to some homemade cookies before bedtime. All the comforts of home? We’d say this is a step up!

Vacation in luxury when you stay at the Cartier Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Ludington, just minutes away from Lake Michigan. Originally built as the estate of Ludington lumber baron Warren Cartier in the 1950s, the building now holds five elegant guest rooms. Much of the interior is still endowed with its original woodwork, fixtures, flooring, and antiques. The building still maintains & uses an original rib cage shower from 1905, the grand balcony overlooking Ludington Avenue, and the recently restored Carriage House. This historic home is also open for tours on Sundays from July through October for a $5 admission fee.

Immerse yourself in Northern Michigan’s wine country with a stay at Chateau Chantal’s Bed & Breakfast in Traverse City. They offer guests a unique experience that combines vineyard & winery, B&B lodging and friendly company, and a relaxing rural landscape with breathtaking views, local beaches, trails, and quiet country roads. Enjoy everything from cozy rooms to spacious suites, featuring views of vineyards and fresh water. Indulge in a glass of wine on the terrace or balcony, a wet bar, whirlpool tubs, elegant furnishings, ample breakfasts, and attentive front desk staff. Round out your stay by partaking in a wine dinner when you visit, which will afford you a beautifully prepared seven-course meal, each specially paired with a Chateau Chantal wine.

Enjoy a pleasant and comfortable stay at the Gerber Guest House Bed & Breakfast on your next visit to the Fremont area. Built in 1923, this is the original residence of the Daniel Gerber family, who started Gerber Baby Food Products in 1928. With a park-like setting, the Gerber Guest House boasts a large terrace and deck overlooking a beautiful garden and fountain. The residence originally consisted of two separate homes, which were converted into the Gerber Guest House in 1955 when the family moved to a larger home on Fremont Lake. The Guest House was used to house Gerber Employees and those visiting the Gerber Baby Food Plant before opening to the public as a Bed & Breakfast.

Goldberry Woods is Harbor Country's premier Farm-to-Table Bed & Breakfast. Beautiful homemade breakfasts and evening snacks feature local and organic ingredients grown right on property. Their eight newly renovated rooms and suites feature artisan-built wooden queen beds, double Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, and private decks. Set on 28 acres of woods, trails, orchards, vegetable, & fruit fields, Goldberry Woods is also less than a mile away from Lake Michigan. Get up early one morning to help gather greens and fruit from the fields for a fresher-than-fresh breakfast, and then spend the day biking to the beach, exploring the back roads, borrowing a canoe or kayak from the B&B, or step out onto one of many trails through the woods and along the Galien River.

Relax in the luxury of an elegant country vineyard estate at Grey Hare Inn Vineyard Bed & Breakfast when you visit Old Mission Peninsula. The inn’s gourmet Northern Michigan fusion with Tuscan/Provence breakfasts gets guests ready for a day of Traverse City adventures, and its wine-related cuisine is a gourmet prelude to wine tasting at nearby Old Mission Peninsula wineries. All accommodations offer a private bath and queen-size bed, as well as European-styled decor and expansive views of the bay, orchards, and vineyards. You’ll awaken to a full gourmet breakfast, and then settle in by the limestone fireplace, or head out past the trellised stone patio to begin your day.

The Henderson Castle Bed & Breakfast and Winery is truly a jewel in Kalamazoo. Built in 1895, the Henderson Castle boasts ten guest rooms, seven baths (one with a thirteen-head shower), an elevator, a third-floor ballroom, and a hot tub on the roof. The castle was built with 25 rooms in all, and exemplified the most expensive tastes of the time. The Henderson Castle is now owned by Master Chef Francois Moyet, and operates as a full bed and breakfast with a French restaurant, organic garden, vineyard and day spa. Indulge in the Royal Tasting Menu, and sample the world’s most prized delicacies in one meal, or choose from an eleven, seven, or four course dinner. Stop by the spa to enjoy a couple’s massage, facials, manicures, and more. Wind down your evening by sampling a flight of Henderson Castle’s own Estate Label Wine.

Tucked away on 60 acres of quiet Michigan pines in Charlevoix, the Horton Creek Inn Bed and Breakfast brings you the best of northern Michigan, including strolling the gardens, viewing the ponds, walking the trails, or relaxing by the pool. The peaceful quiet you will experience here will make it hard for you to leave. Choose from seven Up-North themed guest rooms, each with hand made queen beds, desk or table and comfy chair. You’ll find the full breakfast they serve in their four-seasons sunroom satisfying in every way; both the food and view are more than you could ask for. Their gardens have been featured in the "Birds & Blooms" and "Traverse" Magazines. Your hosts are David and Jeannie Babbitt, who traveled looking for the perfect place to open their B&B, and were eventually drawn back to their home state of Michigan.

J. Paule’s Fenn Inn in Fennville is a perfect destination for Southern Michigan relaxation and fun. They have been providing lodging accommodations in the Fennville/Saugatuck area since 1986, with visitors from the world over. The inn offers a quiet country setting on two acres, featuring lots of flower gardens with ample seating. Visit the outdoor fire pit or soak up the sun on the large second floor deck. Ms. Paulette is your hostess when you stay in one of their five guest rooms. Enjoy a full sit-down breakfast each morning, as well as a dessert table that’s stocked all day long, and the option of reserving a private dinner for just you and your special someone.

The Last Resort Bed & Breakfast should really be one of the first places you consider staying when visiting the beach town of South Haven! It is the closest B&B to the beach, located just half a block away, as well as within easy walking distance of the downtown area. Built in 1883 by Civil War Captain Barney Dyckman,The Last Resort Inn was actually South Haven’s first. Originally named “Park Grove Place,” the building was used for weekend dinners, followed by large poker nights. The inn was closed and abandoned for twenty years until in 1979 the current innkeeper, Mary Hammer, purchased the building and began the four years of renovations. Mary & her husband Alberto still run the inn, and have developed it into a wonderful mix of the traditional and the contemporary.

The National House Inn Bed & Breakfast on Marshall’s picturesque Fountain Circle is the oldest operating hotel in the State of Michigan. Built in 1835, the inn was believed to be a stop on the Underground Railroad, and has served as an inn, factory, and apartments throughout its almost 180 year history. Having fallen into disrepair by 1976, the inn was restored as a generous bicentennial gift to the community by a team of four dedicated restorationists. You’ll find the current innkeeper Barbara Bradley in the garden when you visit, and you’ll have your pick of 16 guest rooms offering today’s luxuries along with the same gracious hospitality that welcomed those first stagecoach travelers so many years ago. You’ll enjoy a home-cooked breakfast each morning, freshly popped popcorn each evening, and countless simple pleasures and charms reflecting a simpler time.

The Oviatt House is your key to Traverse City, located within walking distance of downtown and a family-friendly beach complete with volleyball nets, a waterpark for the little ones, and access to the refreshing waters of Grand Traverse Bay. Built in 1900, all of the old woodwork and wooden floors have been preserved over the years in this beautiful centennial home. Franny and Ken Bluhm are your hosts, and are working to restore all of the house to its original classic style. A full, hearty breakfast is included, made with local, fresh, organic foods. The Oviatt House is committed to “Green” practices, including using local products, recycling, and using natural, non-toxic cleaning products.

Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast is your key to the best of what Saugatuck has to offer. The beautiful Victorian home offers two suites for rent, one a replica of the interior of a log cabin, and the other decorated in the flair of the late 19th century, as well a three additional guest rooms. The hardwood floors, leaded-glass windows, and wraparound porch add to the ideal wooded setting. Each morning breakfast is served in the dining room or on the gracious porch. Spend your time swimming in the heated pool in the summer, cross country skiing in winter, or exploring the charming shops in Saugatuck and Douglas year-round. Enhance your stay with a private cooking class with a top chef to learn recipes ranging from Northern Italian to Southeast Asian to Traditional Mexican. Explore the culinary offerings of the area by booking a stay that includes a trip with Hungry Village Tours, who will lead you on a walking or driving tour of the area to experience the best in the local culinary scene.

The Sylvan Inn Bed & Breakfast welcomes you to Glen Arbor, located just steps away from the beach, galleries, restaurants, and boutique shops. Surrounded by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park, and 38 miles of spectacular beaches, you’ll find breathtaking views at every turn. The Sylvan Inn was established in 1885 and provided room and board for countless lumbermen and mariners. Throughout the years, this lovely building has remained true to its purpose to relax, refresh, and care for the many working and weary folk, travelers, visitors, and seasonally returning friends. You can enjoy the same gracious country charm today that has welcomed guests for over 100 years. An addition was completed in 1987 that offers a sauna and hot tub overlooking the tree-filled yard.

The White Rabbit Inn is a small eight room bed and breakfast located in the lovely little village of Lakeside, only 90 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago, or less than 3-1/2 hours from Detroit or Indianapolis. The Inn is only a few blocks from the nearest public beach access, and Warren Dunes State Park is less than five miles away. This property was once a little hotel, and traces of the Inn's previous life still live on in that each room has its own private, ground-level entrance. Their specialty is the romantic getaway. "We have a 100% success rate when it comes to popping the ol' question," according to your host A.J. Breakfast is served in the Lodge, an airy building with large picture windows overlooking the woods. Enjoy our "hearty and homemade" continental buffet while watching for deer, colorful wild birds or our favorite pair of chipmunks.


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