This 120-12 months-Previous Lakeside Inn in Michigan Not too long ago Reopened After a $40 Million Renovation

As its title suggests, The Inn at Stonecliffe is on a cliff on the far facet of Northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island, a couple of miles from the colourful downtown. The resort is surrounded by 15 acres of lush inexperienced land and a rocky shoreline with an ideal view of the Mackinac Straits. The 120-year-old inn was in-built 1904 by the well-known architect Frederick Perkins as a non-public household residence. Nonetheless, since then, it has lived many lives, from a household residence to a convention vacation spot, a small faculty, and a present-day lodge. 

After changing into a part of the Pulte Household Charitable Basis in 2021, Stonecliffe closed for a couple of years to give attention to renovating and modernizing the property. After a $40 million renovation, the inn reopened in June 2024. The resort saved most of the unique particulars that give the property its attraction, akin to unique hardwood flooring, lovely stained glass home windows, and fireplaces, however up to date the services to incorporate trendy luxuries like air-con, up to date bogs, Wi-Fi, and re-envisioned meals and beverage choices.  

If you happen to arrive at evening like I did, you’ll instantly be taken by the stained glass home windows of the primary mansion, which set the tone for the gorgeous constructing you’re about to enter. Stuffed with antiques and memorabilia from the property and Mackinac Island over the previous century, Stonecliffe is an almost completely preserved time capsule. Arriving throughout the day, you’ll little question discover the grand garden scattered with white Adirondack chairs, an additional massive American flag flying above the grounds, and the views of Lake Huron simply on the finish of the garden. However the property’s 15 acres are greater than only a sprawling garden: The Inn at Stonecliffe is residence to an apple orchard, bee hive, hen coop, and even a secret lookout. Every visitor is certain to seek out their very own favourite spot.

The again garden is the place most visitors spend plenty of time. You’ll discover households taking part in garden video games or people studying by the pool, folks taking within the spectacular sunsets, or gathered round fireplace pits at evening roasting s’mores. The nice garden is the social heart of the resort, however the rooms are private houses away from residence. Each room at Stonecliffe is barely totally different, identical to a house. However every is cozy and comfy with hints of nautical and equestrian themes; all nods to the island’s historical past. The resort embodies a sort of Americana that’s uncommon nowadays, a quaint and comfortable ambiance taking solely the perfect elements of the final 100 years and bringing them into the trendy day. 

To be taught extra about all The Inn at Stonecliffe can supply, proceed studying my full assessment beneath.

The Rooms

Stonecliffe’s renovation saved the property’s unique attraction whereas infusing it with trendy updates. Each room features a trendy toilet with adjustable rainfall showers, air-con — not at all times a given on the island — and mattresses made completely for the lodge.

There are three forms of rooms at Stonecliffe. The primary form is situated in the primary mansion. The mansion options classical Tudor-style structure with 16 visitor rooms that really feel private but refined. Embellished in blues and whites that echo the island’s nautical themes, all have views of the Straits of Mackinac. The Summer season Home is one other absolutely renovated constructing separate from The Mansion. Right here, you may discover 32 rooms with totally different layouts, offering extra flexibility for households and teams. These rooms can embrace additional touches like personal patios or balconies, and a few embrace pull-out sofas. 

In the meantime, personal cottages on the property supply a bit extra privateness. Every cottage consists of three bedrooms, two and a half bogs, and a completely useful kitchen. Cottages even have distinctive facilities, like board video games, personal porches, and grocery supply. Every cottage additionally has its personal aesthetic: Hill Prime Cottage is extra of a rustic residence, Sunny Honey options vibrant and kooky particulars, and Yacht Watch is white, blue, and nautical.

Meals and Drink

The Inn at Stonecliffe has 4 totally different eating choices, with all of the menus designed by Government Chef Joseph Nardo, who got here up in Michelin-starred eating places like The French Laundry and San Francisco’s Lazy Bear.

Nardo makes use of regionally sourced substances to create upscale consolation meals in The Yard and New American classics in The Straits. The Straits is the lodge’s superb eating restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast options eggs instantly from the hen coop, whereas dinner presents elevated native dishes like lake whitefish and hen from native Amish farms. Avoid wasting room for dessert, because the strawberry trifle is unimaginable.

Horsey’s is an upscale pub with entry to patio seating and elevated pub classics like fish and chips, wagyu burgers, and whitefish dishes. The bar additionally mixes refreshing cocktails, typically incorporating contemporary and seasonal substances. The Yard, aptly named, is an informal out of doors eating area with a wood-fired oven that creates dishes like smoked pork tacos and smoked hen wings. It’s maybe greatest recognized for its handmade pizzas. The Yard is subsequent to The Normal Retailer, with a espresso counter, grab-and-go choices, and the rest you may want whereas visiting, from toiletries to a Stonecliffe brand sweatshirt. 

Throughout the entrance garden is The Woods. Initially the household’s playhouse, it was just lately purchased by The Grand Lodge. Nonetheless, it nonetheless has a powerful reference to Stonecliffe and is price a go to. It boasts an previous handbook bowling lane subsequent to a superb eating room.

Actions and Experiences

With 15 acres of land, there’s a lot to do at Stonecliffe. There are two massive lawns; within the entrance, you’ll discover hammocks; within the again, you’ll discover a number of Adirondack chairs, fireplace pits, and garden video games. Stonecliffe additionally has an apple orchard with hen coop and bee hives. Friends are inspired to discover the realm and must also try Sundown Level, a cliffside overlook that’s the good spot for sundown. There are two swimming pools, one for adults and one that’s family-friendly. Subsequent to the pool, visitors can discover the wellness heart, which features a health club on the bottom flooring, full with a sauna and therapeutic massage rooms on the highest flooring. 

There’s a day by day roster of actions throughout the resort, together with exercise courses, artwork courses, fudge and wine tasting, films on the garden, and extra. These actions are open and free to all visitors. Whereas at Stonecliffe, I took a watercolor portray class taught by a neighborhood artist who owns an artwork cafe on the town, a pizza-making class taught by the top chef, and several other exercise courses, throughout which I actually broke a sweat.

For these excited by exploring the island, bike leases can be found, and a carriage shuttle to downtown is complimentary for visitors.

The Spa

Whereas the property doesn’t have a full-fledged spa, it does embrace a couple of facilities that spas often have. The Wellness Heart has a sauna downstairs subsequent to the health club space. Upstairs, you’ll discover a couple of remedy rooms and a full-time therapeutic massage therapist. 

Household-friendly Choices

The cottages are good for households. Their massive personal areas, totally different room layouts, and further facilities make them a wonderful possibility for teams that want totally different room configurations. The cottages additionally present grocery supply earlier than arrival, so the whole lot chances are you’ll want in your keep is prepared and ready for you once you examine in.

The resort has many kid-friendly actions, together with Children Nook and tie-dye periods. The bike rental additionally has all forms of bikes acceptable for youngsters.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There may be one ADA-compliant visitor room at Stonecliffe and several other ADA-accessible bogs across the property. 

Stonecliffe makes many efforts when it comes to sustainability and outreach. The Inn has included practices akin to composting, recycling, refillable toiletry dispensers, and energy-efficient lighting.

Nonetheless, maybe essentially the most notable is being part of the Pulte Household Charitable Basis. This implies one hundred pc of the resort’s earnings are donated to humanitarian and academic initiatives. Stonecliffe just lately created a scholarship program for college students who graduate from the native Mackinac Island Public Colleges to attend college off-island. Moreover, the lodge hosts programming that’s open to the general public. This implies anybody from the neighborhood can attend the artwork courses, films on the garden, or reside music.

Location

There are numerous methods to get to Mackinac Island itself, from planes, ferries, and private boats, however the true problem begins as soon as on the island. Mackinac Island is exclusive as a result of it doesn’t enable motorized automobiles.

This leads to everybody getting round on bikes or taxis, that are horses and carriages. The Inn at Stonecliffe has a complimentary shuttle (horse and carriage) that goes from the inn to downtown (and vice versa) on the prime of each hour. These carriages can take your baggage once you arrive; nevertheless, if you happen to journey on the ferry, your baggage shall be tagged and brought to the lodge to be prepared for you at check-in.

Learn how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

This can be a small boutique property that isn’t part of any loyalty program. Due to this fact, reserving instantly by means of them is your greatest guess for an amazing deal. Reserving instantly provides entry to offers like fall reductions or honeymoon packages.