This 120-Yr-Outdated Lakeside Inn in Michigan Not too long ago Reopened After a $40 Million Renovation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, just a few 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 personal household residence. Nonetheless, since then, it has lived many lives, from a household house to a convention vacation spot, a small faculty, and a present-day resort. 

After turning into a part of the Pulte Household Charitable Basis in 2021, Stonecliffe closed for just a few years to deal with renovating and modernizing the property. After a $40 million renovation, the inn reopened in June 2024. The resort stored lots of the unique particulars that give the property its attraction, corresponding to unique hardwood flooring, stunning stained glass home windows, and fireplaces, however up to date the amenities to incorporate trendy luxuries like air con, up to date bogs, Wi-Fi, and re-envisioned meals and beverage choices.  

When you arrive at evening like I did, you’ll instantly be taken by the stained glass home windows of the principle mansion, which set the tone for the gorgeous constructing you’re about to enter. Crammed with antiques and memorabilia from the property and Mackinac Island over the previous century, Stonecliffe is a virtually completely preserved time capsule. Arriving through the day, you’ll little doubt discover the grand garden scattered with white Adirondack chairs, an additional giant 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 house to an apple orchard, bee hive, rooster coop, and even a secret lookout. Every visitor is certain to search out their very own favourite spot.

The again garden is the place most visitors spend a variety of time. You’ll discover households enjoying garden video games or people studying by the pool, individuals taking within the spectacular sunsets, or gathered round hearth pits at evening roasting s’mores. The nice garden is the social heart of the resort, however the rooms are private houses away from house. Each room at Stonecliffe is barely completely 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 kind of Americana that’s uncommon nowadays, a quaint and cozy ambiance taking solely the most effective components of the final 100 years and bringing them into the fashionable day. 

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

The Rooms

Stonecliffe’s renovation stored the property’s unique attraction whereas infusing it with trendy updates. Each room features a trendy lavatory with adjustable rainfall showers, air con — not all the time a given on the island — and mattresses made completely for the resort.

There are three varieties of rooms at Stonecliffe. The primary variety is positioned in the principle 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 time Home is one other absolutely renovated constructing separate from The Mansion. Right here, you will discover 32 rooms with completely different layouts, offering extra flexibility for households and teams. These rooms can embody additional touches like non-public patios or balconies, and a few embody pull-out sofas. 

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

Meals and Drink

The Inn at Stonecliffe has 4 completely 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 domestically sourced components to create upscale consolation meals in The Yard and New American classics in The Straits. The Straits is the resort’s effective eating restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast options eggs immediately from the rooster coop, whereas dinner gives elevated native dishes like lake whitefish and rooster from native Amish farms. Avoid wasting room for dessert, because the strawberry trifle is unbelievable.

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, usually incorporating recent and seasonal components. The Yard, aptly named, is an informal outside eating house with a wood-fired oven that creates dishes like smoked pork tacos and smoked rooster wings. It’s maybe finest identified for its handmade pizzas. The Yard is subsequent to The Common Retailer, with a espresso counter, grab-and-go choices, and the rest you would possibly want whereas visiting, from toiletries to a Stonecliffe emblem sweatshirt. 

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

Actions and Experiences

With 15 acres of land, there’s a lot to do at Stonecliffe. There are two giant lawns; within the entrance, you’ll discover hammocks; within the again, you’ll discover a number of Adirondack chairs, hearth pits, and garden video games. Stonecliffe additionally has an apple orchard with rooster coop and bee hives. Company are inspired to discover the world and also needs to take a look at 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 gymnasium on the bottom ground, full with a sauna and therapeutic massage rooms on the highest ground. 

There’s a day by day roster of actions throughout the resort, together with exercise lessons, artwork lessons, 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 lessons, 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 embody just a few facilities that spas often have. The Wellness Middle has a sauna downstairs subsequent to the gymnasium space. Upstairs, you’ll discover just a few therapy rooms and a full-time therapeutic massage therapist. 

Household-friendly Choices

The cottages are good for households. Their giant non-public areas, completely different room layouts, and additional facilities make them a wonderful choice for teams that want completely different room configurations. The cottages additionally present grocery supply earlier than arrival, so every thing it’s possible you’ll want to your keep is prepared and ready for you once you verify in.

The resort has many kid-friendly actions, together with Youngsters Nook and tie-dye classes. The bike rental additionally has all varieties of bikes applicable 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 by way of sustainability and outreach. The Inn has integrated practices corresponding to composting, recycling, refillable toiletry dispensers, and energy-efficient lighting.

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

Location

There are lots of 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 permit motorized autos.

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; nonetheless, if you happen to journey on the ferry, your baggage can be tagged and brought to the resort to be prepared for you at check-in.

Easy methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

It is a small boutique property that’s not part of any loyalty program. Due to this fact, reserving immediately by way of them is your finest guess for a terrific deal. Reserving immediately provides entry to offers like fall reductions or honeymoon packages.