This 120-12 months-Previous Lakeside Inn in Michigan Lately Reopened After a $40 Million Renovation

As its identify suggests, The Inn at Stonecliffe is on a cliff on the far facet of Northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island, a number 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 personal 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 resort. 

After turning into a part of the Pulte Household Charitable Basis in 2021, Stonecliffe closed for a number of years to concentrate on 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 allure, equivalent to unique hardwood flooring, stunning 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.  

Should 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 attractive constructing you’re about to enter. Stuffed with antiques and memorabilia from the property and Mackinac Island over the previous century, Stonecliffe is a virtually completely preserved time capsule. Arriving in the course of 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 residence to an apple orchard, bee hive, rooster 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 quite a lot of time. You’ll discover households enjoying garden video games or people studying by the pool, folks taking within the spectacular sunsets, or gathered round hearth pits at evening roasting s’mores. The good garden is the social middle of the resort, however the rooms are private houses away from residence. Each room at Stonecliffe is barely completely different, identical to a house. However every is cozy and cozy 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 lately, a quaint and cozy ambiance taking solely one of the best elements of the final 100 years and bringing them into the fashionable day. 

To study extra about all The Inn at Stonecliffe can supply, proceed studying my full evaluate under.

The Rooms

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

There are three forms of rooms at Stonecliffe. The primary variety is situated in the principle mansion. The mansion options classical Tudor-style structure with 16 visitor rooms that really feel private but refined. Adorned 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 totally 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 embrace additional touches like non-public patios or balconies, and a few embrace pull-out sofas. 

In the meantime, non-public cottages on the property supply a bit extra privateness. Every cottage contains 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 High Cottage is extra of a rustic residence, Sunny Honey options shiny 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 regionally sourced components to create upscale consolation meals in The Yard and New American classics in The Straits. The Straits is the resort’s high quality eating restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast options eggs instantly from the rooster coop, whereas dinner affords elevated native dishes like lake whitefish and rooster 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, usually incorporating recent and seasonal components. 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 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 anything you would possibly 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 Resort. Nonetheless, it nonetheless has a robust reference to Stonecliffe and is price a go to. It boasts an outdated guide bowling lane subsequent to a high quality 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. Visitors are inspired to discover the world and must also take a look at Sundown Level, a cliffside overlook that’s the excellent 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 middle, which features a gymnasium on the bottom ground, full with a sauna and therapeutic massage rooms on the highest ground. 

There’s a every day roster of actions throughout the resort, together with exercise courses, artwork courses, fudge and wine tasting, motion pictures 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 an area artist who owns an artwork cafe on the town, a pizza-making class taught by the top chef, and a number of other exercise courses, throughout which I actually broke a sweat.

For these inquisitive about 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 number of facilities that spas often have. The Wellness Middle has a sauna downstairs subsequent to the gymnasium space. Upstairs, you’ll discover a number of remedy rooms and a full-time therapeutic massage therapist. 

Household-friendly Choices

The cottages are excellent 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 chances are you’ll want on your keep is prepared and ready for you once you examine in.

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

Accessibility and Sustainability

There’s one ADA-compliant visitor room at Stonecliffe and a number of other ADA-accessible bogs across the property. 

Stonecliffe makes many efforts when it comes to sustainability and outreach. The Inn has included practices equivalent 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 100% of the resort’s income are donated to humanitarian and academic initiatives. Stonecliffe just lately created a scholarship program for college kids 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 neighborhood can attend the artwork courses, motion pictures on the garden, or reside 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 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 high of each hour. These carriages can take your baggage once you arrive; nonetheless, if you happen to journey on the ferry, your baggage might be tagged and brought to the resort to be prepared for you at check-in.

The right way to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

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