The Best Places to Stay in Michigan
It’s that time of the year when our thoughts are moving to summer, to longer days in the sunshine and planning that much-needed summer getaway. At the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association, we know the very BEST places to stay in Michigan. Because all our members are quality assured and inspected, we know firsthand that our MBBA member inns are the Very Best Places To Stay in Michigan. While most of our blogs highlight a specific area, this blog gives an overview of the five regions in Michigan with a short description of each of our members in that area. What makes staying at a bed and breakfast special is that each has a unique location and vibe! Check out why we know that each Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association member is a very special place to stay and why our members are considered the “Best of the Best” accommodations in Michigan.
8 Reasons Why a Bed and Breakfast is the Best Way To Stay?
You might ask, why should I choose a bed and breakfast over a hotel or Airbnb? There are many reasons, but the top 8 are highlighted below:
- Each Bed and Breakfast comes with a unique story. You’ll experience historic and unique properties.
- Your stay at a bed and breakfast includes a homemade breakfast
- And as our name implies, a comfortable bed with thoughtful amenities
- If you book direct with the inn, there are no added booking or cleaning fees
- Caring innkeepers are always on hand for guidance on what to do during your stay
- Many inns use farm-to-table principles, some with their very own hen houses and gardens
- Each room is personally decorated for your comfort- No Cookie Cutter Rooms!
- Stay small- stay safe! Bed and Breakfast owners care about your safety and go the extra mile to ensure your room and common areas are properly sanitized for your safety.
Where are the Best Places to Stay in Michigan
So now you’ve decided on your dates, and you know you want to stay in Michigan. Which part of the state should you stay? Our beautiful mitten state is filled with all kinds of experiences for your getaway, including beach towns, urban experiences with culture, and staying near lighthouses or in the country. Our newly expanded website includes an added feature of checking availability and choosing your area. Check out the new search feature here.
The above map shows perfectly why many Michiganders fondly call their state the “Mitten State” To learn a little bit about the history of Michigan, check out this article from Awesome Mitten- 50 Awesome Facts About Michigan. Now that you know Michigan is the best place for your summer getaway and that a Bed and Breakfast is the Best Place to Stay, and that all of the Michigan Bed and Breakfast members are quality assured for a wonderful getaway- what part of Michigan is the right place for your summer getaway. Below is a summary of the five different areas of Michigan, what makes them special, and the best places to Stay in that area.
Southwest Michigan
Southwest Michigan B&Bs are found in big cities like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, in beach and lake towns from St. Joseph to Whitehall, in college towns, in towns known for wineries, in towns filled with history or cultural tradition, and on country lanes. Your options are endless for what to do.
Relaxation, romance, and outdoor adventure bring thousands of travelers to this region, and many choose Southwest Michigan B&Bs for their spacious accommodations, charm, amenities, and of course, the outstanding breakfast.
Best Places to Stay in Southwest Michigan
- Experience everything Dutch in the quaint town of Holland. Here you will find the lovely lodging and caring innkeepers at the Dutch Colonial Inn and the Inn at Old Orchard Road. Check out this previous blog to learn about the popular Tulip Festival as a fun way to welcome spring.
- If you are a history buff, consider staying in Marshall, where you can stay at a historic Italianate-style villa- Villa on Verona.
- Looking for a beach community that also is filled with art and culture. Check out these Saugatuck inns, also called the Art Coast Of Michigan- Hotel Saugatuck, Judson Heath Colonial. All are upscale, and quality is assured by MBBA.
- If a country setting with easy access to beaches and fun towns appeals to you, check out the lodging at, Castle in the Country, Kingsley Manor, and Jade Estate.
- If you are looking for an urban experience with easy access to Michigan’s own symphony and opera house, check out the lodging in Grand Rapids at the beautiful Leonard at Logan or the Parsonage Inn– both located in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of historic homes. If you want romantic amenities, check out the loading at PrairieSide Suites Bed and Breakfast, located just outside Grand Rapids in Granville.
- Nothing speaks of summer better than staying at a bed and breakfast with coastal views. Check out the lodging at the Looking Glass Beach Front Inn in Grand Haven and the Lewis House in Whitehall.
- Also located in Grand Haven, where you will find caring and experienced innkeepers who love to prepare old-fashioned breakfasts, check out the lovely lodging at the Washington Street Inn.
- Two of the MBBA member inns are also vineyards. The Vintage at Veritas Estates is located in South Haven. One innkeeper is a professional chef, and the other a sommelier, making for a perfect duo to run a bed and breakfast.
- Kalamazoo is a fun city filled with great farm-to-table dining, breweries, surrounding nature, and entertainment. The lovely Kalamazoo House is located downtown, with endless opportunities for dining and entertainment.
- Lastly, a short drive from Chicago, but a Faraway Place Close By- experience the beauty of Harbor County. Here you will find vast farmland with vineyards, breathtaking beaches, and sunset. Two extraordinary beds and breakfasts are in Union Pier, including the Garden Grove Inn and the Modern Farm Resort of Goldberry Woods.
Northeast Michigan
Known as the “Sunrise Coast of Michigan,” many come for the sunrises alone, which cast beautiful colors over Lake Huron. Here, travelers can enjoy exploring the natural wonders of Michigan, and because it is the least populated and most densely forested area of Lower Michigan, there are thousands of acres of national and state forests for you to enjoy year-round.
Best Places to Stay in Northeast Michigan
- The Huron House has gained fame for its magical location on the waters of Lake Huron. Guests enjoy lounging in bed with coffee and witnessing the spectacular sunrises.
- Always a Holiday! Bed and Breakfast is located in the quaint town of East Tawas, where you can walk to the East Tawas Lighthouse. Check out this previous blog to learn about this charming bed and breakfast and everything you can do in the area.
- The Sweetwater Sea B&B is located in Greenbush and boasts magnificent views of Lake Huron. Guests enjoy a gorgeous deck, a private beach, views from the inn, and an electric car charger.
Upper Peninsula
The Upper Peninsula has a distinct beauty found nowhere else. Here you will find picturesque lighthouses, deserted copper mines, and breathtaking shorelines of three Great Lakes- Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior. Naturalists will enjoy seeing precious wildlife in the plentiful forests, and there are many trails to walk along to immerse yourself in nature. There are also many inland lakes and streams for fishing fans to cast a line in and waterfalls.
Best Places to Stay in the Upper Peninsula
- If you are a lighthouse enthusiast, check out the loading at the Big Bay Point Lighthouse. Five beautifully renovated rooms are in the Keeper House of the working lighthouse.
- The Dapple Gray Bed and Breakfast is located in beautiful Eagle Harbor. This log home, built to be a bed and breakfast, makes for a delightful stay. The innkeepers are also antique collectors and have furnished the inn with unique and inviting decor.
Northwest Michigan
Northwest Michigan B&Bs put you in or near small, vibrant coastal communities, miles of sandy beaches, fabulous hardwood forests, wine trails, and Lake Michigan sunsets.
Best Places to Stay in Northwest Michigan
- Looking for beautiful views? Check out the Grey Hare Inn, a cherry orchard and vineyard with distant views of Grand Traverse Bay.
- For serene water views, check out the lodging at the Spring Lighthouse, which overlooks East Grand Traverse Bay and is nestled upon a breathtaking and unique curve of the land.
- The Cartier Mansion is located on Main Street in Ludington and offers pet-friendly rooms in their newly remodeled Carriage House.
- Not to be missed is the lighthouse town of Ludington. You will find a wonderful state park, excellent dining, and three remarkable bed and breakfast options: The Ludington House, The Lamplighter Inn, and the Candlelite Inn.
- Looking for some outdoor adventure and watersports galore? Check out the two lodging options in the Upper Chain of Lakes Region: House on the Hill B&B, and Torch Lake Bed and Breakfast.
- Looking for spectacular lake views and majestic dunes that tower 450′ above Lake Michigan? Consider staying at The Glen Arbor Bed and Breakfast and Cottages in Glen Arbor or the country setting at Cottonwood Inn Bed and Breakfast in Empire. Both offer easy access to the towering Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore.
- Michigan’s history includes beautiful estates built by Lumber Barons. A perfect example can be found at the historical The Wellington Inn in Traverse City and the Canfield House in Onekama (which also has lake views).
- The Country Hermitage B&B has a sweet story and is located on Michigan’s largest cherry farm. One of the innkeepers is a chef, making for a special place to stay.
Southeast Michigan
Southeast Michigan B&Bs can put you on a river or a lake, in a small town or a college town or the exciting urban city of Detroit, in a harbor village or a major tourist designation. You can stay in a historic home, a farmhouse, a log cabin, or a medieval-designed mansion. The Best Michigan Bed and Breakfasts in Southeast Michigan offer a wide choice of locations. Would you prefer to be close to pro sports venues, museums, u-pick farms, and wineries? Let us be your guide to your perfect Michigan Summer Getaway with the options highlighted below:
Best Places to Stay in Southeast Michigan
- You’ll find two amazing bed and breakfasts in Oakland County, which is a short drive from Detroit but, as mentioned earlier, is a Faraway close by as you are in the country and can enjoy wonderful dining, shopping, and festivals in the nearby quaint towns. Maple Cove is pictured above and includes a refreshing summer outdoor pool and delicious farm-to-table breakfasts. The Stags Leap Farm is close by in Oxford, where guests enjoy wonderful hospitality and a unique afternoon “Chicken Cocktail Hour” where guests can visit with the innkeepers, other guests, and the inn’s very own chickens- that are treasured pets too:)
- Looking to enjoy a sports event or to visit some world-renowned museums? Consider staying at the newly renovated Frederick Stearns House or the luxurious Cochrane House. Both have amazing bathrooms that may tempt you not to leave your room.
- The tagline for the next featured inn is “Where hospitality, comfort, and exploring Michigan’s Little Bavaria converge!” And you will find just that at the Frankenmuth Country Bed and Breakfast. The Bavarian “Christmas” town of Frankenmuth is Michigan’s number-one tourist destination.
- Several inns line the coast of Southeast Michigan, where you can tour lighthouses and enjoy watersports, fishing, and golfing. Starting at the tip of the thumb is the lovely lodging of Port Austin Bed and Breakfast. This rebuilt mid-nineteenth-century Victorian home comes complete with a turret, wraparound porch, and a remarkable coastal town location. Moving further south, you’ll find the Raymond House Inn B&B in the harbor town of Port Sanilac. As harbor towns go, this is a quieter and more laid-back cousin to Lexington, 11 miles to the south. Lexington is filled with summer fun, including fun festivals and entertainment. The Lexington House Inn, A Night To Remember, also has its own ice cream shop on its property and is just a short walk to the harbor and village.
- Looking to visit Detroit but want a quieter location in the suburbs? Check out the upscale lodging at Robyn’s Inn in Plymouth.
- Ann Arbor is a sweet college town to visit, and we can recommend two lovely bed and breakfasts to stay at: The Baxter House and Burnt Toast Bed and Breakfast. Both place special importance on hospitality and homemade breakfasts.
- Are you a car enthusiast? Consider staying at the Knob Hill Bed and Breakfast located in Flint, Michigan, where this beauty could pick you up at the airport or train station.
- If you are looking for a spa getaway with a steam room, separate spa, and luxurious couples whirlpool tubs, consider staying the Historic Webster House Bed and Breakfast in Bay City.
- Old fashion hospitality abounds at the Himelhoch Bed and Breakfast and this Victorian building has been magnificently restored with a beautiful patio to relax on after your evening meal.
- Located in the small mid-Michigan town of St. Johns, the Nordic Pineapple B&B is a gorgeous mansion that is now filled with fun innkeepers, murder mystery weekends, and pizza nights. The building dates to 1861 when a Civil War general built it for the daughter of the city’s founder.
- Calling all Foodies- Newton of Ypsilanti Bed and Breakfast is a charming, upscale boutique inn just a few blocks from downtown Ypsilanti, a short 20-minute drive to Detroit, a neighbor of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The innkeeper/owner is also a talented chef and food educator and prepares incredible breakfasts and private dinners.
- The last featured inn, A Dove’s Nest B & B is a country gem located on 112 acres in Kingston, Mi. The inn includes a comfortable log cabin surrounded by wildflowers and National Wildlife Certified Wildlife Habitat areas.
Why our Michigan Bed and Breakfasts are so special
Each of our member inns are small businesses that truly love what they do! Rest assured that each member inn is quality assured by the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association for your comfort and peace of mind. Why wait- book your summer getaway today. And if you are still confused about which inn or area to stay, feel free to call MBBA- we are always available to help guide your decision on the Best Places to Stay in Michigan.
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