Timeless beauty awaits in the elegant three-story Victorian house, inviting the nostalgia of an era passed with the comforts of the present. A cherished historical chapter of Ludington, indulge in the Scandinavian buffet breakfast and homemade cookies daily. Conveniently located to shopping, beautiful sandy beaches, golf, and the North Breakwater Light House in Pere Marquette Harbor.
Ludington House Bed and Breakfast occupies the Queen Anne Victorian built in 1878 by lumber baron Antoine Cartier to house his wife and nine children.
Ludington House has three stories, with eight guest rooms, each with their own bath. We are located within walking distance of many restaurants, shops and Stearn’s Park, which features the North Breakwater lighthouse and a beautiful sandy beach. Ludington also has a 5,300-acre state park with 18 miles of trails and two beaches, one on Hamlin Lake and the other on Lake Michigan.
Guests notice the herringbone-patterned hardwood floors, gorgeous carved cherry and golden oak woodwork, 12-foot ceilings, fascinating brass light fixtures that once were gas, our walnut staircase to the third floor, Italian marble fireplace, and beautiful stained glass windows.
A Scandinavian breakfast is served every morning. Our guest service bar includes coffee, tea, and snacks is always available. We welcome SS Badger ferry passengers and offer early breakfast options.
The charm of Ludington’s bygone era awaits you.
Ludington, Michigan, is a charming lakeside town that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and rich history. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Ludington is a haven for travelers seeking a serene escape with plenty of activities to enjoy.
Your Ludington adventure starts aboard the iconic SS Badger, a historic car ferry that sails from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to Ludington. This four-hour journey across Lake Michigan is as relaxing as it is scenic, with onboard amenities like a snack bar, gift shop, and free entertainment.
Ludington State Park is a must-visit destination, offering over 5,300 acres of scenic landscapes, including sandy beaches, dunes, and lush forests. With 21 miles of trails, the park is perfect for hiking, biking, and nature walks. Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan provide excellent opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and swimming.
There are two lighthouses to visit in Ludington. A short walk from downtown, and part of the Stearn’s Park beach area, is the North Breakwater Light in the Pere Marquette Harbor. A second light, Big Sable, requires a hike in the Ludington State Park. Both lights are open in the summer for climbing and keepers are there to guide you. Big Sable has a gift shop and visitor center where guests learn the history and workings of the lighthouse.
Ludington is home to three microbreweries. Starving Artist Brewing Co. is a production-only nano-brewery. Visitors can stop by to purchase or tour by appointment. Jamesport Brewing Co. offers 12 taps of their beer and a great menu of American fare. The Mitten Bar features Michigan-only craft beers. The latest arrival is the Ludington Bay Brewing Co., using locally sourced ingredients and talent. If you are on the go, pick from a great selection of beers and other beverages at Biercamp Market or Pere Marquette Expeditions.
Ludington’s origins are deeply rooted in the lumber industry and as a result, the town became a major Great Lakes shipping port.
Learn the history by visiting two area attractions: Historic White Pine Village and the Ludington Maritime Museum.
The village is home to 30 buildings displaying historic artifacts of the Mason County area. The history of the car ferries and other Great Lakes shipping can be taken in at the Maritime Museum.
There are also self-guided tours via pamphlet or cell phone you can discover the lumber baron homes and other historic buildings.
A lot of adventure on the water awaits. Here are some of the activities:
• kayaking and canoeing on the Pere Marquette River and Hamlin Lake at the State Park.
• charter fishing on Lake Michigan or fish off the pier at the North Breakwater, Stearns Park
• relaxing on the beaches at Ludington State Park (one on Lake Michigan and the other on Hamlin Lake) or at Stearn’s Park in town.
• paddle-boarding, wind-surfing, sailing, boating, pontoon boat rental (Hamlin Lake)
• take a cruise to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on the SS Badger car ferry.
Ludington State Park has something for everyone and it’s beautiful no matter what time of year. The terrain varies from shoreline, dunes, and forest. There are nine different trails, each featuring a different type of terrain or destination including a lighthouse, shipwreck, and nature walk with labels at certain stops. Hiking, swimming, fishing, camping, boating, beach activities, canoe and kayak rentals — It all can be done at the state park. Snowshowing, and cross-country skiing are popular in the winter.
Venturing further out…
Other great hiking trails within a 60-mile radius are the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness and the Big M (really popular with mountain bikers and cross-country skiers).
Those who want to get on the dunes can head about 20 minutes south and check out the Dunes at Silver Lake. Rent jeeps or go for a dune ride at Mac Wood’s Dune Rides.
Another amazing natural area is Sleeping Bear Dunes in Empire. See breathtaking views of ever-changing dune landscapes and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Cruise the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for an educational tour and fantastic overlooks.
Autumn is a time when the pace slows down and the colors are amazing. Include time for a hike in the woods and for driving through the country. Traveling north from Ludington to Traverse City or Leelanau makes a nice day trip with stops along the way to check out orchards, antique stores, and wineries. Sleeping Bear Dunes is also a great place to explore, with some great high vantage points. Here are some other activities perfect for a fall getaway.
What’s Included?
Your stay includes breakfast daily and complimentary beverages and snacks. We also provide high speed Wi-Fi and most rooms offer SmartTVs.
Rates are based on the room type and are independent of the number of guests the room will accommodate. All rates are subject to change and may change without notice. Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast and The Ludington House reserve the right not to honor promotional rates or discounts published on third-party websites.
Parking
We offer complimentary parking in our private parking lots. Additional street parking is available on Lavinia Street. Street parking in the winter months is prohibited. Oversize vehicles should park on the street unless prior arrangements are made. Please respect other guests and only use one parking space, staying within the assigned area. If you are uncomfortable navigating a tight parking lot, we encourage you to use Lavinia Street parking.
Arrival and Departure
We know you’re excited to see us and we encourage early arrivals! Although your room preparations may still be underway, we want you to enjoy your visit to Ludington. Feel free to arrive any time after 11am and we’ll help you make the most of your day and get you into your room as soon as it’s available, almost always earlier than the 3pm check-in time! You may use our parking lot after 11am; we ask that you leave luggage in your vehicle until your room is available.
We offer keyless entry throughout the property and will text you the code to use for building and room entrance throughout your stay.
Upon departure, we ask that you adhere to the 11am check-out time to ensure rooms can be cleaned and ready for arriving guests.
Children
As many of our guests are getting away for some respite and adult time. Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast and The Ludington House welcome guests age 21 and older.
Occupancy
All rooms are double occupancy and sleeping options are accordingly provided. Additional beds, air mattresses, etc. are prohibited. Violating this policy by bringing in more than two guests will result in immediate dismissal from the property without refund.
Smoking, Damages, and Cleaning Fees | SMOKE FREE CAMPUS
Due to the historic nature of our properties and for the health, safety, and comfort of our guests and staff, smoking, vaping, or anything of this nature is strictly prohibited anywhere, both indoors and outdoors, including private balconies. Any evidence of smoking, including a noticeable odor will result in a $300 cleaning fee and immediate dismissal from the property without refund.
No candles or open flames are allowed anywhere. All rooms are outfitted with a smoke/CO detector. Carriage House rooms have a sprinkler system. It is a Federal offense to tamper with fire safety equipment.
Normal wear and tear is understandable but damage caused by negligence or inappropriate behavior which requires repairs, replacement, or extra cleaning will be the financial responsibility of the guest registered to the room . Many historic items, irreplaceable antiques, works of art, and pieces of historical significance are present and must be treated carefully.
Cancellation Policy
Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast and The Ludington House are unique properties where each guest reservation is both important and special to us. The first night of your stay will be charged at time of booking to guarantee your reservation. If you must cancel your reservation, please call and/or email at least 7 days prior to arrival date. Excluding special offers or promotions, a full refund will be made if a cancellation is done properly.
If you cancel with less than seven days notice, shorten your stay (including early check-out), or do not arrive for your stay, you still take responsibility for the entire cost of your entire reservation. By reserving with us, you consent to these policies. We will automatically charge any balance due to the credit card on file no earlier than seven days before your arrival. If this card fails to process, we will attempt to contact you. Failure to respond in a timely manner may result in the loss of your reservation without refund.
Travel protection insurance is available through many firms and may be worth considering if you’re concerned about cancellation fees.
Pet Policy
While we love dogs, we must respect the experience of all guests and therefore have policies in place to ensure everyone can enjoy their stay. Ultimately, our policy is tied to the comfort and safety of all guests and staff. Due to the historic nature of our property and presence of a resident pet, all outside dogs are prohibited from entering the main buildings at Cartier Mansion or The Ludington House; however, the Carriage House is small dog friendly (up to 40 lbs) and dogs may join you on the first floor porch at any time, including breakfast!
Dogs staying with us must have our prior approval and be up to date on their vaccinations. All dogs need to be on lead (or held) anytime they are on our grounds outside of the guest room. Pet parents must minimize or prevent barking, marking, defecating, jumping, or unwelcome friendliness towards other guests. Please remember, others may have allergies or hesitations about dogs and will not want to be around your dog. Any “accidents” must be cleaned by the pet’s owner immediately.
There is a daily pet fee of $50, which includes several items and covers the cost of normal cleaning. $300 will be charged for extra cleaning necessitated by having an unauthorized pet in a room and excess cleaning/damage fees may apply.
Your dog may not be left unattended in the room to eliminate the possibility of disruptions to other guests, causing damage, or being in distress. Pet sitting services may be available with ample advance notice.
Bona fide service dogs are not considered pets and must accompany their owner at all times.
ADA Compliance
Cartier Mansion is committed to facilitating the accessibility and usability of this website for all people with disabilities. Over time, we will continue to implement the relevant portions of the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA (WCAG 2.0 AA), or such other standards to the extent required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On a periodic basis, our website will be tested with assistive technology such as screen readers and screen magnifiers, and by individuals with disabilities who use these technologies.
Please be aware our efforts are ongoing. If, at any time, you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of any webpage on our site, please email us at info@cartiermansion.com or call 231.843.0101. If you do encounter an accessibility issue, please be sure to specify the webpage URL in your email, and we will make all reasonable efforts to make that page accessible for you.
Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association
6757 Cascade Road SE, Ste 241
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
