To innkeepers Melanie and her sons Chris and Kyle Barnard, Ludington has and will always be a magical, secret place. However, the secret is out after Ludington grabbed the number one spot on USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the ‘Best Historic Small Town’ in the country.
Steeped in rich history, complete with two lighthouses, miles of pure sand beaches, magnificent parks, and nearby local shops and dining, it really can’t get any better. When strolling around Ludington, most everyone you meet offers a beaming smile and a kind word.
As lifelong Michiganders from the eastern side of the state, Melanie became completely captivated with the coastal beauty of Lake Michigan. When the timing was right, Candlelite Inn Bed & Breakfast was the first inn we toured in Ludington, and we knew instantly this would be our special place to share with guests from all over. I spotted the carved oval glass door leading to the front enclosed porch, and I knew we were home.
This inn just felt so inviting, relaxing and comfortable. By the end of 2005, the paperwork was freshly signed, and a beautiful new chapter of life was beginning. So many of our guests come back through the doors, and send their friends and family, that it feels like we have a beautiful extended family ourselves. All of a sudden we realize that we have been bed and breakfast innkeepers for longer than anyone in our area of western Michigan.
Our family is all about providing a warm, romantic, cozy home away from home with unexpected amenities, where our guests can completely relax, rejuvenate, and have a great time. A scrumptious breakfast by candlelight has always been served when and where our guests wish, and according to their preferences. Locally sourced items always grace the tables. We all love playing in the kitchen creating a delightful array of unique yet classic mouth watering options, and we also cook favorite breakfast dishes to order for guests.
Melanie’s northern grandmother Emelia was a salad and pastry chef for Detroit’s famed Stadler (Hilton) Hotel. Southern grandmother Emma, would fill an entire table with delicacies, and mother Irene especially enjoyed creating beautiful cream & fruit pies. After several years of innkeeping, Melanie found that baking one dessert for guests led to baking more desserts, so now we all have fun preparing a variety of scrumptious desserts daily for our guests’ enjoyment.
