Please recommend which place is better to stay and the name of a good hotel for a family with pre-teen children. Thanks!

You might have done better putting all your questions about MI in one instead of 3 (or maybe there's more that I haven't even seen yet). Saugatuck is known as a gay destination, if that matters. Holland is okay for a day, but your best bet for western MI is further north around Glen Arbor & the dunes, west/north of Traverse City.

Thanks for the posting help -- Since we're coming from Indiana, I was hoping to find something South of Ludington -- Any ideas other than Holland or Saugatuck for an overnight stay South of Ludington? Or Should we just stay in Ludington?

I have never been to Holland but I really like Saugatuck. There are alot of good restaurants and nice galleries and shops. However, I think if I was looking for somewhere to go with pre-teens I would choose South Haven which is just south of Saugutuck. I think it is better for families.

I vote for Saugatuck -- boat rides, climb Mt. Baldy, go swimming! It is much prettier than Holland - and there are too many conservatives in that city for me.

We used to stay in New Buffalo, MI,or Grand Beach when we lived in Chicago. I really liked Saugatuck and never thought it was particularly gay but that was 15 years ago.

If we were to choose Saugatuck or South Haven, do either of you know of good places to stay? Appreciate the help!

This is old advice----there used to be lots of realtors with weekly rentals in Saugatuck and New Buffalo. But, as I said, this info is from 15 years ago. It's a pretty area and very relaxing. Hotels....I don't remember any.

I would drive 30 more miles to Grand Haven. There are a lot of hotels and motels available there including some of the major chains.

In Grand haven you have a beautiful boardwalk from downtown out to Lake Michigan along the Grand River Channel. The best beach of the 3 towns you mentioned is in GH also. There are more choices for every interest in GH compared to Holland and Saugatuck.

JO
Mt Baldy is in Michigan City, IN

cd: You are absolutely correct! But we DID climb some hill/mt. in Saugatuck that had "bald" in it's name - there were hundreds of wooden stairs.
I also agree with havkhones that the place to stay is Grand Haven - what a beautiful town! South Haven is rather run down these days. I'm sure there are the usual Holiday Inns, etc in Grand Haven.
kam: you would not BELIEVE what they want for weekly rentals in New Buffalo & Michigan City these days!

For years my family would go to South Haven for summer vacations. I loved South Haven as a child and now as an adult I still do. We would take day trips to Saugatuck and Holland. I think your children would love it too. I never thought of Saugatuck was a gay destination and I don't think you will either. I'm from Chicago, but now live in South Florida. I plan to spend a week in S.H. the next time I visit my family in Chicago. Even though I've traveled to many places I still love South Haven. I recommend you stay at a lakeside rental that way you are right on the beach. Check www.bythebigbluewater.com

W: If you want to stay in Grand Haven, log onto www.grandhavenchamber.org for hotels/motels/b&b's/cottage rentals and campgrounds.

I grew up in Holland and now live in Chicago. The Holland/Saugatuck area is beautiful this time of year. I have been going back every chance I get this summer. If your pre-teen enjoys the beach scene it will be a great vacation. Saugatuck is a very fun place for a day trip, the shops, the ice cream and the great restaurants (I highly recommend Wally's for atmosphere and the chicken strips). If you are looking for more flash and commercialized area then Grand Haven is a better choice.

If you want to go a little further north I recommend Michillina Beach Lodge in Whitehall, Michigan. It is about 20 minutes north of Grand Haven. It has been a lodge for over 100 years and is situated right on Lake Michigan, plus has pool, tennis, etc. We've been going since our children were babies and my daughter is now a sophomore in college. Might be booked (lot's of repeat guests over the years), but worth a try!

Jo, I'm just curious---the last house we rented in New Buffalo (c. 1980) was 5 bedrooms and on the lake (although down a LOT of stairs) We were two young families with 6 kids and two au pairs and 4 parents and it was peanuts. I know the house was for sale at the time! Did we miss a golden opportunity? Any idea what it would rent for today? Good memories though, except we had a fly invasion causing the little ones to go nuts with swatters. I can't remember if we took the dog!----Ah to be young and energetic again!

This is a response to KAM. I hate to tell you, but I think you missed a HUGE opportunity. We live near South Bend, IN and make frequent day trips to the New Buffalo/Union Pier area. The area has become a major summer home/retirement area for Chicago folks. I can't imagine a house like that on the lake in New Buffalo selling for less than $1 million (give or take a couple hundred thousand depending on condition and lot size). There are no bargains on the lakefront anymore! That said, the area has developed nicely and there are some great galleries, boutiques, restaurants, etc. I think it's more of a regional destination (it's prettier and more pristine farther north), but the area quite nice and it commands a premium due to its proximity to Chicago.

This is a response to KAM. I hate to tell you, but I think you missed a HUGE opportunity. We live near South Bend, IN and make frequent day trips to the New Buffalo/Union Pier area. The region has become a major summer home/retirement area for Chicago folks. I can't imagine a house like that on the lake in New Buffalo selling for less than $1 million (give or take a couple hundred thousand depending on condition and lot size). There are no bargains on the lakefront anymore! That said, the area has developed nicely and there are some great galleries, boutiques, restaurants, etc. I think it's more of a regional destination (it's prettier and more pristine farther north), but the area quite nice and it commands a premium due to its proximity to Chicago.