4 Best Hotels in Saugatuck, Grand Rapids and the Heartland

At this relaxing bed and breakfast, a lovely patio overlooks the Saugatuck harbor that winds its way to Lake Michigan. Gracious hosts Kathy and Frank Wilson purchased the once-dilapidated 1827 boathouse in 1990 and transformed it, adding a second floor for additional space. Choose a room with a view of the harbor or head out to the year-round, outdoor jetted tub to watch the yachts motor back and forth. Couples lounging by the common-room fireplace and families barbecuing on the charcoal grills set a low-key atmosphere. Feel free to get a pass to pop over to the pool at the owners' other property, the Beachway Resort & Hotel.

Built by a colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright in a loose interpretation of Prairie Style, this 1913 mansion is now a boutique hotel run by two former Chicagoans. With 10 rooms and a restaurant (open for dinner only) it sits on 5 gorgeous acres of landscaped grounds and gardens. Hardwood floors, armoires, and four-poster beds fill each room, the perfect romantic pairing to garden views. A complimentary breakfast (including pastries, an egg dish with meat, and homemade granola and yogurt) is served each morning. With advance notice and an extra charge, a cheese plate, fresh flowers, and bottle of Michigan wine are available upon arrival.

For a posh stay at an affordable price, this resort on Lake Michigan delivers. Outdoor fire pits are the best spot to watch the panoramic sunset over Lake Michigan. Despite having just 30 rooms, the property offers a resort atmosphere with amenities to match, including lush landscaping, wooded hiking trails, and a private beach. Each room contains works by local artist James Brandess, a refrigerator, coffeemaker, cable television, and Lake Michigan views.

Chicago area native Catherine L. Simon runs her stately, historic bed and breakfast near downtown Saugatuck with the greatest of care. Expect prompt and doting service and little extras like fresh-baked goodies available in the evening, local jams for muffins, or wine glasses and an opener for that bottle of wine you purchased at Fenn Valley Vineyards. Furnished with carefully chosen period pieces—like four-poster wood beds—the Greek-Revival style building, built in the 1860s, features a sunny glass-enclosed porch for breakfast. Sit by the wood-burning fireplace in the main lounge or cozy up to your own in one of the larger rooms. In the summer, a small pool is open on the deck.