Cozy Up in These Historic Inns and Lodges
Michigan’s legacies are well-preserved within the walls of these hotels.
Learn stories of old as you gather by a crackling fireplace or break bread at the dinner table. These longtime legacies are woven into the fabric of their local culture and offer out-of-towners a welcoming respite in between days of adventure.
As one of Michigan’s oldest continuously operating inns, Marshall’s The National House Inn was built in 1835 by Colonel Andrew Mann. It also lays claim as the oldest standing brick building in Calhoun County. Restored and reimagined over the years, this charming inn continues to honor its heritage. Spend a night in an elegant Victorian suite or a country-style bedroom and wake up to a hearty breakfast around an antique oak dining table.
In the mid-Michigan town of St. Johns, The Nordic Pineapple Bed and Breakfast’s story goes back to 1861. Civil War General Oliver Spaulding first built a charming home for the city’s founder. Located within walking distance from downtown, this seven-bedroom inn is now run by a local couple who invites you in to curl up with a book, relax in your elegant suite and wake up to a full breakfast in the dining area.
With Lake Michigan always at its side, Old Mission Inn in Traverse City has been entertaining guests since 1869. In that time, it has passed through the hands of only four owners — and for a time it took a foray as the Old Mission Post Office (a previous owner was the postmaster). Romantic rooms and soul-satisfying breakfasts have long inspired couples to consider this inn a perfect escape for two, just minutes from the Old Mission Peninsula’s top wineries.
Find more historic hotels and lodges in Michigan’s cities and lakeshores.
From its origins in 1930 to its presence as Marquette’s marquis hotel, the Landmark Inn is a beacon of elegance. This restored retreat invites guests to soak up views of Lake Superior and note the famous names that grace many of the rooms. Enjoy the warmth of a classic English pub and look out over the city of Marquette and the lake at the Crow’s Nest while enjoying craft cocktails and small plates.
While the Grand Hotel is a local landmark, Mackinac Island is also home to another jewel in the Historic Hotels of America registry: Island House Hotel first opened in 1852 as one of the island’s first summer hotels. The Callewaerts rescued it from near demotion and ushered it into the modern era in 1969. Island House Hotel is conveniently located to Mackinac Island’s downtown amenities, offering bicycle rentals and patio dining overlooking the harbor as horse-drawn carriages pass by.
The story of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge goes back to the Great Depression, when local workmen constructed cabins, a lodge and a golf course using federal funding from the Works Projects Administration (WPA) and Civil Works Administration (CWA) projects. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this Copper Harbor resort is a cozy retreat set on 560 acres at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula. From golfing and mountain biking to snowshoeing and skiing, every day offers new adventures, while evenings are reserved for “rustic worldly” cuisine and stargazing at night.
Whether you’re retreating indoors on a winter day or planning your long-awaited summer escape, you’ll always find a warm welcome in Michigan. Click here to find more places to stay.