Rent a Piece of History
You don’t have to go to Chicago or Detroit to stay at a property that rolls history, architecture, and high-end amenities into one intriguing hospitality experience. From historic homes for rent to thoughtfully restored B&Bs, Saugatuck/Douglas offers plenty of opportunities to entertain your inner history buff while enjoying a trip to the Art Coast.
Built in 1874 by Roland Barnard for $500, this historic home is the only bed and breakfast in Saugatuck to be recognized on both the State of Michigan and the National Register of Historic Places. The former “Warner P. Sutton House,” a Victorian-style home, has been fully restored with just three rooms and a maximum capacity of six guests for a truly intimate experience. While staying at this uniquely private accommodation, guests enjoy breakfast prepared by co-owner and chef-in-residence Scott Garfinkel.
The Belvedere Inn & Restaurant
One of the few remaining Gilded Age mansions in the Saugatuck area, the Belvedere Inn & Restaurant sits on property initially purchased by wealthy Chicagoans in 1864. After a fire destroyed the first mansion, the house was rebuilt in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Chicago Prairie style of architecture and named “Belvedere,” which is Italian for “beautiful view.” Currently co-owned by Shaun Glynn, the Belvedere has ten luxurious guest rooms, six acres of manicured gardens, and an award-winning restaurant.
Built in 1865, The Hotel Saugatuck is the area’s only 19th-century mill still standing today. This Michigan Historic Landmark has served many purposes: an icehouse, tannery, door and sash company, boat-building factory, and boarding house. In 1922, the property became the Twin Gables Hotel & Restaurant, owned by Tom Carey, a vaudeville banjo player. During the prohibition period, Al Capone’s gangsters would frequent the hotel. Today, the Hotel Saugatuck is owned by brothers Tim and Al Heminger and has twelve beautifully appointed guest rooms and private cottages.
This charming LGBTQ-owned and operated bed and breakfast was built on a property purchased by Sarah M. Kirby in 1886 (under her own name—rare for the time since women couldn’t even vote!) After her husband passed away, she rented the Victorian-era house to tourists. When Sarah departed the area in 1932, she left the home and property to her daughter, Lois Faith, who worked as a local nurse. Recognizing the community’s need for a hospital, Faith transformed the Kirby house into a small, three-room hospital where many Saugatuck and Douglas residents were born. Since then, the property has been a real estate office and an antique store before being transformed into a bed and breakfast in 1998. Today, this B&B is home to six uniquely appointed guest rooms named for prominent women in history and the renowned J. Paul’s Dining Room restaurant, lounge, and wine bar. Guests will enjoy a sumptuous full-service breakfast included with their stay, as well as a breakfast bar with fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, and tea service for those who need options on the go.
This historic brick home in Douglas offers a beautiful blend of modern comfort with details unique to the original property. Once a blacksmith shop belonging to Herman Bekken, the building has been lovingly restored by his children. During the renovation, they uncovered a few of Herman’s tools and artifacts, which you can find hanging in the Shop today. The property also has the original forge and harness rings where the horses would be tied. Now available for rent, this one-bedroom home sleeps up to four guests and offers a fully stocked kitchen and spacious living space.
This 1937-vintage property, built in a Colonial Revival style, was once the family home of Frank Wicks, who served as mayor of Saugatuck in 1950. When Sue and Stub Louis purchased the home in 1981, they renovated it with inspiration from the Brown’s Hotel in London and opened Saugatuck’s first bed and breakfast. Today, the inn is owned by Shea Soucie and Marten Horner of Chicago-based luxury design firm Soucie Horner Ltd. Guests can choose from suites and guest rooms, each with a bespoke design featuring unique antiques and modern amenities. Chef Rose Duong curates the seasonal New American breakfast, along with afternoon treats and an overflowing social hour charcuterie board.
If you’re looking for a small-town escape with a nostalgic flair, check out this rental apartment over the historic Koning (later Wilkins) Hardware Building. Built in 1904 after the previous store was destroyed by fire, the Italianate brick structure had the town’s largest plate glass window and one of Michigan’s earliest counterweight elevators. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment has modern amenities and historic touches, including exposed brick and the original Wilkins Hardware Sign. This charming location is conveniently located mere steps away from Saugatuck’s boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Be sure to check out the Butler Pantry, which occupies the ground floor of the building. Here, you can grab a bottle of fine wine or peruse the shop for kitchen gadgets, bakeware, and more.
