Michigan bed-and-breakfasts offer romantic getaways

By Jennie Miller
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo provided Cocoa Cottage in Whitehall is just a block away from White Lake and an extensive bicycle trail, and it’s five miles from Lake Michigan. Photo provided Cocoa Cottage in Whitehall is just a block away from White Lake and an extensive bicycle trail, and it’s five miles from Lake Michigan. Photo provided Bay Chalet at Lake n’ Pines Lodge in Interlochen is a perfect honeymoon locale, featuring a 900-square-foot suite with a separate bedroom and living room, a private sauna, a Jacuzzi, a gas fireplace, a wet bar and cathedral ceilings. Photo provided Bay Chalet at Lake n’ Pines Lodge in Interlochen is a perfect honeymoon locale, featuring a 900-square-foot suite with a separate bedroom and living room, a private sauna, a Jacuzzi, a gas fireplace, a wet bar and cathedral ceilings.

The candles flicker. The fireplace crackles. Chocolate-covered strawberries line a platter as the cork is popped on a bottle of champagne. A Jacuzzi bubbles hot steam nearby. It’s an ideal romantic setting.

Bed-and-breakfasts are sprinkled across the state, offering unique charm and the comforts of home while providing needed getaways without breaking the bank. Many a honeymooner has sought these establishments to set the stage for the first memories of a new life together.

“B&Bs are so smart about what they do,” said Dave Lorenz, spokesman for Travel Michigan. “I think (people) like that more personal approach, having the owners of the establishment meet them at the door, welcome them and treat them like a member of the family. You’re staying in a home, not Room No. 101 in ‘X’ hotel. B&Bs have always offered that kind of personal approach, that opportunity to talk to someone, to learn what they can experience in the community — not only the places you can go, but the rich history of that community, as well. And the same thing with honeymooners — of course they’re going to want their private time, but they want to have a really enjoyable, memorable occasion that they can look (back on) for years to come. It’s not just about going to a place to have a good time, it’s about building memories. And nobody does it better than B&Bs when they’re done right.”

More than 400 of these establishments are located in quaint cities and towns across the state. Many provide packages that not only enrich the experience in the room, but also broaden the visitors’ enjoyment of what the surrounding area has to offer.

Kingsley House Bed and Breakfast in Fennville does just that, with packages catered to both the summer and winter months, according to innkeeper Terrie Hunter.

“Our most popular as far as honeymooners go is where you add to your stay two massages, complimentary wine or sparkling juice, flowers in the room, dinner for two, and either a Star of Saugatuk Boat Cruise that takes you on the Kalamazoo River right out to Lake Michigan to see the sun set over the lake, or in the wintertime, a movie pass and horse-drawn sleigh ride,” Hunter said.

­Much of what draws visitors to a particular B&B is the location.

“The northwest Michigan area is extremely popular,” said David Olsen, owner of Lake ‘n Pines Lodge, on Lake Dubonnet, in Interlochen. “It’s a very attractive place for people to go for a getaway. You certainly have folks that have the money to fly off to Mexico or Europe, or you have folks looking for a fun, neat getaway that is more moderately priced. The Traverse City area has so much to offer. I think people are looking for a good value in an area where there’s lots to do.”

The primary honeymoon suite at Lake n’ Pines Lodge is called Bay Chalet, a 900-square-foot suite with a separate bedroom and living room, a private sauna, a Jacuzzi, a gas fireplace, a wet bar and cathedral ceilings.

“We combine that with some of our romance packages: a bottle of local wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, shrimp cocktail, couples massages, and gift certificates to local restaurants,” Olsen said.

Located just a block away from White Lake in Whitehall, the Cocoa Cottage connects its visitors to the community with a variety of activities.

“There’s a zillion things to do with the water in summertime: fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing. We’re also five miles from Lake Michigan,” said owner Larry Robertson. “We’re a couple miles from Michigan Adventure, an amusement park owned by Cedar Point. We’re a block from the bike trail that goes from Hart, which is 30 miles north of here, down to Montague, just across the bridge from us. There’s a zillion things to do in the summer or winter — there are also cross country skiing trails and snowmobile trails nearby.”

Cocoa Cottage also boasts its theme of chocolate, which carries throughout the B & B.

“It’s a big house that is four bedrooms, and each bedroom is decorated slightly differently,” Robertson said. “One is an ‘Up North’ cabin, outdoorsy. One is Arts and Crafts, which is the style of the house, and then there’s a Ralph Lauren room and an English garden room. … All of our rooms are named after chocolate companies. We serve chocolate with every meal. We cook with chocolate in a lot of our (dishes). We have homemade chocolates at night on the bed with turndown service.”

Putting miles on the car isn’t even all that necessary when looking for a honeymoon spot, as Cobblestone Manor is situated in Auburn Hills. There’s even a chapel and wedding garden to accommodate the entire event.

“So many brides and grooms will have their ceremonies here and rent a room or several room for their wedding parties and enjoy a unique wedding experience,” said proprietor Paul Crandall. “What most people tout is the attention to detail. We’ve got beautiful antiques. The decorating is what most people talk about. The wedding garden they love because it’s a beautiful outdoor setting, and the chapel they love because it’s unique, it’s very warm and comfortable. It’s perfect for weddings up to 50 people. That’s what they love, that it is close. And because of that, so many of our brides and grooms come back every year for their anniversary.”

Cobblestone Manor
(248) 370-8000 • www.cobblestonemanor.com

Lake n’ Pines Lodge
(231) 275-6671 • www.lakenpineslodge.com

Cocoa Cottage
(231) 893-0674 • www.cocoacottage.com

Kingsley House Bed & Breakfast
(866) 561-6425 • www.kingsleyhouse.com

For information about other B & Bs across the state, visit www.michigan.org.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1108.