A MIDWEST ESCAPE 

Saugatuck, Michigan, offers boutique hospitality, farm-to-table flavors, and a creative lakeshore scene.

For years, I have heard friends speak fondly of Michigan’s “art coast,” describing Saugatuck as a place where creativity blends with culinary flair and lakeside luxury. Their stories drew me in, and on a recent sojourn, I discovered a Midwest town that proves small can still live large.

At the center of my stay was the newly reimagined Wickwood Inn, a boutique hotel where history, hospitality, and high design converge. The inn, a beloved historic white clapboard former private home with an East Coast feel, has been entirely reimagined by Soucie Horner Design Collective. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the acclaimed Chicago-based firm, internationally known for timeless design and custom creations like SHIIR Rugs, recently rebranded with an expanded vision that now encompasses bespoke hospitality. Founders Shea Soucie and Martin Horner approached Wickwood Inn as more than a renovation. The inn is now a living expression of their design ethos—layered with curated antiques, original art, and sumptuous materials like hand-embroidered rugs, silk drapery, handcrafted linens, plush cashmere throws, and fixtures that reflect quiet sophistication. Many of the furnishings and artworks throughout the inn are available for purchase. So, guests have the rare opportunity to take a piece of their stay home, making for the ultimate travel souvenir.

The inn boasts 14 individually designed guest accommodations and an atmosphere that feels at once elevated and effortlessly welcoming. I stayed in Suite No. 11 overlooking the front gardens and Butler Street, the town’s main street. A long hallway led to a spacious and beautifully appointed bedroom complete with a chaise lounge and writing desk. Rows of tall windows flooded the room with warm, natural light.

When I return with my family, I will book the three-bedroom Bungalow, nestled within the inn’s English garden at the back of the property. It offers a more expansive retreat with a shared pool and entertainment area.

The inn is as much about culinary experiences as it is about design aesthetics. Each day begins with a farm-to-table breakfast crafted by General Manager and Executive Chef Rose Duong (who honed her culinary skills working with Oprah Winfrey for 17 years) and her team, featuring seasonally inspired dishes that celebrate Michigan’s bounty. Afternoon brings a convivial social hour with artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, while evenings are marked by garden feasts paired with local wines.

Beyond the inn, Saugatuck has blossomed into a bona fide culinary destination thanks to chefs like Matthew Millar of The Southerner and James Beard Award-winner Missy Corey of Pennyroyal Café & Provisions. I fell in love with Noble Twist Taphouse, renowned for its thin-crust pizzas. I had the tastiest pie of my life while my friends raved about their clam pizza. One night, we dined at Clearbrook Golf Club’s Grill Room, which serves classic Midwestern supper club fare like massive martinis and phenomenal whitefish. The portions are generous, so arrive hungry.

The arts scene is equally compelling. Ox-Bow School of Art, a cornerstone of Saugatuck’s creative life, has welcomed artists for generations. It’s also where Jim Henson famously created Kermit the Frog—everyone’s favorite amphibian.

On a sunny morning, we boarded the Saugatuck Chain Ferry (dubbed Diane and the only remaining hand-cranked chain ferry in the U.S.) to cross the Kalamazoo River to get to Oval Beach. There we enjoyed a beautiful brunch picnic designed by Sincerely K & J and a photo shoot in the dunes with Lake Michigan as our backdrop. My friends from New York couldn’t believe we were sitting beside a “lake”—with no opposite shore in sight, it felt like the ocean. Afterward, we hiked up the Mount Baldhead Trail for a sweeping view. If time had allowed, we would have conquered the famous Mount Baldhead steps, but we had a boat ride scheduled with Retro Boat Rentals, where you can rent boats ranging from pontoon party boats to vintage boats from the late 50s and early 60s, sporting colorful finishes and chrome fins.

The next afternoon, I wandered downtown (steps from the inn), where the sweet scent of waffle cones drifted from Kilwins Chocolate and Ice Cream, mingling with the notes of a jazz musician, while golden retrievers happily lapped treats from bowls outside each artisan shop. I picked up handcrafted fruit preserves at American Spoon, made with 100 percent Michigan-grown fruit, and sampled wines from Fenn Valley Vineyards at the vineyard’s Butler Street tasting room. Apparently, Michigan’s lake breezes and rolling hills create a surprisingly perfect terroir for delicious wine. You’ll find several art galleries, but if you only have time to pop into one, James Brandess Studios & Gallery is a must!

On my last morning, Chef Rose explained that the Wickwood Inn is not only a haven for small groups but also an inspired setting for larger gatherings—whether a wedding celebration, a family reunion, or even a corporate retreat. From food to flowers, the staff collaborates with guests to create unforgettable events, drawing on close relationships with local farms and florists to ensure every detail feels authentic.

Another Saugatuck project by Soucie Horner Design Collective available for booking is Fairview, a beautifully restored 1857 home where old-world character meets modern comfort in a richly layered setting. Antique lovers will find it irresistible.

While sipping wine in the Wickwood Inn’s garden at sunset, devouring one of Chef Rose’s delicious meals, or exploring the neighboring arts district, I kept thinking, “This is no ordinary small-town getaway.” The trip proved that charm and sophistication need not be mutually exclusive, and that a lakeside escape in Michigan can rival the most coveted destinations. And with Saugatuck just a three-hour scenic drive from Chicago’s North Shore or a quick half-hour flight from O’Hare, it is remarkably close to home. What are you waiting for?

For more information, visit wickwoodinn.com, souciehorner.com, nobletwist.com, clearbrookgolfclub.com, sincerelykandjmi.com, spoon.com.