This 120-Year-Old Lakeside Inn in Michigan Recently Reopened After a $40 Million Renovation

As its name suggests, The Inn at Stonecliffe is on a cliff on the far side of Northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island, a few miles from the vibrant downtown. The resort is surrounded by 15 acres of lush green land and a rocky coastline with a perfect view of the Mackinac Straits. The 120-year-old inn was built in 1904 by the famous architect Frederick Perkins as a private family residence. Still, since then, it has lived many lives, from a family home to a conference destination, a small college, and a present-day hotel. 

After becoming part of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation in 2021, Stonecliffe closed for a few years to focus on renovating and modernizing the property. After a $40 million renovation, the inn reopened in June 2024. The resort kept many of the original details that give the property its charm, such as original hardwood floors, beautiful stained glass windows, and fireplaces, but updated the facilities to include modern luxuries like air conditioning, contemporary bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and re-envisioned food and beverage options.  

If you arrive at night like I did, you’ll immediately be taken by the stained glass windows of the main mansion, which set the tone for the beautiful building you’re about to enter. Filled with antiques and memorabilia from the property and Mackinac Island over the past century, Stonecliffe is a nearly perfectly preserved time capsule. Arriving during the day, you’ll no doubt notice the grand lawn scattered with white Adirondack chairs, an extra large American flag flying above the grounds, and the views of Lake Huron just at the end of the lawn. But the property’s 15 acres are more than just a sprawling lawn: The Inn at Stonecliffe is home to an apple orchard, bee hive, chicken coop, and even a secret lookout. Each guest is sure to find their own favorite spot.

The back lawn is where most guests spend a lot of time. You’ll find families playing lawn games or individuals reading by the pool, people taking in the impressive sunsets, or gathered around fire pits at night roasting s’mores. The great lawn is the social center of the resort, but the rooms are personal homes away from home. Every room at Stonecliffe is slightly different, just like a home. But each is cozy and comfortable with hints of nautical and equestrian themes; all nods to the island’s history. The resort embodies a type of Americana that is rare these days, a quaint and comfy ambiance taking only the best parts of the last 100 years and bringing them into the modern day. 

To learn more about all The Inn at Stonecliffe can offer, continue reading my full review below.

The Rooms

Stonecliffe’s renovation kept the property’s original charm while infusing it with modern updates. Every room includes a modern bathroom with adjustable rainfall showers, air conditioning — not always a given on the island — and mattresses made exclusively for the hotel.

There are three types of rooms at Stonecliffe. The first kind is located in the main mansion. The mansion features classical Tudor-style architecture with 16 guest rooms that feel personal yet sophisticated. Decorated in blues and whites that echo the island’s nautical themes, all have views of the Straits of Mackinac. The Summer House is another fully renovated building separate from The Mansion. Here, you’ll find 32 rooms with different layouts, providing more flexibility for families and groups. These rooms can include extra touches like private patios or balconies, and some include pull-out sofas. 

Meanwhile, private cottages on the property offer a bit more privacy. Each cottage includes three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a fully functional kitchen. Cottages also have unique amenities, like board games, private porches, and grocery delivery. Each cottage also has its own aesthetic: Hill Top Cottage is more of a country home, Sunny Honey features bright and whimsical details, and Yacht Watch is white, blue, and nautical.

Food and Drink

The Inn at Stonecliffe has four different dining options, with all the menus designed by Executive Chef Joseph Nardo, who came up in Michelin-starred restaurants like The French Laundry and San Francisco’s Lazy Bear.

Nardo uses locally sourced ingredients to create upscale comfort food in The Backyard and New American classics in The Straits. The Straits is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast features eggs directly from the chicken coop, while dinner offers elevated local dishes like lake whitefish and chicken from local Amish farms. Save some room for dessert, as the strawberry trifle is incredible.

Horsey’s is an upscale pub with access to patio seating and elevated pub classics like fish and chips, wagyu burgers, and whitefish dishes. The bar also mixes refreshing cocktails, often incorporating fresh and seasonal ingredients. The Backyard, aptly named, is a casual outdoor dining space with a wood-fired oven that creates dishes like smoked pork tacos and smoked chicken wings. It is perhaps best known for its handmade pizzas. The Backyard is next to The General Store, with a coffee counter, grab-and-go options, and anything else you might need while visiting, from toiletries to a Stonecliffe logo sweatshirt. 

Across the front lawn is The Woods. Initially the family’s playhouse, it was recently bought by The Grand Hotel. However, it still has a strong connection with Stonecliffe and is worth a visit. It boasts an old manual bowling lane next to a fine dining room.

Activities and Experiences

With 15 acres of land, there is a lot to do at Stonecliffe. There are two large lawns; in the front, you’ll find hammocks; in the back, you’ll find several Adirondack chairs, fire pits, and lawn games. Stonecliffe also has an apple orchard with chicken coop and bee hives. Guests are encouraged to explore the area and should also check out Sunset Point, a cliffside overlook that is the perfect spot for sunset. There are two pools, one for adults and one that is family-friendly. Next to the pool, guests can find the wellness center, which includes a gym on the ground floor, complete with a sauna and massage rooms on the top floor. 

There is a daily roster of activities all around the resort, including workout classes, art classes, fudge and wine tasting, movies on the lawn, and more. These activities are open and free to all guests. While at Stonecliffe, I took a watercolor painting class taught by a local artist who owns an art cafe in town, a pizza-making class taught by the head chef, and several workout classes, during which I really broke a sweat.

For those interested in exploring the island, bike rentals are available, and a carriage shuttle to downtown is complimentary for guests.

The Spa

While the property doesn’t have a full-fledged spa, it does include a few amenities that spas usually have. The Wellness Center has a sauna downstairs next to the gym area. Upstairs, you’ll find a few treatment rooms and a full-time massage therapist. 

Family-friendly Offerings

The cottages are perfect for families. Their large private spaces, different room layouts, and extra amenities make them an excellent option for groups that need different room configurations. The cottages also provide grocery delivery before arrival, so everything you may need for your stay is ready and waiting for you when you check in.

The resort has many kid-friendly activities, including Kids Corner and tie-dye sessions. The bike rental also has all types of bikes appropriate for children.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There is one ADA-compliant guest room at Stonecliffe and several ADA-accessible bathrooms around the property. 

Stonecliffe makes many efforts in terms of sustainability and outreach. The Inn has incorporated practices such as composting, recycling, refillable toiletry dispensers, and energy-efficient lighting.

However, perhaps the most notable is being a part of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. This means 100 percent of the resort’s profits are donated to humanitarian and educational initiatives. Stonecliffe recently created a scholarship program for students who graduate from the local Mackinac Island Public Schools to attend university off-island. Additionally, the hotel hosts programming that is open to the public. This means anyone from the community can attend the art classes, movies on the lawn, or live music.

Location

There are many ways to get to Mackinac Island itself, from planes, ferries, and personal boats, but the real challenge begins once on the island. Mackinac Island is unique because it does not allow motorized vehicles.

This results in everyone getting around on bikes or taxis, which are horses and carriages. The Inn at Stonecliffe has a complimentary shuttle (horse and carriage) that goes from the inn to downtown (and vice versa) at the top of every hour. These carriages can take your luggage when you arrive; however, if you travel on the ferry, your luggage will be tagged and taken to the hotel to be ready for you at check-in.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

This is a small boutique property that is not a part of any loyalty program. Therefore, booking directly through them is your best bet for a great deal. Booking directly gives access to deals like fall discounts or honeymoon packages.