During our incredible Michigan road trip this summer, we made a stop at Mackinac Island, one of my all-time favorite places. It’s hard not to be enchanted by an island where horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the primary modes of transportation. The highlight of our visit was exploring the newly renovated The Inn at Stonecliffe. Originally built in 1904 as a lakeside estate for the Cudahy family from Chicago, the luxury resort has undergone a $40 million transformation and is better than ever!
Located on 15 acres on the sunset coast of Mackinac Island, is the perfect place to call home when staying on the idyllic island. Located two miles away from downtown, The Inn at Stonecliffe is a secluded sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Here’s everything you need to know about The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island.
Disclosure: Our family was provided a complimentary stay at The Inn at Stonecliffe. I was not required to express a particular point of view, and all opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links.Â
Getting to The Inn at Stonecliffe
Located on Mackinac Island, an island where cars are not allowed, the only way to reach the island is by boat or airplane. Without a doubt, the easiest way to get to Mackinac Island is by ferry. On this particular trip, Shepler’s Ferry brought us to the island. Choose to leave from St. Ignace or Mackinaw City. We chose St. Ignace because we stayed a night at the Holiday Inn Express St. Ignace (highly recommend!)
Tip: Make sure you pack a bag with essentials just in case it goes “missing” or don’t get to it right away.
Arriving at The Inn at Stonecliffe
Once we shopped ’til we dropped in Downtown, we waited for the Stonecliffe carriage. Remember they come every hour on the hour. Make sure to wait on the other side of the street since the carriage will be facing west (towards the Grand Hotel). Then enjoy the scenic views though the quiet streets of the island.
As soon as we turned the corner and caught sight of the brick entryway, it felt like we were transported to our own private estate. We made our way to the main entrance of the Mansion to check in, where we were given cool bracelets that doubled as room keys, along with traditional key cards. We also handed our luggage tags to a staff member, who promptly delivered our bags to our room.
Fun fact: Did you know that The Inn at Stonecliffe is owned by The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, one of three Humanitarian Hotels? This means that 100% of net profits from the resort goes to serving those most in need in the local community and the world through grants, foster programs, mental health, shelters, and more. Amazing, right?!?Â
Lodging Options
Guests have the choice of staying either at The Mansion, Summer House, or private cottages. The Mansion features 16 rooms, each uniquely decorated with its own distinctive style. The design stays true to the property’s history, drawing inspiration from old photographs and the timeless architecture of the buildings. Original elements like wood floors, stained glass windows, fireplace mantels, gables, and timberwork have been carefully preserved, while adding modern furniture and updated color schemes. I had the opportunity to glimpse one of the unique rooms, and it was absolutely charming with its cozy, cabin-like ambiance.
For a little more privacy and ideal for bigger families, a stay in one of four cottages would be perfect.
Our Room
We were happy to stay in one of 32 rooms of the Summer House. Our first floor room was just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the pool which we loved. With two queen beds and a sofa bed, it was the perfect size for our family of five. Loved having a small kitchenette with a Keurig for a quick fix for coffee in the morning.
Another highlight was having the huge outdoor patio with table and two rocking chairs. We loved sipping coffee in the morning and relaxing outside with a glass of wine. Perfect way to start and end the day!
Dining
With three different restaurants, guests have a variety of foods to choose from. For a fancy night out, make reservations for The Straits serving locally sourced food and a Great Lakes inspired menu by a Michelin chef.
Their on-site pub, Horsey’s, has a cozy eclectic vibe perfect for a drink or bar food.
Stop by casual The Backyard to savor fresh pizza from an Italian wood-fired oven in a refreshing outdoor setting. The pizza was perfectly crispy and gobbled up within minutes. Also, make sure to try their garlic knots also baked in their wood-fired oven.
Rent a bike
If I urge you to do one thing on Mackinac Island it’s going on an 8.2 mile bike ride around. The Inn at Stonecliffe has their very own Bike Pavillion so you are able to rent a bike without having to go to town. They have adult, teen, kids bikes, and burleys available too. The bikes are on a first come, first serve basis so I would grab them right away.
Check out this biking tour of the Island.Â
Splash away
After a day exploring the Island, the kids were ready to dive into the pool. The outdoor pool area had plenty of chaises, pool toys, two daybeds (my favorite), little kids picnic table. If you wanted a little peace and quiet away from the kids, they also have an adults-only pool tucked away next to the family pool.
Enjoy the green space
The main gathering place is the expansive Straits Lawn. It’s where families can bond over bonfires, view the Mighty Mac, watch the sun go down, or play fun lawn games. On certain nights, they host movie nights too.
S’mores
Sunsets
One of the great things about the Inn at Stonecliffe is that it is located on the west side of the island, the sunset side. Also, the path to Sunset Rock is just a few minutes away.
General Store
Looking for souvenirs? A quick bite? Ice cream? The General Store is your one stop shop. We stopped by here every morning to grab breakfast sandwiches – sausage egg croissant sandwiches and bacon egg croissant sandwiches were fire! They also have to-go sandwiches which are perfect for bringing on a bike ride. But you must MUST try their housemade ice cream made by their chef. We tried pear lychee and coconut and absolutely loved it!
Maybe my favorite ice cream during our entire UP trip!
Take a walk around The Inn at Stonecliffe
I enjoyed strolling through the beautifully manicured lawn. The restored on-site apple orchard is a peaceful spot that serves as a sanctuary for the island’s natural wildlife, complete with beehives and a garden. They even have chickens on the property.
Saying goodbye
When we were all packed up and ready to go, we called the bellhop to grab our luggage. (Again, make sure you count the number of luggage you’re bringing!) Tell them which ferry and city you’re going to and you’re all set! If you’re riding Shepler’s Ferry, the luggage will be waiting for you in the tent in St. Ignace.
Tip: Use the horse carriage shuttles that arrive every hour on the hour to head back to town.Â
Final Thoughts About The Inn at Stonecliffe
Wow, just wow! Our stay at The Inn at Stonecliffe was nothing short of amazing. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Mackinac, we truly appreciated the peacefulness of the island. From enjoying s’mores by the fire and breathtaking sunsets to taking in the stunning views and relaxing in the spacious rooms, every moment was memorable. The pool was a refreshing escape, and the delightful food and delectable ice cream were the cherry on top. It was a perfect getaway!
Nitty Gritty:
Website: https://www.theinnatstonecliffe.com/
Location: 8593 Cudahy Circle, Mackinac Island, MI 49757
We just got back from our trip to the Inn at Stonecliffe based on your Instagram post! It was one of the most incredible properties. We loved it for our 2.5 yo to run around. It was so kid friendly. Thank you for the recommendation!
We stayed at StoneCliffe about 4 yrs ago at the summer house. We loved it. The pool is great for the kids. It’s a nice horse carriage ride through the woods. Services were great. Breakfast was wonderful. Nice to see they provide bikes now too. Definately would stay here again.