High Above the Straits, The Inn at Stonecliffe Reopens for the Season
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
There’s a distinct shift that happens on Mackinac Island when the season begins. Ferry horns echo across the Straits, bicycles line the docks, and the familiar rhythm of hoofbeats returns to the streets. At the end of April, high above it all on 15 serene acres overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, The Inn at Stonecliffe opens for the season, welcoming guests back to one of the island’s most storied addresses.
Originally built in 1904 as a summer estate for the Cudahy family, Stonecliffe was always meant to be a place of gathering. Its Edwardian-style Mansion was designed for long lawn parties, sunset cocktails, and extended stays that stretched lazily into late summer evenings. Today, after a $30-million, two-year transformation and a celebrated reopening in June 2024, the iconic property stands as Mackinac Island’s premier historic resort, thoughtfully reimagined while honoring every inch of its architectural soul.
The restoration preserved what matters: original wood floors, intricate moldings, stained glass windows, and the craftsmanship that has defined the Mansion for more than a century. At the same time, guestrooms and public spaces have been refreshed with modern comforts, creating an experience that feels both elevated and effortless.
Set apart from the bustle of downtown, the 52-room hotel offers a sense of sanctuary that feels increasingly rare. From its blufftop perch, the views stretch wide over Lake Huron toward the Mackinac Bridge, while expansive rolling lawns create natural gathering spaces with sweeping water vistas.
Accommodations reflect the property’s layered history and renewed vision. The Mansion remains the heart of Stonecliffe, with 16 uniquely designed guestrooms that celebrate its Edwardian character. No two rooms are alike. Each blends restored historic details with contemporary touches such as central air, built-in refrigerators, and Nespresso machines, ensuring comfort without compromising charm.
To the right of the Mansion, the Summer House offers 32 additional guestrooms ranging from king and queen rooms to spacious one- and two-bedroom suites. With garden or lake views, bright palettes, and layered textures, the Summer House is especially well suited for families and small groups seeking flexibility while maintaining the refined aesthetic that defines the resort.
Private cottages expand the experience even further. The Sunny Honey Cottage sits just steps from the Straits Lawn and Mansion patio dining area, while Hilltop Cottage and Yacht Watch Cottage are tucked away with back porch views of Lake Huron and the Mackinac Bridge. Each three-bedroom cottage features two-and-a-half baths, a fully equipped kitchen, a cozy living area, washer and dryer, and private porch seating, offering the comfort of home with the ease of a hotel stay. For couples, the Love Shack provides a charming standalone hideaway designed exclusively for two, complete with plush bedding and a private porch made for quiet mornings and late-night conversations.
For those seeking an even more elevated escape, the Luxury Cottage Retreat package invites guests to experience Mackinac Island at a slower, more luxurious pace. This thoughtfully curated offer includes spacious cottage accommodations, a Champagne and charcuterie welcome amenity, one day of bike rentals for up to six guests, and complimentary grocery delivery arranged in advance (groceries separately charged). It’s an effortless way to settle in, stock the kitchen, and savor the privacy and comfort of cottage living, without sacrificing the signature service of the Inn.
Dining at Stonecliffe is equally layered. The Straits, located inside the historic Mansion, serves breakfast and dinner daily with a menu inspired by the surrounding Great Lakes and ingredients sourced locally, including herbs from the resort’s own garden. The Backyard offers a more casual outdoor setting with wood-fired pizzas and classic comfort fare, ideal for relaxed afternoons that turn into unhurried evenings. Inside the Mansion, Horsey’s Pub delivers craft cocktails and light bites in an intimate bar setting, while The General Store rounds out the experience with homemade ice cream, specialty coffees, and curated Stonecliffe merchandise.
Throughout the season, a thoughtfully curated calendar of activities invites guests to slow down and connect. Outdoor movie nights, pizza-making classes, watercolor workshops, beekeeping sessions, nightly s’mores, wine and fudge tastings and classic lawn games create moments that feel easy, personal, and genuinely memorable. The on-site Bike Pavilion makes it easy to explore further, whether that’s a scenic ride into town or along the island’s famed 8.2-mile Michigan Highway 185, the only U.S. highway where cars are forbidden.
Beyond leisure, Stonecliffe has also emerged as one of Mackinac’s most compelling event destinations. The 3,000-square-foot Sunset Pavilion, adjacent to the Mansion and overlooking the Straits Lawn, offers a fully enclosed, climate-controlled space for up to 150 guests, complemented by a 900-square-foot patio with sweeping views. Additional outdoor venues, including The Grotto and the North and Straits Lawns, provide idyllic settings for weddings and gatherings that blend modern design with timeless island charm.
As the weeks unfold, the island’s energy builds. By early June, lilacs bloom across Mackinac in fragrant celebration during the annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, a 10-day tradition featuring a Lilac Queen coronation, parade, planting seminars, and more. The scent drifts through town and up to the bluff, marking the unofficial arrival of summer.
And summer, of course, is when Stonecliffe truly comes alive, lawns dotted with celebrations, long dinners at The Straits, children racing across open grass, and sunsets that seem to stretch endlessly over the water. Yet whether arriving at the start of the season or in its height, the experience remains rooted in the same idea: relaxed elegance grounded in history and place.
More than just a luxury destination, Stonecliffe is also a proud Humanitarian Hotel, where 100% of profits support the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, advancing meaningful impact locally and around the world. It’s a rare model, one where every stay contributes to something larger.
High above the Straits, with its restored grandeur and renewed purpose, The Inn at Stonecliffe doesn’t just mark the return of a season. It sets the tone for it.
Written by Dawn Wilson
