The Inn at Stonecliffe, an iconic, luxury property originally built in 1904 as a lakeside estate for the Chicago Cudahy family, opened in June 2024 after two years and a more than $40-million property-wide transformation. Located within the charming Victorian island, horse-drawn carriages transport guests from the ferry to the beautiful Edwardian estate. Steeped in Mackinac Island culture and history, the resort brings a new luxury hospitality experience to the island including brand new common spaces, guestrooms, multiple food & beverage offerings, event spaces, an expansive lawn with fire-pits and games, apple orchard, and much more.
The Inn at Stonecliffe delivers an elevated experience with personalized concierge services, making guests feel like they hold the keys to their own private lakeside estate. Sitting in the center of the 15-acre property, the stately 18,500-square-foot Mansion has been lovingly restored, preserving its historic charm while adding modern comforts and design elements. Masterfully crafted by renowned builder Mark Timothy Luxury Homes with stunning design work by Jeffrey Strasser Interior Designs, the lobby welcomes guests with a mix of vintage charm and sleek touches, while common areas, including the library and pub, offer cozy, sophisticated retreats.
The building’s timeless architecture and old photographs inspired much of the design, including careful restoration of the moldings, original hard-wood floor, stained glass windows, fireplace mantels, gables and timberwork, while brightening the spaces, adding modern furniture and color schemes. The Mansion’s 16 updated King and Queen guestrooms, and the new Straits Suite, feature new bathrooms and modern amenities, including air conditioning, and designs inspired by the property’s enchanting past and breathtaking scenery. Each room is unique in its décor, creating a memorable experience while fostering a sense of wonder for guests and a new experience year after year.
In addition to The Mansion, The Inn at Stonecliffe features a 26,000-square-foot Summer House building, boasting 32 King and Queen guestrooms featuring spacious layouts that are each equipped with a kitchenette, small dining table and lake or garden views. Artwork from local artisans adorn the halls of the Mansion and Summer House, echoing the original charm of the property.
“We are excited to open The Inn at Stonecliffe’s doors this season and unveil the transformation of this property, including new resort amenities and a careful restoration of the historic 1904 mansion,” notes Kevin Doyle, Chief Operating Officer, Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. “The Inn at Stonecliffe, throughout its history, has been deeply connected to the Island-a special place where families and guests create lifelong memories and traditions. We are thrilled to introduce a new Stonecliffe as a Humanitarian Hotel that will bring an elevated, yet authentic Mackinac Island experience to guests this summer.”
New to the resort are three impeccably designed private cottages, aptly named the Sunny Honey Cottage, Hill Top Cottage and Yacht Watch Cottage, complete with distinct designs including custom wallpaper and comfortable yet stylish furnishings. All cottages have three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. With views of the Straits Lawn and beautiful Lake Huron, the cottages are well suited for families and groups. In addition, the Love Shack is a quaint private cottage complete with opulent bedding, modern comforts and a private porch, ideal for lovebirds.
Three brand new on-property dining concepts will feature local products from Michigan and the Great Lakes, as well as from the resort’s orchard and garden, setting a foundation for a farm-to-table vision for the hotel’s dining outlets. The Straits, a fine-dining restaurant located in The Mansion’s main dining room with an outdoor patio, is inspired by the surrounding Great Lakes, serving locally sourced dishes, including items sourced from the on-property orchard and vegetable garden. The Backyard, a casual outdoor restaurant, featuring a variety of pizzas as well as daily themed specials ranging from BBQ to burgers and seafood, is ideal for a relaxed meal with family and friends. Located inside The Mansion, Horsey’s is a cozy spot for a craft cocktail, pint of beer or snack. An on-site shop, The General Store carries homemade ice cream, a coffee bar, grab and go food options, merchandise and souvenirs.
The new Sunset Pavilion event venue boasts 3,000-square-feet of flexible event space, featuring modern amenities and custom catering menus for up to 150 guests. Located adjacent to the historic Mansion, the event space features floor-to-ceiling window walls offering expansive, panoramic views of Lake Huron and the Straits, creating an enchanting ambience and incredible setting for any event come rain or shine. Additionally, a 900-square-foot patio with continued sweeping views surrounds the building.
Additional amenities on the property include a family-friendly pool and an adults-only pool, the expansive Straits Lawn with a firepit, solo stoves and classic lawn games overlooking views of the Mackinac Bridge and the straits connecting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. State-of-the-art fitness equipment, massages, locker rooms and a sauna are all part of the new Wellness & Fitness Center. A calendar of activities is available for guests including movie nights, pizza making classes, watercolor and beekeeping classes, bingo by the pool, lawn games and more. The Bike Pavilion allows guests to rent bikes to explore nearby biking trails, while the restored on-property apple orchard is a peaceful, treasured spot that serves as a sanctuary for the island’s natural inhabitants along with beehives, chicken coops and a garden.
Owned by The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, The Inn at Stonecliffe is one of three Humanitarian Hotels with 100% of net profits being used to support charitable initiatives (scholarship programs, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, affordable housing, mental health, and more) in Mackinac County and around the globe. Additionally, the hotel itself is used to undertake programming for employees, guests and non-profits that represent the Foundation’s mission of serving people in need.
