Built in 1904 as the private summer estate of 19th century industrialist Michael Cudahy and his family, The Inn at Stonecliffe has served as a luxury boutique hotel on Mackinac Island for more than five decades. After being closed for two years to undergo a $40-million renovation, the luxury resort is once again ready to welcome guests.
Situated on a 15-acre western bluff nearly two miles from Mackinac Island’s downtown district, Stonecliffe is a full-service resort with enhanced accommodations, restaurants, meeting spaces, and recreational amenities for couples, families, and corporate or leisure groups.
Three elegant private cottages are among the new offerings at Stonecliffe; each sleeps up to nine or 10 guests. The cottages feature three spacious bedrooms (including a master suite), 2.5 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room, a living room, and a covered front porch that affords breathtaking views of the Straits of Mackinac.
Thirty-two guest rooms — including a handful of suites with kitchenettes, dining space, and a private patio or balcony — comprise the 26,000-square-foot Summer House. All of the rooms have been meticulously updated with vibrant colors, patterns, and textures.
The original 18,500-square-foot, Tudor-style mansion retains its classic character on the outside while embracing modern interior updates, including a full restoration and the addition of air conditioning throughout.
The lobby was lightened up with a fresh coat of paint that, along with the existing colorful stained-glass windows, highlights the main stairwell to the second floor. Visitors are invited to relax in the first-floor library, grab a drink in Horsey’s pub, or enjoy an elegant dinner in The Straits main dining room, where classic dishes are crafted from regionally sourced ingredients. Both restaurants have cozy fireplaces to alleviate the chill on cooler nights, while adding to the Up North ambience.
Upstairs, 16 distinctive guest rooms, mostly kings, feature transformed bathrooms and calming, water-inspired décor. The mansion also boasts a new brick patio, complete with a fountain centerpiece.
Adjacent to the mansion, The Backyard, a new open-air barbecue pavilion, offers elevated casual dining experiences like fish boils, hog roasts, and grilled pizza nights, in addition to cooking classes, a visiting chef series, and other culinary events.
Other additions to Stonecliffe include a wellness center with a sauna, adults-only pool, and cabanas; The Mercantile, with homemade ice cream, a coffee bar, and grab-and-go snacks and souvenirs; and a 3,000-square-foot stone and glass Sunset Pavilion Event Center, ideal for weddings or corporate retreats for up to 150 guests for a sit-down function or 200 for a standing reception. In all, the Stonecliffe campus features plenty of space for relaxing.
Guests also will find a family-friendly pool; flowing gardens and lush landscaping; a sprawling lawn with a new fire pit, solo stoves, Adirondack chairs, and classic lawn games; and an expansion of the heritage apple orchard complete with bee hives and chicken coops, creating a tranquil country vibe.
As bicycling is one of the primary modes of transportation on the island, Stonecliffe will rent bikes for guests looking to head downtown or around the various routes to experience Mackinac’s natural, cultural, and historic wonders. Carriage taxi service is available. Throughout the season, Stonecliffe plans to offer live music to enhance the island experience.
“We’re so excited to have Stonecliffe back in operation. We’ve missed them the past two seasons, but it’s going to be worth the wait,” says Tim Hygh, CEO of Mackinac Island Tourism. “They’ve turned their stately property into a spectacular showcase. In addition to renovating the existing property, we know guests are going to be impressed with the new cottages and other new amenities. The thought and craftsmanship that has gone into the renovation is incredibly impressive.”
For years, Detroit-born philanthropist William Pulte had been a silent partner at Stonecliffe. Within three years of his 2018 death, his Pulte Family Charitable Foundation was gifted full ownership of the iconic property. Stonecliffe will operate under a unique business model with 100 percent of the profits returning to the foundation to fund grants and support mental health shelters, foster programs, and other global initiatives.
In addition to Stonecliffe, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation (formed in 1990) owns Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, which also has been undergoing renovations and a reconfiguration of its 27-hole golf course. The foundation, which reported $6.6 million in charitable giving in 2022, partners with nearly 200 nonprofit organizations and educational institutions around the world for its various humanitarian causes. Members of the Pulte family also own the Harbour View Inn and Murray Hotel, both on Mackinac Island.
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The Inn at Stonecliffe
theinnatstonecliffe.com
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