Photo Courtesy of The WickWood Inn
Many years ago, Mara and Andrew Fisher became engaged down the street from the charming Wickwood Inn in Saugatuck. With that history, it’s no surprise that the couple decided to celebrate a decade of marriage at the historic inn this past spring.
The Fishers, who live in Freeland near Saginaw, were delighted at the changes they saw at the inn, which at the time of their late spring visit was surrounded by a beautiful outdoor landscape popping with white tulips.
“I love that the (relatively new) owners put extra details into the stay, from the hors d’oeuvres at night that bring people together to the amazing breakfasts. Plus, it’s very cozy and warm,” Mara Fisher says.
Originally built in 1937, the Colonial Revival-style house was the family home of Frank Wicks, the mayor of Saugatuck, and became an inn in 1981. The home is located just a block from the Chain Ferry that has crossed the Kalamazoo River since 1838; the ferry is the last hand-cranked chain ferry in the United States and connects downtown Saugatuck to Mount Baldhead Park and Oval Beach.
Later, Julee Rosso (co-author of the well-known “Silver Palate Cookbook”) and Bill Miller purchased the inn and transformed the Wickwood into a farm-to-table culinary destination that attracted 30 years of dedicated guests and garnered lots of publicity.
Four years ago, they sold the inn to Shea Soucie and Martin Horner, founders of the Chicago-based luxury design firm Soucie Horner Design Collective. The Indiana natives elevated the Wickwood’s years of traditions and added their own stamp of timeless elegance with a treasure trove of fine details.
Pure comfort comes in the way of fresh bedside roses, plush linens, homemade breakfast sausage, and nicely appointed landscaping featuring neatly trimmed boxwood and pots brimming with seasonal flowers.
“I love that the (relatively new) owners put extra details into the stay, from the hors d’oeuvres at night that bring people together to the amazing breakfasts.”
— Mara Fisher
My husband and I loved the lighting in our suite, which featured bedside lamps, overhead lighting, and beautiful sconces. We also enjoyed a comfy settee near the window — a perfect spot for reading before walking over to nearby downtown shops and galleries, or heading to Pumpernickels, down the street, for a tasty burger.
Upon checking in, we were greeted by a warmly lit living room with a blazing fire, a large charcuterie platter, chocolates, and wine. If you’re lucky, the inn’s renowned carrot cake (so moist and chock-full of the perfect spices) might be available. The chef whips up a variety of treats regularly, so guests never know what they’ll find. Attached to the living room is a sweet library alcove brimming with books guests can borrow, as well as a nice assortment of board games.
It wasn’t long before we met and chatted with other couples toasting to the weekend.
A bright, airy dining room, just off the living room, is a perfect spot for enjoying eggs, house-made sausage, and other delectables in the morning, and just off the dining room through French doors is a charming porch adorned with wicker furniture, a beadboard ceiling, and unique wooden bird carvings that hang on the wall.
Beyond awaits a pool and several intimate garden gathering spots with tables where you can enjoy breakfast. Blue Adirondack chairs surround a small fire pit that’s watched over by a lovely female sculpture, while nearby are water features, brick pavers, and lots of classic green plants — echoing the interior’s nod to plants through its beautifully framed botanical prints and fresh flowers artfully placed throughout the inn.
The boutique-style, 11-room inn, close to the shores of Lake Michigan, was undergoing a renovation project, at the time of our visit, that includes a pool (a year-round spool — a spa-pool hybrid) and a new three-bedroom bungalow. The bungalow is nestled amid the English garden-style grounds and is now open and ideal for families or friend groups.
Mara and Andrew Fisher say they’re sure to return, and next time they can celebrate their marriage with a dip in the new pool. 
Plan It!
Wickwood Inn
Coming Up:
Power of Pause Sleep Retreat, Sept 26-28. Immerse yourself in The Power of Pause, a restorative retreat for women who lead. Hosted by Soucie Horner Design Collective and The Luxury Bed Collection, this weekend blends mindful wellness, cozy elegance, and nourishing farm-to-table cuisine. Expect yoga, meditation, and more — all designed to help guests reset and restore.
