- The Toy Box is one of two “rooms with a view” at Adventure Inn.
“What a FANTASTIC room!” That’s what Julie and Dave said about their guest room at Adventure Inn B&B in North Lakeport, a short drive from their home in Novi — but a world away. The inn sits smack on a Lake Huron beach and their room – the Toy Box – offers a panoramic view of the lake’s famous “Blue Water.”
What they loved most, they said, was “how warmly we were welcomed into Sandy and Nicholas’ home. They were always asking if there was anything else they could do to make our stay more enjoyable…. there was NOTHING…. it was enjoyable from the time we drove up until the time we sadly left.”
Some bed and breakfast guests like how innkeepers remember and cater to their personal preferences. Elaine of Ann Arbor used the word “fabulous” to describe her stay at Arcadia House B&B along the Lake Michigan shoreline. What blew her away was, during a previous stay, she had commented that she likes really strong coffee.
“What was waiting for me every morning during this stay? A pot of “turbo” coffee alongside the regular pot for less caffeine-dependent individuals.”
Those are just two of the guest comments that made their way to the burgeoning guest evaluation survey files in the Lake to Lake association office, plucked willy nilly from among members whose inn names start with “A.”
- Canine Hosts & Apprentice Innkeepers Tucker and Chips help welcome guests to Bellaire B&B
“B” is for Bellaire Bed and Breakfast. How do Jim and Dave stack up as innkeepers? According to Joanne of Mt. Pleasant, they are “superb!”
“These innkeepers set a pace and standard other B&Bs should strive for. They and their staff make us feel welcome and appreciated. They have created a very special “oasis” in an area we love to visit.”
The “C’s” yielded an “amazing” for The Cobb House in Perry. Nate from Rochester said, “Our room is great! From the 19th century decor to the early 20th centruy pictures, books, huge bed, great sitting room and plenty of comfort, we could not go wrong. I liked learning about the history of the house during our stay.”
“C” is also for Carrier Ridge Lodge B&B in Scottville, where Rachel and Alan spent time all the way from West Allis, Wisconsin. They described it as a “lovely log cabin in a natural setting” — yet only a few miles from the beaches, shopping and restaurants in nearby Ludington.
“Tom and Lorraine were gracious, kind, helpful and accommodating. We felt very special with all the wonderful “extras” they provided for my birthday getaway. We will definitely return to this B&B.”
- Ruth and Ole vanGoor are innkeepers at Dapple-Gray B&B on the Keewanaw Peninsula.
The “D’s” include Dapple-Gray B&B in Copper Harbor, way up north in the Keewenaw area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Jean from Grand Haven got to stay in this spacious, contemporary log-cabin home home overlooking Lake Superior — almost as if she was an invited friend of the family.
“I could hear Lake Superior’s waves — so soothing,” she said. Jean called the location “breath taking” and “special.” She praised innkeepers Ruth and Ole for graciously accommodating her early departure with a breakfast that was full and delicious despite the hour.
Not a single Lake-to-Lake-member B&B starts with an “E.” Moving on to the “F’s,” Heather of Grosse Ile fell in love with Frankenmuth B&B, also known as Bender Haus.
“Bev and Elden made us feel at home the second we walked in the door. And our room was quiet, clean and beautifully decorated.
“I love B&Bs and will always choose them over hotels,” Heather explained. “They are quieter and cozier and, I think, much friendlier.”
- Gould Farm B&B’s twin beds were perfect for a dad and his daughter on a cross-country bicycle trip.
Innkeepers Judy and Lynn at Gould Farm B&B in Clare offered the perfect stopover for a father and daughter enjoying a cross-country bicycle trip.
“Twin beds are rare and exactly what we were looking for. The accommodations were spacious and the innkeepers went out of their way to make our bike trip a success. And we loved the homemade applesauce and breakfast all made with ingredients from local farms. It was great.”
Come back and visit the Lake to Lake blog next week when we take a stab at guest survey files starting with the letter “H.” How do you predict the Hotel Montcalm B&B will stack up against a chain lodging? I’m sure you’re catching the drift!
Discover why B&Bs are “a better way to stay” — and why B&B’s that are members of the Michigan Lake to Lake Association are the BEST way to stay. Explore our online catalog of members! Each is as “fabulous,” “fantastic” and “amazing” as these B&Bs. Each is regularly inspected for more than a hundred standards of quality by third-part professionals to guarantee that as members, they live up to every one of these adjectives.
