This Stylish Inn On Lake Michigan Is The Passion Project Of Two Interior Designers

For decades, Saugatuck, Michigan has gained a loyal following of visitors who return year after year to enjoy its vibrant mix of charming restaurants, shops, wineries and breweries, and a thriving art scene totally its own. (Not to mention idyllic Lake Michigan beaches so blue and sparkling, they rival the east coast’s most popular beach destinations, and an annual tulip festival that could pass for the famed acres of candy-colored blooms in the Netherlands.)

But now, the vacation destination on Michigan’s “Art Coast” has another reason to visit: Wickwood Inn, a chic and cozy modern B&B that’s the passion project of two acclaimed interior designers.

History

Built in 1937, the Colonial revival home is a beloved property in Saugatuck with a storied history. Originally, it was home to Frank Wicks, the mayor of Saugatuck. In 1981, it changed hands and became The Wickwood Inn — Saugatuck’s first bed and breakfast. Ten years later, it was sold to Bill Miller and Julee Rosso, the co-author of the bestselling Silver Palate Cookbook.

For the next three decades, the B&B remained a popular farm-to-table destination with loyal guests who would return year after year. But in 2021, the longtime owners sold the property to Martin Horner and Shea Soucie, friends who met while studying interior design and went on to found Chicago-based Soucie Horner Design Collective.

With offices in Chicago and Naples, Florida, and residential and commercial clients around the globe, it’s not that Horner and Soucie were in need of another project. But the business partners had always dreamed of running a small hotel together. And when they discovered the beloved B&B and learned that the time was right for Miller and Rosso to pass the torch as caretakers of the property after thirty years, they knew they’d found the perfect project.

Location

The historic Inn is located in downtown Saugatuck, Michigan, just a block from the Kalamazoo River and walkable to many charming cafes, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and shopping. It’s within a 15-minute drive to Oval Beach and Saugatuck Dunes State Park, both on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan.

The Vibe

All the charms and warm hospitality of a classic, cozy Midwestern B&B — with squeaky bed frames and tired bedspreads traded for sumptuous and stylish furnishings, decór, and in-room amenities.

Highlights

• Charming historic property with fresh interiors from two top interior designers
• Ideal, super walkable location in the heart of downtown Saugatuck
• Delicious farm-to-table breakfasts daily, like smoked salmon platters and avocado toast with radishes and microgreens
• Plush, high-end bed linens, amenities, and furniture
• Relaxing living room, dining room, and interior garden
• Complimentary afternoon sweets (like tea and fresh-baked cookies in the garden) and social hour (charcuterie and cheese boards around the living room fire)
• Each guest room is unique, with tasteful antiques and original art
• Electric vehicle charging stations

Architecture and Decór

In order to honor the original 1937 Colonial revival design — as well as the three decades the property was stewarded by the previous owners — Horner and Soucie wanted to maintain some continuity with the existing interiors. So they preserved the historic bones and kept certain popular elements like the tapestry in the dining room intact, but updated the majority of the furniture and decór.

The result is a mix of antique furnishing, some choice contemporary pieces, and lots of plush linens and textiles. “Luxury isn’t a look, it’s a feel,” says Shea Soucie. The silk carpets, Matouk linens, and ALT for Living cashmere throws she and Horner added feel fresh and crisp, while complementing the classic Colonial character and charm.

Rooms & Suites

While all of the guest rooms include core high-end amenities like sumptuous Vispring beds, and sleek marble-clad bathrooms kitted out with Matouk bed linens and towels and Natura Bissé bath amenities, each of the 11 rooms is unique, with one-of-a-kind antiques and artworks.

Room No.8 is decorated in a fresh and crisp medley of blues inspired by nearby Lake Michigan. Estate Suite No.5 is a serene pine-paneled retreat with an in-room Waterworks soaking tub, and a cozy sitting area decked out with club chairs, brass library lamps, and painted gold leaf Japanese panels surrounding a cozy fireplace. They’re all dreamy and serene spaces that promote wellbeing and relaxation, and taking the time to enjoy simple pleasures like reading a book, or sipping some wine or tea.

Who It’s Best For

• Couples
• Friend get-togethers
• LGBTQ+ travelers (Saugatuck has been notably queer-friendly for decades, and its 2025 Pride Festival will be held June 7th)
• Art lovers and beachgoers
• Weekenders from Detroit and Chicago (Saugatuck is less than 3 hours from each city)

What Else to Know

The Inn’s maximum occupancy per room is two, and it does not allow children under 16. So this is less of a family-friendly option, and more of a peaceful retreat for grownups.

What’s Nearby

For more information or to book a stay, visit Wickwood Inn.