One Fantastic Face Lift
Mackinac Island’s 120-year-old iconic resort, The Inn at Stonecliffe, showcases a luxurious $40-million renovation
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 nearly two years for 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 both corporate or leisure groups.
Three elegant private cottages are among the new offerings at Stonecliffe, each each sleeps up to nine or 10 guests. The cottage features 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 these 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 area 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 ambiance.
Upstairs, 16 distinctive guest rooms, mostly kings, feature transformed bathrooms and calming water-inspired décor. The mansion also boasts a new back brick patio, complete with a fountain centerpiece.
Adjacent to the main 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, 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 200 people for a standing reception. In all, the Stonecliffe campus features plenty of space for relaxing.
Guests will also find a family-friendly pool; flowing gardens and lush landscaping; a sprawling lawn with a new firepit, 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 the natural, cultural, and historic wonders. Throughout the season, Stonecliffe also 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 after 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, 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 has also 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 nonprofits organizations and educational institutions around the world for its various humanitarian causes. Members of the Pulte’ family also own Harbour View Inn and Murray Hotel, both on Mackinac Island.
BOOK IT!
The Inn at Stonecliffe
(906) 847-3355
Reprinted from the Summer 2024 issue of Michigan BLUE magazine.