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The Hotel Saugatuck Blog

The summer is here in Saugatuck! As one of the best beaches on the planet (according to National Geographic and MTV), Saugatuck’s Oval Beach offers visitors and residents alike clean sandy shores and all the outdoor summer fun you could ask for. Walk along the shoreline hand-in-hand or make a splash in the Caribbean blue water; chow down on concessions or clock in on tanning time. There’s plenty to do here at the crown jewel of Saugatuck’s summertime repertoire.

What started in the 1920s as a wooden shoe manufacturer has since turned into one of the few remaining locations that still turn wooden bowls. Skillfully crafted, the artisan wooden bowls and serving sets that come from the Holland Bowl Mill are sold in all 50 states and around the world. 

If you haven’t been to Saugatuck before, then you may not know that there is always more to explore. There are dozens of ways to see and experience Saugatuck and Douglas. With warmer weather finally settled in for good (doesn’t it feel good!) try getting to know our special towns from the water with Retro Boat Rentals.

There’s no better way to celebrate the coming of spring (and soon, the summer!) than to get in touch with your inner nature-lover. Whether it’s garden-fresh herbs to cook with or the sweet aromas of the fields of spring flowers, the season is truly the most beautiful. During your stay with us at The Hotel Saugatuck, spend a morning in the tranquil garden space of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

Plan your next getaway to Michigan’s Art Coast with a stay at The Hotel Saugatuck, just minutes away from dozens of craft brewhouses, wineries, distilleries, and cider houses. With thousands of breweries popping up all around the country in recent years, craft beer is here to stay (we all knew wine wasn’t going anywhere!). Discover the full flavors of Saugatuck’s craft beverages, brewed using local ingredients, as you learn the subtleties of flavor. Maybe one day you’ll become a brewmaster yourself!

One of the most common questions our visitors ask is, “Where should we go to eat?” While your delicious breakfast is already taken care of in your luxurious room (baked French toast and double-smoked bacon, anyone?), it helps to plan a trip ahead of time and make some reservations to some of Saugatuck’s finest eateries. Make a reservation for a different venue every evening to truly taste as much of town as you can, or finally, emerge from your romantic solitude at The Hotel Saugatuck for a special evening out at one of Saugatuck’s many waterfront restaurants.

Michigan’s largest and finest collection of antiques can be found at the Allegan Antique Market. With over 400 dealers in every field of antiques and collectibles, you’re guaranteed to find something that suits your interests or needs, whether it’s a vintage jewelry gift for someone back home or that new piece of furniture or home décor that will liven up your space with a touch of vintage. From glass, pottery, and rare china to refurbished, industrial bar stools and furniture, Allegan Antiques has every kind of item imaginable.

Spring is just around the corner in Saugatuck and that means that visitors and residents alike are starting to head outdoors. With miles of hiking trails and some of the best beaches in the country, we take full advantage of the warmer seasons, from start to finish. So lace up your boots and grab your water bottle; these parks and natural areas are just the things you need to celebrate spring the Saugatuck way.

There’s a lot to see in Holland and the surrounding area, just a few minutes north of Saugatuck.

One of Saugatuck’s most interesting destinations is J. Petter Galleries, a 12,000-square-foot fine art gallery that displays local artists in tandem with the wine gallery. An unusual find for any art enthusiast and wine lover, the combined Petter Art and Wine Galleries were once the Historic River Guild Gallery Center on Blue Star Highway in Douglas. Home to more than 60 award-winning artists, the bright blue building is the centerpiece of creativity for Saugatuck and Douglas.

Winter in Saugatuck and Douglas can absolutely be the most wonderful time of the year, and it often is. Despite being known for our beautiful, sugar sand beaches and summertime fun, Saugatuck is a great place to be in the winter. Cozy fireside chats, relaxing indoors with a good book, or enjoying a great meal, live music, and dancing at Salt of the Earth all make winter in Saugatuck the best romantic getaway of the year.

Saugatuck may be known as a popular summer destination to travelers around the world, but the quaint, small-town charm of our “seaside” community also makes it one of the most romantic and peaceful locations to spend Valentine’s Day with your special someone. Besides the luxurious amenities and gracious hospitality you will find while staying at The Hotel Saugatuck, (like the private fireplaces and jetted hot tubs) there are several fun things to do around town if you want to take a romantic excursion and see some sights.

Tour one of Michigan’s oldest original breweries in the nearby city of Kalamazoo. With more than 40 different beers on tap, Bell’s Brewery also offers a full-service restaurant, café, beer garden, and patio. Enjoy a craft brew or delectable dish in the café, take a tour of the facilities, or get some holiday shopping done in the general store. With its Two-Hearted blend ranked as the #1 Beer in America, Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo is worth the trip.