Where Should We Stay?

Saugatuck is full of lovely bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels. There is much to do in the area and plenty to keep you occupied if you'd like to make a weekend of it. However, many of the hotels will have a two-night minimum stay during season and it's a bit more complicated to stay for just one night. To accomodate all possible situations, we've researched a variety of options for all budgets. Here are our suggestions:

Make a Weekend of It (two night minimums required):

 The Maplewood Hotel, located in downtown Saugatuck, is cute and quaint.

http://www.maplewoodhotel.com/

Wickwood Inn, located next door to the Maplewood, has excellent reviews (but also elevated prices to match its elevated status).

http://www.wickwoodinn.com/

Twin Gables Bed and Breakfast is one block away from our cottage.

http://www.twingablesinn.com/
 
The Captain's Quarters Motel - in Saugatuck. Very basic, nice grounds with campfire pit, clean and a 15 minute walk ($159 plus tax per night, two nights required)

http://www.captainsmotel.com/

One Night Only and/or Budget Friendly:

We've reserved several rooms at the Blue Star Motel, located in Douglas - just over the river from Saugatuck. Douglas has its own lovely downtown area and you could walk to our cottage (about 15 minutes) from the Motel. The Motel has new owners and all of the rooms have recently been remodeled.  They've agreed to do a one-night stay (but you can also stay two) - price is $179 per night, plus tax for one night; if you stay an additional night the price is $159 per night, plus tax. The rooms are reserved under Johnson/Cotton. Simply call Rusty, the manager, and change the reservation into your name. Note - the motel only has 8 total rooms and we will cancel any unreserved rooms two weeks before the party.

http://bluestardouglas.com/

For a more budget friendly option, a block of rooms has been reserved under Cotton at the Microtel Inn, located in Holland, MI. Holland is about a 15-20 minute drive from Saugatuck. The price is $105 per night, plus tax. Simply call and change the reservation into your name. Although we've only reserved one night, you of course could stay additional nights.

http://www.microtelinn.com/hotels/michigan/holland/microtel-inn-and-suites-holland/hotel-overview


Cottages/Cabins/Very Budget Friendly Options

Presbyterian Camp Cottages

Located in Saugatuck. The Presbyterian Camp is a 14 acre camp located on the shores of Lake Michigan, next to Saugatuck's Oval beach.  We've reserved four of their overflow cottages, which are secluded on their own and nestled in the trees. The cottages are basic/rustic (but immaculate and well-maintained), with two bunk beds (sleeps four) in each and a shower/bath. Each has views of Lake Michigan and is surrounded by nature. The price for each cottage is $55 dollars per person (includes breakfast); children are less. Let us know if you're interested and we can organize for you. Five minute drive/thirty minute walk to our house. Easy access to Saugatuck via Interurban (local shuttle bus, rides anywhere in Saugatuck/Douglas for $1) and Chain Ferry.   

Pine Trail Camp Cabin

Located in Saugatuck. Beautiful riverfront camp, large newly refurbished bunkhouse separated into private quadrants with baths and showers, $28 per person (less for kids), use of their great facilities, including canoes, pool, tennis, volleyball courts, fire pit and zip line! Note - only our guests would be in this cabin and we can organize the quadrants by friends/families.Thirty minute walk to our house, five minute drive - serviced by Interurban.

Last, But Not Least

I generally practice, but don't encourage, waiting until the last minute. However, given that August 11th is neither a holiday weekend nor are there other festivals going on in Saugatuck during this time, you may be able to secure a room for just one night, and at a lower rate, by calling the week before. The Microtel has a 24 hour cancellation policy, so you could book a room there and then just cancel it if you find somewhere better/closer the week of the party. HOWEVER be warned that places are often full every weekend until Labor Day and you should proceed at your own risk :)

Finally, we are not sure whether "back yard" camping is permitted. However, we are renting another house down the street that is secluded away from the prying eyes of neighbors and the ever watchful City. So, if you're interested in pitching a tent, be in touch and we can speak about logistics :)  There are also several state campgrounds in Holland.

Saugatuck/Douglas - Area & Things to Do

Saugatuck is a quaint, small town located two hours from Chicago and just off the shores of Lake Michigan, on Lake Kalamazoo. One of the town's biggest claims to fame is fending off a McDonald's in the 1980's.

Known as the "art" coast of Michigan, Saugatuck, as well as its sister city, Douglas, are filled with shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Spend a day on lovely oval beach, climb Mt. Baldhead or hike Saugatuck's newest duneland preserve.

                                          Bracing Against The Wind, photo by josiah.keen.

Oxbow artist's camp

Photo of Oxbow Lake and Lake Michigan taken during a fall sand dune hike.

Recent sunset from our dock.

                                                               Saugatuck Village Hall

                                                     
                                                                The Sand Bar Saloon.

What's a Gatsby Theme, Anyway?

It was the summer of 1922. "There was Music from my neighbor's house through the summer nights.  In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars. . . . At least once a fortnight corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby's enormous garden. . . . In the main hall a bar with a real brass rail was set up, and stocked with gins and liquors and with cordials so long forgotten that most of his female guests were too young to know one from the other." F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

In California, a group meets every year for an event called The Gatsby Summer Afternoon. Here is a link to a web page with some fun photos for inspiration:

http://www.artdecosociety.org/gatsby/gatsby2009.htm

Although flapper dresses and hats for the gents will be the easiest to find in the shops, if you're searching for the truly authentic look, check out this link (for guys, scroll all the way to the bottom of the article) below:

http://fashionbloglife.com/1920sfashion/


Here are a few more examples of ladies' dresses, for those searching for more dress ideas:

http://circavintageclothing.com.au/2007/09/25/costume-institute-1920s/

What Exactly is "Austin House?"

In March, 2011, Greg and I bought a leaky, leaning cottage we affectionately refer to as "the Money Pit."  Over the course of the past year, we - as well as many of you, our friends and family - have worked hard to make the cottage a fun, cozy place to be!  During our remodel, which you can follow below by clicking on the link (you will be able to view these photos even if you don't have a Facebook account), we did some research and discovered a bit about the house's past, including its previous name - Austin House. Now, by evoking the style of the literary character Jay Gatsby's famous parties (though, clearly not his house - we're much more Nick Carroway), we're ready to share it with you as we celebrate Greg's big 4-0.   We can't wait! 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100539476825934.3211096.2366679&type=3&l=548ea685cd

Our cottage, aka "Austin House," circa late 1920's.

Some things get better with age. We'll let you be the judge.

It's been 40 fabulous years since 1972!!