Hidden Garden Cottages & Suites

The Hidden Garden Cottages and Suites is a private, romantic getaway with the added advantage of being steps away from Saugatuck's charming shops and restaurants. However, this adult-only bed-and-breakfast is hidden behind a retail building, buffered by a lush, well-tended flower garden that makes the lively tourist town outside feel worlds away. There's plenty of quaint charm here, but the common areas of the hotel are limited to a porch with rocking chairs and the lovely garden. This cozy getaway gets plenty of repeat business, which is a testament to the warm welcome provided by the innkeepers, and their attention to detail.

Travelers who want to be in the center of lively little Saugatuck are in luck here -- nearly every downtown sight is within walking distance, but the hotel is still secluded enough to be able to get a good night’s sleep. The bed-and-breakfast is located on a busy Butler Street, the main drag in Saugatuck that's lined with independent shops, galleries, cafes, and a wine cellar. The pier is a few blocks away on foot, and Wicks Park and the Amazwi Contemporary Art gallery are within a five-minute walk. Saugatuck Center for the Arts is also a five-minute walk from the inn. It's a 10-minute drive to Mount Baldhead Park and Oval Beach, as well as Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The Southwest Michigan Regional Airport is a 45-minute drive, while Chicago is a little over two hours away by car.

The Hidden Garden Cottages and Suites consists of two freestanding cottages and two suites located in the main building. Rooms are designed for two, with romantic fireplaces, double whirlpool tubs, and private porches with a pair of rocking chairs. Each room is individually named and designed after a different part of the world: New Orleans, Tuscany, the Caribbean, and East Africa. Some have canopy or four poster beds, and all are filled with interesting artwork and objects from around the globe. Most rooms also have small kitchenettes with mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and toasters, while the San Juan Suite has a full kitchen. Cupboards are stocked with coffee, tea, and microwave popcorn to be enjoyed along with selections from the hotel’s plentiful DVD lending library. Each room has individually controlled heat and air-conditioning plus flat-screen TVs with DVD players, ceiling fans, iPod and iPhone docks, and free Wi-Fi. The San Juan Suite is a true one-bedroom apartment, with a separate living area and bedroom. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower/tub combos that has whirlpool jets. While decor is lovely, the traditionally elegant style might not suit all guests' tastes. 

The Hidden Garden Cottages & Suites offers delicious continental breakfasts that include home-baked muffins, fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, and cereal. These are delivered in baskets to each room daily. Guests are welcome to borrow from an extensive DVD library, and the rooms are stocked with microwave popcorn for a romantic movie night. This property also has a lush garden with a fountain, though there are few standard hotel amenities. There's plenty to do, see, and eat within walking distance, and the hotel's owners are accommodating and generous with recommendations. Both Wi-Fi and parking are free.