Sherwood Forest Bed and Breakafast  

Sherwood Forest Bed and Breakfast, for the second year running has taken the top honors in the Lake Magazine Readers Poll for "Best of... Personal Luxury". Chosen from an area stretching from the Indiana Dunes National Lake Shore to Grand Haven, Michigan. Readers picked Keith & Sue Charak's Bed and Breakfast for it's fine appointments, great concierge service, hip and cool swimming pool and of course it's laid back innkeepers (not to mention being 1/2 a block from Lake Michigan and an awesome public beach!). This beautiful Victorian home offers inviting elegance in a wooded setting. There are hardwood floors, leaded-glass windows, an oak paneled staircase and wrap-around porch that add to serene relaxation in ideal surroundings. Spacious guest rooms are complete with antiques, cozy wing chairs, Persian rugs, private baths and queen-sized beds. There are two suites available: the first reproduces the serenity of the Northwood's as a replica of the inside of a log cabin, log walls, planked ceilings, oriental rugs and some mission-style furniture. It includes a stone-mantle gas fireplace, viewed from either the two-person Jacuzzi or the comfort of the bedroom. The second suite features the same amenities but is decorated in the flair of the late 19th century. One room sports a hand painted mural that transforms the room into a canopied tree loft high in the treetops in the middle of a field surrounded by woods and is complemented by a gas fireplace. In every detail it is clear that care has been taken to provide an environment ideal for unwinding and relaxing. Breakfast is served each morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. You can sleep in and come down at your leisure and features such favorites as blueberry coffeecake, cinnamon-orange French toast, or asparagus and feta cheese Strata. During the summer, guests can swim in the heated pool adorned with a giant mural of a sunken ship half embedded in a coral reef surrounded by a couple of hundred fish painted on the bottom. Or, walk 1/2 block to a Lake Michigan public beach to enjoy spectacular sunsets. There are retro Schwinn Suburban bicycles available for exploring the scenic lake shore. Separate cottage with fireplace is also available for intimate, group or family getaways. It houses two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, living room, a/c, full kitchen and a deck for the comforts of home with the amenities of an Inn. In the winter, X-country ski, snowshoe or hike out the back door along the secluded beach or through the woods. The small quaint towns of Saugatuck and Douglas are just a couple of miles away where you have world class shopping, gourmet dining with four of the best restaurants in West Michigan, it's also noted as the 'Art coast of West Michigan' with more than 30 art galleries.

Amenities: Air conditioning, Gas Fireplace, Fridge, TV, Cable, Wireless Internet, and more...

Cancellation Policy: two weeks

Please ask about children.

Breakfast: Breakfast features such favorites as cinnamon orange French toast, blueberry coffeecake, chocolate zucchini bread, we always have coffee and hot water for teas at 8:30 am

Driving Directions: Directions from Detroit area: take 96 West to 196 South (toward Holland). Exit off 196 at #41 (Saugatuck/Douglas exit) and turn right at the end of the exit ramp (so you'll be heading south on Blue Star Highway). Go 3.5 miles from exit, then turn right (west) at Center Street (there's a stoplight and Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center-we're on the right-hand side.

Directions from Grand Rapids: take 196 South (toward Holland). Exit off 196 at #41 (Saugatuck/Douglas exit) and turn right at the end of the exit ramp (so you'll be heading south on Blue Star Highway). Go 3.5 miles from exit, then turn right (west) at Center Street (there's a stoplight and Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center-we're on the right-hand side.

Directions from Chicago area: take 94 East to 196 North (toward Holland/ Grand Rapids). Exit off 196 at exit #36 (Douglas/Saugatuck) and turn right at end of exit ramp (so you'll be heading north on Blue Star Highway). Go 1.5 miles from exit, then turn left (west) at Center Street (there's a stoplight and a Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center Street-we're on the right-hand side. (Or if you're familiar with the Skyway, you can take that to the Detroit/Lake Station exit, then get back on 94 East to 196 North etc.)

Directions from Traverse City: take 37 South to 113 East to 131 South. By Grand Rapids, take 196 South (toward Holland). Exit off 196 at #41 (Saugatuck/Douglas exit) and turn right at the end of the exit ramp (so you'll be heading south on Blue Star Highway). Go 3.5 miles from exit, then turn right (west) at Center Street (there's a stoplight and Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center-we're on the right-hand side.

Directions from Petoskey: take 131 South to 196 South (toward Holland). Exit off 196 at #41 (Saugatuck/Douglas exit) and turn right at the end of the exit ramp (so you'll be heading south on Blue Star Highway). Go 3.5 miles from exit, then turn right (west) at Center Street (there's a stoplight and Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center-we're on the right-hand side.

Directions from Cincinnati: take 75 North to 475 North to 94 West to 131 North to 89 West. Approximately 5 miles after passing through downtown Fennville on 89, turn right (north) on Blue Star Highway (also called A-2). Go approx. 4 miles, then turn left (west) on Center Street (there's a stoplight and Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center Street-we're on the right-hand side.

Directions from Indianapolis: take 31 North to 94 East to 196 North (toward Holland/Grand Rapids). Exit off 196 at #36 (Douglas/Saugatuck) and take a right at the end of the exit ramp (so you'll be heading north on Blue Star Highway). Go 1.5 miles from exit, then turn left (west) at Center Street (there's a stoplight and a Shell Gas Station on the corner). Go 1 mile on Center-we're on the right-hand side.

Directions from Kalamazoo: take 94 West to 131 North to 89 est. Approximately 5 miles after passing through downtown Fennville on 89, turn right (north) on Blue Star Highway (also called A-2). Go approx. 4 miles, then turn left (west) on Center Street (there's a stoplight and Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center St.-we're on the right-hand side.

Directions from Lansing: take 96 West to 196 South (toward Holland).Exit off 196 at #41 (Saugatuck/Douglas exit) and turn right at the end of the exit ramp (so you'll be heading south on Blue Star Highway). Go 3.5 miles from exit, then turn right (west) at Center Street (there's a stoplight and Shell Gas Station on corner). Go 1 mile on Center-we're on the right-hand side.

Local Area Attractions: In downtown Saugatuck take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk. Explore the dockside shops and discover the sophisticated charm of our many galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Picnic by the gazebo in Wicks Park overlooking the harbor. Ride a Victorian hand-cranked ferry. Rent a canoe, charter a sailboat or tour our harbor on board an old-fashioned stern wheeler, dinner cruiser or WWII amphibious "duck" that runs shuttle service between downtown Saugatuck and Douglas. Douglas is home to the SS Keewatin - a Titanic-era steamship, now a museum. Its downtown shopping area has become a center for home accessory, antique and interior design enthusiasts from throughout the Midwest. They even serve "high tea" on Wednesdays and gather for Thursday evening socials during peak season. Golf enthusiasts can hit the links at one of our three 18-hole championship golf courses while the kids take instruction at the area's golf school. Don't leave without taking the family on a thrilling dune buggy ride or spending at least one day on Saugatuck's Oval Beach - ranked one of the top 25 beaches in the world by Conde Nast and among the top five in the USA by MTV.

Onsite Activities: Pool, Bikes, hiking, Lake Michigan is 1/2 block away...not to mention we have a grate conciege service

Seasonal Info: Open all year