PUBLISHER’S PICKS – An Easy Drive to Links, Drinks & Lovely Lodging!
South Haven, Saugatuck & Holland, Michigan
Had the opportunity for a quick weekend getaway recently to South Haven, Saugatuck and Holland in the SW Michigan area. It’s an easy drive from the south suburbs of Chicago or from downtown Chicago. Stayed at HawksHead Inn for the first time which is 2 Miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline! What a best kept secret for a wonderful relaxing getaway, with bed and breakfast-style accommodations, wonderful restaurant and a Rolex “World’s Top 1000” golf course right on property.
Family-owned by the folks who also own the popular Clementine’s in downtown South Haven, the restaurant at the Inn has items that are locally-grown and sourced on their menu — I would highly recommend dining there for lunch or dinner! I also loved the fact that we received breakfast delivered to our door each morning. I was able to tour all 9 of their guest rooms on a previous visit and my favorite rooms are rooms one and two – great for couples.
All rooms are one of a kind and it depends on what you are looking for. What I liked about the Inn is that it has the quaintness and serenity of a Bed and Breakfast but still a hotel type atmosphere with a great bar, outdoor patio area for cocktails and a bite to eat. Visit www.hawksheadlinks.com for more info.
We also discovered a new winery just two miles away from the Inn called Macintosh Cellars. All wines are made from the apples in their orchards … no grapes at all! Some really good wine and a variety of cheeses, breads and sausages to go with your glass of wine served on the veranda.
If you are looking for a winery and restaurant on site, my favorite by far is Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant in Buchanan, MI – Exit 16 off I-94. The wines are unbelievable and dinner on the deck overlooking the vineyards is a must do this summer! If you like cherry wine like I do … Tabor Hill has an award-winning Cherry Wine – it’s my favorite cherry wine. Visit www.taborhill.com for more info.
I would also recommend some time spent in the city of Holland anytime or especially during their Tulip Festival Time usually the first part of May. What a great city for walking and you can pre-order your tulips for planting in the Fall right at the Dutch Village. The tulips all throughout the gardens and grounds are unbelievable!!
The Ravine’s golf course is one of Michigan’s best and is about 12 miles up the road (20 minutes driving) from HawksHead Inn. It’s an Arnold Palmer design course and one with some great elevations and beautiful forestry throughout the layout. This is a great course to also come up for the day, play 18 and get back into Chicago for an evening out on the town. Visit www.N9ne18.com or www.ravinesgolfclub.com for more info.
Summer weekends are peak season in southwest Michigan and most lodging facilities will only offer a two-night stay minimum on the weekends … book now for a great summer vacation getaway!
