20 Best Hotels on Lake Michigan (2025)

Vast, sparkling, and almost ocean-like, Lake Michigan is a sailor’s paradise and one of the Midwest’s crown jewels. Its shoreline is dotted with bustling ports—Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Gary, and Muskegon—plus countless charming little lakeside towns. The beaches here rival the coasts, so much so that Lake Michigan is often called America’s “third coastline.” Think soft, pale sand, rolling dunes, and stretches of national parkland and forest framing the water. Whether you’re after sleek city hotels, cosy B&Bs, or family-friendly retreats tucked into nature, you’ll find endless options along this stunning shoreline. Dive into our guide to the best hotels on Lake Michigan and start planning your getaway!

For Water Views

• Looking Glass Beachfront Inn is a cosy lakeside B&B just a mile from Grand Haven. With sunset decks, water-view rooms, a family-friendly loft, daily home-cooked breakfasts, and guest kitchen access, it’s a serene escape within walking distance of downtown dining and nightlife.

For a City Break

• Graduate Evanston blends nostalgic varsity charm with modern comforts in a historic downtown building minutes from Lake Michigan. Its 120 stylish rooms and suites—plus lounges, a gym, and a lively restaurant—make it a welcoming stay for families, couples, or solo travellers.
• Sophy Hyde Park offers vibrant, art-filled style in Chicago’s cultural heart. Its 98 rooms and suites boast chic decor and, in some, spectacular corner-window views. With family-friendly spaces, lively communal areas, and nightlife nearby, it’s perfect for exploring the city’s creative side.

For a Countryside Escape

• Deer Path Inn, a Tudor-style gem from the 1860s, channels English elegance with manicured gardens, afternoon tea, and a cosy pub. Just under an hour from Chicago, its 55 refined rooms and suites make for a luxurious lakeside escape.

For an Active Holiday

• Hotel Earl of Charlevoix pairs bold monochrome design with mid-century flair across 56 spacious rooms and suites. Some add kitchens, balconies, or two bedrooms. Guests enjoy a continental breakfast, drinks with small plates, a gym, and a chic downtown location.

For a House Party Feel

• With just four eclectic rooms, The Spring Lighthouse feels like staying with stylish friends—complete with antiques, collectibles, and its own private Lake Michigan beach. Guests enjoy three-course breakfasts, plus a barbecue area for DIY dining.
• Kinn Guesthouse blends designer flair and local art across eight unique rooms in suburban Milwaukee. With a communal kitchen, lounge, and TV room, this converted home offers a spacious, trendy stay that feels like visiting effortlessly cool friends.

For Families

• The Inn at Bay Harbor delivers lakeside luxury with a private beach, four golf courses, spa, gym, kids’ club, and unforgettable sunsets. Stay in rooms, suites, or multi-bedroom cottages and villas—most with balconies and kitchens—for a resort escape perfect for all ages.

For Romantics

• Overlooking Eagle Harbor in peaceful Ephraim, Hillside Waterfront Hotel offers seven airy rooms with fireplaces, whirlpools, balconies, and water views. Breakfast is included, restaurants are nearby, and in winter it’s an elegant base for cross-country skiing. The perfect couple's retreat.
• Just minutes from Lake Michigan beaches, Martha's Vineyard B&B has 12 cosy rooms and suites with private porches, fireplaces, whirlpools, and hearty breakfasts—perfect for a relaxed, romantic getaway.
• In Sheboygan Falls, Rochester Inn's six traditional rooms feature antiques, whirlpools, thick carpets, and four-posters. With an indulgent breakfast and romantic atmosphere, it’s a charming base for Lake Michigan adventures.
• Owner-run and welcoming, Wickwood Inn in downtown Saugatuck offers 11 rooms filled with antiques, fires, and cushy corners for wine. The celebrated cookbook author–owner serves gourmet breakfasts, plus teatime treats and evening small plates with drinks. Ideal for a cosy couples getaway.
• In Sturgeon Bay, The Foxglove Inn is a stylish, adults-only retreat with nine oversized suites featuring fireplaces, antiques, and luxe baths. With in-room breakfasts and private living spaces, this all-suite B&B is both intimate and indulgent.

For a Rural Retreat

• Steps from Lake Michigan, The Inn at Union Pier is a 16-room woodland retreat with Scandinavian fireplaces, jetted tubs, gardens, a library, and game room. Breakfast is included, making this rural escape both charming and restorative.
• Once a 19th-century lumber mill, The Hotel Saugatuck is now a chic 12-room B&B on Lake Kalamazoo, near Lake Michigan. Boldly decorated rooms—some in private cottages—feature whirlpools and porches with lake views.
• Set on an organic farm near Lake Michigan, Goldberry Woods offers rustic-chic rooms, suites, and cottages. Guests enjoy a heated pool, hot tub, and farm-fresh breakfasts in a cosy, woodland setting with plenty of space for self-catering stays.

For Great Value

• Once a mid-century motel, 4411 Inn & Suites is now a bright, contemporary 26-room stay near Lake Michigan, just an hour from Chicago. With family-sized suites, fire pit, and grill station, it’s an affordable, stylish choice for groups or getaways.

Best B&Bs

• Blacksmith Inn on the Shore is- This 15-room lakeside inn pairs luxury with romance: private balconies with hammocks, whirlpools, fireplaces, and gourmet breakfasts. Guests can borrow kayaks or a tandem bike, but note—no kids or pets. Perfect for couples seeking Lake Michigan views and charm.
• Set in a Victorian-style Ludington home, The Lamplighter B&B has just five elegant rooms filled with antiques, plus fireplaces and spa baths in the finest. A sophisticated choice for grown-ups, with daily breakfasts and optional chef-prepared dinners.
• Among The Vineyards Bed and Breakfast- Between Lake Michigan’s beaches and vineyards, this stylish four-room B&B offers bold decor, a cedar tub-for-two suite, pool, and communal den. Guests enjoy friendly hosts, homemade breakfasts, and fresh-baked cookies in a relaxed, boutique setting.

Still not sure?

• Refine your search to a city break and browse the best places to stay in Chicago, Green Bay or Milwaukee,
• Alternatively, explore our full list of recommendations for places to stay in Lake Michigan.
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.