The Best Places to Stay in Saugatuck for Families
- Updated: 04/12/2024
- Janice
During the many years of our annual fall trip to the charming coastal town of Saugatuck, Michigan, we have stayed at some average, many good, and more great Saugatuck Airbnbs, VRBOs, and motels. And I have ogled many more.
Benefit from our first-hand experience with this list of family-friendly Saugatuck lodging at different price points, ranging from affordable to luxe. Many places we have stayed at personally. Others, I have dreamed of booking for a future visit. Nearly all are highly rated. And several accept pets.
Also, I share an overview of Saugatuck’s neighboring communities in this companion article that you may want to consider exploring for your stay—especially if you find in-town Saugatuck lodging pricey or availability scarce.
With this information, I hope to help you get one step closer to enjoying a wonderful getaway in what may be Michigan’s most crowd-pleasing—and my personal favorite—coastal town.
Table Of Contents
Why do we love Saugatuck, MI, and keep going back every fall? Find the answer here here.
About Saugatuck: Getting Oriented
Saugatuck is an attractive, welcoming, and charming river town on the west coast of Michigan—approximately a three-hour drive from Chicago and Detroit.
Surrounded by water on three sides, Saugatuck offers exceptional restaurants, shopping, and activities that appeal to visitors including artists, foodies, boating enthusiasts, adult travelers, and families. Most in-town locations are walkable within 20 minutes or far less. Though, some routes east of Butler Street include hills, which may be helpful to know for those with limited mobility.
Curious about how to get to Saugatuck? Check out this section in a companion article.
The Kalamazoo River curves around the north and west sections of town, while Kalamazoo Lake—which the river feeds into—rounds out its south. And to the east, the Blue Star Highway, a 42-mile byway paralleling the coast of Lake Michigan, contains the town proper.
Although you cannot see nearby Lake Michigan from the town of Saugatuck, you can get to it in a short 10-minute drive around Lake Kalamazoo. Cross the residential and dune headland to the west to gain access to the lake via the award-winning Oval Beach or quieter, smaller, and ideal for sunset-watching, Douglas Beach Park.
Before booking a Saugatuck stay, learn four things families should know here.
The 8 Best Saugatuck Areas to Stay for Families
Now that you have an overview of the area, you can start looking for that perfect place to book for your trip. Find my recommended Airbnb and VRBO rentals and motel and hotel properties below.
Most are ideal for group sizes of three to eight and are in these areas:
- The town of Saugatuck, including West Saugatuck, the area west of the Kalamazoo River
- Douglas
- Goshorn Lake
- Fennville & Hutchins Lake
- Holland & South Haven
Are you traveling with kids? If so, know the majority of Saugatuck area inns and bed & breakfasts do not allow kids, or have age-limit policies. Learn more here.
Saugatuck & West Saugatuck
The Saugatuck vacation properties I recommend span both sides of the Kalamazoo River and the Blue Sky Highway.
How to use this map: In the map header, click the square tab to the left of my logo or click the enlarge frame to the right to view detail. Save the map to “Your Places” on Google Maps by clicking the star next to the map name, or share it by clicking the share icon.
If my recommendations are unavailable, search for alternative accommodation for your travel dates on VRBO, Booking.com, or Airbnb. Or consider expanding your search outside the in-demand downtown Saugatuck boundaries. To learn where else to look, check out the article “Where to Stay in Saugatuck? 8 Amazing Areas” for an overview of nearby communities to consider for booking your stay.
Sleeps up to eight, pets permitted. This well-priced cottage is one of our favorite family and dog-friendly Saugatuck rentals. Located on the north end of town, this sparkling clean and homey one-story three-bedroom and two-bath property can sleep up to eight. The home has a screened-in porch and a small tree-lined private backyard fenced on three sides.
On a quiet north Saugatuck street, the rental is a 10 to 15-minute walk to downtown and less than a five-minute walk to our favorite riverside restaurant, The Southerner. In the rental, enjoy a fully stocked kitchen and living space thoughtfully supplied with everything you need or might want—including a complimentary bottle of welcome wine—for a lovely stay. Be sure to reserve this home far in advance, as it is popular at its price point. Book it or explore more here.
Sleeps up to four, no pets. Across Holland Street from the Starry Night Cottage and on the north end of town, find this riverside two-bedroom and one-bath bungalow with bunk beds. We enjoyed our fall stay at this more rustic and quiet home on a bluff overlooking the Kalamazoo River.
The cottage has outdoor seating, river access through a shared pier on the property, and a quiet and private yard. This rental is also a less than five-minute walk to the Southerner and the same distance to town (a 10 to 15-minute walk) as the Starry Night Cottage. Book it or explore more here.
Sleeps up to six, dogs under 40 lbs. permitted. We stayed at this three-bedroom, two-bath pet-friendly property just east of the main shopping streets of Saugatuck several years ago. It is spacious and has a nice yard.
Although I find this property overpriced compared to similar rentals, I have included it here for last-minute trip planners. Since Beechwood Cottage, managed by the Beechwood Manor Inn, is not cross-marketed on online rental marketplaces, you may have a better chance of finding it available when you need a place to stay. Book it or explore more here.
For late bookers, also try your luck at Holiday Hill Resort, Timber Bluff, or Sherwood Forest B&B Cottage, all shared in more detail below. These properties are minimally or not marketed on major online rental marketplace sites, and you may find last-minute availability.
Sleeps four+, no pets. On the south end of town and sitting right on Kalamazoo Lake, find Old Pike Cottages. I have wanted to stay at these pricey properties for several years. And although I find their rental rates out of my range for a weekend trip, this is where I would book if I were willing to pay a premium for being on the water.
Find eight trim pastel-hued homes nestled around a communal heated swimming pool (open until November 1) outfitted in luxury trimmings, complete with airy interiors thanks to oversize windows that look out onto boat piers jutting into Kalamazoo Lake. I would love to wake up and sip my coffee while sitting in the sleek spaces of one of these cottages and gaze out at the water. With a bit of a splurge, you may enjoy just that. Book this property or explore more here.
Sign up for my monthly Discovery Newsletter & get a free Trip Budget Calculator!
Sleeps 4+, no pets. On the west side of the Kalamazoo River and a seven-minute drive to downtown Saugatuck when the Chain Ferry is not running, find the highly rated Holiday Hill Resort, which offers riverside and forest-facing rentals ideal for groups of four or more.
Choose from one of four one-bedroom rentals, like this one listed on VRBO, with pull-out couches for the kids or two stand-alone cottages. Due to limited cross-marketing on online rental marketplace sites, I have seen more last-minute availability for these units vs. my other recommendations. Book this property or explore more here.
Sleeps up to 4+, pets permitted. Technically just out of town and on the east side of the Blue Star Highway, we stayed at this family and pet-friendly mid-century modern motel twice when our kids were younger.
Although staying here means walking to Saugatuck is not an option—the affordable pricing, spacious rooms, and ample facilities—which include a heated pool (in season), fire pit, and BBQs, more than make up for it. Plus, enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast with your stay. For families looking to minimize their lodging outlay and willing to stay in one room or a motel-based suite, this resort makes staying on the other side of the highway and sharing a room worth it. Book this property or explore more here.
If you love the appeal of retro-style properties, also check out the Pines Motor Lodge in Douglas or The Saugatuck Retro Resort north of town.
Additional Affordable Saugatuck Hotels & Rentals
Are you looking for more options around the same affordability as the Starlite? Check out the Best Western Saugatuck—it is not as highly rated, though you might find a room here when other properties are unavailable.
Or try for this well-rated two-bedroom cottage rental with motel pricing, given the two bedrooms. The rental permits pets weighing up to 50 lbs. and sits on the east side of the Blue Sky Highway just across from the town of Saugatuck and within walking distance of downtown Douglas.
More Saugatuck Pet-Friendly Rentals
Are you planning to vacation with your pup? If yes, and if the handful of pet-friendly properties I share above are unavailable, consider these other highly rated dog-ready rental digs.
Charming Cottage. Sleeps up to 6, pets permitted. Book a stay in this 1920s 3-bedroom, 2-bath cottage seven blocks to downtown Saugatuck, and you can enjoy any of the property’s three outdoor decks, the big backyard, or the large kitchen.
Rise & Shine. Sleeps up to 6, pets permitted. Find a fully fenced yard and a backyard deck at this charming 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom cottage at the eastern edge of town, about a block off the Blue Star Highway.
A Step Away. Sleeps up to 6, pets permitted. Almost in the heart of Saugatuck’s downtown, this affordable townhouse is in a prime location, and it accepts dogs. Act fast—you will be lucky to snag a stay.
Are these properties unavailable? Search for more Saugatuck lodging on Booking.com, VRBO, or Airbnb to find available properties that best suit your needs, dates, and budget.
Douglas
To the south and only a mile from Saugatuck, consider staying in the neighboring town of Douglas, known for its galleries and restaurants, and on the shores of Kalamazoo Lake.
How to use this map: In the map header, click the square tab to the left of my logo or click the enlarge frame to the right to view detail. Save the map to “Your Places” on Google Maps by clicking the star next to the map name, or share it by clicking the share icon.
I describe the town in more detail and give an overview of its lodging options in “Where to Stay in Saugatuck? 8 Amazing Areas.” Find the Douglas rentals I recommend below.
Sleeps 6, no pets. Enjoy a stay in this beautifully renovated three-bedroom, two-bath home within walking distance from the Douglas cafes, shops, and galleries. Plus, relax with a plunge in its backyard hot tub. Book this property or explore more here.
Sleeps up to 5, pets permitted. Here’s another dog-friendly Douglas property west of the Blue Sky Highway and only a block away from Douglas Park Beach.
Even though booking at the inn’s cottage does not include breakfast, its location is superb, and the price is spot on for the two-bedroom, one-in-a-half bath layout and the quality of the interior. Book this property or explore more here.
Sleeps 4, no pets. Although we booked this cozy and rustic cabin in the fall and could not stay there due to a water main issue, we loved its location. Plus, due to the trouble, the responsive owner switched us to her much roomier next-door vacation home.
Stay here for the trees surrounding it and the peace and quiet, as it is removed from town. The cabin is within walking access to Douglas Beach Park—perfect for sunsets—and to coffees and sweets at nearby Woosah Outfitters/Outside Coffee and hot dogs, floats, and rootbeers at the Rootbeer Barrel. Book the Redwoods cabin here.
Is everything booked? Search for more Douglas lodging on Booking.com, VRBO, or Airbnb to find available properties that best suit your needs, dates, and budget.
Goshorn Lake
The Goshorn Lake area sits a five-minute drive north of Saugatuck, off Holland Street, and has easy access to the paved Beeline bike trail that connects the towns of Saugatuck and Holland.
I describe it in more detail and give an overview of its lodging options in “Where to Stay in Saugatuck? 8 Amazing Areas.” Find the Goshorn Lake area rentals I recommend below.
Sleeps up to 8, no pets. I loved the layout and luxury rustic decor of this three-bedroom, three-bath spacious home we stayed at a few years ago. The only downside was its tiny backyard and less private outdoor space, as the cabin is in a development of similar properties on small plots. See why I loved the interior of Knotty Pines in this video clip below. Book this property or explore more here.
Other Goshorn Lake Properties
If you decide to rent in the Goshorn Lake area, know some properties like Knotty Pines do not have access to Goshorn Lake. Though, many other homes do. Check out this lakeside four-bedroom that has been on my rental radar for a few years.
Or jump on the Unsalted Vacations website to check out cottage availability for any of the two or three-bedroom cottages that make up Goshorn Lake Resort and have lake access, though no pets are allowed. Though, know these typically weekly rental properties require a minimum of a three-night stay in the off-season.
Is everything booked? Search for more Goshorn Lake lodging on the Saugatuck results pages of Booking.com (move your map results to focus on the area north of town and around Goshorn Lake), VRBO, or Airbnb.
Fennville & Hutchins Lake
If you are hoping to get more value for your lodging dollars for big groups, consider exploring the rental options in or around Hutchins Lake and Fennville. Depending on the property location, expect about a 15-minute drive to Saugatuck.
How to use this map: In the map header, click the square tab to the left of my logo or click the enlarge frame to the right to view detail. Save the map to “Your Places” on Google Maps by clicking the star next to the map name, or share it by clicking the share icon.
I describe these areas in more detail in “Where to Stay in Saugatuck? 8 Amazing Areas.” Find the area rentals I recommend below.
Sleeps up to 11, pets permitted. For nearly the same price as an in-town Saugatuck two-bedroom, rent this Hutchins Lake four-bedroom and two-bath home with lake views, pier access, and a hot tub. Check out the video below showing the two-minute walk from the lake to this rental home (video courtesy of the rental property owners).
The rental is a block off the lake and about a 15-minute drive to Saugatuck, and a 5-minute or less drive to Fennville, Crane Orchards, Virtue Cider, and Fenn Valley Vineyards. Book this property or explore more here.
Sleeps 14, no pets. If you prefer a place directly on Hutchins Lake, rent this four-bedroom, four-bath well-appointed home with lake views.
It has everything you might want or need to enjoy a wonderful family vacation—including spacious living areas and a canoe and kayaks available for use. Book this property or explore more here.
Sleeps up to 10, pets permitted. As long as you plan to drive back and forth to Saugatuck, consider this affordable five-bedroom, two-bath country home on a 23-acre property. It is 10-minutes from Saugatuck and five minutes from Fennville. Book this property or explore more here.
Multiple individual cottages. Staying at one of these highly rated and well-priced cottages that make up the Timber Bluff compound located on Lakeshore Drive and technically within Fennville—but close to Douglas and Saugatuck—is all about the views. And access to its private deck overlooking Lake Michigan and 150 feet of beach.
Rent the Timber Bluff properties individually or as a group. Nightly rates are surprisingly affordable, given the many on-site amenities and the prime lakeside location. Book this property or explore more here.
Update: The DollyBrook cabins (formerly DollyBrook Resort) are now booking through Millpond Realty and VRBO. Search for properties in Fennville, MI to find the cottages.
Multiple individual cottages, no pets. If you love the idea of many cottage rentals on one compound, check out the grounds of former DollyBrook Family Resort. It is also in the Fennville area and about the same distance to town as Timber Bluff—10 to 15 minutes.
Find nine individual units on wooded plots. Book one of these cottages on VRBO. Search for properties in Fennville, MI and focus your search east of the Blue Star Highway at the intersection of 121st Avenue and 68th Street. I share a screenshot of a VRBO search for these cottages below.
Is everything booked? Search for more Fennville area lodging, which includes Hutchins Lake, on Booking.com, VRBO, or Airbnb to find available properties that best suit your needs, dates, and budget.
Holland & South Haven
Especially for visitors planning last-minute trips and finding Saugatuck accommodation options scarce, consider expanding your search to include the nearby towns of Holland and South Haven, Michigan. Each town—a vacation destination in its own right—is located about a 20 to 25-minute drive from Saugatuck.
In Holland and South Haven, expect to find several fun things to do for families, such as visiting beaches, boating, playing at parks, and more. Find the hotels and motels I recommend below.
This all-suites hotel, which also includes a complimentary breakfast, has among the highest Google review ratings of all the mid-range chain motels and hotels in the southern end of Holland. And as it is the furthest south, it is also the closest to Saugatuck, putting it within a 16-minute drive to town. Book this property or explore more here.
If you want to consider staying at an even higher-rated family-friendly hotel property in Holland and do not mind the extra 10-minutes added to your Saugatuck drive, try the Hampton Inn Holland. It is a Hilton property that also includes a complimentary breakfast. Book this property or explore more here.
More Recommended Holland Lodging
Or, if you prefer being in historic downtown Holland, try the Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown, which provides complimentary breakfast, or the Tulyp, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Expect standard hotel rooms, higher prices, and a 20 to 25-minute drive to Saugatuck from both properties.
In South Haven, try for the Holiday Inn Express South Haven, a 21-minute drive from Saugatuck.
Looking for more lodging options? Explore the hotels and motels on Booking.com in Holland, MI, and South Haven, MI that best suit your needs, dates, and budget.
More Reading for Saugatuck Trip Planning
For families traveling to Saugatuck, Michigan, check out my related articles below to help you get the information you need to plan your best visit.
Or view my Michigan book list, including guidebooks, biographies, histories, and fiction set in place—that covers the Mitten State on Bookshop.org.
Additional Trip Planning Resources
To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below.
Google Flights. My first research stop for affordable flights for every trip. Learn why here.
Google Hotels. Use its “Where to stay” button to discover the best neighborhoods to base your visit.
Booking.com. For hotel and rental bookings, I appreciate its flexible cancellation, candid user reviews, discounts, loyalty program, and easy-to-use interface.
Viator, Get Your Guide, & Airbnb Experiences. Quickly find and book highly-rated tours and activities on these sites.
Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps. Find more things to do in your destination on Google Travel, then record where you want to visit on a custom Google Maps list.
AllTrails. Love to hike? Me too. I religiously use AllTrails to discover hiking and biking trails and download its offline maps to manage my hikes.
Guide Along. 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible for US road trips and national parks. We loved the Glacier National Park tour.
Insure My Trip. I never travel internationally without trip insurance. Learn why here. My preferred place to shop and compare policies is InsureMyTrip.com.
Plus, check out the 15 travel apps I use on trips, my preferred guidebooks, and my free customizable travel itinerary template, downloadable in four file formats.
About the author: Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog, Gather and Go Travel. Check out her bio, learn how she became a blogger, and discover how to work with her. Sign up for her monthly Discovery Newsletter to get her latest travel recommendations and how-to’s.
Love to travel? Sign up for my monthly Gather & Go Travel Discovery Newsletter and get a free trip budget calculator.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. And the income goes to keeping the site community-supported and ads minimal.
Welcome to Gather and Go Travel, a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me, read our story, and how to work with me.
Instagram...
love this info?
And receive our FREE Budget Trip Calculator.
