A century-old hotel in a small Michigan town has received a luxurious facelift from the same designer who worked on Camp David and the White House.
Otis Harbor Springs in Harbor Springs, Michigan has emerged as a “reinvented mid-century hotel” with 100 years of history and multiple renovations.
Reservations for the luxury hotel will open on May 31 with options to book a studio or larger room, such as the family suite.
Renovations to the historic hotel were led by Israel Hernandez and Ty Humpert, while the property’s designs were created by Daniel Caudill, Humpert and interior designer Kenneth Blasingame.
Blasingame designed the interior of the White House at the request of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush. D Magazine reported.
Otis Harbor Springs in Harbor Springs, Michigan has emerged as a “reinvented mid-century hotel” after 100 years of history and multiple renovations.
He also helped design Camp David, a 125-acre country retreat for the President of the United States in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland.
The Texas interior designer worked with the Bush family since 1989 after they hired him to help design their Dallas home before working on the Texas Governor’s Mansion.
‘It was certainly very exciting. There were a lot of “pinch me” moments, Blasingame previously told D Magazine.
The renovated hotel has 31 “impeccably designed” rooms, some of which feature courtyard views.
Rooms start at $275 for the Lakeside Harbor Studio, and the highest-priced room, the Lakeside Family Suite, costs around $483.
The hotel has undergone a “complete renovation” featuring touches of “rustic charm and pride of place” by the design team.
According to the websiteGuests must stay a minimum of two nights at the hotel, which is located just off the M-119, near the well-known Tunnel of Trees.
The hotel was first founded by Joseph E. Otis, a Chicago banker, in the 20th century.
Otis named the property the Birchwood Family Estate and in 1958 the farmland was transformed into a retreat called the Birchwood Inn.
Humpert said the inn was the place he and his family visited every year on their fall road trip to see the Tunnel of Trees, a scenic drive filled with large, vibrant trees.
“We wanted to restore this legacy property and offer future generations of travelers the opportunity to explore this beautiful region, while creating their own lifelong memories.”
One of the rooms before renovations inside the Birchwood Inn (left). An updated room inside the Otis Harbor Springs hotel (right)
The hotel has since undergone a “complete renovation” featuring touches of “rustic charm and pride of place” by the design team.
‘The team brings a completely new vision to every inch of the property, from lush, layered interior spaces to the smallest details, such as custom-designed furniture and a restoration of a native prairie landscape, creating a high-end hospitality experience. level that has not yet been developed. seen in the region,” the hotel said.
When guests arrive at the newly designed property, they are instantly greeted by a mid-century modern building exterior with beams and stone.
“We’ve created this experience for both locals and our out-of-town guests,” said Israel Hernández, one of the renovators.
Inside the hotel, guests are introduced to a variety of antique and unique pieces that Humpert acquired at local flea markets and antique stores.
The lobby is filled with soft, earthy, blue tones that mimic the waters of Lake Michigan, with a long wooden cabinet crafted with circles on each door.
Guests are also greeted by Birchwood General, a shop located within the lodge that sells local homemade goods, including art and select books.
The store also sells small bites, cold cuts and a selection of wines ideal for planning a picnic in the outdoor space surrounding the hotel.
To-go food and drink selections are also available, including La Colombe coffee, parfaits and local French pastries.
A large living room with fireplace is located in the center of the main lodge.
At the hotel there is a rectangular, marble-topped bar with bright orange stools, a selection of hard liquor, and additional seating space nearby. The cocktail menu will include drinks inspired by the area and the property’s history.
The above design of a bathroom at Birchwood Inn fits with light blue tiles (left). The updated bathroom at the Otis Harbor Springs hotel covered in salmon-colored tile (right)
The space has additional firewood available to light fresh fires and ample seating space for people to gather.
Exposed beams trace the ceiling while the tuxedo sofa that was placed in the original Birchwood Inn blends into the vintage-modern space.
Next to the fireplace is a rectangular, marble-topped bar, complemented by bright orange stools, a selection of hard liquor, and additional seating space nearby.
The hotel said the cocktail menu will include drinks inspired by the area and the property’s history.
One drink, called Tapawingo, is made with London gin, Dolin Vermouth Blanc, Salers Gentian Aperitif and lemon bitters.
The pre-design of the fireplace area before renovations at the Birchwood Inn
A large living room with fireplace is located in the center of the main lodge. The space has additional firewood available to light fresh fires and ample seating space for people to gather.
Each of the rooms produces a “relaxing palette” with neutral, earthy walls, bedding and colors.
The bathrooms in each room are decorated in similar colors as the bedrooms, but given a light touch with checkered backsplashes as well as salmon pink and green tiles.
Outside the hotel, the grounds are filled with many opportunities, including exploring the outdoors or keeping it simple as a great place to socialize.
With native plants and meadows, there is space for guests to immerse themselves in fun activities such as bocce ball, outdoor stone fire pits, and a seating space known as The Grove.
In July, the hotel plans to debut its yoga space which will be located at the back of the property near Michigan’s state tree, the ancient white pines.
“We’ve created this experience for both locals and our out-of-town guests,” Hernandez said.
“This is a very special place that has been a part of the community for many decades and we are honored to bring back this pillar of Northern Michigan for future generations.”
