A tiny Michigan town's century

Release time：2024-05-22 11:22:09 Source：Cultural Current news portal

A century-old hotel in a tiny Michigan town got a luxurious face lift by the same designer who worked on Camp David and the White House. 

Otis Harbor Springs in Harbor Springs, Michigan, an idyllic town with a population of less than 1,500 people has emerged as luxurious getaway with a 'reimagined mid-century hotel' with 100 years of history and multiple renovations. 

Reservations for the lush hotel are set to open up on May 31 with options to book a studio room or larger, like the family suite. 

The historic hotel's renovations were led by Israel Hernandez and Ty Humpert, while designs for the property 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 a 'reimagined mid-century hotel' after 100 years of history and multiple renovations

He also helped design Camp David, a 125-acre country retreat for the US president in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. 

The Texas interior designer worked with the Bush family since 1989 after they brought him on to help design their Dallas home before he worked on the Texas Governor's Mansion. 

'No doubt it was very exciting. There were a lot of "pinch me" moments,' Blasingame previously told D Magazine. 

The reimagined hotel has 31 'impeccably designed' rooms, with some that feature patio views of the courtyard. 

Rooms start at $275 for the Lakeside Harbor Studio, with the highest priced room, the Lakeside Family Suite, costing around $483. 

The hotel has undergone a 'top-to-bottom renovation' that features hints of 'rustic charm and pride of place' by the design team 

According to the website, guests have to stay for a minimum of two nights at the hotel which is right off of M-119, near the well-known Tunnel of Trees. 

The hotel was first established by Joseph E. Otis, a banker from Chicago, in the 20th century. 

Otis named the property Birchwood Family Estate and in 1958 the farmland was transformed into a retreat called Birchwood Inn. 

Humpert said that the inn was the place that he and his family visited every year for their fall road trip to see the Tunnel of Trees, a scenic drive full of vibrant and large 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.' 

The average nightly price for hotels in Harbor Springs is $141 on weekdays and $153 on weekends, according to Kayak. It is unclear how much it used to cost to stay at the hotel before renovations. 

One of the bedrooms before the renovations inside the Birchwood Inn (left). An updated bedroom inside the Otis Harbor Springs hotel (right) 

Since then, the hotel has undergone a 'top-to-bottom renovation' that features hints of 'rustic charm and pride of place' by the design team. 

'The team brings a brand-new vision to every inch of the property- from lush, layered interior spaces to the smallest of details, like custom designed furniture and a restoration to a native meadow landscape – creating a high-level hospitality experience not yet seen in the region,' the hotel said. 

As guests arrive at the newly-designed property, they are instantly greeted by a mid-century modern exterior building design fit with beams and stone. 

'We’ve created this experience just as much for locals as for our out-of-town guests,' Israel Hernandez, one of the renovators, said

Inside the hotel, guests are introduced to an array of vintage and unique pieces that Humpert sourced from local flea markets and antique shops. 

The lobby is filled with soft, earthy and blue tones that mimic the waters of Lake Michigan, with a longy crafted wooden cabinet with circles on each door. 

Guests are also greeted by the Birchwood General, an on-site shop located inside the lodge, that sells local, homemade goods like art and curated books. 

The shop also sells small bites, charcuterie and a wine selection which is ideal for planning a picnic in the outdoor space that surrounds the hotel. 

On-the-go food and drink selections are also available, including La Colombe coffee, parfaits and local French pastries. 

A large fireplace lounge area sits at the center of the main lodge. 

A marble-topped rectangular bar, set up with bright orange stools, a hard liquor selection and extra seating space nearby are in the hotel. The cocktail menu is set to feature drinks inspired by the area and history of the property

The previous design of a bathroom in the Birchwood Inn, fit with light blue tile (left). The updated bathroom in the Otis Harbor Springs hotel covered in salmon colored tile (right)

The space has extra wood available to start crisp fires, and ample seating space for people to come together. 

Exposed beams trace the ceiling as the tuxedo couch that was placed in the original Birchwood Inn, ties into the vintage-modern space. 

Next to the fireplace is a marble-topped rectangular bar, complemented with bright orange stools, a hard liquor selection and extra seating space nearby.

The hotel said that the cocktail menu is set to feature drinks inspired by the area and history of the property. 

One drink, called the Tapawingo, is crafted with London gin, Dolin Vermouth Blanc, Salers Gentian Aperitif and lemon bitters.

The previous design of the fireplace area before renovations at the Birchwood Inn 

A large fireplace lounge area sits at the center of the main lodge. The space has extra wood available to start crisp fires, and ample seating space for people to come together

Each of the guest rooms produces a 'calming palette' with creamy walls, bedding, and neutral, earthy colors. 

The bathrooms in each room are fit with similar colors as the bedrooms, but have a slight twist with checkered backsplashes, as well as salmon pink and green wall tile. 

Outside of the hotel, the land is full of many opportunities, including exploring the great outdoors or keeping it simple as a great place to socialize. 

With native plant life and meadow grasses, there is space for guests to dive into fun activities like bocce ball, outdoor stone fire pits, and seating space known as The Grove. 

In July, the hotel plans to introduce its yoga space that will be located at the rear of the property near Michigan's state tree, ancient white pines. 

'We’ve created this experience just as much for locals as for our out-of-town guests,' Hernandez said. 

'This is a very special place that has been part of the community for many decades, and we are honored to bring back this Northern Michigan mainstay for future generations.' 

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