South Haven Hotels

• deecat
• Reviews: 2520

User Rating

Helpfulness

Yelton Manor Bed and Breakfast: Amoco Motor Club: "Top 10 B&Bs in USA"

When selecting a Bed & Breakfast, Mickey and I wanted one that was within walking distance to town, a beach, and fine eating; however, we also wanted a quiet place where we could relax and have good nights for sleeping.

Fortunately, for us, we selected the Yelton Manor Bed & Breakfast This divine place is run by Elaine and Robert who having doing so for more than twenty years. Well, the experience is obvious. This is an adults only, two persons per room maximum, no pets, no smoking facility...this might seem strict for some of you, but for us, it was just what we wanted.

The Yelton Manor has earned [deservedly so] many honors:

InnTraveler Magazine called it "the Best B&B in USA in 2004.

The Chicago Tribune said it was the "Top of the Crop in Luxury B&Bs".

Amoco Motor Club proclaimed that it was among the "Top 10 B&Bs in the USA.

Dee and Mickey claim that "it is the perfect place for relaxation, meeting interesting people, enjoying elegant Victorian architecture, perusing all kinds of books, marveling at the award-winning gardens, and meeting the most fun-loving inn keepers imaginable!"

Unique Quality: There are actually two places to stay:

a. The Yelton Manor where we stayed [see Photo #2]
b. The Manor Guest House next door [see Photo #4]

One of the highlights for us was all the "nooks and crannies" that abound. [See Photos #1 and 3 for examples] And, they are not for show; rather, they are used. We certainly used them.

Another fantastic feature are the literally thousands of books all over this home. They are organized, beautifully displayed, and conveniently available. Each day, I would browse another new area of books.

Each day at 5:30 pm, we would all meet in the kitchen area for evening hors d'oeuvres. This is not just food....it is truly made with affection...they provide recipes if you ask for them. The food is freshly made using finest healthy ingredients. This is the time we would meet other guests to trade stories, give suggestions, and make new friends.

Fresh popcorn is always available as is treats such as brownies, cookies, and candy. There is also always ice and bottled water for convenience.

Each morning a hot breakfast is served, and there are several spots inside and outside for enjoying these delicious food choices.

Yelton Manor is SPOTLESS, and that doesn't happen by accident. This experienced staff works diligently to bring cleanliness and loveliness to this Bed and Breakfast. The staff is similar to a family...funny, caring, and genuine.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Address: 140 North Shore Drive, South Haven, MI 49090
• Phone: (269) 637-5220
• Website: www.yeltonmanor.com
• Related to: Food and Dining, Architecture, Road Trip
• Written September 22, 2009

3-Season Porch at Yelton Manor

3 more images

---

Was this review helpful?

• riorich55
• Reviews: 639

User Rating

Helpfulness

HawksHead Inn: Quiet Off The Beaten Path Inn

Several weeks before we planned on coming up to South Haven from our home in Naperville about 140 miles away I finally got around to booking a room. We wanted to stay at a B & B for the first time, but either the rooms were booked or the prices were a little over the top. Anyway, through an internet search I found the HawksHead Inn which appeared to be received very well by the number of reviews I read about.

We arrived around 7:00 p.m. on a Friday night and it is a good thing we had specific directions, since it is off the beaten path. We pulled in the parking lot and registered at the cashier's area for the restaurant and then walked up the 2 flight of stairs to our room on the 3rd floor. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th pictures show the hallway to our room and the interior of the room itself.

The Inn consists of 9 total rooms varying anywhere from $120 to $180 per night on the weekends and about 25% less on the weekdays and low season. Our room was one of the two smaller ones, but still very nice with a separate bath area, queen size bed and when you don't stay long in a room, really that is all we really needed. There are 5 rooms on the 2nd floor and 4 on the floor we stayed. The weekend we were there the men golfers were in all the 5 rooms on the 2nd and the couples were in the 3rd floor rooms. Several of the larger rooms have a fireplace and 1 even has 2 separate sleeping areas.

The Inn has been owned and operated by the same family since 1996 when they converted the 1930's home into a combination inn and restaurant and turned the surrounding grounds from a former asparagus farm to a very nice golf course. A review of the restaurant and golf course are in other South Haven tips.

Unique Quality: Being an inn there was not an exercise area or pool, but you did have the accompanying golf course. A real scumptious continental breakfast was served each morning at either 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. You filled out a card the night before and in the morning a young lady brought it right to your room to enjoy. See the tray of food in my restaurant section.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Address: 523 HawksNest Drive South Haven, MI 49090
• Phone: 269 639 2121
• Website: www.hawksheadlinks.com
• Related to: Luxury Travel, Golf, Arts and Culture
• Written August 10, 2009

HawksHead Inn

3 more images

---

Was this review helpful?

• Bunsch
• Reviews: 535

User Rating

Helpfulness

The Nichols Hotel: Really retro, right downtown

If you are the sort of person who wants to find the same room whether you're in Wichita or Westchester, the Nichols Hotel is probably not for you. It is about as far from a chain as it is possible to get. If there were a quasi-historic hotel category, that's probably where the Nichols would be listed. Tin ceilings? Got 'em. You even get your key from a cubbyhole, and it is a real key, not a card. No lights flash to let you know your door is open. Each room is different, and in season, a European breakfast is offered. There are bicycles for the guests to tool around town. The hotel is conveniently located just a block from the marina. Shops, beaches, etc. are all within walking distance.

In addition to standard rooms, the Nichols also has two apartments which sleep 8-10, and a policy of offering free nights (buy four, get five). Rates are seasonal.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Address: 201 Center Street, South Haven, MI 49090
• Phone: (269) 637-8725
• Website: www.hotelnichols.com
• Related to: Family Travel, Fishing, Beaches
• Written July 3, 2009

Hotel Nichols - promo photo

---

Was this review helpful?

• startmeup
• Reviews: 1

User Rating

• snorebutton
• Reviews: 1

User Rating

• anne_h
• Reviews: 152