About BaySide Inn
BaySide Inn is a bed and breakfast on Water Street in downtown Saugatuck, set right on the harbor where boats pass through the river bend. The building began in 1927 as a boathouse with living quarters upstairs, later served as a marina, and sat with a failing foundation in high water for years. Kathy and Frank Wilson bought it in 1990, raised it onto a new foundation, added three rooms on the third floor and turned it into an inn.
Rooms come in three styles. Waterfront Suites are apartment-style with a private patio or balcony and a fireplace, Waterfront View rooms have private baths and patios or balconies over the water, and Downtown View rooms look toward the village. Some rooms face Mt. Baldhead, the big sand dune across the harbor, and a large waterfront patio is shared by guests.
The inn is open all year. Add-ons can be arranged ahead, including flowers (from $65), a charcuterie board ($75, ordered 48 hours ahead), local chocolates, breakfast in bed and private boat tours or sunset cruises; custom packages need two weeks' notice. Shops and restaurants in downtown Saugatuck are a short walk away.
Summerhouse Lavender Farm is only a few miles south of town off 65th Street, about a 10-minute drive. In late June and early July you can tour the lavender in the morning and be back on the harbor patio by afternoon.
What to do
- Watch boat traffic from the waterfront patio
- Book a waterfront suite with a fireplace and private balcony
- Look across the harbor to Mt. Baldhead
- Walk to downtown Saugatuck shops and restaurants
- Arrange a private boat tour or sunset cruise through the inn
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round; July and August weekends book up with longer minimum stays
Good to know
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Reservations
- Recommended
Tips for your visit
- Weekend stays need at least two nights; July and August weekends need three nights for rooms and a week for suites
- Reservations open up to a year ahead and need a deposit, usually one night
- Smoking is allowed only on balconies and the common patio
- Order a charcuterie board at least 48 hours before check-in
Pair it with a lavender farm
Summerhouse Lavender Farm · about 10 minutes away
Summerhouse Lavender Farm is about 10 minutes south of downtown Saugatuck, so a morning tour fits easily around a harbor stay.
Getting there
Questions
Is BaySide Inn open in winter?
Yes, it is open year-round, and winter weekends sometimes allow exceptions to the two-night minimum.
Are pets allowed?
No. The inn suggests boarding pets at a local kennel.
What is the minimum stay?
Two nights on weekends, three nights in July and August for rooms and one week for suites; weeknights have no minimum.
How old is the building?
It was built in 1927 as a boathouse and became a bed and breakfast after 1990.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Holland, Saugatuck & Fennville, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
