Where to Stay in Saugatuck: Judson Heath Colonial Inn

Warm Michigan summers, perfect autumn days, cozy winters and colorful springs provide the perfect place for year round visitors. With summer in full swing, visitors are flocking to Saugatuck for the miles of sandy beaches, expansive Lake Michigan views, a delectable food scene, and stays at charming inns.

A year and a half in the making, Judson Heath Colonial Inn has met its goal of being “hip and historic.” Owners, Jennifer and Stephen, previously of Chicago, purchased the house after walking by it several times during a vacation in Saugatuck. Stephen, who is one of 8 children, had been coming to the area since he was about 5 years old with his siblings and mom, who was the chef in the summer at a local camp. This was one of Jennifer’s first trips into the Mitten State. With each walk past, the idea of transforming the somewhat dilapidated house into an Inn began to form. The house was in need of a little love and whole lot of repair. The foundation needed to be completely replaced as did the windows among various other things. Electric, plumbing, and HVAC needed to be redone.

Stephen and Jennifer were very much aware of the home’s significant past and incorporating it as much as possible throughout the restoration process. The original home was built in 1837 by Elnathan Judson in Richmond, Michigan in the Georgian Federal design; a previous tavern became the now-attached coach house. Judson was a mill owner, lumber dealer and land speculator. The main house and coach house were moved to Saugatuck in 1854 and served as a home for Judson and his mill workers. A fellow lumber dealer and mill worker, George P. Heath, purchased the home in 1870. In addition to serving as a home, the house was also used as a place for ship captains to stay. The ship captains were in town trying to get contracts for wood after the Great Fire in Chicago. The house has also served as a resort, rest home, and private residence.

Stephen and Jennifer’s respect for maintaining the integrity and history of the Inn is revealed in the exposed Y beam in the kitchen, original doors, the original window sills and baseboards, the original staircase, the main dining table Stephen made from the attic floor boards, a bed in one of the guest rooms made entirely from the old beams in the house, exposed wood planks throughout the rooms, and an accent wall also made from the attic floor boards. Most of the room names are a nod to the Inn’s history. With the Percheron room named after the type of horse that was likely used to move the house from Richmond to Saugatuck. The Oxbow Room refers to the u-shaped bend in the Kalamazoo River just a couple of blocks from the Inn, and the Singapore Room is reminiscent of the town buried under the Lake Michigan sand dunes at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River. The Ge-Ya-Bway (“I had a Dream” -Potowatomi) Room, which one can imagine is exactly what Judson Heath Colonial Inn became for Jennifer and Stephen, is the most popular room. The Richmond Room acknowledges the Inn’s place of origin. The third floor rooms are a bit more fun with reference to famous musicians: Bowie, Jagger, and Elton . Stephen, a master carpenter by trade,  and Jennifer, a former attorney, spent well over a year pouring their resources into the home. They hired another carpenter (who they were fortunate enough to have literally jump off a tour bus and offer her services) and the three began working long days to get the Inn ready. Jennifer scoured local antique stores and returned to Chicago on several occasions to antique auction houses to find the furniture that is now housed in the eight guest rooms. The impressive Master Chef stove and oven with an eight burner top was found and refurbished at an antique stove store in Tenkonsha, Michigan. (Fun Fact: this is also where Jamie Oliver is rumored to have purchased his stove.)

Guests immediately feel welcome with Stephen and Jennifer’s calm demeanors, warm smiles, and natural hosting abilities. If guests are fortunate enough, they will also have the pleasure of meeting Jennifer’s mother, who is incredibly welcoming and personable. Guests will without a doubt meet Jimmy, known to be the best greeter in town. The small rescue dog with the colored fur in the shape of a heart on his back makes the Inn feel complete. There is a laid back vibe in this renovated 19th century house. One can sense the historic significance of the home with all of the amenities of 2018. It truly is the best of both worlds with a feeling that there is all of the time in the world to chat and get to know one another, leisurely coffee on the patio, and historic charm with the benefit of completely redone private in-room bathrooms, fresh paint and new flooring, updated windows, and televisions, Roku, and USB chargers in each room.

While Jennifer and Stephen had not had long-held dreams of owning a B&B, they certainly have settled nicely into their role. Jennifer makes a lovely and delightful breakfast each morning. Guests should come hungry because they will not want to miss out on the decadent quiche nor the amazingly light and delicious scones. Conversations with Jennifer and Stephen are easy and guests immediately feel that they are part of the family at the Inn. Jennifer shared that the best part of owning the Inn is the people. Based upon online review sites, it is easy to see the guests feel the same about the owners. In the short time that Judson Heath Colonial Inn has been opened, there have been repeat guests. People have traveled from as close as, well, Saugatuck to stay and as far as Abu Dhabi. There was a French travel group visiting a couple of weeks ago as well as a couple from London. “It feels like we’re traveling without actually traveling,” Jennifer shared. Perfectly said.

It’s not too late (yet) to plan your trip to Saugatuck and be indulged at the welcoming Judson Heath Inn. You can book your trip on their website here. And if you are wondering what to do during your stay, should you decide to leave what feels like the comforts of a very lovely home, you can find suggestions here. Located in the heart of downtown Saugatuck and steps from small business shopping and fantastic food options, Judson Health Colonial Inn is the perfect place to stay during a visit to Michigan’s Art Coast.