The Cottonwood Inn Bed and Breakfast is located a short distance outside Holland, Michigan. The building is two stories tall with three rooms available for rent with one additional room available upon request. The Cottonwood is very close to many areas to hike and bike in the area and is a short drive from the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Bikes are provided free of charge from the inn. There are many things to do in the area surrounding the inn in the towns of Holland and Saugatuck, which are both about a ten-minute drive away. Holland, in particular, has many different parks with water access and restaurants where guests can eat. It is also the location of a famous tulip festival which is held each year at the start of May that draws many people to the area.
Surrounded by trees in a wooded area just outside of Holland, Michigan is the Cottonwood Inn Bed and Breakfast. The only building on the one-acre property has blue siding with white railings on the deck and white accents around the windows and doors, having the general appearance of a large blue barn. The house's grounds include a garden, places guests can sit in the shade, and a small stream. The trees surrounding the inn may provide a natural sound buffer which can give the property a quiet atmosphere.
Inside the house, the owners describe the feel of the inn as 'woodsy' and cabin-like. Repurposed wood beams run throughout the house in addition to many antiques. Many of the main areas also have wood floors and brick. There are three rooms available for rent. Each room comes equipped with AC, a ceiling fan, and a queen-size bed. The largest room of the three is the John Calvin Room which serves as the inn's honeymoon suite. It comes with a large private sitting area, a fireplace, a private bathroom, and access to a porch outside. It also is the only room on the main floor. Situated on the second floor is the Johnathan Edwards Room, which also has a private bathroom. The Charles H. Spurgeon room is also located on the second floor and is similar in size to the Johnathan Edwards room, the main difference between the two being that there isn't a private bathroom in the suite, rather there is one across the hall. None of the rooms have a television in them, but TV is provided in the main gathering area of the inn upon request.
Children must be at least ten years old to stay at the property. Each room can lodge two people with no extra accommodation provided in the rooms. While not available for exclusive rental, the Samuel Rutherford Room can be added to a guest's reservation should the need arise. It also has a private bathroom across the hall.
The Cottonwood Inn serves a hot breakfast to guests each morning. A menu is provided displaying the various options offered, consisting of a variety of breakfast pastries, fruits, meats, and so on. Patrons are invited to join the owners in the dining room for breakfast anytime they wish to have it if they make them aware of it beforehand. If no time is requested the default time for breakfast is 9:00 AM. The most popular dish served is the blueberry stuffed French toast, according to Liz, one of the owners. Should the patrons have dietary restrictions, accommodations can be made upon request.
The Cottonwood Inn’s owners, Liz Deater and her husband Don, strive to create an atmosphere where guests feel at home when they stay at the Cottonwood Inn. They will talk with guests and strive to make their stay as comfortable as possible. They also provide guests with a variety of suggestions for activities they can do during their stay. Most of these suggestions are a short distance from the inn, including various hiking and biking trails. Bikes are provided for patrons free of charge should they wish to bike to these locations. The inn is also quite close to many beaches on Lake Michigan as well as the Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
The city of Holland is a ten-minute drive from the Cottonwood Inn, and also provides many activities in which patrons can participate. The most famous event in Holland occurs every year during the first week of May when a large tulip festival is held. People travel from all over to see the tulips and it serves as a very busy time for the area, including for the Cottonwood Inn. Holland is home to many different restaurants and stores, and every Thursday night, people can also find street performers as they walk around the city.
Also in Holland is Windmill Island, which is home to the only authentic Dutch windmill in the United States, De Zwaan. Guests can travel there to take tours of the structure and also view the gardens surrounding the windmill and park nearby. For more activities near the water, Holland State Park has additional beaches and lake access for various watercraft as well as the Bid Red Lighthouse.
Frequently patrons have given positive reviews of the Cottonwood Inn Bed and Breakfast. Many have made special notes on the quality of the breakfast and the hospitality of the hosts. One guest said about their stay, “We were happily greeted immediately upon arrival by Liz, who welcomed us and made us feel right at home…. The food was delicious, and Liz went above and beyond to accommodate my wife being gluten free and dairy free. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.”
Originally built as a home in 1986, the Cottonwood Inn was converted into a bed and breakfast by Liz and Don when they bought the property in 2010. Liz says that she and Don have stayed in many different beds and breakfasts since they have been married. The event that made her want to open one herself was a family reunion that happened at a bed and breakfast. As the family gathered together for the occasion, Liz told Don that she thought they should try to open one themselves. They have enjoyed meeting the people who come to stay at their inn and getting to know them a little more.
A quote that has motivated Liz in her pursuits throughout her life was some advice she was given by a friend. They told her, “be successful, always exceed expectations.” Liz takes that advice to heart and tries her best to ensure that each guest has the best experience possible at the Cottonwood Inn. Both Liz and Don hope that guests feel at home and safe when they stay with them, and that it is a place that they will want to return to again.
4690 Cottonwood Dr.
Holland, Michigan 49423
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Liz and Don Deater
