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Oct 22, 2024

New Fireplace Lounge near famous Tunnel of Trees has a cozy vibe, delightful design - mlive.com

Otis Harbor Springs is a new boutique hotel along M-119. Its marble-topped bar is an eye-catching feature. Photo provided by Otis.Otis Harbor Springs HARBOR SPRINGS, MI - Each fall, locals and

Otis Harbor Springs is a new boutique hotel along M-119. Its marble-topped bar is an eye-catching feature. Photo provided by Otis.Otis Harbor Springs

HARBOR SPRINGS, MI - Each fall, locals and vacationers alike make a beeline for Michigan‘s famous Tunnel of Trees. This winding 22-mile corridor between Harbor Springs and the quaint Cross Village is beautiful in any season with its tree-lined sections and high, sweeping views of Lake Michigan.

In the fall, it‘s simply spectacular. And this year, there’s a new gathering spot right at the southern tip of the Tunnel of Trees. Otis Harbor Springs hotel opened with a lot of fanfare earlier this year. And part of the reason why is its Fireplace Lounge, which is open to the public and has been attracting crowds all summer and early fall.

Part of the lure is the thoughtful yet fresh mid-century modern design, which is unique to the area. Renovating a mom-and-pop-style motel into an upscale boutique spot meant the design really had to attract attention - and it does.

The Fireplace Lounge is a great example of this. This Up North cocktail destination features a mix of custom and vintage furniture. It’s meant to feel like a 60s living room-turned-gathering space. The bar is marble-topped and the artwork begs to be perused.

The project’s design was overseen by Daniel Caudill, the former creative director of Shinola, and lots of inspiration came from interior designer Ken Blasingame, whose notable projects include work in the White House and at Camp David. Together, the team selected comfortable fabrics - think velvet sofas that you can sink into - and pieces that not only look good, but feel good, too.

The interior of the new Otis Harbor Springs hotel, near the famous Tunnel of Trees. Photo provided by Otis.Otis Harbor Springs

The goal is relaxation, slowing down to enjoy this lovely spot in Northern Michigan - and being able to snag a great cocktail.

“Our Fireplace Lounge offers an elevated design and handcrafted cocktail experience unlike anywhere else in this area, and we’ve been excited to see guests and locals enjoying the space,” said Kamron Bijeh-Apple, general manager of Otis Harbor Springs. “We just introduced new seasonal cocktails like the Autumn Hues, and we’re located right at the base of the Tunnel of Trees, which is just starting to change colors, so now is the perfect time to stop by.”

Want to make Otis Harbor Springs your home base to stay and play? The 31-room spot, formerly the Birchwood Inn before its deep renovation, has been reconfigured to offer rooms ranging from cozy studios to the larger family-size suites. There are three connecting buildings and a central meadow-like courtyard. There’s also a café, an indoor retail market and a large back deck area.

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Art meets mid-century modern design at Otis Harbor Springs, a new boutique hotel in Northern Michigan. Photo provided by Otis.Otis Harbor Springs

Just off M-119, Otis Harbor Springs sits near the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve and its sweet little wooden boardwalk that takes you to Lake Michigan. It‘s also very close to the Pond Hill Farm destination market/brewery/winery and all-around fun spot. And the hotel is just a short drive from the area’s newest great hiking and mountain biking area, the Offield Family Viewlands, which give people fantastic views of Little Traverse Bay and the nearby Inland Waterway.

For more travel ideas, check the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau website here.

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