Stone Lodge in Resort Town near Lake Michigan

Whimsical architect Earl Young was famous for building the fairy-tale mushroom houses of Charlevoix, Michigan. He had an equally fanciful plan when he designed the Weathervane Terrace Inn in 1960. Located along Lake Michigan, the hotel resembles a European castle, with turreted towers, a stone façade, and leaded windows ordered from a Polish estate. Inside the lobby, the quirky designer constructed a boulder fireplace that artistically illustrates the surrounding area's natural attractions. The design benefits from the hotel’s picturesque setting—guests have to walk only a few feet to reach Lake Michigan or charming downtown Charlevoix.

For warmer waters, guests can head to the eight-person indoor hot tub. Couples on romantic getaways can settle into a jacuzzi room, which has a white soaking tub and a glowing electric fireplace. The Lake Michigan suite's private balcony looks out over the lakefront, and the large Harbor suite is ideal for families.

Charlevoix, Michigan: Quaint Town Surrounded by Three Lakes

Located in the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the small town of Charlevoix is a popular resort destination, known for the petunias lining its 5-mile stretch of US 31 starting in May. A half mile from the Weathervane Terrace Inn lies Round Lake, which surrounds a quaint shopping district; you can take a sunset cruise here on one of the yachts or sailboats that bob in the marina. The third lake around the city is Lake Charlevoix, a nice spot for fishing.

To learn more about Earl Young's whimsical designs, take a walking tour through his mushroom houses, located less than half a mile from the hotel. Stonework façades and frosted stone chimneys characterize the pintsize dwellings, which have been described as “hobbit houses” and “elf cottages.”

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