Lakeside Inn — Hotel in Chikaming Township

If you’re going to stay here, read this review. Tons of details to help ensure this is the place for you. I did my research before coming (which you should always do these days) and got exactly what I was looking for. If you don’t do research and are surprised then it’s your own fault. Overall, this place was amazing and we will make it a yearly trip to do.

Location - we knew this was in Lakeside (hence the address) and that most of our plans were in New Buffalo. It was only a quick 12 minute drive to our dinner plans or a 4 minute drive to Union Pier for lunch or fancy coffee. If you want to be neighboring the shops and restaurants or refuse to drive then take my information into consideration.

Beach access - we saw the website mention the steps to get to the beach and saw photos. My wife and I don’t mind a little physical walk, but if you are someone who is disabled or not physical able to walk down 100 steps then reconsider. I will say we stayed in New Buffalo one year and always had a long walk to the beach, so the steps were actually easier and quicker to get there. Once down on the beach, it was super secluded feeling and lovely. Some rocks on the beach, but that’s due to its historic formation of the lake and not specific to Lakeside area.

Rooms - the website does a great job of showing what rooms look like, square footage and location. As long as you read the website you won’t be surprised. I got a mid size queen bed room and it was plenty of room for me, my wife, and my newborns pack and play bed. The bathrooms were very nice and bed was comfy. Loved the old radio in the room and rocking chairs. The no TVs was advertised everywhere on their site and emails so I wasn’t surprised. We typically sat in the rocking chairs and listened to the radio and chatted or read.

Food - they do not advertise a restaurant so I wasn’t surprised by not having one. They do offer some small breakfast items that you order one day in advance and they have it ready at 8AM on a table downstairs in a cute basket. I loved this because you don’t have to wait and can take it to your room or one of their many public seating spaces. I got egg bites, cinnamon rolls, and a quiche. All great and perfect portion size (not super big at all, but who wants that sluggish full belly). It was super affordable too. $6 an item during our stay. They have free coffee and it was very good.

Amenities - inside rooms you have rocking chairs, a dresser, a radio. In the lobby you have tons of games, tons and tons of comfy seating, quiet rooms, a small secret art gallery downstairs, a screened porch, a fireplace, a cafeteria type room with tables and chairs, tons of rocking chairs. No elevator, TVs, no fridge (that I know of), No restaurant. Outside (lake facing) they have a covered porch where I spent most of my time in a rocking chair or swing. Out back they have a cute little pond with some chairs and the landscaping is well done. They have a screened porch back there as well. An outdoor shower for after the beach. Tons of glassware in the cafeteria area to make drinks in.

The staff - wow!!!! Kayla is a godsend for places like this. She was non stop working from sun up to sun down and so friendly and helpful. My wife’s birthday was the morning of check out and Kayla had picked flowers and had them downstairs waiting by our breakfast. All the staff was so sweet to my newborn. Another front desk staff told me about a hidden sauna and art gallery downstairs (sauna is not a promoted amenity because it can be fidgety). He was super nice and took time to explain the history of the inn and art.

8 Overall - know this is a historic site and not some swanky hotel. It’s not meant to be luxury, it’s means to be historic, cozy, simple and relaxing. It will moan and creek when you walk on its beautiful hardwood floors. It doesn’t have commercialized vending machines and fancy keurigs. Just some good ole classic rockers, kind people, quiet beach, and all the common space to kick back and relax....

Edit : yes seriously. Thanking you for being professional doesn't give you license to not act like one. I wish I would have seen your replies to reviews before booking. You are just a flat out jerk. I sleep great every night I'm not at your hotel.

The building is very neat, but that old building comes to you with a steep price. You can hear EVERYTHING in the hotel. Toilet flushes, sinks, stairs, hallways, and people above and below you. If you are light sleeper at all, I suggest staying somewhere else.

I was really excited to stay here. I was in the area for work and needed a couple quiet nights rest. The whole no screens and quiet hotel sold me.

I wanted to sleep far earlier than their 11 pm quiet time, but I understood and sat in my room (with no tv or radio) waiting for 11 to go to bed. At 11:15 a drunk couple knocked on my door and when I opened it claimed they were at the wrong door. I watched them stumble and fall and giggle down the hallway to what I assumed was their room.

Around 11:30 I noticed a lot of conversation noise coming from somewhere and downstairs was a group of people drinking and carrying on like it was a high school reunion. After going back to my room I looked at the hotel binder and it said "If there is loud noise after 11 call Sam at this number". I really didn't want to have to be that guy so I tried to lay in bed and just go to sleep.

Finally at 12:15 am I had to call Sam and complain about the noise downstairs. Sometime around 12:45 am the noise downstairs finally stopped...but then it seemed like everyone down there had to take a shower too. At that point I emailed the property saying that I couldn't stay there the rest of the weekend.

Without any way to wind down I was left having to sit still in my room and do nothing for a few hours... I did finally fall asleep about 2 am but was promptly woke up at 6 am with showers and lots of movement in the hallways. I tried to wait until 7 am to take my shower and get moving (that is when quiet time is supposed to end) and packed my stuff and left without even the breakfast I paid for.

The hotel did refund me for the next two nights, but still charged me almost $90 for the night. If this would have been my hotel, I would have waived that first night too as a courtesy.

I wish the owners nothing but the best truly but felt that I needed to share my experience since other reviews and their website really don't seem to explain how noisy this "quiet hotel" can be. I would suggest to them having a staff member or cameras installed so that hotel guests don't have to police other...

This was our second visit for our 7th Wedding Anniversary - stayed in Room 20 x 3 nights. Our first was in 2021 - we stayed in Room 12. On reflection, we preferred 20 as it was at the end of the hall.

Our second stay surpassed our first. The Inn itself (as has been widely mentioned) has the bygone-era one can't help but cherish. The Inn creaks...and it should as it's talking to you xx

The staff are wonderfully cheery, polite, personable & helpful. I had many little chats & all were engaging.

The breakfasts are more than adequate with a variety of choices & affordable ($6). I love each basket having their own Room number - just adds an extra touch. However, we skipped one & went locally into town to 'Oats Eatery' - incredibly fresh. The baskets we took with us to the beach.

The Inn itself is just as advertised. You are walking into a bygone-era in which it "speaks" to you constantly - it creaks :) There's more than enough room to find your solitude; play board games; read and/or people watch. The gardens are delightful. The walk down to the beach is right out the front door. It takes a little planning - it's 134 steps down...and a calf burning 134 back up. There are comfy resting points along the way for those, like myself, with a heart condition which appreciates the thoughtfulness of the owners. In NO WAY be put off. The beach is very much worth the effort. You just don't want to get down there & suddenly remember you forgot your cup :)

Oh, a fun-factoid regards the beach steps - count which step changes your time zone? Both our trips is was 92 (down) & 42 (up) so I'm sticking with that!! The first time it happened I was so confused - I was sipping my early morning coffee on the beach...53 minutes before I poured it, LOL.

Lastly, the Inn is exactly as they advertise - you are there to "unwind & unplug". If one can't avoid that = not the place for you never mind those around you! If one is looking for party-ville = not the place for you. If you're expecting the 'St Regis' = certainly NOT for you!!

The biggest compliment I can offer the Inn is this. We spent 3 day/nights here & by the end of the first hour I was totally decompressing down on the beach, By our first dinner in town ('Stray Dog') my Wifey & I were dating again xx

Do yourself a favour....and...