Family Getaway: Hop & Vine Inn In Fennville Michigan {+ Area Attractions}

I received a complimentary stay at the Hop & Vine Inn for the purpose of this post. All opinions expressed belong to me. 

I don’t know what your impression of Bed & Breakfasts are, but I have always had two thoughts: They’re for old people and they aren’t kid-friendly.

The Hop & Vine Inn, located in Fennville, Michigan, crushes both of those stereotypes.

This boutique hotel meets quaint B&B has recently been taken over and has begun the renovation process. Owners Dan and Amber are exactly the types that are ideal innkeepers – their sweet demeanor coupled with passion for the area shine through. I actually met Amber at CMU my freshman year, and instantly liked her — she’s chatty and fun, so there’s no doubt this is a great path for her!

On a recent trip, we stayed at the Inn for a night and fell in love with the grounds and the area. Small touches like quaint peaceful places, including a sweet swing and hammock, and plenty of fun for families make this Inn a standout.

The Inn has several townhouses, which are private and great for families that need a little more space. The Inn also has rooms and jacuzzi suites that make for a perfect anniversary getaway for couples. Check out all the room options here.

A sparkling clean indoor pool is an unexpected addition as well, and my kids say this was their favorite part of their stay! Doesn’t take much to please kids, that’s for sure 🙂

There also was a fun play structure for kids, and even ladder golf and a fire pit for enjoyment in the great outdoors.

The former innkeeper was a mason, so there are several stone features throughout, just adding to the property’s old world charm. In fact, the adjoining barn on the property is the perfect spot for family photos or for newlyweds. Isn’t it charming? I’m such a sucker for that chippy red paint!

We loved our stay in the Pier Cover #6 townhouse. It was fantastic having two rooms, so the kids could head to bed early and we could stay up to relax and enjoy games outside on the back patio.

It was also great to have a full kitchen. We kept the kids snacks and our drinks in the fridge, and we enjoyed playing Go Fish and Uno together at the kitchen table.

Family Adventures Near Hop & Vine Inn

The Inn is in Fennville, which is central to Saugatuck, Douglas, South Haven, and even Holland, making it extremely convenient for area attractions. Our family took advantage of a few family-friendly spots.

Day One

We started our adventure with Saugatuck Dune Rides. All three of our kids {2, 4 and 6} enjoyed the 40-minute educational {yet entertaining} tour around the dunes and didn’t mind the roller-coaster sensation when heading downhill. The cost was a bit pricey {$62 for our family, but our little guy was free}, but definitely something families should experience at least once.

After, we drove a mile up the road for ice cream at the nearby Dairy Dayz.

Warning: Even the kids size portions are huge, so you may want to share. YUM!

From there, we went on to spend some time at one of Michigan’s most notable beaches: Oval Beach in Saugatuck. I get why this beach is popular: It had extremely clean bathrooms, and the sugar sand was perfect for playing in. The waves were high, so we put the kids in life jackets just in case and had a blast playing in the water.

Watching the kids play so great together was definitely a memory I will forever have sealed in my brain.

The park pass for Oval Beach was $10 for the day.

After, thanks to a coupon on our beach pass, we enjoyed dinner at the Saugatuck Brewing Company, which was delicious and definitely a place I’d love to spend more time at. The staff went above and beyond for my kids — letting us choose seating and giving them coloring books to enjoy. Their pub platter for kids included salami, crackers, pineapple, cheese and celery and was perfect for feeding our picky eaters.

When we returned to the Inn, our crew enjoyed a swim in the beautiful pool before they crashed seconds after we laid them down. My husband and I had fun playing Ladder Golf in the back yard until we were ready for bed as well.

Day Two

On day two, we woke to rain, so after enjoying a delicious breakfast at the Inn {included in the stay}, we took advantage of the board games available, and even learned some new ones.

By check-out time, the rain started to clear up, so we stopped by the beach just two miles from the Inn — Pier Cove. The kids enjoyed rock hunting and playing in the creek leading to the lake. Had it been warmer, we could’ve stayed for hours exploring. Amber mentioned it’s one of her favorite places to watch the sunset, and I can see why. It was a beautiful area. Bonus because it’s free to visit, too!

We couldn’t leave Fennville without lunch, so we checked out Crane’s Pie Pantry. This is definitely a MUST for families traveling to the area. We enjoyed visiting with the restaurant’s mascot — a stuffed dog named Betty {!!!}, eating some great sandwiches and a pie flight, which was a fun way to taste the different varieties of pie. Next time we’ll focus more on the hard ciders  😉

Overall, we had a great stay at Hop & Vine Inn, and would visit again in a heartbeat. I’d love to come back with friends and rent a few of the townhomes for a long weekend. There is so much to do in the area.

Other attractions I have on my list for the future:

• The Chain Ferry in Saugatuck
• Climbing the stairs at Mount Baldhead
• Exploring the many art galleries and antique shops surround the area
• Brunch at The Southener in Saugatuck
• Dinner at Salt of the Earth in Fennville
• Wine and cider tastings at Virtue Cider and Fenn Valley Vineyards

Learn more about Hop & Vine Inn on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

What are your favorite attractions around the southwest coast of Michigan?