Otis Harbor Springs

To start with the positives, it was an absolute bargain, friendly staff, albeit a bit busy, it's a beautiful balance between chic and rustic. It seems to be striving for more of an upscale feel, which fits the demographic of the people we saw staying there. Everyone was very happy, healthy, & well dressed. The cocktail bar has some very stiff drinks and very attentive staff. It's a very inviting classic jazz lounge sorta feel. The coffee bar had delicious pastries & barista-style coffee. The bathrooms were obviously remodeled, they have campground-style showers but it was done well and is very usable and clean! The air conditioners were indeed loud but at least they work and thats more than I can say about some other places I've lodged. Our room had a TV, noise wasn't bad at all. Bed's, Linens, Pillows were all super comfy and high quality. ||It's located right on the scenic route, just minutes away from the beautiful downtown of Harbor Springs. In harbor springs you can try Breakfast at Small Batch at the Cupola which lives up to the hype of being the closest to a Michelin star restaurant in the area. Up the road, there are parks and trails that will get you right onto the water! Lots of small vendors along the M119 Scenic route. When you come back towards town for the evening be sure to stop at Pierson's Grille & Spirits for some of the best oven cooked pizza i've ever had!

A restored icon of Harbor Springs. The place is 1960 chic with much of the original period decor and hardware. The slide-in-groove windows are a blast from the past. The staff was super helpful and attentive. We had an issue that was resolved quickly and beyond expectations. We ate here one night and the food was phenomenal. Handmade pastas, locally sourced meats and produce, all prepared perfectly. This place is popular with locals too. Minus one star for the loud wall A/C units in the rooms, which do warm up and stay warm on sunny days into the night. It is the perfect location to explore the Harbor Springs area and beyond. We will return!

Celebrated my 10-year wedding anniversary, in from Chicago. This place is an absolute gem. Rooms, like the rest of the common area, is adorable with amazing mid-century modern aesthetic. And the main reason I’m posting this review, this place serves up the best cocktails in northern Michigan. The cocktails here hold their own compared to any of Chicago’s finest offerings. I’ll be back!!

I was so excited about staying in this Mid Century gem and it did not disappoint!|Check in was easy and included an actual key to our room. Our room was very cool! It included a record player, vinyl records and a pink tiled bathroom! The back door to the room led to a courtyard with comfortable seating for an afternoon cocktail or your morning coffee. The lounge, which unfortunately was not open the night we stayed, was absolutely stunning! I look forward to staying again!

This was a last minute trip by my standards, and hotel options in this area are limited. I usually like to accrue points for my stays, but the 20+ minute distance ensured I booked with the room block. ||I booked via phone and prepaid to lock in the birthday block rate. Reasonable price, but a little higher than the hotel group options further away. The first night’s party for the occasion I traveled to attend was in this property’s courtyard. The check-in to courtyard bar experience was a neat blend of familiarity and professional attentiveness. Throughout the stay, the staff would banter and greet us by name or room number, while maintaining a respectful prioritization on guest needs.||This used to be a standard motel, so there is probably more work to be done in the rooms. But not necessarily, since the hotel coffee bar and normal people bars are situated in very comfy rooms with sofas. The central courtyard is another signal of the property as an experience; so you won’t spend much time in the rooms anyway.

The pictures and descriptions on their website give the impression this a beautifully updated hotel with striking views of Lake Michigan and top-tier amenities. Well, one might stretch to view the lake in winter through the bare trees; no view in the summer. We arrived at the 4PM check-in time on Sunday July 8. After checking in and unpacking, we headed for the outdoor lounge, only to find out they were closing it for the day. So we headed to the indoor bar to order cocktails, only to be told by the extremely surly bar tender that the bar had closed at 5PM!! I looked at my watch which indicated (literally) 5:01! Oh, and guess what, no food service after 12 noon on Sunday. The place literally closed down staff-wise after 5PM; everyone disappeared! Good thing we had had lunch at at a real restaurant in Harbor Springs. Our dinner thus consisted of snacks purchased in the lobby. The actual room would not have been bad for $200+. However we paid $555 for a glorified Holiday Inn unit. A small in-room bar was provided with reasonably-priced beverages. which at this point were well-appreciated. The outside grounds appeared dated, concrete walkways cracked cement. We tried to sit in chairs provided behind the unit, but noise from the neighbor's air conditioner made this unpleasant. Sitting out front provided a spectacular view of the parking lot. Fortunately we headed to Mackinaw Island the next day and could forget this unpleasant experience..

The Otis is Brilliant!! The owners have curated an impeccable mid-century vibe while keeping the Americana charm of a motor lodge. There is not a detail overlooked from the beautiful and comfortable beds to the amazing Flamingo Estate bath products. The staff was kind and engaging during our stay! We really enjoyed the bar with the amazing art, cozy furniture and painted mural wall. We were here at the beginning of the 2025 season and really look forward to coming back when things are in high swing. Thank you, Otis, for sharing your slice of heaven in Harbor Springs.

This place is incredible. The subtle attention to detail is stunning. Patio is amazing. The dinner menu (small plates, Wed to Sat) changes every week to reflect the local fare and seasonal produce. Eric was our server. 10 out of 10 for Eric and our meal. We’re coming back.

We had almost everything on the menu - the beet humus was outstanding. Honestly, it was all very good. We sat at the bar and the bartender was awesome. She crafted a bourbon drink like I'd never tasted before and as simple as it looked, I can't recreate it. So many things they serve are made scratch, in house - from the beet humus to the lime juice that goes into the drinks. Oh - get the ceviche, I think it was snapper? Outstanding.

Amazing new hotel in Harbor Springs. Stylish, fun, exceptional food and drinks. Great patio. Lovely court yard. Perfect location, near harbor springs downtown, Pond Hill Farm down the street, and quick drive from Petoskey. Great for friends, family or couples trip.