Boutique hotel opens near the Tunnel of Trees with a large terrace, cocktail bar and cafe

HARBOR SPRINGS, MI – A new boutique hotel has opened at the south end of Michigan's famous Tunnel of Trees. And while the space was carefully redesigned to be accessible at different price points, it was also built with amenities intended to make it a community gathering space as well as a destination for people visiting the area.

The 31-room Otis Harbor Springs reveals its place of luxury and comfort, where the former Birchwood Inn welcomed travelers for decades. The property has been reconfigured to offer rooms ranging from comfortable studios to larger family suites. There are three connected buildings and a central meadow-shaped courtyard.

Between the design and the property's perks — some of which are still being finished — the hotel team thinks people will be surprised by the project's uniqueness. And how its core mission is firmly rooted in the pleasure of spending time in the North.

“We want people to experience Northern Michigan in a way that really celebrates hospitality, good design, food and drink,” said general manager Kamron Bijeh-Apple.

As for the timeline, this has been an intense turnaround for the property. Ty Humpert, co-founder of Otis Harbor Springs with Israel Hernandez, said the property was purchased off-market after discussions with the inn's previous owner. The new team received the keys in March 2023 and got to work quite quickly.

The name Otis is a nod to the family of Chicago bankers-turned-farmers who worked the land where the hotel stands today. Before its most recent use as a family-style hostel, the site was a retreat center for a chip company.

Getting the hotel to its current elevation required a lot of planning and a tight work schedule. “The turnaround was very quick and very effective,” Humpert said. “This has been a labor of love on many levels.”

Otis Harbor Springs has been renovated while staying true to its mid-century modern design. This aspect of the project was overseen by Daniel Caudill, Shinola's former creative director, and largely inspired by interior designer Ken Blasingame, whose notable projects include work at the White House and Camp David. Together, the team selected comfortable fabrics—think velvet sofas you can sink into—and pieces that not only look good, but feel good, too.

“We wanted to create a space that honors the past and future of this historic territory” » said Caudill. “The spirit and visual identity of Otis is grounded in a set of experiences beginning in the 1950s and extending to those of our current team, all of which are local to the region.”

Relaxation and fun became the foundation as the team selected rooms and designed spaces, Humpert said. “He really helped us understand what he hoped our guests would experience,” he said of Blasingame, who helped design the lobby and lounge.

Hotel rates start at $275 per night. In addition to the housing, three public spaces are present on the property. They are open to guests, locals and visitors. These include:

Birch General: This on-site boutique will highlight locally made products including art, books and ceramics. Packaged foods perfect for a picnic, like cold cuts and wine, can be picked up here.

Coffee will offer coffee, small bites, French pastries and other treats. A service window connected to the new terrace will invite people to grab their favorite food or drink and relax outside.

The Fireplace Lounge: This cocktail lounge with its mix of custom and vintage furniture is meant to look like a '60s living room transformed into a gathering space. Guests should take note of the eye-catching marble bar with sound hand-painted mural by Detroit artist Jennifer Haver.

“We created this experience for both locals and our out-of-town guests,” Hernandez said. “This is a very special place that has been part of the community for many decades, and we are honored to bring back this pillar of Northern Michigan for future generations.”

The team behind Otis Harbor Springs believes their location along winding M-119 is a huge advantage. This makes them easy to find and a convenient stop for those looking for a big dose of Northern Michigan's outdoor beauty. People can grab a coffee or a light bite, find their new favorite bottle of wine or a unique gift from the store. Relax on the terrace with drinks and food.

“There are so many passersby in this area who go to the beach, stargaze or go to the polo fields,” Humpert said. “We're kind of at the gateway to the Tunnel of Trees. And it was important for us to be able to create a practical space.

“We also want to welcome the community,” he said, adding that there will be free Wi-Fi in the lounge, terrace, lobby and courtyard. People should feel comfortable bringing their laptop and doing some remote work in a beautiful setting.

Adorable tip from Michigan: The lounge will have a few surprises on its cocktail menu. These include the Otis Fashioned with all local ingredients including bourbon rye and Michigan cherries and maple. And for those who remember the old Birchwood Inn's “Surprisingly Affordable” slogan, Happy Hour in the lounge will feature that as a drink: order the Surprisingly Affordable and you'll get a local beer with a shot of bourbon on the side. “It’s definitely a nod to the locals,” Humpert said.

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