The Pines Motor Lodge & Retro Gift Gallery

I primarily judge my lodging accommodations, by THE BED. After– all, when you are on vacation, the most time you should spend in the room should be in the bed. THE BED at the Pines Motor Lodge & Retro Gift Gallery, is one of the BEST I have ever slept in… and I have slept in hundreds of hotels, motels, inns and B&B’s. In fact, I hate to admit, this bed was better than my own. It was so good in fact, I quizzed the co-​owner, Steve about it. According to him, the mattress is made by a private company and they only sell «in bulk». Reportedly, the same mattress is carried by the pricier hotels in the area. The mattress is firm, but soft, if that makes any sense. You can feel your body just melting in to it. Oh and those many pillows. So wonderful to lay your head in. The bedding was sooo good, it was hard to get out. Some really great sleeping & resting after a long day of travel and sightseeing. I guess you get the point… its all about the bed.
We came in mid October as the sister motel, Saugatuck Resort, was unavailable. Not really into the beach theme of the motel, but it turned out to be well done. Loved the ceiling and retro vibe, especially the fridge. (Ice is located in cooler by the main office) There seemed to be only 3 or 4 other guests at the time. Perfect. When we walked into the room, we noticed right away a «fresh» scent. Good sign. Yes, the bathroom is small, but everything worked well. Also, the AC/​Heating system was in great operating condition.
Steve was great about giving us information regarding places to eat and see. As we arrived later in the day, we were able to see the sunset at Oval Beach. Highly recommend. The Pines Motor Lodge is in a really good location. You can walked in to the city of Douglas and browse the galleries and shops. Saugatuck is a few minutes a way by car.
The only concern someone might have, and we didn’t, is that the office hours posted are not strictly adhered to. So if you are wanting to visit the gift shop, seek desk assistance or personally check out when the office is suppose to be open, you could have an issue. This is a really good place to stay, especially for $ 100 a night. Steve said that during the high season, you have to book at least 6 weeks in advance.

I came here for a girls trip and we really enjoyed our stay. The staff was very helpful from the time I called to make a reservation till the time we checked out! The Cottage was VERY CLEAN. The interior was new and the kitchen was well stocked with cooking and eating utensils. The kitchen is full sized and equipped with a refrigerator as well as an oven… and there is a gas BBQ grill on the deck. There were even small things like dish soap, spices, and other things that one would need! It was a very short drive to the main strip in Saugatuck as well. The deck is large and had a Jacuzzi that was also very clean. Overall all 4 of us loved it! I will return on a family trip. The only thing I would list as a negative is that bathroom is small… to be expected in a 2 bedroom cottage!

Great place to stay. Clean, cute, cozy. Very accommodating staff. Great location, close to everything you may want to do. Found two hidden gem restaurants very close by too. Would recommend to friends.

Great location.
We stayed last weekend while in town for the open studio tour. Clean and updated, the kitchy cuteness was well done. Room had a small fridge and micro wave.
Coffee and tea service with simple breakfast was just right.
Steve is a gracious host and offers local guidance if you seek such. Thank you again!

This was our first visit to Michigan on a short vacation. Originally we planned to stay at the Blue Star Motel down the street, but they had plumbing issues and we were moved. We were nervous but upon arrival all nerves were quelled. This. Place. IS ADORABLE! It’s clean, a little kitschy, quiet and did I mention it’s clean??? It’s not the Four Seasons but the beds were ultra comfortable with a pillow top, the bathroom was clean and bright, there was a fridge, microwave and DISH tv.
Check-​in was a breeze and I believe my mom and I found the secret to staying here: bring your own food. We brought breakfast, a little 4-​cup coffee pot (plenty of outlets to be had), snacks and even a cooler of ice though it was provided. It made everything so much smoother and no pressure to eat the continental breakfast everyone said was so lacking. Also it was 3 minutes from downtown Saugatuck and 1 minute from downtown Douglas. Can’t beat that!
All in all the atmosphere was so lovely. The adirondack chairs and the little outdoor eating area was almost too much cute to handle. Like I said, it’s kitschy, but that only lends to it’s charm. If you’re looking for a clean, no fuss, cute and cozy place to land in Saugatuck/​Douglas I highly recommend The Pines.

Very cute place. We stayed two nights July 12 to the 14. Seemed very clean. Bed was very soft. I thought it would be issue (we have a memory foam bed) it was not. Slept just fine. We did not do breakfast at the hotel so I can not speak on this. We went to the Elbo Room both mornings. They have great cinnamon rolls totally recommend. The biscuits and gravy I do not recommend. It is not country gravy. The room was big enough. The bathroom was kinda tight but efficient. I think I would only have one complaint. The ice in the cooler at the back door. I’m not sure what an outdoor ice maker would cost. But if I were them I would totally invest in one. I didn’t like the ice scoop being in the cooler not really sanitary. And I’m not a germaphobe. I just made my own choice not to have ice. Would totally stay agin if ever in the area. It was close enough to Douglas shopping to walk. Less then ¼ mile to the first shop. It was just across the bridge from Saguatuck not quite walking distance but less then 5 min drive.

I meet up with my Aunt and Uncle here and we both got rooms for a couple nights.
The television never worked in my Aunt and Uncles room.
Rob and Steve claimed they tried to contact their service but got no response.
I say «claimed» because they can lie.
They told me they offered my Uncle a different room. My Uncle told me this was not true. What? did they not think we talk?
Anyway, there was no offer to provide some sort of rebate or credit for not having a working TV.
The Beds were comfortable. The Bathrooms are small… very, very small shower.
They still serve the weak coffee and food-​service grade and the muffins, pre-​wrapped Hostess-​type variety.
Would have given a better rating but I just can’t get over the way they treat their guests… for rates they charge… they should have somehow made up for what didn’t work properly.

Wonderful fully renovated retro motel! My husband and I just returned from our visit and both agreed we would definitely return. Clean rooms, great location, owner Steve gave great ideas of places to visit other than the obvious. Would highly recommend!
Only complaint is not having coffee avaialbe until 9 a.m. had to make a trip to the nearest town as we are early risers

Wonderful experience! Pleasant setting within walking distance to grocery store and downtown Douglas. Our room was very cute, clean and cozy. Steve was wonderful to work with and returned both of my phone calls when I inquired about making a reservation. Easy check in and check out. Would love to stay again.

GREAT experience! Steve and Rob provide superior, friendly service. The place is cute and cozy and a bargain. It was like a little retreat close to all of the amenities. We will be back again soon!

I’ll get right down to the negative: Rob does not return phone calls.
We stayed at the Center St. property in Douglas, right around the corner from the main Pines Lodge location on Blue Star Hwy. The location is above an art gallery in downtown Douglas, near the supermarket, restaurants, and clubs.
The room itself was clean and cheery, with a contemporary color palette and matching bed linens. We did find a few very long blond hairs in the carpet, which indicate that perhaps it wasn’t vacuumed recently, but that wasn’t of primary concern to us.
The price was right at $ 139 per night. We had a room that shared a bathroom with another room across the hallway. The amenities were nice. The shower was a bit funky, and we had to call the desk at Pines to figure out how to use the shower (the shower head was nasty and calcified, by the way). They were pleasant and patient with us in explaining that one had to simply tug the faucet lip downward to engage the shower. There were directions in the bathroom, explaining how to open the paper shampoo bottles. But there were no instructions on how to operate this odd shower.
The continental breakfast was just that. The coffee was very good.
The complimentary shower products/​soap are this Bee Kind brand of green products. Okay, I guess, but I don’t like smelling like lemon Pledge.
Here’s the problem we had: there is a dead bolt lock on the main door to the property. Signage on the inside of the door clearly instructs that one is NOT to lock the deadbolt. But unfortunately for us, one of the other tenants did just that – locked the deadbolt lock. Our key did not appear to open the deadbolt. After returning at 1:30 a.m. from a night out, we were locked out of the property, and it was raining. Wow, that sucked!
We went to the Pines office, and picked up the emergency phone which was linked to Rob’s (the owner/manager’s?) mobile phone. The number to his phone was also listed. We called every fifteen minutes and left messages. At 3 a.m. after pounding on the property door, ringing the doorbell, and even attempting to get the other tenant’s attention by sounding our car alarm, we walked to the police station for some help. We needed to get in, but didn’t want to disturb hard-​working neighbors.
Finally, we did manage to get in. The dead bolt apparently «sticks» and that is the reason for the interior signage. But this was no thanks to Rob. He never called back. When we dropped off our keys, I mentioned this at the desk and Rob apologized, but said he never received any of my calls. Hmmmm! That is very disconcerting. And then when I logged onto this site to write this review, I read the same thing from other patrons – Rob does not return phone calls.
What could have been a four or five star stay, is at best a two star stay. We are not happy about this at all.

Rob and Steve rescued my weekend when my wife and I thought he had secured a reservation at another local «motel,» but found out the day before leaving that the web reservations system had showed inaccurate availability and our reservation had not been honored. Frantically called The Pines Motor Lodge next to inquire about any possible cancellations just 24 hours before our intended arrival. Through a stroke of good luck, there had indeed been a cancellation and we’d be able to enjoy Room 4 Saturday evening. We arrived at our stated time of 5pm and Rob and Steve greeted us warmly and didn’t even need to ask us our name as they were expecting us. Nice touch. Our room was bright, fresh and had just the right amount of «rustic chic» to please us both. All furnishings were very clean and appeared to be nearly brand new. The beds were quite comfortable and the oversized and plentiful pillows were comfy. We loved our stay at The Pines and definitely plan to return.
Only a couple minor things that prevented my rare 5-​star review. The price is a little steep during high-​season, but I do understand that these businesses are seasonal and need to support their owners year-​round. The towels were a bit shoddy and thin and didn’t match the higher-​end touches and cleanliness of the place. And the continental breakfast left quite a bit to be desired. The coffee was weak and food-​service grade and the muffins were the pre-​wrapped Hostess-​type variety. Half-​bagels and cream cheese were fine, but I didn’t see a toaster anywhere in sight. And where was the wi-​fi? Such a cheap perk to offer to a small property, especially when cell service is bleak. So invest a bit in the towels, a wireless router and the brekky and I’ll happy give you an extra star feeling that I truly got my money’s worth.
All said, we’ll still definitely return. Overall, The Pines was the cat’s pajamas and is just shy of greatness.

This cheerful little gem lets you experience the nostalgia and uniqueness of a classic American roadside motel, updated with modern comforts. Cozy, very clean room, very comfortable bed. The whole place sparkles, including the neatly tended grounds and hanging baskets of flowers that still look fresh in late August. Friendly, knowledgeable, hardworking owners Rob and Steve rescued a great little place that’s well located and convenient to just about everything in Saugatuck/​Douglas.

An awesome place to stay in a fantastic location! Everyone is friendly, the rooms are cozy and clean.
Breakfast daily in the summer until 11am, free wifi, and plenty of naturally lit rooms. Had a great stay here with friends for a ladies’ weekend!

Groovy vibe, but sort of weird smelling and not a good value for the $ 189/​night weekend rate. AWFUL continental breakfast. The place has clearly lost its mojo. Years ago I would have given it a five star review, but the lumpy pillows, cheap plastic mattress cover, moldy shower curtain, and threadbare little towels have knocked it down to 2. We won’t be staying there again.

Over the past 10 years or so, my partner and I have stayed at many, many cottages and cabins while on vacation. We have never left any negative reviews on any of them as we were always very pleased with the accommodations and excellent service we have received. After staying at the Maple Ridge Cottages we felt obligated to share our experience so that future travelers may be able to make an informed decision for themselves. We sure wished we had read such a review before booking our stay.
We stayed at the Maple Ridge Cottages for 5 nights through the Pines Motorlodge during May, 2011. When we arrived at 2:45 PM to check into our cottage, the office was closed and locked. I had to make a phone call in order to talk with anyone working at the Pines Motorlodge. I spoke with Rob and he said that the cottage was not ready and he would call us as soon as it was ready for us to check in. At 4:15 we returned to the office, but it was still closed. Again, I called Rob and he said he would check and call back immediately. Over thirty minutes later, after not receiving a call back, I called again. He then said that we could come by and check in (all of the other cottages were vacant during our entire stay, so it seemed unusual that the cottage was not ready upon our arrival.) I was a little surprised that Rob never returned my calls but, in his defense, we were a little early for check-​in. A return courtesy call would have been nice, though.
Upon check in we were informed that the cabins were well over 2 miles from the office in a remote location. A major factor influencing our choice of the Pines Motorlodge was because the reviews said it was a short walk to town, so we were somewhat disappointed to find out that they were located so far away from the town and the office. When we arrived at the cottage we discovered they were across from, and next to, 4 huge warehouses, some of which were Marine Storage. In fact, the parking lot for the cottages is shared by these warehouses. The front views from all the cabins are of these huge, ugly, rusty, old warehouses. The location was extremely disappointing as the description on the web site reads, «a tranquil woodland setting perfect for relaxing and enjoying the area’s lakeside atmosphere.» There is no lake within view or even within walking distance. The woodland setting was more of an «industrial setting.» Since some of these warehouses were used for Marine Storage we were awoken very early in the morning two days by the noise of large trucks moving boats in and out of these warehouses. Not a real «tranquil, woodland setting enjoying the lakeside atmosphere», more of like sharing a huge parking lot with a trucking company. The pictures and video on the web site for the Pines Motorlodge were cleverly taken at angles in which these huge eyesores were not visible, so they were quite an unexpected surprise when we drove up to the cottage.
On a positive note, the cottages themselves were extremely clean and modern. They had everything necessary in the kitchen to ensure a comfortable stay, including all utensils, dishes and cookware. The furnishings were beautiful and the rooms were very clean. The rooms even had ceiling fans which were a nice touch. The only negative about the furnishings was that the wicker love seat and chairs in the living room were very uncomfortable to sit on while watching TV. Since there is no other seating you are forced to sit on this uncomfortable wicker. The small TV has only a handful of local channels with no cable, so not much to watch anyhow.
After 3 days we wanted to swap out our towels for fresh ones, so we took a ride to the office and arrived there at 6:00 PM. Again, the office was closed and I had to call Rob. He asked if we could wait until the next day for fresh towels as he was out shopping at Menards at the time. He said if we couldn’t wait he would drop some off at our cottage later in the evening. Since we wanted to use them right away I asked him if there were any housekeeping staff that could provide us with some fresh towels but, once again, no staff were on the premises… very frustrating.
As previously mentioned, the service was also disappointing as the office was closed several times when we went there for support, but it was off season. We are guessing that if you visit during the peak season, hopefully this would not be a problem. Just be aware that the office is inconveniently located miles away from the cottages.
The Pines Motorlodge strives to be «groovy» but, in our opinion, they fall quite a bit short of this adjective.
Next time we visit the area we would definitely stay at one of the other several beautiful cottages with a better, more scenic location.

This is the kind of hotel John Waters would stay at if he were into coming to a beach town on the west side of Michigan.

The best thing about the Pines is the location… very convenient to beaches, downtown Douglas, and Saugatuck. Also, the morning coffee is pretty good, but not available until after 9 am… would have loved to been able to have a cup or two earlier or had coffee making facilities in the room as I tend to wake up much earlier and like to have a cup of coffee to start my day. Bed was also very comfortable and we liked the adirondack chairs outside each cabin.
When we first arrived in the room, it seemed pretty cozy and clean. However, the more time we spent in the room, couldn’t help but notice gross stains on the duvet, dirty floor, and filthy pillows (the maid had neglected to put pillowcases on the pillows). Towels, while clean, were very well worn and some had holes in them. Also, the toilet seemed to run for a bit after flushing and the shower drain backed up so that we ended up showering while standing in several inches of water. When I spoke to someone in the office, I felt his attitude to be dismissive.
While it seems that these may be small details, they do add up, especially when paying $ 129/​nt and vacation time is a precious commodity.
Overall, just an «OK» stay. I can’t say that I would recommend the Pines or stay there again.

We stayed in the Pines’ Maple Ridge cottages just before the fourth of July, and had a fantastic experience. Our stay cost marginally more than a cheap motel room, yet we had our own private deck, hot tub, and grill. Definitely worth it. The location is great as well, since it is close to everything, but secluded enough that you don’t have problems with noise or too-​close neighbors. Our only complaint would be the wicker sofa– not exactly comfy, but since we spent 90% of our time on the beach or in town, not the end of the world. We would stay at the cottages again in a heartbeat.

What a great little find! We’re a young couple looking to get away to Saugatuck-​Douglas for a few days. We didn’t really want to go the bed and breakfast or Holiday Inn type route. This place was perfect. The rooms have all very recently been re-​done-​so cute and comfy. They offer free continental breakfast (summer only?) and have a fun gift shop. The staff was super friendly and helpful, but not in your face or bugging you. The rooms have microwaves and fridges so you could eat or drink whenever-​saved us some $.
The location is perfectly situated in between Douglas and Saugatuck. You can walk (like 2 blocks) into Douglas for shopping and food. We rode our bikes (about 7 minutes) to Saugatuck. There’s also a small beach about a mile from the hotel or Oval Beach is a healthy bike ride (20 minutes and hills!) or a ten minute drive.
I can’t say enough about how great this hotel made our trip-​affordable, comfy and stylish and awesome location.