SAUGATUCK/DOUGLAS: SLOW LUXURY ON MICHIGAN’S ART COAST®
Where Time Slows and Beauty Deepens
BY EGW LUXURY MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2025
Some destinations sparkle. Others whisper.
And then there are places like Saugatuck/Douglas—a pair of lakeside towns tucked into the sun-drenched western edge of Michigan—where the light filters through trees like memory, and every breath feels just a little deeper.
Here, the pace is slower. The days stretch wider. And luxury isn’t about opulence—it’s about presence.
Known collectively as Michigan’s Art Coast®, Saugatuck and Douglas have long drawn creatives, wanderers, and romantics seeking something different. Something meaningful. A space to recharge, reconnect, and simply be.
A Portrait in Stillness and Soul
Framed by the sapphire-blue waters of Lake Michigan, windswept dunes, and sugar-soft beaches, the region exudes a natural elegance. But the real beauty of Saugatuck/Douglas lies in how it invites you to slow down.
Stroll along boardwalks lined with artisan studios and curated boutiques. Sip wine on a shaded patio surrounded by wildflowers. Pause long enough to notice the scent of lilac in the air or the golden haze that settles just before sunset. This is where the art of living well comes into focus—not as a performance, but as a practice.
There’s no need to plan every moment here. The moments find you.
Romance in the Quiet Spaces
Saugatuck/Douglas offers a uniquely romantic rhythm, perfect for couples and close companions looking to unplug and reconnect.
Start your morning with a hand-in-hand walk on Oval Beach, often named one of the most beautiful in the country. Its wide, open shoreline invites meditation, play, and morning swims under the rising sun. Then head into town for a slow brunch at a local café before wandering the galleries where you might meet an artist in the middle of their next masterpiece.
In the afternoon, retreat to the countryside. Enjoy a private tasting at a local vineyard, or indulge in a couple’s massage at a wellness spa surrounded by forest. Prefer something more spontaneous? Pick up a few treats from the farmers market and let the day lead you to a picnic beneath the trees—or better yet, on the bow of a tall ship sailing the lake.
For something extraordinary, book a golden hour cruise aboard the Serenity Tall Ship . As the sun dips low, and the sails billow gently above, you’ll watch the coastline dissolve into dusk. It’s one of those moments you’ll carry long after summer ends.
Lodging That Cradles You in Charm
Where you stay in Saugatuck/Douglas matters—because every space here is a story.
For timeless elegance, consider Wickwood Inn—a romantic, design-forward bed-and-breakfast known for its hospitality and cozy sophistication. Or escape into rustic refinement at Judson Heath Colonial Inn, where you’ll find historic touches and modern comfort woven together like memory and possibility.
Want something a little more under-the-stars? The Fields of Michigan offers luxury glamping just outside the bustle, where wild grasses sway in the breeze and every tent feels like a private haven.
Each option holds its own magic, reminding you that rest is not just necessary—it’s luxurious.
From Gallery Walls to Sunset Stages
What sets this destination apart is how seamlessly it blends creative expression with natural beauty. You’ll find it in the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, where Broadway-quality performances and world-class exhibitions live side by side. You’ll feel it in pop-up art shows, poetry readings, and intimate concerts beneath the stars.
This is a town where painters, sculptors, musicians, and writers don’t just visit—they live here, infusing every street with inspiration.
And as the sun sets, the streets come alive—not with noise, but with texture. Acoustic guitar drifting from a patio. Laughter over fresh oysters and wine. The soft rhythm of a carriage ride through the trees.
The Invitation: Come As You Are
Saugatuck/Douglas isn’t about rushing. It doesn’t ask for perfection or itinerary. It invites you to linger a little longer, to let the day shape itself, to remember what it feels like to live at your own pace.
This is a place that embraces elevated simplicity, where beauty lives not just in the views—but in the space to see them.
Whether you’re lounging on the beach, dining by candlelight, exploring tucked-away galleries, or simply doing nothing at all, Saugatuck/Douglas reminds you that slow is not empty. It’s full of what matters.
And what could be more luxurious than that?
Begin Your Escape
This summer, find your breath again. Let time stretch out beneath the sun, and let Saugatuck/Douglas show you how beautiful life becomes when you stop chasing—and start receiving.
Explore everything this soulful coastal destination has to offer at
🌿 saugatuck.com
