Saugutuck

[+ Lucky]

Has anyone stayed at the Dunes Resort in Saugutuck, MI? I need to be near family for a few days, but would fell a lot better if there were gay boys in the picture. MANY years ago I stayed at the Blue Star Motor Lodge, an absolute dump. The check in guy was a super hunk, but I never saw him again. So I am hoping the newer place is more intriguing as well as more comfortable. Any advice?

[Gigiloz4me]

>Has anyone stayed at the Dunes Resort in Saugutuck, MI? . Any advice?

 

 

Last year I spent a week in Saugutuck... albeit a private home. However, the Dunes is the 'only game in town' for gay bar and accomodations. When I return to Saugatuck I'll stay at the dunes. You end up there anyhow. While I haven't been in the rooms... they seemed to offer a variety of options. Including a bath house arrangement in the basement where you get a room/bunk but use a shared shower.

 

They have added on (new construction).. so, they offer a variety of price points. The beaches are great.

 

The town? Well, for many of the same reasons I don't like Key West; you get the feeling 'The Gap' has set the standard.

 

Relax... the place is fine (for the area). When in NYC... I prefer the Waldorf. Go figure.

[tedbear]

I've stayed at the Dunes many times, although not in a couple of years. The rooms do vary. I've had some with poor air conditioning (or heat) and some with not-so-great beds. And I've had some great rooms! The cottages are supposed to be good, but I've never been in one.

 

I didn't enjoy the "barracks" down in the basement. They were kind of cruisy, but I wasn't comfortable. It's not enough like a real bathhouse to be much fun and it's not comfortable enough to be a decent room. There's a "guard" at the door who stops non-barracks guests from entering, but if you bring a "friend" back it's OK.

 

The pine (spruce?) trees on the north side of the complex can be pretty cruisy at night, but management (and their dog) discourage this.

 

The pool can be lots of fun, with lots of gay guys dropping by who aren't staying at the Dunes (I seem to remember a two-drink minimum to use the pool for non-guests).

 

The bar is huge with a variety of bars in different rooms. There's a big deck bar outside that's pretty nice on a beautiful summer night. There used to be a very good restaurant there (one of the best in town) but it's closed now.

 

I just checked out their web page and discovered the place has been sold and the new owners are putting a lot of money into it, including 14 new rooms. http://www.douglasdunes.com

 

And as far as "The Gap-ization" of Saugatuck, it hasn't happened. While there are many cutsie stores, there are few francise businesses. Saugatuck has successfully fought them off. There's no McDonalds, no Baskin Robins, but there is a Burger King and a Holiday Inn Express on the outskirts of town near the Expressway. (The nearest Gap is at an Outlet Mall in Holland, MI about 12 miles North.

 

My suggestions: Checquers (off an alley--great fish and chips and burgers, English motif), The Butler's Pantry for kitchen ware (discounts on Calphalon!), Joyce Petter Gallery for original artwork (many decent galleries in town.)

 

Douglas has begun being gentrified. It's downtown is smallish, but has a pretty classy group of shops and restaurants--tends to be a bit more upscale than Saugatuck.

 

Douglas and Saugatuck are "married" to each other since Saugatuck is split in two by the Kalamazoo river. The only way to get from Downtown Saugatuck to the beach side is by driving through Douglas or by boat. (There's a chain ferry running back and forth).

 

I used to always enjoy myself there, but the breeders have rediscovered it. Still fun, but packed with the breeders on weekends (and gay guys, too) Campit is a gay campground nearby if you're into the outdoor scene. There are trailers permananently parked there as well as a woodsy area for tents.

 

There's a great country diner (the name escapes me now) directly across from the Dunes that's great good-ole-country cookin'.

[OneFinger]

>Any advice?

 

Yeah, turn your watch back 40 YEARS. Saugutuck/Douglas are the "best" gay options in that area but that's not saying much.

 

I lived in Grand Rapids and found the area to be so backward and conservative that I moved back to Utah where is it more liberal.

 

The "breeders" have definately invaded the area and I sensed a growing hostilty toward anything gay. Perhaps the new owners will make some necessary changes at the Dunes. But, that still won't change the attitude of the surrounding community and their treatment of you like an unwanted pimple on their pompus ass.

[Guest Ant415]

Hey Lucky,

 

Why not stay at my folks' place... 10 mins from town on the lakefront.

 

Dunes is about good as you can get for gay places. Otherwise are some cute B&B's but they tend to be quiet and straight/gay mixed. The diner across the street, Kalico Kitchen is fun and cruisy after teh bar closes (at the unbelievable time of 1 am ).

 

I was in Saug/Douglas this past May, and the new owners have put lots of money/work into the place.

 

Another motel I thought is good, but not necessarily gay is the Shangrai La. Bit off the main streets, but is nice, clean, big pool.

[+ Lucky]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I have actually been to Saugatuck many times. Starting when I was about 7, the family would rent a cottage there for a week--$35!!

After about 13, no more cottages, but with relatives in Michigan, I would go there for a day. (This is pre-me-gay) The Dunes does seem to be it, so I will see if I can get a room with a comfy bed, and A/C. ANd of course, an Asian or Latin houseboy!

More likely a Dutch-Reformed houseboy!