Looking for a getaway from the Windy City? You’ve found it. At Castle in the Country, we’re honored to have been chosen to represent Michigan’s “Best Room in the House” in a recent Chicago Tribune article. We are proud to be among the top ten Great Hotels of the Midwest. Our rural location is home to many farm-to-table restaurants, wineries, craft breweries and specialty food shops that rival the quality of experiences Chicago foodies are accustomed to. We have some tasty & scenic detour suggestions for your commute to or from the Castle for your romantic getaway.
Photo Credit: Michael Kiser — GoodBeerHunting.com
First Stop: Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer, MI
Beginning as a home brewery gig and quickly undergoing several expansions to meet high demands from craft beer connoisseurs, Greenbush Brewery has become a popular craft brewery that is starting to make nationally acclaimed Michigan breweries sweat. Their beer selection is all over 6% alcohol, a bit on the heavier side, with clever names that speak to the intensity of their flavor & character. Greenbush works with Windy City distributing to stock select store shelves and collaborates with Chicago area chefs like Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard from Girl and the Goat.
*Royal Recommendation: Join their “Friends with Benefits” Club for cheap growler fills and other discounts on goodies for the road.
Second Stop: The Chocolate Garden, Coloma MI
The walls of this quaint little chocolate shop feature dainty chocolates, perfectly packaged for now, later, or both. The scents are undoubtedly divine. In regards to chocolate, everything that the Chocolate Garden does is unconventional. Instead of digressing and dipping everything under the sun in chocolate and calling it special, they just do truffles, and they do them right. Among countless accolades, USA Today said, “Visit the Chocolate Garden in Coloma for handmade chocolate truffles so decadent they’d make the French blush.” Truffles are a perfect gift for any occasion, and we’ve yet to find a truffle that stands up to theirs.
*Royal Recommendation: Darkest Dark Truffles have the perfect amount of melt-in-your-mouth richness and are without question a favorite of the Castle Staff.
Third Stop: Karma Vista Cellars, Coloma MI
Sixty miles across Lake Michigan from the big city is Karma Vista Cellars, where rolling hills covered in fruit trees have been passed down through the Herman family since 1847. The area boasts a maritime growing climate for growing award-winning grapes. The cellars are re-opening their tasting room & shop for the season on March 6th. You can stop in to enjoy 6 tastings for $5 with last pours daily at 4:45. Pick up a favorite bottle to take back to your suite at the Inn. Savor the flavors in our gazebo, on the porch, or by our outdoor fire pit.
*Royal Recommendation: Try the Reserve Syrah. After competing with 6,000 wines, it was the only Midwest wine to earn bronze, silver, and gold medals.
Final Stop: Castle in the Country B&B, Allegan MI
When you arrive at the Castle we’re eager to hear all about your journey and direct you to some of our Best of the Best Restaurants in the Area for dinner after you’ve settled into your romantic suite. Our recommendations are some that Chicago-land guests often admit are close competition for the big city’s best eats. The rural charm that our favorite local places possess fuse personality and character. We’re proud to send you their way.
Choose from our 10 unique guest rooms for your ideal romantic getaway today!