Downtown Detroit’s renaissance has brought countless modern bars, cozy cafés, and extravagant hotels with it, all developed with the Midwestern hospitality Michiganders have grown accustomed to.
Now, imagine a similar experience, but instead of tall buildings and electric scooters, you’re surrounded by towering trees and galloping horses.
Otis Harbor Springs opened last summer, introducing a style of modern boutique hotelnot often available in northern Michigan. There, nestled between the Tunnel of Trees and downtown Harbor Springs, you’ll find a Detroit-like experience within the woods, curated by a team familiar with the Motor City vibe. General Manager Kamron Bijeh-Apple, for example, helped open the Shinola Hotel in 2019 as the director of brand experience, and Sugar House bartender Anthony DiMaria designed Otis’s cocktail menu.
“The most impactful through line between Shinola and Otis is attention to detail,” Bijeh-Apple says. “From the hand-selected art on the walls and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces to the impeccable service and food program at Otis, we’re bringing a high level of design and hospitality to the area — but in a way that really honors the Up North culture.”
The 1958 property, once the Birchwood Inn, was purchased in 2023 and restored by Israel Hernandez and Ty Humpert into a midcentury haven with 31 rooms designed with plush furniture, unique décor, and Italian-made linens. Options vary depending on party size, from a studio perfect for one to a large family suite with a king-size bed and a bunk bed in a separate space.
Much like Shinola’s Evening Bar, Otis’s Fireplace Lounge is a destination unto itself.
Available to guests and locals, it’s become a community hub where you may run into the owners of local businesses, like Pond Hill Farm or August, an antique store in Petoskey.
The cozy ’60s-inspired space is anchored by a fieldstone fireplace and features restored tuxedo sofas and other seating variations, including bright-red velvet stools at the marble-top bar. Adorning the wall is a colorful hand-painted mural created by Detroit-
based artist Jennifer Haver. The food and beverage experience in the lounge includes a cocktail menu with drinks inspired by the region, like the Otis Old Fashioned, made with rye bourbon and Michigan-sourced cherries and maple syrup, as well as familiar options like a delicious espresso martini.
The best way to enjoy a drink at Otis may be to order it on the patio in the evening, along with a tasty small plate — the burrata cheese with roasted cherries and arugula and the olives marinated in lemon, chile, and coriander are both great choices. Watching the sunset as the horses trot around at Brek-n-Ridge Farm next door reminds you that you are definitely not in Detroit anymore.
This story originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our digital edition will be available on May 5.
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