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The Cottonwood Inn B&B

3.5 star property
3.5-star Victorian B&B near Philip A. Hart Visitor Center

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Photo gallery for The Cottonwood Inn B&B

Beach
Front of property
Exterior
The Cottonwood Carriage House
The Cottonwood Carriage House | Living area

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View in a map
9583 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630
  • Place, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, beach near Downtown Mmpire
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for The Empire Room

The Empire Room

The Empire Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for The Sunset Room

The Sunset Room

The Sunset Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for The Monarch Room

The Monarch Room

The Monarch Room

  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for The Cottonwood Room

The Cottonwood Room

The Cottonwood Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Trillium Room

Trillium Room

Trillium Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Trundle Beds and 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for The Roen Room

The Roen Room

The Roen Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Trundle Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for The Cottonwood Carriage House

The Cottonwood Carriage House | Living area

The Cottonwood Carriage House

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the area

Empire

Downtown Mmpire stay.Within a 10-minute walk of this Downtown Mmpire B&B, you'll find Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Also, Empire Bluff Trail is within 2 miles (3 km) and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is within 6 miles (10 km).
View more B&B in EmpireOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • beach near Village Park - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • beach near Downtown Mmpire - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 5 min drive - 2.9 km

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪La Becasse - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Trattoria Funistrada - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Empire Village Pizza & Spirits - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Joes Friendly Tavern - ‬12 min walk

About this property

The Cottonwood Inn B&B

3.5-star Victorian B&B near Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
Free breakfast is available daily. Public spaces have free WiFi. Free self parking is available.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Victorian Empire bed & breakfast.

  • 7 guestrooms or units
  • Built in 1895
  • Full breakfast (free)
  • Garden
  • Smoking in designated areas
The Cottonwood Inn B&B offers 7 accommodations with hair dryers. Rooms open to furnished patios. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations have separate sitting areas. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Exterior
Empire Lakeshore Inn
Downtown Mmpire
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
4.4 out of 5, Excellent, 1,010 reviews
The price is CA $218
CA $231 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 11 - Jun 12
Empire Lakeshore Inn

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Travel crib

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free covered self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Mobile key entry
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and an access code; your host will greet you
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Access code, host will greet you

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and cash. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions and guests can access their rooms with a mobile device.

Property is also known as

The Cottonwood Inn B&B Empire
The Cottonwood Inn B&B Bed & breakfast
The Cottonwood Inn B&B Bed & breakfast Empire

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Cottonwood Inn B&B to the airport?

The Cottonwood Inn B&B is 28.2 mi (47-min drive) away from the Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Cottonwood Inn B&B have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Cottonwood Inn B&B.

Does The Cottonwood Inn B&B offer free breakfast?

The Cottonwood Inn B&B offers free full breakfast every day from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM.

Is there a casino at The Cottonwood Inn B&B?

No, there is no casino at this bed & breakfast.

What time is check-in at The Cottonwood Inn B&B?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM.

Is there free parking at The Cottonwood Inn B&B?

This bed & breakfast offers free self parking.

Does The Cottonwood Inn B&B have a pool?

The Cottonwood Inn B&B does not have a pool.

Does The Cottonwood Inn B&B have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this bed & breakfast.

How close is The Cottonwood Inn B&B to downtown Empire?

The Cottonwood Inn B&B is 0.4 mi away from Empire.

The Cottonwood Inn B&B Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 36 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.8/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best B&B Wonderful little gem!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly and welcoming staff in a cozy comfortable b&b
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property. Staff was friendly and we really enjoyed breakfast. We look forward to staying here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacob

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property and hosts were very nice, first B&B I've stayed at and it was a great experience
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff, breakfast and lovely grounds. Close to visitors center and Sleeping Bear Dune.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jenn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
the staff was execellent and the property was close to town and trails for hiking!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Darlene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet and within walking distance to downtown Empire.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Terri

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Awesome property!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff. Great proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Prasanna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
great hosts.. The breakfast was amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

TF

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

we love empire

great food and conversation with innkeepers
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joanna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I visited the area for 79.3 Ironman. As I was late to look for lodging, affordable space was slim. That’s how I came across The Cottonwood. The place is very charming. Toby makes an excellent breakfast and Holly is a wonderful welcoming host! Empire is a close drive to many attractions in the area! I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Breakfast was amazing! Toby did a spectacular "restaurant-style" breakfast. We got to stay at the Carriage house which was private with our own seperate kitchen which was a nice treat. Local restaurant rec Art's tavern for sanwiches/onion rings/cheese curds and blueberry and whipped cream and the village inn for pizza. Grocer's daughter is a must for chocolates. This B&B is perfectly placed for easy access to all the nearby sights!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gabriel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Always wanted to stay in a farm house. Had so much personality! Lots of personality!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Second Family

We felt so welcomed by everyone. Like a second family. The Inn is beautifully decorated and very comfortable. The setting is idyllic.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexandru

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, super nice and quiet vintage home , somewhat like a Victorian style. The hosts, super nice people!!! Delicious breakfast with real eggs . Our family liked the experience a lot! Recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rosanna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property and our Cottage House was absolutely adorable. The Fresh flowers all around the cottage topped it off! Very relaxing and restful stay. The breakfast! Love how all guests would be talking and the host, Holly and the staff were exceptional!! Can't wait to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sonya

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Must Stay! This is a cute and cozy Bed and Breakfast in a perfect central location, within walking distance to downtown. Throughly enjoyed morning talks with our host, Toby. Served a great breakfast every morning, made you feel right at home! Met the owner Holly, who also is very accommodating! We will definitely be staying here again! Thanks for the great service!! Sonya & Joe
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

wissam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice place , friendly people , good breakfast. We stayed in the Empire room, It was very clean, just needs a bigger bed and fix the lights going upstairs. Thank you guys
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

jackie

Expensive for what you get
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay at the Cottonwood inn. It’s conveniently located in an area not too far from the beach and local restaurants. The staff was friendly and inviting. Our room was clean and comfortable. Our remote had dead batteries and we contacted our host and they were promptly replaced. The one thing I would note is that we had to take really quick showers because the hot water would run cold fast. I will say, It is an old building and there were other guests there at the time, so that may have had a lot to do with it. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Alain

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Très bonne localisation. Environnement très agréable. Hôtes sympathiques Lit trop petit dans la 1ère chambre
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laurie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rural setting (bright red barn, porch, lawn and garden) were even prettier than the pictures. Our upper room (three beds) was cozy and welcoming after a long day of exploring the Upper Peninsula and Sleeping Bear Dunes park. I would describe it as homey rather than chic, exactly what we were looking for. Very friendly staff and delicious breakfast. I would recommend the Cottonwood, a genuine, traditional bed and breakfast, to anyone looking for a unique experience in this beautiful part of Michigan.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet and peaceful, nice surroundings, close to everything.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This farmhouse is in a beautiful, peaceful setting. We enjoyed the breakfast in particular. But the bed was not comfortable and had no extra pillows to choose from. The second floor bedrooms might pose a challenge to anyone who had trouble with the steep stairs.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019