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The Cottonwood Inn B&B

3.5 star property
Victorian bed & breakfast with free parking, 7-minute walk to Philip A. Hart Visitor Center

Photo gallery for The Cottonwood Inn B&B

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

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View map
9583 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630
  • Place, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Empire Bluff Trail
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪39 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)

Highlights

Furnished patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for The Sunset Room

The Sunset Room

The Sunset Room

Highlights

Furnished patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for The Monarch Room

The Monarch Room

The Monarch Room

Highlights

Furnished patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for The Cottonwood Room

The Cottonwood Room

The Cottonwood Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Furnished patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Hairdryer
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Trillium Room

Trillium Room

Trillium Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Furnished patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
  • Garden view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Single Trundle Beds and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for The Roen Room

The Roen Room

The Roen Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Furnished patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
4 bedrooms
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Trundle Bed

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)

Highlights

Furnished patio
Garden
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Kitchen
Full-sized fridge/freezer
  • Garden view
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

About the area

Empire

At The Cottonwood Inn B&B you'll be within just a 15-minute stroll of Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Highlights at this Victorian B&B include free daily breakfast and free self-parking. .This bed & breakfast has free WiFi in public areas and a garden. Each morning free full breakfast is offered between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM. .Sights within a 10-minute drive of this 3.5-property class Downtown Mmpire B&B include Empire Bluff Trail and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.
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 - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 4 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 6 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Glen Lake - 7 min drive - 10.1 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

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

About this property

The Cottonwood Inn B&B

Victorian bed & breakfast with free parking, 7-minute walk to 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 a hairdryer. Rooms open to furnished patios. This individually decorated and furnished accommodation has separate sitting areas. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include baths or showers. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Similar properties

Exterior
The Sylvan Inn
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  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 305 reviews
The price is AU$194
includes taxes & fees
9 Feb - 10 Feb
The Sylvan Inn

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free covered self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

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

Family friendly

  • Travel cot

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • Outdoor furniture

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

More

  • Built in 1895
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Victorian architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

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 and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

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

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.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that 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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that 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

Is parking available at The Cottonwood Inn B&B?

Yep, The Cottonwood Inn B&B has a free self car park.

Does The Cottonwood Inn B&B serve breakfast?

You bet, free full brekkie is available daily between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Cottonwood Inn B&B?

No, The Cottonwood Inn B&B does not offer an airport shuttle service.

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

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at The Cottonwood Inn B&B?

No, pets are not allowed.

The Cottonwood Inn B&B Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.8/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Travelled with family
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

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Travelled with family
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

10/10 Excellent

M

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

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

8/10 Good

Melanie

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Travelled with partner
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

10/10 Excellent

Jacob

Travelled with partner
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

10/10 Excellent

Sonya, Middlebury

Travelled with partner
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

10/10 Excellent

Terri

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

10/10 Excellent

JoAnna

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brittany

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

jackie, Portland

Expensive for what you get
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

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

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

10/10 Excellent

wissam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Travelled with family
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

10/10 Excellent

Gabriel

Travelled with family
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

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

10/10 Excellent

Judy

Travelled with family and small children
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

10/10 Excellent

Garry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rosanna

Travelled with family
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