Rich in character and a storied history, Waters View Inn offers family and pet friendly lodging for your vacation or weekend getaway off Lake Michigan.
The inn was originally constructed in 1883 by a Civil War captain and was known as Park Grove Place. Local historians believe that it is the first resort built in South Haven, kicking off over a century of tourism on Lake Michigan’s Eastern Shore!
In 1923 the inn was renamed The Plaza and was known for Friday night fish frys and Saturday night spaghetti dinners. Rumor has it that after dinner, the tablecloths would be taken out and the poker chips would be brought in.
Sadly, there was a period between 1959 and 1979 when the inn was all but abandoned and in severe need of love and attention. Many people believed that it would eventually be knocked down. However, in 1979 it was purchased and in 1983, after significant renovation, the Last Resort Inn opened for guests!
The Last Resort Inn was owned by the same person for over 35 years – becoming a staple of the town. Known for parties of all types, the inn welcomed people from around the world.
In 2021, the inn was sold and took on the new name of Waters View Inn to honor the beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the harbor.
Sold again in 2023, Waters View Inn was purchased by the owners of Inn at the Park, just around the corner. Joshua, Bobby, and Carol Ann came across the inn and immediately wanted to save it from possibly being torn down. It’s a beautiful piece of history with lots of stories to tell.
In need of a lot of love and attention, Joshua, Bobby and Carol Ann have embarked on a journey to update and modernize Waters View Inn. In 2023, every room was refreshed, and in 2024 the largest suite was renovated, as well as the guest kitchen and dining room. New carpet was put in throughout and hip new artwork fills the spaces. Come see the progress, share your ideas, and enjoy the beach!
(And… as far as we know, we don’t have ghosts… but let us know if you meet any of our old friends!)
Meet Our Team
Joshua and Bobby Lemmer
Josh and Bobby moved to South Haven from Minneapolis to take over Inn at the Park, our sister property. When we saw Waters View Inn for sale in 2023, we just had to take the chance! It had some loving owners before us but was in dire need of a refresh and basic updates. We wanted to save this bit of South Haven history!
Carol Ann Hall
Carol Ann is Josh’s aunt. Since she convinced Josh and Bobby to embrace small town life and move to South Haven, they didn’t give her much choice in being a partner at Waters View Inn! With over 14 years of experience running an inn, she’s been sharing her expertise all along the way!
