Two meetings-friendly properties in Michigan recently earned top honors in the 2025 Craft Lodging Awards. Select Registry, a hospitality company specializing in boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and inns, presents the awards to exceptional properties in its portfolio at its annual national meeting and conference. The organization describes “craft lodging” as venues that showcase the culture of the surrounding area and artisanal craftsmanship, and that offer personalized accommodations. The Michigan locations received awards for memorable experiences and sustainability.
The Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay received the Stay for the Story award, recognizing the inn for its capacity to create memorable experiences for guests. Located on an expansive estate and winery 20 miles from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, the venue boasts idyllic surroundings. The Inn at Black Star Farms offers distinctive team-building experiences, including cooking classes, wine and spirit tastings, and sailing excursions.
The property has several meeting spaces to choose from. The Arcturos Room has a built-in bar, ambient lighting, and audiovisual capabilities, while the Aquarius Room accommodates 150 people and is the inn’s largest space. The Aquarius Room is suited for flexible floor plans and seating arrangements and also has audiovisual connections. Each meeting space is accessible to other areas of the property, including a lounge and covered patio. Plus, on-site trails for exploring the grounds’ vineyards, orchards, and forest provide easy respite from a hard day’s work.
Goldberry Woods in Union Pier received the Sustainability Champion award, given to the property that best implements green practices, initiatives, and programs. The 30-acre property is home to a biodiverse organic farm close to the dunes and shores of Lake Michigan. The venue offers many team-building opportunities in a rustic setting, including farm tours and hands-on experiences, yoga and meditation, and a wealth of outdoor activities.
The property also features flexible, customizable indoor spaces for formal meetings and presentations, with spaces for small groups and one-on-one discussion, too. Screens, projectors, and Wi-Fi are available for virtual meetings and presentations, plus tech assistance for setup. The entire inn can be rented, and the property can sleep 50, with a variety of unique lodging available.
