Q: Is Yelton Manor a Hotel or a Bed and Breakfast or an AirBB?
A: In the traditional sense, Yelton Manor is none of these. We are an updated hybrid all our own. We are a small, owner operated luxury boutique inn with healthy, homemade breakfast options on site or within walking distance. We recently unbundled the cost of breakfast from our rates, so we could lower and uncomplicate rate options. This makes for the simplest, easiest booking experience with flexibility for the most types of travelers with all types of appetites. Choose lodging, then choose to purchase a morning meal here at our farm fresh, inexpensive breakfast bar, or not. We are also a legitimately licensed hotel in a business/residential zone, professional hospitality with onsite owner/operators to personally serve as your local concierge and also keep you secure, not an empty house with absentee out-of-state managers like an AirBB. Yelton Manor Boutique Hotel is luxury personal lodging for the 2020s, small and safe, meticulously clean, with hands on hospitality, everything just right for the discriminating traveler’s beach holiday at Lake Michigan.
Q: How has Yelton Manor adapted to the challenges of COVID-19?
A: We take the virus very seriously.
See our full COVID-19 Protocol here.
Our cancellation policy remains exactly as it has always been (see Policies) with the following modification regarding COVID-19: If the State of Michigan requires us to be closed for business, we will of course immediately refund all deposits for the dates impacted by closure.
Be prepared to communicate via phone text. Self check-in and check -out is simple. We respond to all your questions and needs quickly through text. We are close by in the event of any emergency and here in person to serve you when necessary.
Q: Is Yelton Manor on Lake Michigan?
A: YM is the closest lodging in South Haven to the beach, directly across the street from Dyckman Beach and walkable to all 7 of South Haven’s public beaches. We are also walkable to downtown.
Q: What kind of ambiance can I expect at Yelton Manor Boutique Hotel?
A: The two houses are beautifully decorated homes with comfortable parlors, porches, dining rooms, personal conversation corners and library nooks. The Sun and Stars Patio is a ginormous meet and greet spot outside in the gardens for day drinking and chillaxin. There is an expectation for graciousness and shared joy. Celebrations are happening all around. Come to be a part of it, come to disappear, resist the urge to be busy. The breakfast menu is fresh, healthy, delicious, vegetarian, mostly dairy and gluten free, and ready when you are. Expect to be delighted.
Q: What kind of services do you offer?
A: We live here and are committed to making your stay at The Manor an excellent and safe experience. Mostly we are invisible. We cook, clean, do lots of laundry, maintain the gardens, clean some more, and try to say hello to as many of our guests as we can. We are here to guide you in any emergency, a dentist, doctor or massage therapist if you were to need one. We help get flowers and champagne and love notes to rooms for special occasions. We answer a zillion emails and texts. We care for the famous library of Manor books and DVDs, we make the brownies and the popcorn, we refresh the ice buckets and the icy tower of minted cucumber water, we reboot the WiFi routers, we call the plumber when necessary. We watch the weather and will keep you secure if there is a storm. We know the local farmers (can guide you to them too) and support them with all the local lusciousness of our breakfast menu. We point you to our favorite restaurants, bike rental, wineries and farm markets. We are in our 33rd year here at The Manor and still loving the inn and those we serve.
Q: What kind of food do you serve?
A: Start your day energized with fresh, simple fare served from The Manor kitchen every day between 8AM and Noon. We help you put together choices for just a light snack or as much as a full breakfast. Coffee and tea, of course, but fruit and green smoothies too and much more. See our full menu here: Breakfast Menu. Everyone helps themselves to our famous triple chocolate brownies and at the big popcorn machine too. You can also order many special treats for on-site dining, including breakfast room service delivery, a basket of munchies or an afternoon hors doeuves tray for two. See all the options on our website under Indulgences.
Q: Is the inn air conditioned?
A: Yes. Both houses are extremely comfortable even in the hottest summer weather. We have 5 zones of central heating and cooling. In addition, each room has a large stand up fan and most have overhead fans to help keep air moving.
Q: Can Yelton Manor accommodate children or pets?
A: No. Our ambiance is designed to be adults only and allergen free. Young persons over 10 are welcome but still subject to two persons per room occupancy and adult gentility.
Q: How many people can fit in one room? Are there any rooms with 2 beds?
A: All of our rooms have just one bed. All of our rooms accommodate two persons, total. There is no option for a rollaway bed or cot or pullout sofa or 3 in a bed. We have both a legal and comfortable maximum occupancy and never accommodate more than two to a room. Girlfriends bunk in together, families get a second room for the teenager, a 3rd person rents a room for themselves, but two maximum per room.
Q: Is there onsite free parking at the hotel?
A: Yes. But the parking lot is tight. We have space for one standard car or SUV per room. Sorry, but we cannot accommodate trucks, trailers or any van larger than a mini-van. If you bring a truck we will direct you to off-street parking in order to make sure there is clearance in our lot for all our guests to park safely.
Q: Does Yelton Manor have elevators? Does Yelton Manor have handicap accessible rooms? Are there first floor rooms?
A: No elevator. Both houses at the inn have 3 stories, 3 flights of stairs and no elevator. Please note that the innkeeper in unable to assist with carrying luggage upstairs, so bring only what you can personally carry. There are 4, total, first floor rooms. As historic structures we are not fully handicap or wheelchair accessible, but we are optimally accessible for most who are simply physically challenged. Ask us how we can accommodate your individual needs, we will steer you to your best options. Be aware: there are 3 steps into the entrance of both houses, with a hand rail.
Q: What kind of clothes should I pack?
A: Absolutely beach casual, only. Nobody dresses up for anything here. No need for makeup either. Flip-flops.
Q: Are there refrigerators in guest rooms for keeping food and drinks cold? Is there a microwave, coffee maker or can we cook anything?
A: No, guest rooms do not have refrigerators. There are 3 shared guest refrigerators to use. All 3 are in the The Manor Guest House, one on the porch and the others in the 2nd and 3rd floor parlors. We keep these refreshed with ice buckets and glasses for drinks. There is also an ice bucket and drink glasses at the popcorn bar in The Manor. We do not supply ice for coolers but the store around the corner sells bags of ice. No on site cooking is available to guests, many restaurants are close by. We have coffee service on our breakfast menu available all morning long and there are coffee shops and bakeries nearby. We do not have a microwave.
Q: Can I come and go as I please? Is there a curfew?
A: Of course, come and go as you please. You will be given the entry code for the front doors for secure access in and out at any and all hours. Only registered guests are ever permitted in the hotel for everyone’s security and comfort. Never invite anyone who is not a registered guest to visit you anywhere on the property, enter the inn, or park at the inn. Like any shared lodging space, the entire hotel settles into a respectful “Quiet Time” in common areas, hallways, rooms and on The Sun and Stars Patio after 11PM.
Q: How strong is the WiFi? Can I do work Zoom Meetings from there?
A: Our WiFi is the strongest and most reliable available in the area. But it’s not eminently flawless and that’s outside of our control. We cannot guarantee a perfect connection for a crucial business meeting that depends on our WiFi, so assume that risk at your own discretion.
Q: Do you have daily housekeeping in the room?
A: No. We consider your room your sanctuary and do not enter it unless there is an emergency or at your request. We are an eco-friendly inn and wash towels and linens when necessary and at request. We will clean your room when you depart. In between, we are happy to refresh toiletries and towels, just text us and exchange outside your room door. To be sure, our housekeeping team is still hard at work all day every day, sanitizing common areas and beautifying the entire property for your comfort, safety and enjoyment.
Q: Can I book the entire inn for a wedding, family reunion or other event? What about just a group of friends?
A: Generally, no. The inn is not like an AirBB. We are a legitimate licensed establishment with insurance regulations and neighborhood zoning restrictions. The inn is also not functionally designed to be a party house, it’s designed for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. Our standard rule is that the largest group booking we will accept is 6 persons. Our many porches, parlors and conversation nooks are designed for and suited to smaller gatherings of 2-6 people. This party size limit also protects a quieter ambiance overall for all guests to enjoy. Occasional exceptions are negotiated, speak to Elaine personally.
Q: Do you host elopements?
A: Yes. See our Elopement Package.
Q: Do you sell Gift Certificates?
A: Yes. See link here: Gift Certificates
Q: Do you take a deposit when I book? What is your cancellation policy? Are you completely non-smoking?
A: Before making a reservation be certain to see full details of all our policies here: Policies.
