There's a scene in The Three Stooges "If a Body Meets a Body" where Curly, Moe and Larry find themselves spending a night in a haunted mansion where the eyes on a painted framed portrait follow our boys as they walk by. I have to say, that's how I felt at the Sandhills Lighthouse Inn. So let’s say you’re considering staying at this inn, but you’ve read some of the conflicting reviews. Is Merry Mary a control freak? Absolutely. We got in trouble for blowing off the piano recital/dessert one night, and she continued to harp on it the next morning. Honestly, the nightly Merry Mary Show got kind of old after the 2nd night. Show tunes and weepy soliloquies accompanied by carb-laden late evening snacks were what we got. What I wanted? Some hooch, but alas, there’s no bar at the inn. I suppose we could have smuggled in some wine or beer, but I fear Mary Merry would have frowned on it. Perhaps we would have been written up—like college freshmen—and it would still remain on our permanent record. I do recall one surreal moment during our stay that will be a priceless memory: Mary Merry was conducting the 3 p.m. (sharp!) tour of the lighthouse, and all guests were commandeered by her up one narrow stairway after another. An infirm, asthmatic man on the tour became red in the face and experienced labored breathing. He frantically searched his pockets for his inhaler. Finding it and restoring his breathing to a normal level, he expressed dismay that he didn’t think he could make it up the last couple of extremely narrow and steep stairways. Mary Merry scolded the old boy for his lack of resolve and reserve energy and commanded him to march! As this scene unfolded, I couldn’t help looking out the window and wondering exactly how the EMTs would be able to rig a winch up and extract the lifeless body. . .Miraculously, though, he made it through the tour and was downstairs that evening singing along as the phantom of the inn banged out a tune.

My husband and I have been going to Sandhills Lighthouse for years. We absolutely love it there and go every year around our anniversary in the fall if possible. I usually don't post reviews but after reading the negative comments some people have made about this wonderful place and people I had to write something.

I have never encountered a bad attitude towards any of the guests, whether they showed up late, went to bed early, skipped breakfast, etc. One is always treated like family. We've met wonderful people over the years. The food is to die for. Mary will always make beignets for me when she knows we are coming to visit. They are very hospitable and wonderfully entertaining from just listening to Bill talk about his photography studio he once owned to the renovations of the lighthouse and taking the ferry across the straights to come to the UP before the Mackinaw Bridge was even built. Mary has more energy than 10 people put together. Is the place spotless? No. Mary does the laundry and cleaning herself. For someone to complain their bed is not made amazes me. Do you own a maid at home that follows you around picking up after you? Do they live there and this is their HOME? Yes. If you are expecting the Ritz Carlton with cold impersonal service then this is not the place for you. If you want to meet very friendly kind individuals, sit around a table exchanging tidbits from where you are from and what to do in the area, then make a reservation. No TV, your cell phone won't work (service in the Keweenaw is spotty) and best of all no children, this is heaven on earth.

Dessert is amazing and not to be missed. People talk while Mary is playing the piano. I've never been told to be quiet or gotten dirty looks for talking. My husband and I will go to eat at the Eagle Harbor Inn the first night we are there and the second night Mary always makes us a reservation for the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor (great food, gorgeous view) with always enough time to get back for the delicious desserts. For you "city folk" it's another world up here, restaurants don't serve super late dinners, things are laid back and quiet. There's nothing fancy about this area. Don't come here expecting your city life back home, it doesn't exist no matter how hard you look for it.

Sandhills is a place to relax and get away from it all. Bill and Mary treat you like family and are gracious and accommodating. I can't imagine anyone seeing this place any way differently. We tell everyone about this place and if they get a chance they should spend a night or two.

We stayed at Sand Hills July of 2010. It was truly one of the best experiences we had. A lot going on in our lives at that time and it was such a relaxing healing time for us. We fell in love with Mary and Bill, and felt we made life long friends, Her breakfasts and desserts were to die for. Looked forward to the evening piano recital, and then up to a warm and cozy room after. We were planning to go back this year, but my Mother passed away late Spring. We dream of our 4 nights there and of returing again.

It took several years for us to get to Sand Hills after we found out about it and we were not disappointed! Fortunately, I didn't read the reviews on this website before visiting. The nature of B&B's is that you should expect to "exit the fast lane" on your vacation, if this is not what you are looking for, then stay at a traditional hotel/motel. The website for the lighthouse is informative and there should be no surprises about what is offered by Bill & Mary. We never felt "pressured" in any way to attend the evening concerts with dessert, nor did we see that expressed to or about another couple who were visiting to purchase property and arrived during the concert each night. With not much going on at night in the area it was an enjoyable way to pass the evening, talking, eating and visiting with other couples. Bill and Mary are artistic people and refreshingly different but without their vision we would not have the opportunity to stay there today. For the restoration purists, what you see today was done with no government assistance and the only way to maintain it is to make it self-supporting and we love the romantic setting of B&B's. If you want the 'pure' experience there are other lighthouses open to the public in the area. I did notice that the negative reviews on the whole are rather old and as such I feel that Bill and Mary have learned by experience. Our experience was in line with the other 5 star reviews and we will be part of the "loyalist group" who return again!