Our History

Welcome to Petoskey!

For over 122 years, the Perry Hotel has proudly stood at the corner of Bay and Lewis streets, overlooking Little Traverse Bay; welcoming visitors to the crown jewel of Michigan’s “Gold Coast.” We invite you to join in the heritage of hospitality that we continue to practice every day for every guest. Guests at Stafford’s Perry enjoy the restored elegance of our main lobby, the unique décor in each of our 75 guest rooms, and of course the breathtaking vistas that first gave inspiration to the expression “Million Dollar Sunset” for which Petoskey is now famous.

In addition to the perfect setting for respite and relaxation we hope that you will enjoy the fine cuisine of the H.O. Rose dining room, the lively spirits of our Noggin Room pub and our summer grille, the Rose Garden Veranda restaurant al fresco. If you are celebrating a special occasion kindly drop a hint to one of our staff so that we may provide a measure of recognition for today and a pleasant memory for tomorrow.

The Perry staff and I stand ready to welcome you to “our house” for the first time, and what we hope will be many return visits up north, for Stafford’s brand of “Pure Michigan” hospitality. If there is anything we can do to make your visit with us more enjoyable, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Best Wishes,

Reginald Smith
Chairman | Stafford's Hospitality

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A PIONEER IN ELEGANT LODGING

In 1899, just four years after Petoskey was incorporated as a city, Dr. Norman J. Perry built the hotel after giving up his dental practice (a patient had died following a multiple tooth extraction). He operated the Perry until 1919, when it was purchased by Drs. John and George Reycraft. They intended to convert the Hotel into a hospital, but Petoskey’s city fathers felt there was such a demand for a year-round hotel that they convinced the brothers to build their hospital in another location.

The Doctors selected their nephew, D. Herbert Reycraft, as hotel manager. Under his direction the Perry Hotel became a lively center of attraction featuring a small orchestra during dinner and dances at least once a week. Its popularity demanded expansion, so the Reycrafts doubled the capacity to 300 guests when they added a four story, 46 room wing in 1926. Herbert Reycraft and his wife, Hazel, retired in 1961. The Reycrafts then sold the hotel to John Davis, at which time Davis made extensive improvements including the panoramic window which overlooks Little Traverse Bay from the dining room. Under his ownership, he changed the name to the Perry-Davis Hotel and operated the hotel until Alan Gornick purchased the hotel in the 1970s.

Stafford’s Hospitality purchased the Perry in 1989. We have undertaken extensive interior and exterior restoration to this historic landmark. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Sites as well as its State of Michigan counterpart. Of the 21 hotels in operation in 1900, the Perry Hotel is the only one still in operation today.