Discover Serenity in the Keweenaw Peninsula at the Fitzgerald Hotel & Restaurant in Eagle River Michigan
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Tucked along the shores of Lake Superior near the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, The Fitzgerald Hotel in Eagle River offers an unforgettable blend of dining and lodging. It’s the perfect escape for those looking to relax and enjoy spectacular views paired with great food.
No matter when you visit, The Fitzgerald Hotel — known locally as The Fitz — offers a memorable experience. It’s a place where visitors can enjoy the gently rolling summer ways as they dive into the pages of a book or curl up under a blanket and watch nature’s splendor during a winter storm.
Getting to Know The Fitz
The lodging that became The Fitz opened in the 1950s as the Swank Beach Motel — a motor lodge on the shore of the mighty Lake Superior. Jim LaMotte purchased the property in 1980 and the hotel maintained its original layout until the fall of 2020.
LaMotte’s goal with the renovations? Make The Fitz’s accommodations just as inviting as the restaurant. Renovations during 2020 ultimately transformed the hotel from a 12-room lodge into a modern, six-room hotel with more space.
The rooms, each about 500 square feet, feature modern amenities like WiFi, air conditioning, king beds, freshly ground coffee from The Jampot, big TVs, and more. All of these upgrades add to the comfortable atmosphere and make The Fitz feel like a home away from home.
Five of the rooms also have their own private balcony/walk-out patio. This makes it easy to gaze out at the lake, catch a glimpse of ore boats going by, watch one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen, or (if you’re lucky) steal a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
If relaxation is what you seek, The Fitz has it in spades.
“What an exceptional experience in the beautiful [Keweenaw] peninsula.
The accommodations exceeded our expectations with many nice touches such as excellent locally roasted coffee to brew in a nice ceramic french press. The view of Lake Superior from the tastefully decorated room was superb. A great spot to watch the sunset…
Never expected to have this delightful of a time at a hotel in the middle of nowhere.
We will come back to the U.P. just to stay here again.”– Jeanne via Google
Five-Star Dining in the UP
The comfortable accommodations at the Fitzgerald Hotel make The Fitz intriguing on its own. But The Fitz restaurant has been a longtime go-to destination for a fine dining experience in a casual setting.
Imagine a five-star meal and refreshing cocktails just 20 feet from the Lake Superior shore!
Hungry guests will have their tastebuds tantalized as they dig into a Fitzgerald’s menu that’s packed with flavor from top to bottom. The Fitz takes food very seriously, sparing no details, and offers a menu that includes a sizeable wine list, fresh Great Lakes fish, and delectable smoked meats.
Guests can start their meal with tasty apps that include walleye cakes (think a Great Lakes crab cake), umami fries, and coconut shrimp rolls. From there, guests can choose from lighter options like falafel, garden caper salad, and a porchetta sandwich or dig into hearty entrees like smoked chicken and barbeque, gouda mac and cheese, and grilled whitefish.
“Family recommended this to me and I couldn’t be more thankful and pleased. Beautiful views of Lake Superior. Very nice atmosphere. Very quickly seated, ordered, and eating! Great “Pit Master’s Pie” (think Shepherds Pie except with brisket, pulled pork, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Lemonade from Italy! Large portions; quality ingredients, great flavors; healthy! Really enjoyed it!!”
– Matt via Google
First-Hand Experience at The Fitz
UP resident Jesse Land got a first-hand look at the “new-look” Fitzgerald Hotel and Restaurant shortly after the renovations started.
The Fitz (aka The Eagle River Inn and Fitzgerald’s Restaurant) is the sort of place I’m surprised isn’t famous across the Upper Peninsula. But if the current owners keep doing what they’ve been doing, it will be before long. In fact, I’ve already witnessed “word” spreading.
This is not the sort of place I expected to find far north in the rugged Keweenaw Peninsula. But man, am I ever glad it’s there!
Built in 1957 and originally called the Swank Beach Motel, Fitzgerald’s Eagle River Inn was purchased by the LaMotte family in 1980 and remodeled into its current form. Mike LaMotte (son of Jim LaMotte who purchased the establishment in 1980) and his friend Marc Rea run the business now and do an excellent job. They’ve injected a cool, youthful entrepreneurial energy into the place.
For example, they got interested in whiskey, it went over well, and now they have over 100 fine whiskeys on hand. They got interested in barbecue and that went over well, so they’ve now upgraded their smoker and do even more barbecue.
They had an interest in craft beer and they now have a craft beer selection that rivals any other establishment in Michigan (it was over 100 different types, last I heard).
The Setting
Part of what sets The Fitz apart is the setting. The building is situated on a beach facing Lake Superior, so the dining room and all guest rooms have a gorgeous view of the water.
It’s the only beachfront dining I’ve seen in the Upper Peninsula, and according to one avid sailor my wife and I met at the bar, it’s the only beachfront dining on all of Lake Superior.
The Restaurant
The menu at The Fitz, while ever-evolving, always has a terrific range of options. My first time here I had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich and my wife had a burger, and both were awesome. They also did a great job catering to our young kids, which was a pleasant surprise.
I’ve since been back a few times and have had most of their appetizers and many of their mains. Everything has been excellent, and I can assure you that whenever I mention The Fitz on my Facebook page the consensus is clear: everyone loves this place.
The Rooms
The guest rooms have all been recently renovated and feel very much like the type of room you’d expect to find at a Lake Superior beach-side inn. The words “airy,” “breezy” and “fresh,” come to mind. White pine accent panels and fluffy white bedding adorn each room along with a refrigerator, microwave. And since the food portions they dish out are far from small, that fridge and microwave will likely come in handy.
The beach in front of The Fitz is beautiful, expansive, and not at all busy. It’s the perfect place for a post-dinner walk on the beach, or a morning run after you’ve stayed at the Inn. The beach in front of The Fitz leads into the beach at Great Sand Bay, which is an excellent area for swimming, paddling, or catching some sun.
The Service
And to top it all off, the owners and everyone I’ve met at The Fitz are some of the nicest, most helpful people you could imagine. I’ve been here with kids, without kids, mid-day, late-night, and just stopping through to say hi and the service has always been excellent.
I would even go so far as to say The Fitz is more than just a “must-see” when you’re in the Keweenaw. It’s a destination all on its own.
Bottom line: The Fitz (aka The Eagle River Inn and Fitzgerald’s Restaurant) in Eagle River is a must-see. It’s a wonderful place to stay, to dine, and/or to sample some awesome craft beer or fine whiskey. This place is a true Upper Peninsula gem.
Make the Most of Your Time in Eagle River
A meal or an overnight stay at The Fitz is plenty of reason to visit Eagle River, but its proximity to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula and unparalleled Upper Peninsula beauty makes it perfect for adventuring…
Take a Scenic Drive Along M-26
There’s no other way to say it: The Upper Peninsula is full of scenic drives, especially in the fall. One of the best drives is right along the Lake Superior shore on M-26 between Eagle River. This almost 20-mile stretch has plenty of scenic overlooks and is a true showcase of fall’s splendor.
Soak in the Views on a Brockway Mountain Drive
If you’re looking for another scenic drive, the Brockway Mountain Drive near Copper Harbor is one you don’t want to miss. Travel nearly miles near the “tip of the hat” and go more than 1,300 feet above sea level to enjoy views of Lake Superior you can’t find anywhere else.
Visit the Jampot Bakery
If you’ve enjoyed coffee from the Jampot Bakery during your stay at The Fitz, then you can go straight to the source via a five-minute drive north on M-26 to the Jampot Bakery.
The bakery — which offers homemade jams, jellies, breads, and more — is run by monks and is part of the Holy Transfiguration Skete, of the Order of St. John — a small monastery where monks can eat, worship, and provide a service to the community through their labors.
Stay Overnight at Eagle River Lighthouse
Staying at The Fitz is a unique experience on its own, but you can make the trip all the more memorable with an overnight stay at Eagle River Lighthouse.
The lighthouse dates to 1855, so staying in it offers a chance to stay in a piece of living history. Staying in this quaint B&B offers a chance to enjoy a lakeside stroll, beach comb for unique Michigan rocks, or cast a line to fish.
RELATED: Check out some of the best rock hunting spots in the Upper Peninsula.
Attend the Michigan Tech Winter Carnival
Winter is one of the best times to get out and explore in Michigan and the Michigan Tech Winter Carnival in Houghton has embraced winter fun for more than 100 years.
The carnival is famous for its monumental snow sculptures built by students to coincide with a different theme each year. The festivities also include broomball, human ice bowling, tug of war, a stage revue, the crowning of a winter carnival queen, and much more.
Explore Magnificent Michigan Waterfalls
One of Michigan’s best attributes is its waterfalls, many of which can be found in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
- Jacob’s Falls is about 3 miles northeast of Eagle River in the shadow of the Jampot Bakery and has a total drop of about 40 feet.
- Douglass Houghton Falls has an amazing 110-foot drop and can be found near Houghton via Hammel Creek.
- The Hungarian Falls Nature Area — about 30 minutes south of Eagle River — features three sets of falls, including the 50-foot Lower Falls, which can be accessed via nearby trails.
Enjoy History and Five-Star Dining at The Fitz
The Fitzgerald Hotel and Restaurant in the Keweenaw Peninsula may be a bit off the beaten path, but don’t let its location fool you. This is a place steeped in history that’s ready to treat you to a cozy stay and one of the best meals you can find in the UP.
Whether you’re an avid lighthouse enthusiast, a frequent fall color traveler or you want to see more of what makes the “tip of the hat” so special, a trip to The Fitz is a must anytime you’re in the Keweenaw Peninsula!