Inside The Nordic Pineapple Bed & Breakfast – St. Johns Michigan


bed breakfast st. johns michigan

Have you ever stayed in a bed and breakfast?  I recently visited the Nordic Pineapple in Saint Johns Michigan.  I have drove past this mansion and wondered what it looked like inside.  So when they announced they were having a grand opening tour for the bed and breakfast, I wanted to take a visit and see what it looked inside.  The home has been turned into a bed and breakfast, allowing people to stay and experience the elegance inside this mansion. See what it’s like inside The Nordic Pineapple Bed and Breakfast?

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History of The Nordic Pineapple

The home was built in 1861 by Civil War General Oliver Spaulding and his wife Mary Cecilia Swegles.  General Spaulding was a lawyer in St. John’s Michigan.  According to Wikipedia, he had a impressive career.  He also served in the Civil War where he became a Brigadier General.   was the Michigan Secretary of State and served as a special agent to the United States Department of Treasury.

In 1911 the Babcock family took on major renovations to the home. They added a 3rd floor for a ballroom.  The home was changed from a Victorian structure into a Colonial Revival style home.  Through the years, many families lived in the home raising their families.

In 1992 the home was almost lost due to a fire on the 3rd floor.  The rest of the house had smoke and water damage.  Mark Barber and his partner Terry spent 2 years renovating the home. It was renovated with the thought of making it a bed and breakfast called The Oakland Place.  There are now sprinklers throughout the house.  The Oakland Place ran for almost 12 years until Mark’s death.

The mansion sat vacant for 10 years before the Covert family saw the potential the home had. The home was purchased by the current owners, Greg and Kjersten Offenbecker in July 2018.  They turned part of the home into a bed and breakfast. The home does have private quarters for their family that is separate from the bed and breakfast.

library inside the nordic pineapple Saint Johns Michigan

A Look Inside the Nordic Pineapple?

Walking up to the driveway, you realize just how big this mansion is.  It is big an beautiful.  The porch from the driveway has beautiful stones.  The porch is covered and it goes over the driveway. The house is about 9,000 square feet.  There are 10 bathrooms and 8 bedrooms, a library and more.

Stepping up to the bed and breakfast, we had a fire going outside on the porch where you can sit and relax.  When you enter from the driveway, you are greeted with a beautiful foray with the stairway to one side.  The home is elegantly decorated giving you a feel of just how regal it must have been when it was first built.  The history of the home is celebrated with the  prints on the wallpaper, wood trim, grand staircase and hardwood floors. There is a library with a sitting area with a beautiful built in wood bookcase.  There are four fireplaces to sit in front of and enjoy too.

The furnishing compliment the home beautifully.  Each room has a color theme and name (the pink pumpkin is my favorite).  Find beautiful beds, soaking jet tubs and your own heat controls. The rooms have large windows to allow light to come in, but there are also shades for privacy.

The owners have made no renovations to the home since buying it, but have plan for another 2 room suite being built in 2019 in the 3rd floor.

Visit Global  Coffee Downtown Saint Johns

fire place in bed and breakfast
Four beautiful fire places

downstairs nordic pineapple

Staying at the Bed & Breakfast

I would definitely stay at The Nordic Pineapple!  The rooms are reasonably priced, compared to a hotel room.  When staying at a B&B, there are fewer people, a personal experience and a relaxing atmosphere.

They have a social hour in the library in the evening with wine and cheese.  Staying at bed and breakfasts is just about relaxing and making yourself at home. They are areas you can sit and relax outside your room.  Enjoy a book from the library.  Explore the grounds (the house sits on an acre).

Conveniently located to the local restaurants, but far enough away from all the traffic.  The Nordic Pineapple is not far from M-21 or U.S. 127.  On a nice day, it is a nice walk to the local restaurants if you want as well.

This is a perfect place to stay during local festivities like the Mint Festival, DeWitt Ox Roast or Elsie Days.

The hardest part about staying at The Nordic Pineapple? Deciding which room to stay in. But you’ll just have to come back to stay in all the other rooms!

Come Check Out Saint John’s Mint Festival

teal bear
The Teal Bear

 

blue ram
The Blue Ram

 

green duck
The Green Duck

 

pink pumpkin
The Pink Pumpkin

 

winter view nordic pineapple

purple viking
The Purple Viking

Want to stay in a mansion? See why The Nordic Pineapple is the perfect bed and breakfast for you. A mansion turned B&B in the heart of Michigan. See what it's like inside this beautiful 9000 square foot mansion.


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