Chicago is one of my favorite cities, but sometimes the best part of visiting is realizing how quickly you can trade skyscrapers and traffic for beaches, gardens, and a slower pace of life. Just 90 minutes away by car, Petite Acres in New Buffalo, Michigan, delivers exactly that.
Amtrak also offers nonstop service from Chicago to downtown New Buffalo in roughly one hour and 15 minutes, making this French-inspired boutique retreat an easy add-on to a Windy City trip. Once you arrive, you may find yourself wondering why you did not escape to Michigan sooner.
Petite Acres makes slowing down feel effortless
Set on more than 4.25 acres in Southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country, Petite Acres was created by husband-and-wife duo Jeana Anderson Cohen and Justin Cohen. The couple fell in love with the property’s land and trees, then transformed it into a hospitality destination centered on nature, beautiful design, and genuine human connection.
That last part is not just marketing language. Justin greeted my partner and me shortly after we arrived, and nearly every team member we encountered stopped to welcome us or share a fun fact about the property. Everyone was incredibly kind, and the warmth never felt rehearsed. Petite Acres may look like the South of France, but its personality is pure Midwest hospitality.
The retreat has 12 home-style suites that collectively accommodate up to 55 guests. Some cottages offer an intimate stay for two, while larger accommodations sleep as many as 13 people.
We stayed in Coral Bells, an adorable cottage with a cozy living and dining area, a kitchen stocked with everything we needed to cook, fresh coffee, and chocolates waiting for us when we arrived. Despite Petite Acres’ emphasis on group travel, weddings, and retreats, our cottage felt made for a romantic getaway.
A wellness retreat without the rigid schedule
After checking in, we dedicated the afternoon to doing as little as possible, which somehow still turned into one of the most memorable parts of our stay.
We started with a workout inside Oak Studio, the property’s beautiful fitness space, where guests can even choose the music. Afterward, we braved the cold plunge, warmed back up in the cedar sauna, and eventually settled beside a fire pit.
There was no complicated wellness itinerary or pressure to optimize every moment. We could simply use the facilities at our own pace, then retreat to our cottage when we were ready. Petite Acres also hosts open-air fitness classes and complimentary seasonal programming with regional wellness partners.
For quieter moments, two yurt-style spaces provide room for meditation and breathwork. Lake Michigan beaches and nearby trails extend the wellness experience beyond the property.
Food turns guests into friends
Petite Acres’ social center is Chateau Aster, a gathering space with a brass-and-glass bar that looks ready for cocktail hour at all times. Hospitality programming is led by Andrew Prazich, whose experience includes working at Chicago cocktail bar Best Intentions.
During our stay, we attended a Celebration of the Tomato dinner created by James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Abra Berens of Granor Farm. Guests gathered around round tables for a seasonal meal celebrating one of summer’s best ingredients.
Most of our tablemates lived in the New Buffalo area, so dinner became an impromptu introduction to the town. By the end of the evening, it was clear how much locals love their community and how naturally Petite Acres is becoming part of it.
The property also hosts guest chef dinners and cocktail events, creating reasons for both travelers and locals to return.
Do not skip Downtown New Buffalo
Although Petite Acres does not advertise itself as a walkable downtown hotel, my partner and I made the journey on foot. A route through a residential neighborhood brought us downtown in approximately 20 minutes and to the beach in around 35.
New Buffalo’s beach was clean and family-friendly, and it felt surprisingly uncrowded during our visit. The downtown area is small enough to explore without a strict plan, although several food stops deserve a spot on your itinerary.
PostBoy served us one of the best dinners I have had in recent memory. Founded by Ben Holland and Chef James Galbraith in late 2024, the indoor-outdoor restaurant combines Midwestern hospitality with ideas shaped by Galbraith’s more than 20 years in professional kitchens and time spent cooking around the world. Its seasonally driven menu draws on collaborations with nearly 40 local farmers, artisans, wineries, and breweries.
The cocktails were exceptional, and our waitress, Sabrina, was incredibly sweet and knowledgeable about both the menu and New Buffalo. And I could happily eat the restaurant’s halibut every day for the rest of my life.
Still, one of the most memorable touches came at the end of the meal. PostBoy brings each table a postcard that guests can address and leave for the restaurant to mail. We sent ours to my partner’s mom all the way in Denmark, turning an already special dinner into a memory that traveled more than 4,000 miles.
David’s Delicatessen & Coffee also became a repeat stop. We visited for a bagel sandwich at breakfast, then returned later for a Reuben. Beer Church Brewing Co., located inside a former church, is a fun place to grab a local beer in a space you will actually remember.
On our way out of town, we stopped at Farmette, which has a small market and fresh bread. It also served me what I can only describe as the best coffee of my life. I do not throw around that declaration lightly.
The perfect petite escape from Chicago
Petite Acres can host full-property buyouts, corporate retreats, and weddings, with a 4,700-square-foot event hall accommodating up to 185 guests. Still, you do not need a milestone celebration or a group of 55 to enjoy it.
For couples, it offers the rare getaway that feels both thoughtfully designed and completely relaxed. You can exercise, recover in the sauna, linger over an exceptional meal, or head into town for a beach day.
Chicago has no shortage of exciting hotels, but Petite Acres offers something the city cannot: room to breathe. And when it is only a short drive or train ride away, escaping to the French countryside by way of Michigan feels almost too easy.
