A Rustic Retreat Reinvented with New Notes of Casual Luxury
Richardson Design transforms a top destination resort, Sawmill Creek Resort and Conference Center, from shambles to spectacular.
A Beloved Resort, Modernized with New Guests in Mind.
Cherished by generations of guests, Sawmill Creek Resort and Conference Center was a top lakeshore destination in Northern Ohio for decades. As years went on, its rustic design seemed like more of a museum than a retreat, becoming dilapidated and unappealing to changing guest tastes. Families who once clambered to stay on-property began to stay elsewhere, leaving golf enthusiasts as the main guest audience.
Under new ownership, Sawmill Creek saw the opportunity to reclaim its storied past, solidify its reputation as a premium getaway and craft intentional experiences to draw families, businesses and golf enthusiasts. A new, thoughtful approach was needed.
Richardson Design was tapped by long-time client Cedar Fair Entertainment Company to reimagine the beloved resort. Our team carefully balanced the need for major upgrades with respect for the treasured memories of past guests. Better yet, we leaned into the beauty of Lake Erie and surrounding wetlands, connecting the resort with nature.
Our approach to design strategy broadened the use of the resort to attract multiple audiences beyond golf enthusiasts; business professionals, families and those looking for a quiet lakeside getaway all found comfort and elevated experiences that met their needs.
The quest to create an update that would foster the next generation of fond memories at Sawmill Creek began in 2019 and was finalized in 2022.
The Opportunities
Connect to Nature with Guest Needs in Mind
Opportunities to refresh this iconic resort abounded. Through close collaboration with the resort and Cedar Fair teams, we identified where Sawmill Creek could better leverage its amenities, existing structure and proximity to nature. One of the goals was to preserve signature references to the resort’s past while attracting new guests from distinct audiences.
Audiences
Designing Relevant Moments for Different Guests
To attract new audiences, we leveraged the layered history of the property through the lens of the modern guest experience. Strong, positive memories of Sawmill Creek acted as the springboard for fresh perspectives to capture these new, distinct groups.
BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS:
Convention center guests need a full-service facility that supports all levels of business functions, from casual office celebrations to corporate retreats and business conventions. A refined conference center with an elevated look and modern functionality draws this audience in.
RESORT GETAWAY GUESTS:
When visiting just to get away, guests crave the calm of Lake Erie and nearby nature. Sawmill Creek offers the bonus of a resort escape that provides access to gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape.
FAMILIES:
Traveling with kids or multiple families requires flexibility and convenience, especially after a long day at an athletic competition or Cedar Point. A full-service hotel with gathering spaces to hang out and get food at all hours, plus a restful night’s sleep to recharge for the next day’s adventures were a must.
Our designers took advantage of even more opportunities to captivate all audiences.
- Make better use of the beach, marina, golf course and pool area.
- Work within the existing layout of the property, including guest rooms, to respect the integrity of the structures.
- Capture and embrace the essence of the historic Sawmill Creek while imbuing it with contemporary luxury.
Where other hospitality design firms may have advocated for a total redesign, our design strategy was more nuanced. We carefully listened to the clients and understood their rationale for retaining key elements of the property. The resulting reimagined Sawmill Creek is well-positioned for its next era of serving loyal guests and new visitors.
Design Vision Overview
Subtle Luxury Distinguishes a Modern Lodge
With its storied past and location in mind, our designers established the vision for a modern Sawmill Creek. A contemporary look celebrates the casual comfort of a lakeshore resort and elevates the retreat experience.
In a nod to the resort’s rustic past, our design team drew inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement. Embracing many of the existing elements – exposed logs, stonework and skylights – helped bring the surrounding wetlands and lakeshore indoors. Nature-inspired details like a woodsy green-and-neutral toned color palette, wildlife motifs and black metal accents are layered throughout the property.
Proximity to nature has always been a draw for guests, and we were thoughtful in our approach to integrate it throughout the property. The refreshed, cohesive look is evident throughout the resort, transforming it from dark and rustic to intimate and refined.
When the scope was first established, our team was directed to stick to a strict budget. As the Sawmill Creek team saw the plans, however, they found more room in the budget to carry through the grand vision.
Read on to explore how the collective plan was executed throughout each area of the property, welcoming the next era of Sawmill Creek with new memories to be made.
ENTRANCE, LOBBY & COMMON AREAS
Helping the Natural Surroundings Shine Through
The guest experience begins early at Sawmill Creek. The resort needed to make a strong first impression from the moment guests pull up the drive. We recommended refreshed landscaping as a simple, effective upgrade to revive the exterior and increase the “wow” factor of the property.
ORIGINAL CONDITION
In the lobby area, guests were originally met with plaid carpet and dated furnishings. Our team welcomed the design challenge to work with, not against, major existing elements of exposed wood and rock in the common spaces. However, to revive the lobby and surrounding areas, tired, faded carpet was replaced by cool-toned stone flooring reminiscent of the nearby shoreline.
The area that was once home to a behemoth check-in desk has been transformed into an intimate, more inviting area for resort staff to welcome guests to the property.
Now, the lobby has become an oasis to usher in new and returning guests who are ready for a memorable stay.
Atrium & Big Sky Rotunda
In the Atrium & Big Sky Rotunda, beloved but gimmicky elements like a faux mountain and animal hides have been replaced by modern layers of walnut framing and black metal accents. Seating areas were updated for current-day guests. Business professionals and families alike make use of this space that’s better designed to suit their unique needs.
dining areas
Dining Options Encourage Guests to Make the Space Their Own
Over the years, groups large and small enjoyed time together in the rustic dining spaces. Now, a refreshed look would see gatherings from birthdays and anniversaries to casual meals and light bites shared among friends or family.
In the dining areas, our designers worked within the existing structure yet crafted a total refresh that other designs firms could have found daunting given the confines. The reimagined layout and décor cater to the needs of contemporary guests and current eating styles, including snacking or all-day dining.
The Miller's Table
The property’s full-service restaurant was reminiscent of a log cabin – dark with exposed wood beams covering most walls. The updated space retains the same intimate feeling, with added note of modern welcome.
THE HIDEOUT
At the Hideout, guests can now pull up a barstool and catch the game or grab a quick drink before a fun night out in an elevated space. Our design plans expanded the cozy-but-cramped second-floor bar’s footprint without altering the layout.
Harvest
A memorable way to begin the day is breakfast in a relaxed, beautiful environment. The breakfast area has been transformed into a light, bright oasis with intricate wood floor details and easy access to the breakfast spread.
Guest Rooms & Suites
An Upgraded Casual Escape from the Everyday
While past guests had fond memories of guest rooms and suites, like the rest of the property, they were rustic and cozy, but outdated. We retained the treasured feelings of comfort and added new elevated details. While floorplans remained unaltered, we leveraged unique design elements to make the most of room space.
Upon entering the rooms, guests are greeted by the addition of a neutral, calming cream wall color to replace antiquated, patterned wallpaper. Custom millwork for closets and built-ins nod to the Arts and Crafts style of the rest of the property.
The bathroom refresh features a new blonde wood vanity, modern shower and of-the-times tile sourced from Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor, Michigan to elevate the guest experience.
Desks, TV consoles, storage and refrigerators have been consolidated into a large console along one wall. Visually, the clean lines reduce clutter – both in the physical and mental sense.
We delight in small details that round out guest rooms because even the most minute elements can create a lasting impression. Accent pillows, bed scarves and carpet patterns were thoughtfully chosen to help retain the rustic feeling of the room in a more refined way.
In all, refreshed guest rooms and suites now exude a softer ambiance that lends a boutique hotel feeling.
Pool & Outdoor Spaces
Tranquility by Design
A faux mountain and mural surrounding the hot tub had once been a showstopping feature of the indoor pool, but it had seen better days. Now, a calming green accent wall with a focal art piece represents the surrounding wetlands’ flora. The space also makes better use of the hot tub and helps guests slip into relaxation.
The new pool deck received a light, bright upgrade with refined light wood, tile and furniture.
The same design elements from the indoor pool have been carried outside. New cabanas, seating, umbrellas, flooring and privacy screens add a more upscale and resort-like appeal. Pool cutouts increase in-pool seating and encourage guests to sit and linger.
Guests who want to take advantage of the outdoors can meander through the 235 acres of beautiful natural landscape that Sawmill Creek is a part of. From Sheldon’s Marsh Nature Preserve to the Huron River and Lake Erie, the refreshed Sawmill Creek made it easier to access nature from the resort.
Thoughtful Details Elevate Intentional Guest Experiences
From cherished memories of years past to new memories made by the next generation, Sawmill Creek welcomes guests with open arms. Our team is proud to play a part in elevating this treasured property.
Trust and partnership are cornerstones of all our engagements, and the work with Sawmill Creek is no exception. Through close collaboration with both the Cedar Fair and architecture firm teams throughout the design and execution process, we often acted as an extension of the Cedar Fair team.
Our team works best when clients are as passionate and involved with the design process as we are. Cedar Fair and Sawmill Creek leadership played a strong decision-making role and made the process seamless for all involved. We felt comfortable advising on client requests that could pose potential issues in the future. In turn, the clients appreciated our commitment and shared vision of improving the overall guest experience.
Resort and hospitality updates don’t have to be daunting when a strong hospitality design firm is on your side. Connect with Richardson Design, a commercial interior design firm, to usher in the next era of your property.
Photography Credit: Unsplash
Photography used in this project is property of its respective owners.
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