Kent Kraft, for the Gazette The Laurium Manor Inn is decorated with a #1 sign and balloon in celebration of their Newsweek's Readers' Choice award.

LAURIUM – Those arriving to the Laurium Manor Inn on Aug. 21, saw a gold balloon in the shape of a 1 floating form their sign as well as a banner tied between pillars on their upper floor with a gold “#1” emblazoned on it. Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards announced the winner of their “Best Historical B&B” category, and Laurium Manor Inn’s owners Julie and Dave Sprenger were excited to share their win with the community.

“It was very hard to keep quiet,” mentioned Dave, continuing, “we found out a week ago! It was hard not to tell people while we were trying to plan for the event we had [on August 21st].”

Julie added, “We were very excited, but it was very hard not to share with our staff because they are a part of it. One our staff has been here for 26 years, so it was hard not to go, ‘Guess what!?!'”

For each category in Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards, the first step is to get nominated which is something handled internally by the company. According to their website, “Each nominee has been selected by our editorial team, drawing on insights from industry experts and Newsweek contributors.” After the nominations are revealed, readers can vote once per day during a 28-day voting period.

Laurium Manor Inn was actually first nominated in 2024 and rose to third place after the votes were tallied. In 2025, the competition included the Cartier Mansion, also in Michigan and built around the same time period, which earned second place. The Ruse in California, a bed-and-breakfast that has grounds including a pool, hot tub, multiple fire pits, several pickleball courts, and even an 18-hole putting green, ended in fourth place.

“When we saw the competition,” said Dave, “we thought maybe last year [when we were ranked at #3] was the best we’re going to do. To now get the number one spot, that definitely makes us feel like the customers are appreciating what we’ve done through the — well, decades now.”

To Julie, the fact this competition was determined by people going online to vote made the win all the more meaningful. “The thing about this ‘Reader’s Choice’ that is just so heartwarming is the love that we have been getting from our guests and from our community,” she said. “It feels like such a big warm hug to know that people care, and they care about what we’ve been doing and care about that we’ve touched their lives in some way which makes us feel,” she paused and smiled before concluding, “just terrific. It’s not just a business, it’s not just a job, it’s a wonderful lifestyle and it just feels great.”

The history of Laurium Manor Inn dates back to 1908 when, according to the Inn’s website, Thomas H. Hoatson, owner of the Calumet & Arizona Mining Company, built this 45-room mansion. He spared no expense, spending $50,000 on the structure and $35,000 on lavish furnishings, all at a time when miners were earning a quarter an hour wage.

In 1989, Dave and Julie purchased what was left of the building and got to work renovating it. While many of the furnishings were stripped from the house by antique hunters and some of the decorations, like the stained glass, were gone, the bones of the house were still magnificent to the couple.

Thirty-six years ago, the idea of achieving a nation-wide number one status was not something they had on their radar. Dave commented, “In 1989, we were just hoping we’d be open another year. Those were some tough years.”

“I don’t think we contemplate kudos, really,” added Julie. “We’re here, we do our job, we have all these great people that stay with us. We have such a great clientele that become friends over all the years… we never really thought about recognition. I don’t think that’s who Dave and I are. But it feels terrific!” she added with a laugh.

Knowing if this recognition is the cause of a bump in their number of guests is difficult to know. While they do inquire how guests chose to stay with them, few, at least so far, have mentioned the Newsweek rankings from either year.

For Julie, she hopes this honor helps shine a light on the area both for an increase in tourism, as well as to increase local recognition of their business. “I think a lot of local people now will understand what we’re about, that we’re here,” she said. “There are times I’m down in Houghton buying supplies and people will say they’ve never heard of the Inn. I say, ‘Well, you need to come and take a tour. (the Inn) … is part of the community, and we want the community to enjoy it.”

Dave added. “We’re getting of the age where we’re almost part of its history! But, the Inn was built probably when most of these people’s grandparents or great grandparents were here.”

This rang particularly true for Julie who said, “My great, great grandparents came from Ireland and mined on Isle Royale. My mom ended up being a Hancock girl. I have history in this area from 1860 to the 1950s. It’s a big part of my family history.”

Anyone interested in taking an audio tour of the Laurium Manor Inn can do so between noon to 3 p.m. every day. “It may look like a museum,” Dave mentioned, “but it isn’t treated like a museum. Sit in the chairs, use the tables, interact with it. We encourage it. We want people to feel like they’re at home. It is their home for however long they’re here.”