Historic Willoughby Estate Reborn as Luxury Destination with New Manager

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — Willoughby House, a boutique inn and fine dining destination located just two blocks from historic downtown Willoughby, has appointed Cody Cook as its new hotel manager as of June 25th. The announcement comes as the estate continues to build on its reputation for upscale hospitality in Lake County.

“Cody has already brought a new level of energy and vision to the guest experience,” said Mike Neundorfer, founder of Willoughby House. “His leadership has had a noticeable impact in just a short time.” Cook, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality from Purdue University and a Master’s in Management from the University of Illinois, previously worked with luxury hospitality brands including The Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Chicago and San Francisco.

Since joining the team, Cook has led enhancements across the inn’s ten boutique suites and helped expand the property’s custom event offerings. Under his leadership, guests now enjoy APOTHEKE spa products, high-thread-count linens, European pillow-top mattresses, and locally curated in-room amenities, including coffee from Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Fresh Roasted Coffee Co. These changes aim to reinforce the Willoughby House brand as a personalized luxury escape rooted in local charm and historic significance.

The estate, originally constructed in 1902 by architect Charles Schweinfurth for Julia French Boyce, underwent a multi-year restoration beginning in 2022 after being purchased by Neundorfer. Following extensive renovations, the 20,000-square-foot Neo-Gothic sandstone mansion now includes an inn, the Boyce Bar, and Julia’s 1902, a fine dining restaurant led by Chef Jose Coronado. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places and has received the Cleveland Restoration Society’s Excellence in Adaptive Use of a Historic Building Award, as well as the Showcase Award from the Western Willoughby Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to luxury accommodations, Willoughby House has positioned itself as a premier venue for events, including weddings, celebrations, and business functions. Chef Coronado collaborates closely with clients to craft custom menus using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Originally commissioned in 1898 and completed in 1902, the estate was home to three generations of the Boyce and Van Gorder families before being transferred to the Andrews School for Girls and later converted into an assisted living facility. Vacant since 2017, it found new life under the stewardship of Mike and Marcia Neundorfer, who have traveled extensively and previously founded Advanced RV, a company known for custom Mercedes Sprinter motorhomes.

Neundorfer said the restoration was driven by a vision to create a space that reflects both historic legacy and forward-thinking hospitality. “We want Willoughby House to be a place where guests feel both the history and the innovation,” he said.

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