Last minute romantic getaway within three of SE Michigan?

August 14, 2008 7:58 AM

First year anniversary emergency! Help me find a last-minute booking on a one or two-day getaway where the accommodations are three star or better, there are beautiful nature views / things to do in the great outdoors (hiking or even driving through great scenery might work), and within three or so hours of SE Michigan. Does such a place exist? (Tripadvisor was of little help.)
posted by GenTso to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Huron House B&B, Oscoda, Mi.. On Lake Huron, beautiful rooms, hot tubs overlooking the lake, hiking along the AuSable River....
posted by HuronBob at 8:02 AM on August 14, 2008

Not sure if you're willing to cross the border into Canada, but I've stayed here and really liked it. There's plenty of outdoorsy stuff to do nearby. The Inn has lots of partnerships with local guides for hiking and cycling. Just ask at the front desk and they will hook you up with whatever you need.

The Inn itself is very charming and quaint, and each and every room is different. The food and wine were both outstanding as well.

Drive time is about 2.5 hours from the Detroit/Windsor border crossing.
posted by MagicEightBall at 9:04 AM on August 14, 2008

It may take you four hours, but the Inn at Bay Harbor is a pretty snazzy place. It's on the shore of Little Traverse Bay just outside of Petoskey, which gives you easy access to Petoskey and Harbor Springs (both of which are great towns to visit), and is just a few minutes from beautiful Petoskey State Park.
posted by pardonyou? at 9:08 AM on August 14, 2008

Also about four hours, you could consider The Homestead resort in Glen Arbor, on the shore of Lake Michigan. It's just down the road from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, which would give you all sorts of hiking and driving opportunities.
posted by pardonyou? at 9:11 AM on August 14, 2008

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Al;so, both of pardonyou's suggestions are great.
posted by caddis at 10:02 AM on August 14, 2008

There are loads of great resorts in the northern lower peninsula, especially around Traverse City. The Grand Traverse Resort is still OK, despite being owned by the local Indian tribe who runs the local casinos. Also check out any number of the golf resorts that cater to the downstate folks.

Or f that's not your style, look for a weekend rental of someone's summer house/cabin. It's summer so the picking might be slim but there are some nice ones for rent, most on a lake or river with no annoying tourists around to ruin your privacy.

Or if you want to rough it, pack a tent and pick one of the more remote campgrounds, hike a few miles in and find a quiet spot to enjoy nature with your S.O. without the car-campers butting into your private time. Hell, tent sex is great and that alone should be enough to make it a memorable 1st anniversary.
posted by camworld at 10:49 AM on August 14, 2008

Thank you all for your excellent suggestions. We got lucky and your suggestion for Little Inn in Bayfield, MagicEightBall, worked out with someone else's last minute cancellation. (Everything else was very much booked.) Thanks all!
posted by GenTso at 8:04 AM on August 15, 2008