Looking for Luxury Resort, Spa in Traverse City, MI and advice Mackinac

August 20, 2018 6:42 AM

Hello, I am reaching out for recommendations for a Luxury Resort, Spa and fun things to do in Traverse City, Michigan. I am looking for a spa with massage, something relaxing. I would also to spend one day in Mackinac Island, so I would love ideas.
posted by TRUELOTUS to Travel & Transportation around Traverse City, MI (3 answers total)

The largest is probably the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa though there are other smaller resorts around town. The second one I can think of is Wolf's Lodge, but from my understanding it's more geared towards families with kids. I've never used the spa services at either, though.

For fun and relaxing, there is so much available depending on what you like. I spend quite a bit of time on the patio at Nolan's, but of course there are beaches (beer and wine are allowed at the Open Space along Grandview in town), two casinos, an old school arcade and tons of breweries and craft distilleries. Tours of The Commons are popular. There are also the wine tours up and down both the Mission Peninsula and the Leelanau Peninsula, and bike trails go all over the greater TC area.
posted by mibo at 6:56 AM on August 20, 2018 [1 favorite]

Doing Mackinac Island will lose you at least a full day from your time in Traverse City -- it's over 2 hours from TC to Mackinaw City, and then there's the ferry time and however much time you want to spend on the Island. You should probably plan on staying overnight either on Mackinac Island or in Mackinaw City (both spellings are correct but not interchangeable). For luxury hotels on the Island, the Grand Hotel is canonical, but Hotel Iroquois (my preference), Mission Point Resort (I hear the spa facilities here are wonderful), the Inn on Mackinac, and the Windemere are also quite nice. Mackinaw City is infested with hotels along the waterfront, some of which are quite nice, but aren't luxury.

The easiest way to see the Island is to book a carriage tour -- there are two kinds, the bus-style wagon and a smaller private carriage. The best way is to rent a bike, or bring your own -- trying to do it on foot leads to a really long day.
posted by jlkr at 8:12 AM on August 20, 2018 [2 favorites]

I agree that Mackinac Island is a bit of a hike and you should plan an overnight trip, but the drive up the coast on M31 is lovely and there are lots of nice little towns to see...Elk Rapids, Charlevoix, and Petoskey.

Also consider a nice relaxing drive around the Leelanau Peninsula. Plenty of fishing, farming, and Odawa/Ojibwa history there - including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Fishtown in Leland has Carlson's Fishery...some of the best smoked fish in northern Michigan and that is saying something.
posted by Preserver at 8:57 AM on August 25, 2018