Traverse City, dubbed the Cherry Capital of the World, is indeed the crown jewel of Northern Michigan’s extraordinary treasure trove of adventure and natural beauty. Adventurers, families and vacationers flock to Traverse City to combine outdoorsy fun with world-class entertainment, eclectic nightlife and stunning stretches of sugar sandy beaches.
The art and culture scene is exceptionally vibrant. Cultural enthusiasts flock to Traverse City each year to enjoy iconic arts and film festivals. Finding the right hotel is important to indulge in everything this scenic destination has to offer.
From whimsical cottages and charming Victorian-style inns to boutique hotels and luxury resorts, here are our picks for the top 10 cool and unusual hotels in Traverse City, Michigan (in no particular order)…
1. Grand Traverse Resort and Spa – a large chic resort set on 900 acres of woodland and gardens
The Grand Traverse delivers the ultimate Michigan resort vacation with its luxury accommodations, world-class spa and championship golf course.
It’s the perfect destination for a family-friendly vacation where you can carve out some adult time while the children are engaged in action-packed activities and sports.
The resort offers an array of mid-sized and spacious accommodations with lavishly designed bathrooms and panoramic views of the bay or golf course. The Grand Traverse offers a wide range of budget-friendly packages designed for honeymooners, families and large groups.
Guests cannot stop raving about the on-site dining establishment, the Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, which is perfect for a romantic dinner surrounded by stunning views of the Grand Traverse Bay.
- To book, check prices or availability for Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
2. Grand Beach Resort Hotel – one of the best beachfront hotel resorts located in Traverse City
This opulent waterfront address is one of the finest accommodations to enjoy the beauty of the East Grand Traverse Bay while reveling in modern comforts and courteous hospitality. The Grand Beach Resort is home to 100 sprawling guest rooms and 2 luxury villas.
Guests can choose from seven different types, including rooms with spectacular beach views, walkout patios, and balconies. Travelers looking to enjoy the privacy and extravagance of a waterfront villa can choose a tastefully appointed townhouse or a beachfront condominium.
The condominium is a dreamy accommodation that opens into the beach, offering exclusive access to the most stunning sunsets and a lovely stretch of the tranquil East Bay.
- To book, check prices or availability for The Grand Beach Resort
3. Cherry Tree Inn and Suites – a relaxed all-suite hotel which overlooks beautiful East Grand Traverse Bay
A fabulous beachfront hotel with luxurious amenities and elegantly appointed accommodations, the Cherry Tree Inn and Suites offers a lavish setting for business travelers, families and serenity seekers. Vacations can enjoy well-furnished suites and studios furnished with modern appliances.
Vacations enjoy ample independence as the accommodations are designed like private dwellings with fully-equipped kitchenettes, tech-savvy amenities, jetted tubs and sprawling balconies to enjoy picturesque sunsets and views.
The Inn offers a 24-hour indoor pool with a hot tub and a heated outdoor pool with a hot tub, alongside complimentary breakfast spreads and luxury spa areas. Guests can explore indoor and outdoor spas to unwind in the perfect atmosphere.
- To book, check prices or availability for Cherry Tree Inn and Suites
4. The Baywatch Resort – a new hotel located on pretty East Bay with a private beach and breathtaking views
One of the most promising new entrants in the vibrant Traverse City hospitality scene, the Baywatch Resort beguiles travelers with stunning views of Lake Michigan and a private 260-feet stretch of the sugar-sandy East Bay. The resort offers a relaxing ambience with its nautical-inspired interiors and a serene blend of seaside hues.
It’s the perfect spot for a rejuvenating getaway with access to a private beach, plenty of beach chairs and outdoor furniture to carve out privacy or party it up with your band of nomads.
The sprawling guest rooms are luxuriously comfortable, decked with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, air conditioning, 2-person spa tubs, and other amenities.
- To book, check prices or availability for The Baywatch Resort Traverse City
5. Bayshore Resort – a quirky-chic Victorian-style beach hotel which overlooks a bay
The Bayshore Resort is intensely romantic and dreamy with its classic Victorian-style architecture and beautifully appointed interiors. This luxury hotel attracts adventurers, business travelers, honeymooners and families with its prime location on the sandy shores of the West Grand Traverse Bay.
This appealing waterfront hotel allows guests to explore an extensive range of suites, spa rooms, and barrier-free rooms. Guests enjoy access to free WiFi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor pool and Whirlpool, guest laundry services and an epic game room.
Bayshore Resort is ideally located within walking distance from downtown, the hub of Traverse City’s trendiest clubs, boutiques, retail outlets and dining establishments.
- To book, check prices or availability for Bayshore Resort Traverse City
6. Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City – a themed hotel boasting a 37,000-square-foot indoor water park
Have you ever imagined staying at an opulent hotel home to a spectacular water park sprawling over 37,000 square feet? If not, head over to the Great Wolf Lodge for a truly unforgettable and extraordinary experience.
This adventurous accommodation combines lodgings with an indoor water park, warmed at 84 degrees so guests can splash around year-round.
The suites are comfortably appointed, and the Great Wolf Lodge takes immense pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleaning and hygiene. Families with children adore staying at this lodging-cum-water park because there’s an abundance of free kid-friendly activities and events.
Parents can relax and unwind without having to worry about entertaining their little ones, or they can indulge in a family adventure from the hotel’s action-packed events calendar.
- To book, check prices or availability for Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City
7. The Beach Haus – a historic hotel with themed rooms and the island’s only private beach
This quaint hotel has been recently renovated to elevate its comfort and quality standards, and the results are impressively promising. Guests enjoy abundant comforts with spacious suites furnished with pillow-top king-sized beds, 55-inch HD TVs, mini-refrigerators, and modern amenities.
Vacationers can carve out privacy and indulge in their own adventures, like lakeside BBQs using the hotel’s gas grills made available at the site or hosting a beachside picnic in well-manicured lawns.
- To book, check prices or availability for The Beach Haus Traverse City
8. The Beach Condo Unit 104- a contemporary beach condominium with a luxurious feel
Do you seek a romantic and intimate setting that offers private access to a secluded stretch of the sugar sandy beach? Look no further than the Beach Condo Unit 104, ideal accommodation for honeymooners, romantics, families and digital nomads.
The unit is fully air-conditioned and decked with a range of modern amenities, including a flat-screen TV, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a sprawling living room, and a dining area. The luxury bathrooms are fully equipped with bath amenities and toiletries.
Each unit comes with a lovely balcony offering delightful views of the lake, and guests also enjoy access to a seasonal outdoor pool.
- To book, check prices or availability for Beach Condo Unit 104 Traverse City
9. Anchor Inn- a stylish and quirky hotel with a 1940s theme and private beach
A family-friendly establishment that radiates an antiquated charm with its quaint environment, the Anchor Inn welcomes travelers to enjoy its lovely garden-like ambience with stunning views of the West Grand Traverse Bay.
The Anchor Inn is located two miles away from Traverse City – just the right amount of distance to escape the city noises without being far away from the action.
Guests can explore exquisitely appointed motel rooms alongside 1-2 bedroom cottages with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms and dining spaces. Families with children or large groups adore the independence of the 2-bedroom cottages, which are perfect for enjoying a home-away-from-home experience.
- To book, check prices or availability for the Anchor Inn Traverse City
10. Brio Beach Inn- a cute hotel on the strip with a private beach
The comfortable rooms come with modern appliances and amenities, including minifridges, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, microwaves and free WiFi. Guests can explore suites with private decks or rooms with picturesque bay views.
The Brio Beach Inn offers its guests a private beach stretch equipped with a BBQ area and sun loungers to soak up the sun and feast on your own grilling specialities.
- To book, check prices or availability for Brio Beach Inn Traverse City
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My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since I’ve lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. I’m a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian – from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, you’ll find me walking my rescued Greek street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Laos, California and the surreally beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland.