Michigan is an all-season destination that is inviting in the winter, with a 16-foot snow base for skiing in the Upper Peninsula , as it is in the summer, with more than 650 different golf courses in the state. While skiing and golf are the main seasonal draws for Michigan’s top resorts, vacationers push the boundaries of both relaxation and activity by indulging in the state’s diverse natural landscape.
Resorts near Detroit and Traverse City thrive on offering a secluded paradise, with luxurious amenities bordering on the urban vibe. Northwestern Michigan is where many people soak up the beach town life because cities like Boyne Falls , Petosky , and Bay Harbor are farther away from the metropolitan areas. For those who really want a retreat, there’s no better escape than the resorts romantic burst of Mackinac Island . You can only sail to the island in the summer, when the gentle afternoon breeze blows off the water and guests drift off in Adirondack chairs on the lawn.
Michigan’s top resorts cater for romantic getaways, girlfriend spa weekends, golf trips, and family retreats. Whether you’re taking a ski class, snowshoeing or dog sledding through the wintry woods, taking a trip to climb the sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan, or spending a weekend on the world-class golf courses, it’s easy to build a collection memorable experiences in one trip with this list of the best resorts in Michigan.
Read also: Attractions in Michigan
1 Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
The Grand Hotel in Michigan’s Mackinac Island is an elegant getaway that transports guests into a new century. There are no cars on the island, so once you sail from the mainland you will be transported to the Grand Hotel by horse and carriage. The famous wooden porch sits over 660 feet high on a hillside, with rocking chairs awaiting your arrival. Since 1887, the hotel has served as a haven for visitors seeking formal dining, afternoon tea in the parlor and luxurious amenities. More than 40 rooms are decorated with themes celebrating US presidents, entertainers, periods, and even flowers, so no two rooms are the same. Be sure to walk the hotel grounds to admire the hand-crafted landscape and look for memorabilia from the 1979 filmSomewhere in the time that was shot in the hotel, with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve. Two must-dos during your stay: spend at least one sundowner on the large porch for a view you’ll never forget and enjoy a scoop of homemade ice cream from Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor. The island is closed in winter.
Adres: 286 Grand Avenue, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Accommodation: Grand Hotel
2 Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Acme
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Acme | Foto copyright: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa has a variety of accommodations on 900 acres of Northern Michigan. Stay in the 17-story glass tower with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan or book an apartment for your home away from home. The tranquil 900-acre estate is a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts. There are three championship golf courses on site and a golf academy. In the summer, you can take a shuttle to the Shores Beach Club on the East Grand Traverse Bay resortwith an exclusive stretch of beach where jet skis and kayaks are available for rent. In the winter, explore snowshoe and cross-country skiing trails. Packages are available to combine on-site activities, such as the full-service spa, with off-site excursions for shopping and dining in nearby Traverse City. While the resort has six dining options, the Aerie Restaurant & Lounge at the top of the tower is a unique experience with unobstructed sunset views over Grand Traverse Bay.
Adres: 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd., Acme, Michigan
Accommodation: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
3 Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville
Crystal Mountain Resort is where skiers and golfers go big or go home. There are 58 on-site ski runs, two challenging golf courses, and a spa where many people start or end the day with a massage.
The all-season resort is located in Thompsonville , just south of Traverse City and suitable for those who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. Besides the ski slopes and ski school options, wintertime means snow hiking, fat tire biking, snowmobiling and ice skating. It is a top family resort due to its many amenities for families, especially in the summer. The Crystal Coaster alpine slide, Water’s Edge pool, art park and adventure course are just a few of the main attractions for families to enjoy. To get off the ground when you first arrive, hop on a chairlift ride for the best view of the grounds. For an added experience during your stay at Crystal Mountain, plan a day trip through the resort to theSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore . The park encompasses 35 miles of Lake Michigan and its famous sand dunes on its uncrowded beaches.
Adres: 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, Michigan
Accommodation: Crystal Mountain
4 Treetops Resort, Gaylord
Northern Michigan’s Treetops Resort and spa is easily ranked as one of the top golf destinations in the United States with over 81 holes of golf on five golf courses. There is a wide selection of golf instruction options for kids, beginners, women and academies for experienced players who want to take their game to the next level. There are even exclusive golf tournaments at the resort.
The resort ups the ante in winter, with a terrain park, extreme tubing, and 23 ski runs. If you prefer dog sledding or wilderness sledding and skiing, you can do that too. For those who just want to enjoy the accommodations, a full-service spa on site is a popular retreat for couple and girlfriend getaways.
One of the most unique features of the Treetops Resort is the Culinary Adventure Series, where you can participate in events such as desert rides, ranch dinners, and a “skiable party.” The culinary events combine an element of outdoor adventure with unique dining experiences.
Adres: 3962 Wilkinson Road, Gaylord, Michigan
Accommodation: Treetops Resort
5 Mount Bohemia
Mount Bohemia | Photo Copyright: Mount Bohemia
Mount Bohemia is home to outdoor adventures any season of the year in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, in the northern portion of the UP, it has nearly 600 acres of skiable terrain and the largest hot tub in the Upper Peninsula. Really hardcore skiers and snowboarders can cat ski in the winter at the connected Voodoo Mountain and tackle the natural wilderness of a remote mountain. The resort’s accommodation ranges from the Inn on Lac Labelle located on a pristine lake to trailside cabins and yurts and even a hostel for those looking to rough it up a bit more. In the summer, Mount Bohemia is all-inclusive with outdoor adventures like kayaking, fishing, yoga retreats, hiking, and paddleboarding.
Address: 6532 Gay Lac La Belle Road, Mohawk, Michigan
Official Site: https://www.mtbohemia.com/
6 Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection Hotels
The grandeur of the Inn at Bay Harbor is a landmark you will never forget, but the resort is committed to ensuring that the experiences you have are equally memorable. The resort’s romantic feel makes it ideal for couples’ getaways. The Inn at Bay Harbor encourages guests to forget about watches, clocks, and obligations and instead focus on life’s simple indulgences, such as delicious food, quiet conversations over coffee, and spending time together doing activities.
The resort’s accommodations range from private suites with fireplaces and kitchenettes to cottages and expansive accommodations for six with multiple bedrooms. The lakeside resort is popular for its full-service spa and fine dining. It is located between Charlevoix and Petoskey on Little Traverse Bay , which is part of Lake Michigan and its own little corner of the world.
The Bay Harbor Golf Club has been dubbed “America’s Summer Golf Capital” and is known as a top golf destination for courses such as The Links, The Preserve, and The Quarry. Each room is designed with a unique flare. Obviously, the summer surge along the Lake Michigan coast is a main draw, but winter brings a certain serenity to outdoor adventure. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and fat-tire biking bring guests in when the snow falls.
Adres: 3600 Village Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor, Michigan
Accommodation: Bay Harbor Inn, Autograph Collection Hotels
7 Shanty Creek Resorts
Shanty Creek Resorts is set up as three separate villages and offers you a variety of location and lodging options, including hotel rooms, rental homes, and condos at Schuss Mountain, Cedar River, and Summit. The best accommodation is in Summit Village. The resort villages are close to Michigan’s Chain of Lakes so there’s plenty of accessibility to water activities like kayaking, walleye fishing and finding a beach to relax on. The resort has four of Michigan’s best golf courses with a golf academy and special golf packages.
The resort’s winter landscape is perfect for snow sports enthusiasts and families due to the versatility of the slopes, activities, and lessons offered on site. There are beginners through Black Diamond ski runs, as well as several terrain parks with jumps. Other winter activities range from alpine tubing and dog sledding to fat biking and snowshoeing throughout the property. After a long day on the slopes or on the links, grab a bite to eat at one of the resort’s many dining options. Try a casual night at The River Bistro and a luxurious night overlooking Lake Bellaire at The Lakeview Restaurant.
Address: Bellaire and Mancelona, Michigan
Accommodation: Shanty Creek Resorts – Summit Village
8 The Inn at Harbor Shores
Magnificent Lake Michigan is the backdrop to The Inn at Harbor Shores in southwestern Michigan. The resort is known for its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, which has hosted several PGA Championships, as well as a spa and fine dining. The Inn at Harbor Shores is more laid-back than other resorts, making it perfect for a romantic getaway or a guy’s golf weekend. With five beaches and a marina, the inn offers a quiet rest for guests. While taking hikes on the property to admire the steep sand dunes of Lake Michigan, plan some time to hike to the nearby town of St. Joseph, where you will find small boutiques and cafes. The inn has events for its guests throughout the year, such as artist exhibitions and holiday parties, and it regularly offers themed packages that combine golf or spa treatments, lodging, and meals.
Adres: 800 Whitman Drive, St. Joseph, Michigan
Accommodatie: The Inn at Harbor Shores
9 Boyne Mountain Resort
Get ready for an active vacation at Boyne Mountain Resort. There are so many activity options in both summer and winter that you will appreciate the comfortable bed in the lodge at night. Boyne Mountain is located in the village of Boyne Falls , which is home to Michigan’s largest indoor water park, Avalanche Bay. In addition to the water park, the resort is ideal for couples, families and even single travelers looking for outdoor activities.
The resort has two golf courses and a spa, mountain biking, mountain disc golf, fishing, hiking, scenic chair lifts and ziplining. Things don’t slow down in the winter when the ski lifts kick off and the terrain parks get busy. The resort features dozens of ski trails, as well as trails for fat-tire biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Accommodations range from villas to apartments, cottages and cabins. Be sure to grab a bite at Stein Eriksen’s with the best dinner view in the house overlooking the ski slopes and ice skating. An even better view is the unique dining experience in a hemlock at the Eagle’s Nest with a panoramic view of the Boyne Valley .
Adres: 1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, Michigan
Accommodation: Boyne Mountain Resort
10 Mission Point
A summer afternoon in an Adirondack chair on the lawn of the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island with no cares in the world is a vacation moment forever stuck in time. This is just the beginning of the kind of relaxation and elegance that can only be captured in this unique summer setting. Mission Point prides itself on creating a family experience. Bikes are available for hire and the 18-hole putting course is just one of the ways families relax together. The resort has comfortable rooms and suites, a swimming pool, spa, cinema and even a kids club on site. It’s on the water’s edge, so every time you step outside you’ll feel the breeze off Lake Huron. There are five restaurants in the resort and downtown shops are just a few minutes’ walk away. Mission Point is a perfect home base for your time on Mackinac Island, where you can explore most things by bike, foot, or horse-drawn taxi.
Accommodation: Mission Point
11 Double JJ Resort
A resort with a Western flare isn’t what you’d expect to find in Michigan, but that’s exactly why the Double JJ Resort is popular with visitors. The unique resort with a Gold Rush and ranch living experience is ideal for families looking to add that little something extra to their vacation. The resort has two golf courses with challenging terrain, a driving range and practice green. The Double JJ is probably better known for its indoor water park, which is popular with kids, and equestrian classes for both beginner and advanced riders. Suites and cabins are available for overnight stays. If you make the effort to stay at the Double JJ resort, it’s worth having breakfast or dinner with horseback riding and enjoying a hot meal prepared by an authentic western wrestler.
Accommodation: Double JJ Resort
12 Bavarian Inn Lodge
If traditional or western isn’t your style, opt for an authentic Michigan German experience at the Bavarian Resort in Frankenmuth . As America’s largest Bavarian-themed resort, it’s a unique family getaway with many activities that range from daily pretzel-making and strudel-making to the indoor water park with slides and pools. The resort complex has over 40 boutiques to shop and plenty of German architecture to enjoy, such as the covered bridge and the lodges. You should come to the Bavarian Inn hungry because you don’t leave that way. Be sure to try one of their famous chicken dinners and homemade desserts.
Adres: One Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Accommodation: Bavarian Inn Lodge
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