Fun-Filled Weekend at Grand Traverse Resort

Michigan is full of beautiful places to visit, never ending sandy beaches, amazing restaurants, top-notch golf courses, wineries, and there are but a few areas in Michigan that can boast all of those at once.

Traverse City is one of the top destinations in Michigan and around the country and recently I spent the weekend up there with my family at the Grand Traverse Resort. If it weren’t for the beautiful area I probably would have never left the resort! They had everything that I needed and more to occupy me for the weekend.

The resort, which opened in 1980, is situated on 900 acres just a mere 6 miles northeast of Traverse City and is along the shores of Lake Michigan’s East Grand Traverse Bay. Complete with 585 rooms, suites, and condo’s there is room for just about every occasion available. But… I’d recommend booking well in advance because the resort does fill up fast!

Our room was in the Tower on the 12th floor and overlooked the East Bay and the Peninsula. The view was spectacular! I spent a great deal of time just sitting there looking out the window at the area and thinking how much more beautiful it would be in the fall when the leaves start turning the deep reds, bright yellows, and orange.

One thing that I notice about hotel rooms is the bathrooms. I think that this is because I really hate mine at home and am always looking for ways to get rid of it and start over. Ours was very spacious! Both myself and my daughter could get ready at the same time without bumping into one another ever. And the jacuzzi whirlpool tub… well that was calling my name for sure!

Our first evening at the resort we had dinner at the Aerie Restaurant which is on the 16th floor at the top of the Tower. I’ll be honest… it was an incredible restaurant and there was nothing about it that we did not love. The food was superb, service was amazing, and the view we had overlooking the Bay & Peninsula with the sun setting in the sky was perfect. But the cost of eating there is high and not something that we would do on a regular basis. Special occasions? Most definitely!

The resort is perfect for a Michigan family getaway too!

• They have three distinguished 18-hole championship courses plus a driving range for you to use. And just in case your game isn’t all that perfect you can check out the Spa Golf Academy and take a few private lessons.

• Pools! Indoor with a splash pad area and water slide and an outdoor one when the weather is nicer. Of course there are hot tubs inside and out to help you relax.

• Health Club where you can use workout machines, sit in the sauna, or take a yoga class.

• Indoor and outdoor tennis courts.

• Children’s Center. The Cub House is a 2000 square foot daycare that is fully supervised and licensed by the state of Michigan. They also have 24 hour babysitting available.

I saved the absolute best for last though. The Spa.

I could spend all day at the Spa Grand Traverse! It’s two floors, 7000 square feet, and a full service spa with 23 treatment rooms. Of course, cherry-themed services are the signature thing at the spa too.

I opted for the cherry infused pedicure. Pure bliss. It was an hour of being totally pampered.

It’s very similar to a regular pedicure but then they use a cherry infused scrub that is made locally and followed by a cherry lotion. Then your feet are dipped in paraffin and wrapped in plastic bags, then damp hot towels, and then finally covered in a larger dry towel. All of this helps the pedicure last longer and leaves your feet feeling super smooth and pampered.

You can learn more about Grand Traverse Resort by visiting their website and following them on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: Accommodations were  provided complimentary by Grand Traverse Resort but all thoughts and opinions are my own.