Best resorts on Lake Michigan: top 11 places to stay
Michigan is a great choice for family holidays all year round. It offers places rich in history, outdoor adventures, soothing beach activities and unique entertainment. Bordering several states, Lake Michigan is home to some of the best family-friendly resorts in the US. Here, we explore the best resorts on Lake Michigan in the eponymous state of Michigan.
Around 1400 miles of coastline surprise its visitors with wide sandy beaches, rolling dunes and small, colourful towns. Inexpensive resorts can be found in New Buffalo and Petoskey. Mackinac Island has popular family resorts on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are several good hotels on one of the most remote islands, Beaver Island. Excellent resort locations can be found in Traverse City, the largest city on the Michigan shore of Lake Michigan.
The best resorts on Lake Michigan are collected in this top list. Use it to plan your perfect holiday by the water in Michigan.
1. Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
This Victorian-style hotel has been welcoming guests for over 130 years. Among the resorts on Lake Michigan, this is probably the most exclusive. The first thing that catches your eye is the longest veranda in the world, where you can enjoy the leisurely pace of life while relaxing in a rocking chair and admiring the view of the lake. The grand hotel carefully observes traditions such as afternoon tea and nightly dances.
Guests can choose from about 400 rooms and suites, as well as cottages. The sophistication of the hotel is also reflected in the antique decor of its premises: each room is decorated in bright colours, with patterned fabrics and wallpapers with funny patterns. The suites have living rooms, while the cottages have several bedrooms, separate Jacuzzis, refrigerators, bars and a Wii game system. Entertainment options include a spa, a giant swimming pool, garden walks and live music, horseback riding, arts and crafts, golf or even quidditch. It's worth dining in the Main Dining Room at least once, and then visiting one of the five eateries or ice cream parlours.
There are no cars on this island in the northern part of Lake Michigan, and it can be reached by ferry or plane.
2. Inn at Bay Harbour, Autograph Collection, Petoskey
This trendy resort in Little Traverse Bay is located four hours from Detroit. Like many resorts on Lake Michigan, it is designed in the style of grand 19th-century hotels. The 4-star hotel takes every detail into consideration for the comfort of its guests. You can stay here in rooms and suites with one, two or three bedrooms, depending on the size of your group, or rent an entire cottage. Guests can relax in the spa, go cycling in the nearby towns, play golf on one of the five courses or relax with a cocktail by the pool. There are several restaurants and bars with fine cuisine on site. For example, here you can taste Scottish salmon on a board or cowboy ribeye. Many resorts on Lake Michigan offer exclusive entertainment. They can also organise a tour of wineries along the Bay View Wine Trail.
3. Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island
When choosing lakeside resorts, many families rightfully prefer Mission Point Resort on Lake Michigan. Situated on 18 acres of lakeside territory, it provides ample opportunities for its guests. Start with a bike or horse-drawn carriage ride around historic Mackinac Island, then take a refreshing dip in the resort's pool or relax in the spa with hot stone massages and steam rooms, play the arcade or golf on the 18-hole course, or watch a movie in the cinema. Free activities are organised for children.
The hotel has over 240 traditional guest rooms or two-bedroom family suites sleeping up to 6 people. The rooms are equipped with coffee makers and Jacuzzis, and the suites also have fireplaces. Pets are allowed. The hotel has three restaurants headed by renowned chefs and two coffee shops.
4. The Homestead, Glen Arbor
All the best resorts on Lake Michigan are located in picturesque locations, but even among them, the four-star The Homestead stands out with its sandy beaches, vineyards, cherry orchards and massive dunes just a 10-minute drive away.
The natural beauty of the area can be appreciated while hiking by the lake, kayaking, fishing, golfing or rock climbing. Further additions to guests' comfortable stay include a spa, an Italian restaurant and café overlooking the bay, a swimming pool with Jacuzzi and a sports bar.
Guests can choose from rooms and suites in several buildings overlooking the river and Lake Michigan or the waterfalls and surrounding gardens. Families will find the spacious lakeside condominiums with luxurious baths and fireplaces more convenient. The resort is pet-friendly.
5. Harbour Grand Hotel, New Buffalo
The three-star boutique hotel is located in New Buffalo Harbour, 70 miles from Chicago, and close to downtown New Buffalo with its shops and restaurants.
The hotel was recently renovated and now offers elegantly decorated rooms and suites with lake or harbour views. The rooms are decorated in neutral colours with restrained décor. Luxury bedding, premium toiletries and spa robes are included as standard.
Like many lakeside resorts, the hotel has a stunning beach on Lake Michigan within a couple of minutes' walk. Other amenities include a famous restaurant overlooking the harbour, an indoor pool with Jacuzzi, complimentary bicycles, a gym and breakfast that can be served in bed.
6. Bayshore Resort, Traverse City
Such Michigan resorts on the lake as Bayshore are popular for both family holidays and romantic trips for two. The three-star hotel is located on the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay. The city centre can be reached within a few minutes from the hotel. If you find yourself in the area, don't miss the opportunity to visit the many wineries and casinos.
The hotel features standard rooms, suites with bay views and private balconies, as well as patio or spa rooms. The suites are suitable for families as they have sofa beds for children. The spa rooms with modern décor and double Jacuzzis will appeal to couples. A complimentary breakfast is served in the lobby and there are several restaurants within minutes of the hotel.
The resort has an extensive on-site recreational programme for guests, including relaxing by the indoor pool or on the private beach, golf, fishing and jet skiing, boating and water skiing. The resort also offers several packages with tickets to wine and culinary events in the city, winery tours with tasting, or a romantic package with champagne and chocolate.
7. Marina Grand Resort, New Buffalo
When planning a visit to Lake Michigan, you won't have a hard time finding good resorts on the water, as many of them are located right on the shore and have great views of the lake and bay. The Marina Grand Resort overlooks New Buffalo Harbour.
This is a great place for a beach holiday. The beach is located 5 minutes from the hotel, and guests are provided with towels, sun loungers, and bicycles for rent. You can also spend time by the water at the indoor and outdoor pools. Otherwise, go wine tasting or hiking in the Vorenne Dunes Park.
Enjoy the harbour views from the patio or terrace, which all rooms have. Alternatively, sit on the rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the magnificent sunsets on the lake while sipping a refreshing drink. Breakfast is included and there is also a grill bar and a café bar with light snacks on the shore.
Rooms are equipped with fireplaces and Jacuzzis. Suites with several bedrooms, kitchen, living and dining areas will be convenient for families with children.
8. Iroquois Hotel, Mackinac Island
Many of the best resorts on Lake Michigan are located on Mackinac Island. One of them, the three-star stylish boutique hotel Iroquois, is open seasonally.
There are 45 rooms and suites available for guests, which offer a magnificent view of the waterfront and garden. All rooms are beautifully appointed, with custom-made furniture and island-style décor. Rooms have TVs and air conditioning, and some have private balconies. Breakfast is included in the price. For a family or two couples, the most popular suite on the top floor of the Mayak Hotel is suitable, but it must be booked in advance. It got its name from the magnificent views of the Round Island Lighthouse. It has two bedrooms with large beds, en suite bathrooms and a bright living room.
The resort has a restaurant with classic American cuisine and live music. Not far from the hotel you can visit Mackinac Island State Park and Fort Mackinac.
9. Sugar Beach Resort Hotel, Traverse City
Completely renovated in 2017, Sugar Beach Resort Hotel takes its name from the white sandy beach on the east side of East Grand Traverse Bay.
All rooms and suites are decorated in a bright beach style with blue accents and feature orthopaedic mattresses and TVs. Some rooms have furnished balconies with breathtaking views of the bay. Suites have sofa beds in the living room and can accommodate up to 6 people. Breakfast is included in the price.
Like other resorts around Lake Michigan, water sports are popular here. The resort has access to the beach and equipment rental. You can also relax by the indoor pool, sit in the jacuzzi, visit the spa, fitness centre or game room.
10. Beaver Island Lodge, Beaver Island
Many of Michigan's resorts are located on large islands in Lake Michigan that can only be reached by ferry or plane. The Beaver Island Lodge Boutique Hotel on Beaver Island has been welcoming guests since 1950 and is an ideal place for water lovers and relaxing holidays in the lap of nature. Surrounded by beautiful forest and perched on a cliff overlooking the beach below, it is also popular as a wedding venue. On site you can rent bicycles, go canoeing, fishing or hiking. There are picnic areas with outdoor furniture.
You will surely be impressed by the local Sunset restaurant, not only with its exquisite and innovative cuisine, but also with the view of the sunsets that opens from it. The lodge and restaurant are open seasonally, opening in mid-May. The season lasts until the end of November. The hotel has only three suites that can accommodate a maximum of three guests. The rest of the rooms are designed for a smaller number. However, there is a two-bedroom house next to the main building with a private beach for families with children and pets, which must be booked for a minimum of 4 nights.
11. Beaver Island Retreat, Beaver Island
This is an unusual place to stay when compared to other top resorts on Lake Michigan. Here you can enjoy living in the open air in a safari-style glamping camp. All members of your family, including pets, will appreciate this outdoor experience.
The furnished tents in the heart of the island offer many amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, wooden floors, double beds on a wooden platform with comfortable mattresses and bamboo sheets. Near the tents there is a charcoal grill or burners for cooking, as well as the necessary kitchen utensils and crockery. Bathrooms and laundry facilities are located on site and are shared. However, there are only 10 tents, so it is always possible to keep everything clean. There is also a shared kitchen with a large fridge.
Guests are given a bottle of wine upon arrival. Ice, charcoal and firewood are available in unlimited quantities.
