Grand Traverse Resort; one of the most relaxing places on earth!
Written: May 20 '03 (Updated Jul 23 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful rooms, nice exercise facilities, several dining options, Traverse City area is fun!
Cons: Expensive
The Bottom Line: For a relaxing and luxurious vacation with a homey feel, try the Grand Traverse!
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| chelledun's Full Review: Grand Traverse Resort And Spa |
Our family has chosen Grand Traverse Resort for our week-long summer vacation for at least the past seven or eight years, and never been disappointed. This whole area is the place to go if you want a week or weekend away from the hustle of real life. Think the complete opposite of Disney World :). I guarantee that you will return from a visit to the resort much more relaxed than when you left!
The rooms of the resort are spacious and comfortable. You can stay either in the 'tower', the six story hotel or in condos outside the main building. All these accommodations are equally nice, your selection simply depends on budget and personal preference. Condominiums feature studio, one, two, and three bedrooms with kitchenettes. During the summer's most expensive rates, these range in price from $235 to $435 per night. However, keep in mind that cooking meals yourself will save on costs for dining if your family is large. The Hotel rooms are $255 per night at their most expensive. They offer close proximity to all the stores, pool, spa, etc. Finally, the Tower rooms are the most luxurious, with amazing views of the surrounding golf course area, at up to $285 a night. To those who dislike elevators-keep in mind that tower room can be as high as 17 stories. My recommendation to a family of four like ours would be to select the 'hotel' rooms. We found the area to be less congested, without annoying waits for elevators. It was nice and quiet in this area; as the tower tends to fill up first, it is a possibility you will have few neighbors. During our most recent stay, our hotel room had two double beds, a desk, television, etc. The bathroom was gorgeous with a full tub/shower. Interestingly enough, there was even a television in the bathroom! While the practical use for this was low for us, just the idea of having a TV in the bathroom certainly seemed luxurious! The TV in the main room is automatically hooked up to Nintendo, which your children can play for a charge. I'm not sure what the charge is though, this might be something to investigate before allowing them to start playing!
The grounds surrounding the hotel are beautiful. The golf course is top rated, there are three championship courses. One of them is Jack Nicklaus' famous course The Bear. Golfers, for more info: http://www.grandtraverseresort.com/accommodations/accommodations.html
The hotel also features flexible and delicious dining options. There is a restaurant in the clubhouse, two in the main hotel, and a healthy food snack stand in the fitness center. The fitness center and spa are extremely well done, with a large and well maintained pool and numerous exercise machines, both cardio and weight. We didn't experience any of the spa treatments. Although they looked appealing, these are quite pricey, so I can't recommend them for travelers on any type of a budget. There is also a large outdoor pool with a gorgeous view. The hotel also features a shopping area for clothing, gourmet foods, souvenirs, and artwork.
Overall, a few tips...
1. Try to visit during less expensive times of the year, if possible. During the winter, for example, hotel rates are as low as $115 a night on weeknights!!!
2. Take advantage of the charming surrounding area. Downtown Traverse city offers wonderful eateries, fudge shops, craft stores, book stores, etc. perfect for a relaxing day of browsing.
3. If you can plan your visit during the Cherry Festival, the area really comes alive, with a carnival atmosphere which is a lot of fun for families! Traverse City is full of exciting touring options, for more information about the city try my general review http://www.epinions.com/content_100473015940.
4. Our family has had many enjoyable nights in the hotel's 'bar' area. In the early evening you can have cocktails and take advantage of the free popcorn with a stunning view of the lake. The bartenders were happy to provide us with playing cards as well.
Read more about the surrounding area at
http://www.epinions.com/content_100473015940
Recommended:
Yes
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