My wife and I will be going to TC in early October to celebrate our 10th anniversary. I am looking for a romantic place to stay that would be nice but not pretencious. Eventhough we are not golfers I was thinking about the Grand Traverse Resort or perhaps a bed and breakfast such as the Country Hermitage (but we tend to be a little private so I'm not sure how much we would like a B&B). Help! Any suggestions?

It sounds as if you are asking for the name of my favorite resort in Traverse City, The Beach Haus on US31. Spotless, great location, not too large, right on East Bay, and very relaxing. I like their spa rooms and would recommend reserving one of those - even if you might not use the spa, the rooms are very nice. It is nice to look right out the windows and have the bay right there.

Congrats on the 10 years!

The Wrights
Although I have never been where Paul recommends, I would go there in a minute! We went to Grand Traverse Resort and was disappointed. If you are a golfer you would like it. We are not golfers. The beach that they advertise is a long way away and you have to drive to it!!! No way could you walk, much too far!!

We've stayed in TC several times, as recently as this Summer where we split the time between The Great Wolf Lodge for our son and the balance of the time about 40 minutes or so away at the Homestead in Glen Arbor.

The Fiddler's Pond rooms were outstanding and the entire resort is just so beautiful, wooded, secluded, romantic and luxurious. There are several restaurants on the sprawling property and several more in town just up the road. Its right in the middle of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and we will definitely return.

It seems that you could stay at The Homestead and take one or two day trips over to TC to shop or sightsee. Its also near Leland which is a great little town with some great shopping and some good restaurants.

TC is quite touristy, and the bay on the main strip is lined with hotel after hotel, all appear nice and we've stayed at a few (including the Grand Traverse Resort and others), but none could possibly beat the Homestead right on the shores of Lake Michigan.

No, its not right in TC, but it's at least worth a visit to their web site:

http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/

I hope you reconsider Country Hermitage before you make your final decision.

My husband and I stayed there this summer for our 15th anniversary. We are also a little on the private side, too, but we had a fabulous time and would go back in a heartbeat!
Michelle, the hostess/owner is a wonderful help - giving advise (if needed) on places to eat, things to do and see. The B&B is so large that there is plenty of space for everyone to do their own thing. In fact, one of the nights we stayed there (a weeknight) we had the entire place to ourselves! That was great!

It was fabulously romantic (fireplace in our room, views of the cherry orchards, beautiful accomodations - everything was perfection). You could tell that every detail had been carefully planned. The place is so perfect. Michelle opened a bottle of local wine for us each evening. A chef prepared a scrumptious breakfast each morning, at whatever time we chose. You could eat with the others or you could choose to eat alone if desired.

We went there and to Mackinac Island. We had a fabulous trip. I hope you do too.

Melissa

I would not recommend the Grand Traverse Resort, especially if you are not golfers. As an alternative I would heartily advise the Homestead, the area it is in is wonderful! Right by the dunes and some great cute towns like Glen Arbor and Leland. If you go a bit further past Leland Suttons Bay is neat too. As far as accomodations in TC, I would recommend either a waterfront property on the bay (but that can be really pricey even in October due to the color changing). I or the Park Place Hotel http://www.park-place-hotel.com/ My husband and I stayed there for the New Year 2000 and found it lovely. They have two restaurants, one a more casual one and the other (the Beacon Lounge) is on the tenth floor and you can great views of the city and water! Our room was kind of small, but our friends who came with us had a more lovely and larger room complete w/ balcony, that's what I would ask for!

You can call 1-800-TRAVERS for help in reservations or for general information about the area. There is no charge to make reservations.

I'm one of the people answering the phones, and we can save you a lot of time, especially in the summer, once we find out what you are looking for and the price range you want to stay within. There is NO CHARGE for the service, the rates are the same as if you called the properties directly and we don't work on commission, so we don't try to oversell you.

While TC is a wonderful town (I live there), let me recommend something to fit your "romantic" request a little better. If you and your wife like wine, the Leelanau Peninsula has 14 wineries and is absolutely beautiful during the fall. Stay on the Suttons Bay side (still just 15 minutes from TC), where 8 of the 14 are located.

I recently discovered the Vineyard Inn, located right on the water a little just north of Suttons Bay's quaint downtown. It's an all-suites inn that overlooks a beautiful beach and the turquoise waters of the Bay. The rooms are clean and nicely decorated. A perfect place for you "romantic getaway."

Congratulations on your 10 years. Have a great time!

The original message is almost two years old - this couple will be celebrating their 12th anniversary in September - LOL!!

That's okay - I"m getting many good tips for my own trip up there. Thanks for all the comments!

LOL, MikesMom. I hope they are still together!

Keith

Keith - I hope so too!!!