13 Unique Traverse City Boutique Hotels
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When you plan a trip to Traverse City, you want to make the experience as unique and enjoyable as possible. It’s easy to do that with the plethora of things to do in Traverse City. However, don’t forget that where you stay during your vacation can make a huge difference.
Whether you prefer accommodations that are simple or luxurious, if you’re looking for the best places to stay in Traverse City, you’ll find it among our list of Traverse City boutique hotels.
Unique Boutique Hotels in Traverse City
Chateau Chantal
Offering more than just accommodations, Chateau Chantal is a vineyard and winery on the northern end of Old Mission Peninsula. The bed-and-breakfast portion of the property features various room and suite options with breathtaking views of the vineyards and Grand Traverse Bay. There’s even an Executive Apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, which is perfect for families or couples that travel together.
Some of the accommodations have patios, balconies, and whirlpool tubs, but all of them have elegant furnishings. Every booking includes a bountiful, hot breakfast, and wine tastings. Also, the property is close to restaurants, walking trails, and beaches.
Neahtawanta Inn
Located on the western side of Old Mission Peninsula, Neahtawanta Inn has been providing sophisticated rooms for more than a century. Since it’s nestled in the forest, your stay is sure to be relaxing and quiet. There are five rooms, but the fifth one is numbered Room 678 because it’s a combination of the bed-and-breakfast’s original sixth, seventh and eighth rooms.
Additionally, the inn has a large porch where you can look out over the waters of West Grand Traverse Bay, and stairs lead down to a dock that you can use for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing in the summer. During cooler seasons, you can stay warm by the sunken stone fireplace in The Big Room, which is the original dining room. Healthy food options are served in the morning, and seasonal events are held throughout the year.
The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse
Next to the Chateau Grand Traverse Winery, The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse is located about halfway up Old Mission Peninsula from downtown Traverse City. It’s situated in a secluded wooded setting and caters to adult guests only. The six rooms have a contemporary style and provide some of the best vantage points for viewing the vineyards, Bowers Harbor Park, and West Grand Traverse Bay.
The Inn has a European-style breakfast room, fireplaces in the main living and community rooms, a huge wraparound porch, and an exercise room with a sauna. Although it doesn’t have a restaurant, the on-site chef makes a full, fresh breakfast with everything from baked goods and sandwiches to oatmeal and granola bars. Guests receive a complimentary bottle of wine every evening as well.
Grey Hare Inn
When you stay at Grey Hare Inn on Old Mission Peninsula, you’re staying at more than just a bed-and-breakfast. It’s a luxurious vineyard estate with the atmosphere of a Southern France farmhouse and beautiful views of the orchard and Grand Traverse Bay in the distance.
Although it only has three rooms, it’s one of the highest-rated boutique hotels in Traverse City. If you want, there’s an option to rent the entire inn. During your stay, you can take a tour of the vineyard, walk the forest trails, and drink wine on the trellised patio. The common room is a great place to wind down with a book by the limestone fireplace too.
Wellington Inn
You can jump back to the early 1900s by booking a room at Wellington Inn, a restored mansion. The neoclassical home has been turned into an exquisite boutique hotel in the historic part of Traverse City but retains its original magnificence. Throughout the dining room, library, living room, and guest rooms, you’ll find period antiques.
Along with the guest rooms in the main mansion, the Carriage House has been completely restored and houses two apartments. Each apartment has two bedrooms, which is great for small families and couples traveling together. Every morning, a delightful full breakfast is laid out, but complimentary snacks and other refreshments are always available.
Oviatt House Bed and Breakfast
Built in 1900, Oviatt House Bed and Breakfast is located near downtown Traverse City in Old Town. The historic centennial home was built by an apprentice blacksmith who moved to the city from Scotland in 1891. There are six rooms, and along with the rest of the house, all of them are decorated with furniture from the 1750s to 1850s.
A full organic, fresh breakfast is served every morning, but cold and hot drinks are available all day. You can also get a glass of local wine in the evenings. The bed-and-breakfast has a garden deck, a small kitchen, and a comfortable living room as well.
A Breath of Heaven Bed & Breakfast
On the west side of Traverse City, A Breath of Heaven Bed & Breakfast is a custom log home that sits on 10 acres of land with woods and rolling hills. West Grand Traverse Bay and the downtown area are only a few miles east, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is just 30 minutes away.
The accommodations themselves give you a quiet place to relax. The two guest suites are spacious and have down comforters and balconies. Also, there’s a garden of perennials, a large porch with a swing, a library full of books and games, a fireplace in the great room, and a full breakfast each morning.
Tamarack Lodge
Sitting on the waterfront of East Grand Traverse Bay, Tamarack Lodge is a resort of luxury suites that guests have rated some of the best in the area. Upon entry, the finely crafted ceilings, detailed columns, and stone fireplace will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a historic grand lodge from a different era.
The 12 accommodations include one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos with private balconies that offer panoramic views of the bay. The condos feature Jacuzzi and air-jetted soaking tubs, gas fireplaces, and full-size kitchens too.
Cherry Tree Inn & Suites
On a private East Grand Traverse Bay beachfront, Cherry Tree Inn & Suites is one of the most popular boutique hotels in Traverse City. The luxurious studios and suites are roomy and have fully equipped amenities, such as kitchenettes. Some of them have balconies and jetted tubs as well. Since the walls are constructed with thick concrete, you’re sure to get undisturbed rest every night.
The indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs are the most attractive amenities for families, though. If the weather doesn’t permit swimming outside, you can hop in the 24-hour indoor pool or soak in the warm indoor hot tub. Furthermore, the on-site Sandy’s Sweet Shoppe carries everything from local ice cream to local baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Moonlight Bay Resort
Nestled in 8 acres of woods on Spider Lake, Moonlight Bay Resort is a peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. There are 800 feet of plush, sandy beach with lakeside seating. A bridge leads to a small island that has a Tiki Bar and fire pit.
Each of the seven cottages has its own decor, and they can sleep two to 10 people depending on which one that you book. Additionally, some of the cottages are pet friendly.
One-of-a-Kind Hotels Near Traverse City
Do you want to explore more than just Traverse City during your trip? There are plenty of other boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfasts in the Leelanau Peninsula and the surrounding area.
White Birch Lodge in Elk Rapids
Whether you want to relax or go on an adventure, White Birch Lodge is an all-inclusive resort on Elk Lake. It’s located about 30 minutes northeast of Traverse City. People from all over stay here to experience a unique vacation and to escape from everyday life.
There are a variety of accommodations, including hotel-style units, lodge rooms, condos, townhouses, and cabins. The whole family can enjoy wakeboarding, water tubing, water skiing, tennis, and other activities.
Country Hermitage Bed & Breakfast in Williamsburg
Just 15 minutes northeast of Traverse City, Country Hermitage Bed & Breakfast is a local landmark. It was built by one of the earliest pioneers of the city in 1883 as a romantic promise for his wife. As of 2001, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the best features are the cherry orchard and gardens, which have views of East Grand Traverse Bay.
The seven rooms have been updated with a few modern amenities, such as flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and central air conditioning.
Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay
About 20 minutes northwest of Traverse City, the Inn at Black Star Farms is one of the most distinctive boutique hotels in Traverse City and the Leelanau Peninsula region. It rests within a 160-acre, Kentucky-inspired winery estate. With downtown, sandy beaches, and parks so close, staying here has everything that you could want in a leisure vacation.
The 10 rooms are named after various stars, and they’re decorated in a contemporary style with designer fabrics and fine furniture. Some of the rooms have outdoor patios or fireplaces.
Explore More of the Traverse City Area
There are more than enough things to do in Traverse City and the surrounding area. In fact, there are more than 40 wineries in Traverse City and the surrounding area and at least a dozen Traverse City breweries. Make a reservation at one of these Traverse City boutique hotels or one of the many Vrbo & Airbnb Traverse City vacation rentals in the area.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Traverse City?
Last year @ Cherry Tree Inn, the place was pathetic!