“Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep, really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough.” – Ernest Hemingway
Kilwins chocolate covered cherries. Cookies and milk in the fridge. A handwritten note. A mini-bottle of Crown Royal delivered to my door with turn-down service. A surprise find of Petoskey stones. And that was just in the first hour.
Needless to say, my two-day stay at Inn at Bay Harbor delighted my senses and served up food for the soul.
Lap of luxury
Last June, I was invited on a media trip to experience Inn at Bay Harbor, nestled on the shores of Little Traverse Bay between Charlevoix and Petoskey. As a freelance writer, I typically book budget-friendly lodging, meaning tent camping, cabins (often without bathrooms), and midscale hotels. A little pampering at an upscale resort in one of the state’s most scenic areas was a welcome respite from the daily grind and gave me a glimpse into the life of luxury!
The weather in June can be iffy, especially in northern Michigan, and it didn’t cooperate for most of the trip. We didn’t get to enjoy the resort’s many outdoor amenities, including an outdoor pool and bar, beach cabanas, patio dining, and lawn games, because it was rainy and in the 50s.
We had to cancel an e-bike ride on the Little Traverse Wheelway, but we made up for it in the way of wine tasting, afternoon tea, and spa time. I actually discovered rainy weather is great weather to hunt for Petoskey stones.
Perhaps it is because I’ve only hunted Petoskey stones in the Manistee area, but I always thought they were hard to find. They look like an ordinary rock when they are dry. Michigan’s state stone is actually a prehistoric fossil, unique to the Traverse Group rock strata. When wet or polished, the distinctive six-sided coral pattern emerges. Many people polish them up for jewelry, art, and souvenirs.
I read a few Tripadvisor reviews before leaving and was tipped off to the fact you could find Petoskey stones right in front of the resort. I love to hunt for beach glass and rocks, but I rarely get to Petoskey because the four-hour drive makes it a little too far for a weekend trip. So, searching for Petoskey stones was high on my list of things to do.
Exploring the shore
I arrived on a rainy Wednesday afternoon. When I pulled up to Inn at Bay Harbor, it reminded me of Mackinac Island. Fog hovered in the distance. The stately inn has a beautiful Schonbek chandelier in the lobby and offers views of stone cliffs and condos on one side and Little Traverse Bay on the other.
I only had about an hour to spare before dinner, so I didn’t waste any time dropping off my luggage in my room and donning my raincoat to go rockhounding. As a new guest, I was a little worried I would draw attention to myself in my pink raincoat. But that didn’t stop me. I headed straight for the rocky shore. And to my amazement, I looked down and saw Petoskey stone after Petoskey stone.
It may not be that exciting for people who hunt rocks on the regular, or live where Petoskey stones are plentiful, but I felt like a kid in a candy store. They seemed to magically appear before my eyes. I pocketed as many as I could, took them back to my room, and returned for more.
So much to see, so little time
We had a full itinerary of wine tasting, afternoon tea, a visit to nearby Village of Bay Harbor and Great Lakes Center for the Arts – and too much food. Petoskey Wine Region is an emerging wine destination, and visitors can explore 13 local wineries on a self-guided tour. We visited Resort Pike Cidery and Winery and had a personal tour of Mackinaw Trail Winery’s wine and brewing operations. The experience ended with lots of samples and the Stabile family’s dog coming over and sitting next to me.
There were many other memorable moments over the two days. I met some new-to-me travel writers and editors, indulged in food and wine, enjoyed a Northern Luxury spa treatment, and we shared lots of laughs! Afternoon tea featured too-cute-to-eat treats!
Décor reflects local culture
Now to talk about the resort’s amenities! Whether you want a cozy winter escape or a relaxed “Up North” vacation, Inn at Bay Harbor delivers casual elegance, friendly service, and best-in-class resort amenities.
The Inn opened in 1998 and completed a major, multi-year renovation in 2019. Read my story on the renovations in the Cottages issue of Michigan BLUE or online here. The Inn features 116 guest rooms, including one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, and stand-alone cottages – plus special touches that make it hard to leave!
Inn at Bay Harbor is owned by Boyne Resorts, with some of the suites owned by private owners. The resort is one of only two Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels in Michigan. The renovation began around the time the Inn joined the luxury lifestyle hotel brand in 2016. The makeover included its two lakeside restaurants, full-service spa and salon, café and lobby.
Most of the rooms and suites have balconies with bay views or quarry and resort views. The rooms vary in size and layout. Some have murphy beds, while others are full suites with a separate living/dining area. Other features include kitchens and kitchenettes, jetted tubs and double sinks in the bathroom, and a couch and Travertine stone fireplace in the sitting area.
The décor highlights natural elements and a Petoskey stone and beachy color palette. Calming and creamy neutrals blend with bolder accent pieces, including pillows, vases, coffee-table books, and art that reflect the local area.
Inn at Bay Harbor amenities
On-site amenities include:
- Two restaurants including Vintage Chophouse and Wine Bar and The Sagamore Room
- Outdoor pool, hot tub, and cabana bar
- Full salon and spa
- Beachside cabanas and hammocks
- Nightly fire with s’mores
- Café with to-go coffee, sandwiches, and picnic essentials
- Afternoon tea in your room or the main lobby area
- Lawn games including giant chess, croquet, bocce ball, bag toss, and ladder toss
- Add-ons including cookies and milk, wine and champagne, and romance packages
- Two-hour complimentary beach cruisers, e-bike rentals for a charge, or bring your own bicycle
- Access to the Grand Traverse Wheelway to visit Charlevoix, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs
- Concierge and valet services
- Shuttle to several golf courses in the area
- Challenging and scenic golf courses nearby including Bay Harbor Golf Club, Crooked Tree Golf Club, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain
Lakeside retreat
Michael Costello, president and general manager of Inn at Bay Harbor, said he has received positive feedback on the room renovations as well as the service. Vintage Chophouse is an all-American steakhouse with an extensive wine menu and cozy atmosphere, and The Sagamore Room offers a delicious buffet for breakfast. Both have outdoor seating with views of the bay, and Vintage is open to the public, so you don’t have to stay at the Inn to take in a sunset over dinner.
“I think the best thing, what people tell us, is the location and the beauty are spectacular; the rooms are clean and comfortable; and the food is good and the staff – tremendous,” Costello said. “The staff has a very authentic delivery of hospitality and service, and it provides approachable luxury for people.”
It’s true. Inn at Bay Harbor offers upscale amenities combined with carefree vacation activities. Guests can lounge by the pool or in a beach cabana, sip an afternoon drink at the poolside bar or on the deck, or spend a rainy day (or snow day) at the spa. Families enjoy playing yard games, evening fires and s’mores by the bay, and exploring the Little Traverse Wheelway.
Don’t forget to snap a Kodak moment with a view of the resort in the background.
Cozy up in the winter
The Inn is open year-round, so you can plan a trip when snow blankets the landscape and ice covers the bay. Northern Michigan is a mecca for winter sports, too, and it’s a great time to take advantage of off-season rates. Check out the live webcam.
“We do have a lot of guests that come back every summer, and they come back and ski in the winter,” Costello said. “It’s really great to see, and it’s always nice when someone new coming in makes a comment about how gracious and authentic the service and hospitality was.”
There is something for everyone at Inn of Bay Harbor. The resort’s location is perfect for sightseeing, golfing, and skiing. But you may find that you want to chill and enjoy the on-site activities.
“At the end of the day, what we try to impress upon our staff is it’s not really about what your specific job duty is,” Costello said. “We want to help facilitate the collection of really warm, fond memories.”
A place like no other
Billed “A Place Like No Other,” Inn at Bay Harbor did leave a lasting impression. And there is so much to see and do around Petoskey and Charlevoix, we didn’t even scratch the surface.
As I packed up to head home, I wanted to linger a little longer and drink coffee on my balcony. The atmosphere called me to simply enjoy the scenery and “up north” experience. For me, entering Inn at Bay Harbor felt like retreating to another world.
To soften the blow of reality, I did stop in Charlevoix to go on the Earl Young Mushroom House Tour. Edith Pair started the GEM car tour, which is now Tripadvisor’s top attraction in Charlevoix. The tour takes visitors to all 28 of Young’s homes. Read my story in BLUE here.
As it started to rain again, I headed to Old Mission Peninsula for an interview and Dining Destination piece on Mission Table. The drive included more amazing scenery, but I was definitely back to traffic, technology, and reality!
Popular vacation destination
If you are looking for a true northern Michigan experience, start planning your spring or summer getaway. The region offers activities through the October color tour.
Here’s a list of summer events in the Petoskey area:
May 14-17, 60th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival, Boyne City
May 15-22, Petoskey Restaurant Week
June 13, Harbor Springs Cycling Classic
June 19-21, Bay Harbor Lake Marina In-Water Boat Show
June 18, Gallery Walk, Petoskey
June 27, Bay Harbor Vintage Car & Boat Festival
July 4-5, Petoskey Antique Show
July 10-11, Boyne Thunder Poker Run, Boyne City, Charlevoix, Bay Harbor
July 18, Art in the Park, Petoskey
July 24 – 25, Bay Harbor Arts Festival
Aug. 6-9, Polish Festival, Boyne Falls
Aug. 6-9, PirateFest, Boyne City
Aug. 8-9, Odawa Homecoming Pow Wow, Harbor Springs
Aug. 8-9, Top ‘O Michigan Boat Races, Alanson
Aug. 15, Harbor Springs Car Festival
Departing thoughts
While I have yet to polish my Petoskey stones, I have them on a shelf in my living room. I also pinned several Inn at Bay Harbor postcards, which I thought was a nice touch in the rooms, to the corkboard beside my desk.
Some of my fondest memories are of the quiet moments: hunting for Petoskey stones in the rain, sitting in my bay-view room watching the afterglow of a picture-perfect sunset, and grabbing my sweatshirt to roam the resort and sit alone by the fire. Despite the chill in the air, I felt hopeful for the coming warm weather.
Even better: I tried hard to be present and did not turn on the television or my computer.
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist and content marketing writer who lives in Norton Shores. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
