The 10 Best Hotels in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan is a land of rugged beauty, of untamed wilderness, and of wild shorelines. It's also a land of outdoor fun and recreation, with millions of us heading to the region every year to enjoy everything from hiking and biking to island hopping and camping. If you're planning a trip to Northern Michigan, you'll be pleased to know it's blessed with hundreds of great hotel options. The only tricky part is deciding which one to book. To help out, we've rounded up the ten best hotels in Northern Michigan for you to consider. Without further ado, here they are.

10. Hotel Earl of Charlevoix

If you're looking for accommodation in Charlevoix, you'll find the Hotel Earl of Charlevoix a great choice. Rooms are thoughtfully decorated and equipped with every comfort and convenience you could wish for, including air conditioning, free wifi, flat-screen TVs, and spacious, beautifully clean private bathrooms. Amenities elsewhere in the hotel include a 24 hour front desk, an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a very well equipped fitness center.

9. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Traverse City

Tucked away between the east and west branches of Grand Traverse Bay is Country Inn & Suites by Radisson- Traverse City, a comfortable, welcoming hotel that's set just a mile from gorgeous beaches and Traverse City's bustling downtown. If you want to experience the beauty of the area's 150 inland lakes and rivers while still enjoying the wining, dining, and shopping opportunities of the city, you'll find its location hard to fault. The accommodation itself is comfortable, clean, and spacious. Onsite amenities include a library, a hot tub, an oversized heated indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness center, laundry facilities, a restaurant and bar, and same-day valet service. You'll also be treated to complimentary USA Today Newspapers and fresh-baked cookies.

8. White Birch Lodge

The all-inclusive resort of White Birch Lodge has a lot to recommend it, including an idyllic location on the waterfront of Elk Lake. The accommodation options are extensive, covering everything from condominiums and cabins to townhouses and traditional hotel rooms. Each option is spacious, clean, and equipped with everything you'll need for a comfortable stay, including private balconies, full kitchens, living areas, wifi, and flat-screen TVs. As part of the package, you'll get three meals a day and access to a score of organized activities, including waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding. There's even a kid's program to keep the little ones busy while you relax and enjoy some me-time.

7. The Homestead

Despite its proximity to Glen Arbor, The Homestead feels gorgeously secluded and tranquil. Set over 500 acres of woodland, the hotel boasts a vast array of activities for residents to enjoy. Check out the sunset views from the outdoor swimming pool, take a stroll around the lakeside boardwalk, play some golf, take a boat or kayak out onto the lake, or explore the wilderness on horseback. If all that wasn't enough to tempt you, the resort's clutch of pristine white sand beaches just might. Rooms are spacious and clean, with everything you could need for a relaxing, comfortable stay.

6. Tamarack Lodge Resort

Tamarack Lodge Resort's location on the waterfront of Lake Michigan puts guests in a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. Those looking to enjoy the nightlife, shopping opportunities, and cultural activities of the city will find downtown Traverse City just a short distance away. The accommodation itself is just as outstanding as the setting: choose between one, two, or three-bedroom condo options, all with amazing water views, fireplaces, sitting areas, whirlpool tubs, and full-size kitchens. If all that wasn't enough, guests can also enjoy a private beach with chairs, fire pits, and a very inviting waterfront.

5. Hotel Walloon

If you prefer small, personal hotels to large, anonymous resorts, you're going to love Hotel Walloon. This beautiful little boutique hotel has a vintage, homey feel and an interior that's packed with period features. The hotel's location on the shore of Walloon Lake is idyllic, as is the small private beach that leads directly from the accommodation. Rooms are light, bright, and airy, with gorgeously luxurious features and cozy bedding. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and always on hand to offer a glass of complementary lemonade or a home-cooked cookie.

4. Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is set over nine hundred acres of gorgeously manicured gardens and equally sublime forests. Guests can take their pick from a range of accommodations, including rooms in the hotel, the tower, or in a condominium. Each option is spacious, thoughtfully appointed, and equipped with the full caboodle of conveniences. Onsite amenities include four hot tubs, 2 indoor and 2 outdoor swimming pools, a spa, a salon, a fifty hole golf course, multiple dining options, and even a private beach. If you're looking for an all-inclusive hotel with friendly service and a welcoming vibe, it's ideal.

3. Colonial Inn

The Colonial Inn is a quaint, colonial-style building set in a great location near the waters of Lake Michigan. Rooms are spacious and homey, with cozy decor, comfortable furniture, and plenty of period details that celebrate the inn's history. Onsite amenities include a fitness room, pool, and spa, as well as a dock for accessing Lake Michigan. If you're looking for a relaxing, peaceful hotel within easy walking distance of Harbor Springs, you'll struggle to find better.

2. Bayshore Resort

According to Vacation Idea, Bayshore Resort ranks as one of the very best hotels in Michigan. It's not hard to see where the appeal lies. The Victorian-inspired decor with classic wood paneling, antique furniture, and striped wallpaper is charming. Its location near both the waterfront and downtown Traverse City offers the best of both worlds, allowing guests to partake of both the wonder of Northern Michigan's natural beauty and the urban delights of the city. Rooms are comfortable, clean, and equipped with all the comforts and conveniences you'll need for a relaxing stay. Onsite amenities are extensive and include a game room, swimming pool, and daily continental breakfast.

1. Grand Hotel

Mynorth.com describes Grand Hotel as 'an unforgettable experience' that will transport you to another time as you 'enjoy the majestic views of Mackinac Straits during afternoon tea as horses prance by the porch.' U.S. News are also feeling the love, and have even gone so far as to include the hotel on its list of the 25 best hotels in Michigan. There's no doubt this is a special place. Past guests have included everyone from Thomas Edison to Mark Twain, while today's guests rarely miss the opportunity to wax lyrical about the hotel's amenities (which includes free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffee makers in each room), its food, and the sublime views from its front porch. Its location on beautiful Mackinac Island doesn't exactly leave a lot to be desired either. Like most things on Mackinac Island, a stay at the Grand Hotel isn't cheap. But if you're willing to blow the budget on a truly special experience, it's unbeatable.