Media Contact:  J. Michael DeAgostino
Public Relations Manager
Direct Phone: 231-534-6352
Toll Free: 800-748-0303, ext. 6352
E-mail: publicrelations@gtresort.com
Visit: www.grandtraverseresort.com


ACME, Mich., December 22, 2007 -- Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near Traverse City today announced that new features have been added to its indoor pools, to enhance recreation activities and family-friendliness.  

The $400,000 conversion of the indoor pools into a 15,000-square foot Indoor Water Playground with the addition of a waterslide, waterwalk, sprayground, and other features, allows the Resort to provide waterpark-style excitement, fun, and recreation for Resort guests and Club members of all ages, and at the same time continue to offer fitness and lap swimming, aqua aerobics, and swimming classes.

The Resort added the following features.

* Waterslide:  A 16-foot tall, 70-foot long spiraling waterslide, designed to appeal to a broad range of ages, was added to the lap pool. It provides a thrill with speed and spiral routing as riders exit into a newly designated splash down area.

* Waterwalk:  An overhead cargo net and anchored floatable waterwalk challenge course, designed to appeal to youth ages six through teens, was added to the lap pool. The floatables are anchored to the floor of the lap pool with detachable anchors to allow for their removal for lap swimming and aqua aerobics classes.

*Sprayground:  That includes floor geysers/bubblers, spray bar jets, and a sheet flow water element providing zero-depth water entertainment designed to appeal to the Resort’s youngest guests - children up to four years old.

* Water Basketball:  Two water basketball hoops will be added to the lap pool to provide an interactive competitive activity where parents, children, and teens can enjoy a game of basketball.  

With this renovation, the Resort approaches $15 million in renovations and upgrades since March 2003, when the Resort was acquired by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.
       
The most significant renovations completed in 2007 include creation of the new Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the 16th Floor of the Tower, addition of a Gift Shop in the Grand Lobby, installation of wireless Internet access in all condominium complexes, resurfacing the Resort’s five indoor tennis courts in the same surface and color scheme as the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, home of the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, and a major upgrade of the Resort’s three guest elevators and one service elevator in the Tower.

- Experience Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Anew -

With nearly $15 million in renovations throughout the property, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is a new experience.  The 600-room resort is located along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay.  One of the Midwest’s finest full-service, year-round, golf, spa, vacation and conference destinations, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa offers 600 Hotel and Tower guestrooms and suites, as well as studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom Condominiums, 85,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, and 54 holes of championship golf including The Bear, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, The Wolverine, a Gary Player signature golf course, plus the Jim McLean Golf School.

Additional features include a full-service spa with cherry services, comprehensive tennis program with indoor and outdoor tennis courts, 100,000-square foot health club with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, children’s center, plus a shopping gallery, diverse restaurants and lounges and year-round recreation.
       
An award-winning destination resort, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa has been ranked among the Top 20 Mainland Resorts and Top 50 Travel Destinations and Services worldwide by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.  Additional accolades include honors from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, Family Circle, Successful Meetings, and many other respected organizations.
       
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is proudly owned and operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.  For further information about specials, rates, and packages or to make reservations, please call 800-748-0303, or visit the Resort’s Web site at www.grandtraverseresort.com.

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