The Latest News and Announcements at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

OUR LATEST COVID-19 UPDATE

Updated:
January 6, 2021

With conditions constantly evolving during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working hard to have the proper sanitation protocols and policies in place to keep our staff and guests safe. Plexiglass has been installed as a barrier between desk associates and guests, Spa Grand Traverse and Resort restaurants have limited hours, and tables have been moved to maintain proper physical distancing. Resort associates will wear masks or face coverings while inside.

We have a no mask, no service policy. Guests are expected to bring their own masks, but if they damage or lose theirs, one will be provided to them. Bandanas, gaiters, and face coverings with valves that allow unfiltered exhaled air to escape will no longer be allowed. These select face coverings allow unfiltered exhaled air to escape and are no longer considered a best practice. This new policy applies to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Turtle Creek Casino, and Leelanau Sands Casino and there are no exceptions to this policy.

Under the policy, masks are expected to be worn: no shirt no shirt no mask no service

when guests enter buildings
are inside and moving about
riding in elevators
walking in common areas
while on the shuttle bus
at outdoor functions like weddings, receptions, and in all group settings

Masks can be removed:

while outdoors (if not in a group)
in the pool
on the golf course
inside hotel rooms

Masks must be worn by all adults and children two years and older. This policy is to ensure the safety of all who work at and visit Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

We will update this information as plans change. For additional questions, please call our Reservations team at 231-534-6000.

At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa we are have made key changes to our operation to encourage guest safety and social distancing. These changes include outlet closures and service changes. Here's the latest update about what's currently available at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa:

Lodging:

Rooms are available. For reservations, call 231-534-6000.
Housekeeping daily stayover service is not available at this time.

Spa Grand Traverse:

Open. The Spa Grand Traverse menu is limited at this time. Facials are not available.

8:00am-4:00pm Sunday & Monday
9:00am-6:00pm Tuesday
Closed Wednesdays.
9:00am-8:00pm Thursday & Friday
9:00am-6:00pm Saturday
Please note: Spa hours, services, and rates are subject to change without notice.

Spa Grand Traverse Safety Information

We are excited and ready to welcome you to Spa Grand Traverse.

We have been working diligently to ensure our staff and guests are kept safe during their visit. While we were closed, we continued to provide regular sanitation of the spa, as well as implementing new protocols based on state of Michigan guidelines. This includes the following:

Checking the status of our staff’s health by no-touch temperature check and verbal screening
Staff will wear safety shields, masks and gloves during all services
Allowing 6ft of social distancing from other guests always other than your treatment provider
Limiting spa groups to 4 guests or less
Consistent cleaning schedule of high traffic areas, as well as tools used during each service
All providers certified in proper sanitation

We ask that everyone understands the parameters we will be putting in place for your safety. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us at 231-534-6750.

*On arrival to the spa, please call the Spa Desk at 231-534-6750 and we will inform you when you will be able to enter the spa facility.

We also require that our guests adhere to the following:
• All individuals that enter the spa will need to bring their own mask for their visit, and wear it over their nose and mouth during the length of their stay, including during massage. Facials and some facial waxing services are unavailable at this time due to state mandate
• Each guest will be screened upon entering the spa with a no-touch temperature check
• Each guest will be required to fill out our online Guest Health Form prior to every spa and salon visit. Click on "Complete Form" in this email to fill out your form
• Guests will not be able to bring anyone not receiving a treatment with them
• Due to a new Health Department state mandate the Relaxation Areas and Locker Rooms are reserved for guests receiving massage.
• Please note that we ask that your time spent in the spa relaxation area is kept to a minimum after services, as it is important to not allow our guests to congregate for too long. Feel free to use our Health Club lounge or Pool deck after services.
• Pools, hot tubs, and the fitness center are available to guests receiving massage
• Dry Saunas are unavailable until further notice

If you feel unwell or have been exposed to COVID-19, please call the spa and cancel your appointment(s), and we will waive the cancellation fee.

Please note that with things changing quickly and calls coming in at a rapid pace we will always do our best to keep you informed and provide the high standard of service that you have come to expect from Spa Grand Traverse.

The Gallery of Shops:

Open (Hours are subject to change. Call 231-534-6400 to confirm hours)

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 11:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday: Closed
Friday & Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-2:00pm

Golf:

The Golf Academy is open for outdoor lessons only. The Golf Academy is now open seven days a week 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Contact: Golf Academy at [email protected] or by calling (231) 534-6550.
The golf courses and Pro Shop are closed for the season

Food and Beverage:

The Marketplace: Open

Hours:

7:00am-11:00am Monday, Thursday, Friday
7:00am-2:00pm Saturday and Sunday
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Room Service: Order on your guest room TV using Sonifi Interactive Services or call ext. 6390. Delivery is now available to our Condos.

Hours:

Breakfast 7:00am-11:00am daily
Lunch/Dinner 11:30am-9:00pm daily

View In-Room Menu

Jack's Taproom: Open for carryout 3:00-9:00pm daily. Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays Now featuring food, beer, wine and cocktails to go! Walk up ordering is available. Hours subject to change. Call 231-534-6390 with questions. Outdoor pavilion seating available Friday and Saturday 3:00-9:00pm.

View the menu

Aerie Restaurant & Lounge: Closed
Sweetwater American Bistro: Closed
The Grille: Closed
The Lobby Bar: Closed

The Den: Open for gaming. Food service is unavailable at this time.

Tuesday - Saturday 1:00 – 8:00pm
Sunday & Monday - Closed

Shuttle service to Turtle Creek Casino: Unavailable

Health Club:

Open. Guests must call the Health Club Desk at 231-534-6770 to reserve a work out time in the gym.

Masks are to be worn at all times in the health club, on the pool deck unless swimming and while playing tennis. Locker rooms will no longer be available except for the restrooms at this time. Please come ready for your work out and or swimming.

At this time, we are only able to operate the pools at 25% capacity. Max Capacity: 96 guests.Hot tubs are open during regular hours of operation at 25% capacity in the indoor hot tub and 50% capacity in the outdoor hot tubs. The waterslide and splash pad are currently closed. Outdoor pools and hot tubs are closed for the season.

Health Club and Indoor Pool Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 6:00am - 8:00pm
Friday - Saturday: 6:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday: 7:00am - 6:00pm

Indoor Lap Pool Hours
Monday - Friday: 6:00am - 10:00am
Saturday: 6:00am - 9:00am
Sunday: 7:00am - 9:00am

Tennis: Indoor Tennis Courts are open.

Masks are to be worn at all times in the health club, on the pool deck unless swimming and while playing tennis. Locker rooms will remain open, masks must be worn unless showering. With cases continuing to surge we are asked as a business to take all necessary precautions and adhere to them.

Court Rentals: Allowed. Singles play, 2 players to a court, Doubles play is allowed as long as the teammates are from the same household. This also includes Pickleball.

All members must check in at the health club desk prior to going down on court. All member names must be given to health club desk when booking the court for contact tracing purposes. Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early in case there is a short wait at the health club desk check in.

Contract Court Time: On pause until January 4. Any missed weeks will be credited to your winter session.

Ball Machine: Allowed, max of two (2) players on the court, from different households, four (4) players on the court from the same household, all members must check in with health club desk prior to going down on court. Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early in case there is a short wait at the health club desk check in.

Private Lessons: Allowed: One (1) player with a pro is allowed (two people per court). Private lessons with up to 3 people are allowed, as long as players are from the same household. Players must check in with health club desk prior to going down on court. Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early in case there is a short wait at the health club desk check in.

Group Lessons, Junior Programs, Adult Programs, Drop Ins, Organized Pickleball and other programs will be paused until at least January 4, 2021. Credit will be held for those currently enrolled in these programs and may be applied to future sessions. Regular programming is scheduled to resume on Monday, January 4.

Events and Tournaments
Events will be allowed to continue with a max of two people on a court. This includes events that do not require tennis coaches or officials. Spectators at these events will not be allowed. All other events will be postponed for the pause.

Questions? Please contact George Lowe, Tennis Director, call 231-534-6776 or email [email protected]

The Beach Club: Closed for the summer

^{Housekeeping during COVID-19}

Due to COVID-19 we will be suspending in stay housekeeping services for the time being. If you need additional towels or trash bags during your stay please call extension 6400.

Housekeeping and cleanliness are always among our top priorities at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. While we are dealing with COVID-19 we have stepped up our already high cleaning standards to better protect our guests and staff. Our additional cleaning measures include:

Providing extra hand sanitizer stations throughout the resort
Clorox 360 electrostatic sprayer is being used to regularly in public areas
Increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting in public spaces, Hotel and Condos with a focus on high-touch areas
Daily training and updates to staff regarding housekeeping procedures and hygiene protocols.
In an effort to respect your space, and to keep you and our team safe, we will not be providing housekeeping service for the duration of your stay. Should you need additional towels or other amenities, please call the front desk and we will be happy to deliver the items and place them outside your door

We also took this time to do a deep clean of our facility and we are closely following the CDC cleaning recommendations. You can view them here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html

In addition to following all CDC and Michigan best practices like practicing six feet of social distancing we are digitally thermometer testing each employee as they enter the facility. Employees are also required to complete a screening questionnaire prior to the scheduled shift.

OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN

Upcoming Events

Shop Spa Grand Traverse

Learn More

Starting December 31

Aerie In Suite Dining

Learn More

Jack's Taproom Carryout

Learn More

Updates & COVID-19 Info

Learn More

Winter Spa Treatments

Learn More

Barefoot Magazine

Instant Gratification

HydraFacial delivers results on first treatment

By Cymbre Foster

When Spa Grand Traverse cosmetologist Sandra Umstead received her first HydraFacial, the results were so amazing that she knew it was something she wanted her clients to experience as well.
HydraFacial is a patented technology that marries a deeply cleansing facial treatment with relaxation.
“After just one visit, this medical-grade procedure leaves the skin with improved clarity, texture, and tone,” Umstead says.
I admit I needed convincing that it could be that good when I arrived at the spa for my first HydraFacial. Truth be told, I’d rather spend my money on a new pair of shoes than skin care, and I didn’t think she would be able to do that much with my neglected, sun-damaged, slightly saggy, middle-aged skin.
Was I ever wrong.

Instant Results
A HydraFacial is a three-part treatment that begins with cleansing that removes dead skin cells and excess oil from the skin. Next, salicylic and glycolic acids are applied to break up any dirt and oil that's clogging pores. Then the HydraPeel Tip is used to painlessly suction out blackheads, dirt, oil, and impurities, while hydrating, plumping, and nourishing serums are simultaneously applied to the skin.
“No more manual extractions that may leave the skin blotchy and inflamed,” Umstead says. “The powerful serums break it all down, allowing the vacuum to pull it all up.”
The best part is that after just one HydraFacial, you will see immediate results. I certainly did.
“This treatment satisfies our need for instant gratification, so clients can’t wait for the next treatment,” Umstead says.
Corrine Olson is one of those clients.
“My favorite facial at the spa is the HydraFacial,” she says. “It’s the first time I can say that I noticed results.”
Each treatment starts with before and after photos.
“We have the ability to compare them side by side after your treatment,” Umstead explains. “This allows us to better track your progress every time you come in.”
For many clients, seeing those results is motivation not just to come back, but also to continue better skin-care regimens at home.
Umstead pulled up my pictures, and, to my surprise, I had fewer lines on my face and my skin was truly hydrated — literally glowing, in fact.

Part of a Skin-Care Routine
Since Umstead has consistently treated herself to HydraFacials, she no longer needs to wear makeup. Her skin did look flawless.
For long-term benefits and correction purposes, Umstead recommends treatments every six weeks. For maintenance, she suggests having one each season.
“This treatment is fairly active, and I like to think of it as waking up the skin,” she says.
“It’s invigorating and satisfying in many ways, which keeps clients coming back for more.”
When a friend commented on how nice my skin looked the day after my HydraFacial, I had to agree.
“You will leave with your skin glowing, looking healthy, hydrated, and with overall better skin tone,” Olson says. “I plan on keeping this as part of my skin-care routine.”
Still the Best: The Bear at 35

Iconic course remains top on golfers’ must-play lists

By Tom Lang

The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa comes out of hibernation each spring to test the best and entertain golfers of all skill levels.

2020 marks The Bear’s 35th awakening since Jack Nicklaus created his spectacular signature design in 1985.

Nationally ranked in the top 100 courses and consistently rated as one of Michigan’s toughest, The Bear has for decades drawn golfers who are looking for a chance to tame the challenge to northern Lower Michigan.

“The Bear has the reputation of being difficult, but it also has the reputation of being fair,” says Tom McGee, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa director of golf operations. “Golfers tell us they like the challenge. And they tell us each of the holes is so unique and memorable that no two holes are the same.

“It’s one of those golf courses where you have to think a lot, you need to look at the surroundings, and I think people appreciate that more and they concentrate more when playing it, as opposed to most other golf courses.”

An Unusual Course
That’s exactly what Nicklaus intended when he was commissioned to create his biggest golf-skills challenge of that era. The Bear plays to 7,078 yards from the championship tees. It has four lakes, 10 holes with water hazards and only one hole with no bunkers.

“That was kind of an unusual golf course (at the time),” Nicklaus said in a recent visit to Michigan. “The owner at that time wanted the longest course in Michigan, over 7,000 yards, par 72 and the highest course rating (for toughness). I did all three of those … and, of course, the golf course was really difficult.”

The Bear is a links-style course with mature trees surrounding the outer edges of the property. The course features undulating, multi-tiered greens, moguls, mounds, and deep pot bunkers that guard the greens and thick grassy rough. The rough has been cut back away from the fairways over the years to somewhat soften Nicklaus’ original design. Tee boxes have been added to provide more variety and shorter yardages.

Lakes, ponds, hardwood forests, streams, and orchards are home to a variety of wildlife and add more golf hazards to navigate. The course is a certified member of the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program.

The fairways give The Bear its unique look. Elevated from the rough on many holes, the fairways appear to be floating above the surrounding property. The design also punishes shots that roll off the fairway and get hung up in the second cut of grass, creating a more severe side-hill position. Nicklaus later incorporated that design element into his signature course near Palm Springs, California.

A Must-Play
“Growing up in southern Michigan, this is one of the top five courses you always hear about that need to be on your list to play,” said golfer John Barkalow of Schoolcraft, Michigan, after playing The Bear for the first time in late 2019. “It was challenging yet playable. I’m certainly not a fantastic golfer, but I was able to shoot my average score.”

His playing partner that day, Brian Kowalski of Bowling Green, Ohio, added, “My first impressions were intimidating, but I wanted to try it because it’s listed as one of the top golf courses in Michigan. I definitely want to come back here and also try The Wolverine and Spruce Run. Always great golf in Northern Michigan.”

While The Bear sees most of its play by the average golfer, throughout the years it has hosted the state’s premier state championship — the Michigan Open — more times than any other golf course. (See related story on page xx.) And not long after The Bear opened, it hosted the PGA Champions Tour Ameritech Senior Open in 1990, won by global fan favorite Chi Chi Rodriguez.

“The Bear was the hardest course, as Jack built it, when it opened in 1985, and it’s withstood the test of time,” McGee says. “It’s still very attractive, people still love to play it, and those who come to the Resort, if they’re going to play one golf course, they choose The Bear.”
Simply the Best

Resort garners top convention center award

By Emily Doran

Being named “Best Convention Center” by Michigan Meetings + Events in 2019 is the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication from the staff at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
Boasting 86,500 square feet of meeting space, the Resort has established itself as a major hub for state, corporate, and private events. While the Resort has earned other accolades from Michigan Meeting + Events, including “Best Golf Venue” in 2019 and previous years, this is the first time the resort has snagged the “Best Convention Center” title (in the Non-University category). The award was determined in part through a readers’ poll, meaning clients and colleagues weighed in to push the results the Resort’s way.
“The award is, quite frankly, a reflection of our service, our food and beverage — the total meeting package,” says Ryan Buck, director of sales.
The honor also helps the Resort, which is booked by hundreds of groups a year, compete against larger venues like Detroit’s TCF Center (formerly the Cobo Center) and Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Buck says.
“It puts us on a different level in a way, in a playing field commensurate with those other amazing venues that we have across the board, and it really shows the true capacities that we have,” he says. “These types of things help us establish legitimacy and credibility as an independent property.”
Certain features at the Resort help it stand out. For one thing, the convention space is wide open — no pillars.
“You don’t normally see that, especially with ballrooms like ours — 19,000 square feet,” says Buck, referencing the recently renovated Governors’ Hall. “Not having any pillars is a really distinct advantage.”
Other amenities, including a spacious loading dock, make the space particularly appealing to vendors.
“Another thing that we hear as feedback, and I see all the time, is it’s just easy to do business here,” Buck says.
Those and other features keep many clients, including the Michigan Credit Union League, coming back year after year. The League has been hosting events at the resort for more than two decades, booking all or most of the meeting areas and rooms to fit between 500 and 1,200 people, depending on the event.
For Janet Ormsby, senior director of events at the League, the Resort’s perks go beyond renovated spaces and beautiful grounds to include the staff.
“They’re just great people to work with,” she says.

OUR LATEST COVID-19 UPDATE

Lodging:

Spa Grand Traverse:

Spa Grand Traverse Safety Information

The Gallery of Shops:

Golf:

Food and Beverage:

Health Club:

Housekeeping during COVID-19

Upcoming Events

Barefoot Magazine

Instant Gratification

Still the Best: The Bear at 35

Simply the Best

Title

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

^{Housekeeping during COVID-19}