Michigan Vacation Packages

Are you looking to escape the stress of everyday life? To disconnect and discover the beauty of somewhere new, somewhere miles away from ordinary? Our Michigan vacation packages are designed to get you there.

Whether you're pursuing a weekend spa-cation, championship golf package, romantic getaway in Michigan, or an all-encompassing family vacation, you can be sure that a vacation at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa will leave you revitalized and inspired.

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FEATURED
GOLF
SPA
DEALS

Spa Your Way - $250 Spa Credit

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TWO-NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF PACKAGE

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ONE-NIGHT GOLF PACKAGE

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Membership

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Spa Deals

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Golf Deals

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Spa Your Way - $500 Spa Credit

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Spa Your Way - $1,000 Spa Credit

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Tennis Promotions

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SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Package with Rove Estate - May 7-9, 2021

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2 Night Stay Your Way Package

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SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Weekend with Rove Estate - June 11-13, 2021

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Spa Your Way - $250 Spa Credit Book Now

Our Spa packages just got simple - and simply divine! Enjoy a spa getaway your way with a flexible spa package. Save 15% off of your spa treatment plus enjoy a $250 Spa Grand Traverse Credit.

Package includes:

1 night of accommodations
$250 credit for Spa Grand Traverse (per package)*
15% off coupon for Spa Services and/or retail at Spa Grand Traverse**

For pricing and reservations, call 800-236-1577 or book online.

*This offer is available November 8, 2020 - November 6, 2021. This package includes 11% tax and $18.95 nightly resort fee. Rooms at this rate are limited. Not available to groups. May not be combined with other offers. Certain other restrictions may apply. For all accommodations, check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. and check-out is by 11:00 a.m. Spa Credit can be used in Spa Grand Traverse. Call the spa ASAP at 888-437-2SPA to confirm appointment availability. *Credit is per package, NOT Person. **Coupon does not apply to Spa Food and Beverage or Spa specials or discounts.

TWO-NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF PACKAGE Book Now

Experience 36 holes of championship golf in northern Michigan. The two night package includes:

2 nights of accommodations
2 rounds of golf on any course per person*
2 medium buckets of range balls per person

*Second round can be booked in advance for Spruce Run only; Second-round availability for The Bear and The Wolverine will be determined following completion of first round.

SPRING SEASON: APRIL 9 - MAY 27, 2021
Starting at $366* per person midweek
Starting at $384* per person on the weekend

SUMMER SEASON: MAY 28 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2021
Starting at $473* per person midweek
Starting at $492* per person on the weekend

FALL SEASON: SEPTEMBER 5 - NOVEMBER 6, 2021
Starting at $394* per person midweek
Starting at $413* per person on the weekend

For reservations, call 800-236-1577.

*The above rates are per person, based on double occupancy. The above pricing includes 11% tax and $18.95 nightly resort fee. Rooms are limited. Not available to groups. May not be combined with other offers. Certain other restrictions may apply.

ONE-NIGHT GOLF PACKAGE Book Now

Our One-Night Golf Package includes:

1 night of accommodations
1 round of golf per person
1 medium bucket of range balls per person

SPRING SEASON: APRIL 9 - MAY 27, 2021
Starting at $189* per person midweek
Starting at $199* per person on the weekend

SUMMER SEASON: MAY 28 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2021
Starting at $245* per person midweek
Starting at $255* per person on the weekend

FALL SEASON: SEPTEMBER 5 - NOVEMBER 6, 2021
Starting at $204* per person midweek
Starting at $214* per person on the weekend

For reservations, call 800-236-1577.

*Second round can be booked in advance for Spruce Run only; Second-round availability for The Bear and The Wolverine will be determined following completion of first round. The above rates are per person, based on double occupancy. The above pricing includes 11% tax and $18.95 nightly resort fee. Rooms are limited. Not available to groups. May not be combined with other offers. Certain other restrictions may apply.

Membership Learn More

Join The Club as a trial Bear member by May 1 and get 30 days to experience Traverse City’s most inclusive health and fitness club. Enjoy cardio and weight rooms, plus use our indoor pools, hot tubs and indoor and outdoor tennis courts. Plus, receive discounts on spa, golf, dining and more!

Our trial membership is a great way to try out our tennis programs and lessons. Whether you are a tennis enthusiast or new to the sport, The Club offers one of the leading facilities in the Midwest. With five indoor and four outdoor courts, leagues for varying ages and skill levels, group lessons, and private instruction, there’s something for everyone.

Bear Membership Features and Benefits:

Unlimited access to our Health Club and free fitness classes
Family option includes spouse and dependents 23 and under
Access to tennis indoor courts with 7-day sign-up privileges for $12/hour. Outdoor court use is free
Unlimited play on The Bear by Jack Nicklaus, The Wolverine by Gary Player, and Spruce Run for $22 per round and $14 twilight rates
Bear Member guests receive 50% off golf fees, special twilight rates and more
Receive 20% off resort guest room rates, food and beverage, and retail products
20-30% off Spa Grand Traverse services and retail products

For more information, contact our Membership Manager Nichole at 231-534-6586.

*Trial Members pay half of the regular monthly dues for the trial period of 30 days with no initiation fee until permanently joining the Club. Offer expires May 1, 2021. Covid-19 safety measures are in place. Our constant sanitization and extra space allow for a safe and comfortable experience.

Spa Deals

Spring Spa Specials

March 8-April 30

Spring into relaxation this spring! We are offering great savings on these specialized treatments Monday-Thursday.

Spring Renewal Massage | $69- 40 minutes (a savings of $45+)

The combination of Swedish techniques working your upper body which includes your back, arms, neck. Achieve a mind/body balance, while a nourishing warm oil scalp treatment leaves you refreshed and relaxed this spring. Light to medium pressure.

Spring Revival Wrap | $69- 40 minutes (a savings of $45+)

Prickly Pear Restoring Oil is massaged into the body releasing tension from the muscles. A layer of warmed spring-infused linen is wrapped around the body to allow ultimate relaxation. A scalp massage is performed while wrapped to make you feel revived and restored. Light to medium pressure.

Bright Skin Facial | $69- 40 minutes (a savings of $45+)

Gentle exfoliation to improve texture without irritation. A natural Hydroquinone Alternative, Vitamin C, and stimulating Nettle will leave your skin firm, fresh, and smooth with a luminous glow.

Spring Fling Manicure & Pedicure Combo | $70- 1.5 hours (a savings of $25+)

Express Manicure- a quick clean up of the nail and polish

Full Pedicure- relax with the refreshing scent of Prickly Pear as a stress relieving scrub is applied followed by a foot and leg massage ending with your choice of nail color.

Refreshing Signature HydraFacial | $150.00- 25 minutes (a savings of $50)

This efficient and satisfying treatment deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin, delivering instant results. A gentle peel followed by an infusion of hyaluronic acid leaves the skin soft and radiant.

To schedule your treatments, call the spa desk at 231-534-6750 .

Spring Spa Specials are available Monday -Thursday, March 8-May 31, 2021. A 20% adjustable gratuity is added on top of service prices at checkout. Gratuity based on regular pricing before discounts. Cannot be substituted with any other services.

Spa Grand Traverse Mother's Day Specials

Available May 1-31, 2021

HydraFacial Mother's Day Special

Want to give Mom the best skin or her life in as little as 30 minutes? Three simple steps exfoliate, extract, and saturate, leaving skin with a radiant glow. Vortex technology easily removes impurities while hydrating skin with antioxidants. Receive $50 off ANY HydraFacial treatment for the entire month of May. This means our 25-minute Signature HydraFacial is only $150.

To schedule your treatments, call the spa desk at 231-534-6750 .

Mother's Day Specials are available May 1-May 31, 2021. A 20% adjustable gratuity is added on top of service prices at checkout. Gratuity based on regular pricing before discounts. Cannot be substituted with any other services.

Mother's Day Digital Spa Gift Card Offer

This Mother's Day give her the gift that gives back!
Receive $20 in Spa Bonus Bucks for every $100 of digital Spa Grand Traverse gift cards you purchase. The digital gift card will be emailed to the person of your choosing and you will receive $25 in bonus bucks via a separate email.
Spa Bonus Bucks are valid until June 30th, 2021.*

PURCHASE A DIGITAL SPA GIFT CARD

Private Spa Experiences are now available at Spa Grand Traverse!

Private Spa Experience - 120 minutes, $500 per two people, add $100 per person for additional guests, gratuity included.

Your private spa experience includes private access to Spa Grand Traverse from 7pm-9pm on select evenings for 2-8 people, a 50-minute massage and small swag bag per person and a bottle of champagne or wine. Guests may also enjoy the relaxation area, hot tubs and indoor pool during their experience.

For more details, contact Chloe at: [email protected] or call 231-534-6756.

Shop Spa Grand Traverse

Your new skincare routine is here! Find your favorite Spa Grand Traverse products and take a little bit of the spa home with you.

Looking for an Eminence product not listed? Check out our affiliate link here : https://eminenceorganics.com/spalink/R1JBMDE3

Support Spa Grand Traverse, and find all the products to create the perfect skincare regimen.

Have any questions about Eminence products or what might be best for your skin? Call the Spa Desk at 231-534-6750 or stop in! We're happy to help!

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SPA GRAND TRAVERSE DIGITAL GIFT CARDS

Click the link below and choose from the Spa Grand Traverse gift card designs, we'll send a digital gift card to your "person to pamper" via email. The digital gift cards can be presented upon arrival at the spa by smartphone or printout. Our digital spa gift cards can be redeemed for all our spa treatments, including massages, facials, and more!

NOTE: Digital spa gift cards are only valid at our spa.

PURCHASE A DIGITAL SPA GIFT CARD

Golf Deals Book a Tee Time

Opening Season Golf Specials

Golf has returned! The Wolverine is open and we are opening The Bear at noon on April 8 and offering a special 18-hole rate of $50 per person with shared golf car.

Call 231-534-6000 or click for tee times: https://www.grandtraverseresort.com/golf/tee-times-rates

Golf has returned! The Wolverine and The Bear are open and we are offering a special 18-hole rate of $50 per person with shared golf car.

Call 231-534-6000 or click for tee times: https://www.grandtraverseresort.com/golf/tee-times-rates

Spa Your Way - $500 Spa Credit Book Now

Our Spa packages just got simple - and simply divine!

Enjoy a spa getaway your way with a flexible spa package. Save 15% off of your spa treatment plus enjoy a $500 Spa Grand Traverse Credit.

Package includes:

2 nights of accommodations
$500 credit for Spa Grand Traverse (per package)*
15% off coupon for Spa Services and/or retail at Spa Grand Traverse**

For pricing and reservations, call 800-236-1577 or book online.

*This offer is available November 8, 2020 - November 6, 2021. This package includes 11% tax and $18.95 nightly resort fee. Rooms at this rate are limited. Not available to groups. May not be combined with other offers. Certain other restrictions may apply. For all accommodations, check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. and check-out is by 11:00 a.m. Spa Credit can be used in Spa Grand Traverse. Call the spa ASAP at 888-437-2SPA to confirm appointment availability. *Credit is per package, NOT Person. **Coupon does not apply to Spa Food and Beverage or Spa specials/discounts.

Spa Your Way - $1,000 Spa Credit Book Now

Our Spa packages just got simple - and simply divine!

Enjoy a spa getaway your way with a flexible spa package. Save 15% off of your spa treatment plus enjoy a $1,000 Spa Grand Traverse Credit.

Package includes:

2 night of accommodations
$1,000 credit for Spa Grand Traverse (per package)*
15% off coupon for Spa Services and/or retail at Spa Grand Traverse**

For pricing and reservations, call 800-236-1577 or book online.

Tennis Promotions

April Junior Verified UTR Match Play

Friday and Saturday, April 16-17

Tennis players - Join us for Grand Traverse Verified UTR Match Play! This event is open to junior players (ages 10-18 years old) and levels. We will group players based on their UTR/level to provide level-based play and competitive matches. Grand Traverse High-Performance members will have priority in matchplay participation.

Get rated or improve your Verified UTR Rating. All scores count towards Verified UTR.
All players will be placed in a 3-hour window, with a 2-match guarantee: Friday 4:00pm-7:00pm, Saturday 12:00pm-3:00pm, Saturday 3:30pm-6:30pm. We will let you know what time slot you're in on the Thursday before the event.
Matches will be 2 out of 3 sets, and 3rd set Super-breaker.

Registration and Details - https://app.myutr.com/events/31563

SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Package with Rove Estate - May 7-9, 2021 Book Now

SOLD OUT - Available on select weekends, our VIP Wine and Spa Weekend is a perfect getaway for couples and friends looking to experience Traverse City's award-winning wine scene. Our team from Spa Grand Traverse is partnering with the team from Rove Estate Winery to offer a truly unique wine experience June 11-13, 2021.

STARTING AT $363* PER PERSON IN THE HOTEL
STARTING AT $415* PER PERSON IN THE TOWER

Package includes:

2 nights of accommodations
VIP Saturday Wine Tour Ticket to Rove Estate Winery (11:30am-2:00pm) includes transportation, wine tasting paired with light food, vineyards history, and wine education
One wine tumbler per person
$275 Credit for Spa Grand Traverse (per package)*
15% off coupon for Spa Grand Traverse**

ABOUT ROVE ESTATE WINERY
It's only from the highest point on the Leelanau Peninsula that one can truly appreciate the breathtaking beauty that is the Traverse Wine Coast. Join them in celebrating our rich Irish heritage and 5th generation farming legacy through an overview of the story of the "Irish Wine geese" and their multi-generational farm. Then, while overlooking the rolling vineyard , you will taste our award-winning wines while they will discuss the art of food and wine pairing, with an emphasis on local food choices. Come thirsty for knowledge, fun, and leave with wine to share with your nearest and dearest. The spirit of Rove will create a lasting memory.

For reservations, call 800-236-1577.

*The above rates are per person, based on double occupancy. The above pricing includes 11% tax and $18.95 nightly resort fee. Rooms at this rate are limited. Not available to groups. May not be combined with other offers. Certain other restrictions may apply. Must be at least 21 years of age. Package includes transportation to and from Rove Estate Winery. The shuttle leaves our lobby at 11:30 am and returns to the Resort by 2:30 pm. *Credit is per package, NOT per Person. **Coupon does not apply to Spa Food & Beverage, Spa specials, or discounts.

2 Night Stay Your Way Package Book Now

It's time to Stay Your Way with our most flexible package ever! Save big on an unbeatable rate plus enjoy a $250 Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Credit. Resort Credit can be used for golf, spa, dining, shopping, and more so you can stay your way and plan your perfect getaway.

Package includes:

2 nights of accommodations
$250.00 Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Credit

For reservations, call 800-236-1577 or book online.

*This offer is available November 8, 2020 - November 6, 2021. This package includes 11% tax and $18.95 nightly resort fee. Rooms at this rate are limited. Not available to groups. May not be combined with other offers. Certain other restrictions may apply. For all accommodations, check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. and check-out is by 11:00 a.m. Resort Credit can be used for golf, spa, dining, shopping, and more. Excludes game play at The Den. Call the spa ASAP at 888-437-2SPA to confirm appointment availability.

SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Weekend with Rove Estate - June 11-13, 2021 Book Now

SOLD OUT - Available on select weekends, our VIP Wine and Spa Weekend is a perfect getaway for couples and friends looking to experience Traverse City's award-winning wine scene. Our team from Spa Grand Traverse is partnering with the team from Rove Estate Winery to offer a truly unique wine experience June 11-13, 2021.

STARTING AT $426* PER PERSON IN THE HOTEL
STARTING AT $488* PER PERSON IN THE TOWER

Package includes:

2 nights of accommodations
VIP Saturday Wine Tour Ticket to Rove Estate Winery (11:00am-2:00pm) includes transportation, wine tasting paired with light food, vineyards history, and wine education
One wine tumbler per person
$275 Credit for Spa Grand Traverse (per package)*
15% off coupon for Spa Grand Traverse**

*The above rates are per person, based on double occupancy. The above pricing includes 11% tax and $18.95 nightly resort fee. Rooms at this rate are limited. Not available to groups. May not be combined with other offers. Certain other restrictions may apply. Must be at least 21 years of age. Package includes transportation to and from Rove Estate Winery. The shuttle leaves our lobby at 11:00 am and returns to the Resort by 2:00 pm. *Credit is per package, NOT per Person. **Coupon does not apply to Spa Food & Beverage, Spa specials, or discounts.

upcoming events

American Cornhole Majors

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Spring Spa Specials

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Derby Day Shootout

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Mother's Day Complimentary Golf

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Mother's Day Specials

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Updates & COVID-19 Info

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Orvis Fly Fishing Schools

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Mother's Day To Go

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Club Member Trial Offer

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Shop Spa Grand Traverse

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barefoot magazine

Mind, Body, and Spirit

Spa, Health Club services support well being

Aristotle once said that humans, by nature, are social animals. So when public health concerns dictated a need to distance ourselves from each other, it was easy to feel lonely and isolated.

What better time, then, to practice self-care — defined as anything you do deliberately to enhance your physical and emotional well-being?

There are many types of self-care, from getting enough sleep to eating better. It can also include a trip to the spa or joining an exercise class. You’ll find any number of options to meet your self-care needs at Spa Grand Traverse or at the Resort’s Health Club.

Self-Care at the Spa

The way you look can affirm your sense of self. A trip to Spa Grand Traverse is a safe and simple way to achieve that goal.

“Taking care of yourself is more important than ever,” says Dawn Olsen, director of Spa and Recreation Operations at the Resort. “When you feel even a little bit better, it just makes everything better.”

In 2020, the Spa established additional safety protocols for the well-being of guests and staff.

“It’s so important that someone can come in and be put at ease right away,” Olsen says. “The Spa can be a place where you can relax and destress, and that’s the importance of any of our beauty services — to provide that self-care and a sense of well-being. It really can be immediately beneficial and make you feel better about the world and yourself.”

Olsen says that guests were delighted to finally get back to the spa last year and that facials have been especially popular. Choices are designed to repair, restore, and/or refresh.

“It’s a simple way to ease back into spa services, and our skin can certainly use them,” she adds. “Taking care of your skin is huge from a self-care aspect.”

A pedicure is another way to put a spring in your step. An express manicure-pedicure

combo includes a quick nail cleanup and a fresh coat of polish to leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. “You can even do a lot with a mini pedicure,”

Olsen says. “You spend a half-hour and leave feeling 10 times better than when you came in.”

Other services include massage, hair artistry, waxing, HydraFacial skin treatment, and NovaLash eyelash extensions.

Health Club

Another way to nurture mind, body, and spirit is to focus on physical well-being. When you feel good physically, the world seems a little brighter, and exercise can keep the mind and body in harmony.

“It’s important to do whatever it is that gives you that sense of well-being,” Olsen says. “Self-care just naturally parlays into fitness and that connection of taking care of yourself physically and mentally.”

Spiritual needs can also be met when you’re fully immersed in your favorite activity, whether that’s on a yoga mat or on a tennis court. The Resort currently offers an array of fitness classes and activities.

“You can work out at home,” Olsen says, “but it’s not the same as being in a room with other people.”

One of the most popular classes last summer was yoga and meditation on the beach. And indoors, there are plenty of large meeting rooms to allow people to spread out.

Aqua aerobics have also continued at the indoor pool and remain as popular as ever.

“We are so fortunate,” Olsen says, “to have all the space that we have.”

Full Article

Facetime

Meeting in person has never been safer

Before 197 attendees of the North American Space Summit gathered in person at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in late summer 2020, there was one overarching concern: if protocols were in place to keep them safe.

“The answer was, ‘Absolutely, yes,’” says Gavin Brown, executive director of the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association, which hosted the three-day conference last August and September. “Indeed, we surpassed their expectations.”

In tandem with the Resort’s events, banquets, and facilities team, Brown spent weeks meticulously planning the hybrid meeting, a blend of virtual and in-person formats that included keynote speakers, panel discussions, group meals, and networking.

In addition to social distancing and the Resort’s temperature scans at all entrances, Brown’s team brought in a second thermal scan device that every attendee used upon entering the event space to “ensure that we got it right,” he says.

“Our concerns were how would we ensure the health and well-being of every person who attended,” says Brown, whose association promotes Michigan’s aerospace manufacturing industry. “Through detailed protocols seamlessly executed by the Resort staff, we demonstrated a stewardship and respect for COVID-19.”

WIDE-OPEN SPACES

With its 86,500 square feet of meeting and event space, the Resort can safely welcome hundreds on its property, where recent renovations included fiber-optic cable throughout the building, a top-to-bottom décor refresh, and touchless restroom amenities.

Beyond the visible changes, the Resort’s events, banquets, and facilities team spent hundreds of hours behind the scenes forging protocols that would ensure the safest events possible.

“We tweaked things every day,” says Mickey Cannon, director of food and beverage. “Every day there were changes and improvements to our safety protocols.”

In addition to medical-grade Clorox Total 360 System Electrostatic Sprayers, which can be used on any surface, the Resort’s investments included touchless temperature stations at all entrances, plexiglass protectors for food and beverage stations, linenless banquet setups, and multiple hours of training for all staff on cleaning procedures and the use of chemicals.

The Resort’s ability to pivot so well was due to leadership, says Gaye O’Neal, director of conference & food services.

“When this all first started happening, our general manager and management team got ahead of it and created every scenario — we’ve been able to anticipate quickly as things have been opening up,” she says. “We had our game plan, and when we had to change at the last minute, the team was trained and ready to go.”

Creating a safe space for people to meet has become more important than ever, says Katie Leonard, director of sales.

“People crave it,” says Leonard, who has been receiving calls from banking, insurance, finance, technology, and real estate event planners. “A lot of these associations that I talk to, their attendees want to gather, network, and meet in person.”

Meetings and events are trending away from in-person to a hybrid style, which utilizes the Resort’s in-house A/V team, high-end technological capabilities, and state-of-the-art sound system, all upgraded this past year.

“A lot of groups have moved to hybrid,” Leonard says. “Hybrid is really going to be the story in 2021.”

2021: FULL SPEED AHEAD

Brown says the hybrid approach worked so well at the North American Space Summit that he began registering attendees for the 2021 conference.

“We’ve gotten 30 percent asking if they can re-register,” says Brown, whose fourth conference with the Resort is scheduled for early fall again. “We expect 400 to 500 next year.”

He believes that the high demand for next year is because his organization made the conscious decision to engage business in 2020.

“What we are doing is building a space ecosystem in Michigan, and the only way to do that is by bringing individual companies together to build interpersonal relationships,” says Brown, whose association launched in 2007. “It was so important to hold this in person, because business decisions were predicated on the interactions that happened in this conference.”

The reaction from the summit’s attendees was “outstanding,” Brown says.

“The summit was the first time they were able to engage clients face-to-face (since the COVID-19 shutdown),” he says. “The level of trust they couldn’t get virtually was nurtured and established at our conference because the Resort was extremely good at implementing the protocols that we needed to have to ensure the safety of each and every one of our guests.”

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Carrying on the Work of Ancestors

Grand Traverse Band supports is people

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is looking to the future with confidence and commitment.

“Our people are optimistic and pleased about the future,” says Tribal Chairman David Arroyo. “They want to continue what past leaders started, to continue to grow. We are carrying on the work of those who came before us.”

And that growth continues as the tribe supports a variety of projects across the Grand Traverse region.

For example, Turtle Creek Hotel & Casino sponsors the Traverse City Spring Horse Show at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg. The multiweek event kicks off the season at the horse park and draws hundreds. Riders compete for both prestige and prize money. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, spectators were not allowed to attend in 2020.

The 2021 edition is scheduled for June 9-27.

In December 2019, officials from the casino announced they had purchased naming rights for the 4,660-seat baseball park of the Traverse City Pit Spitters of the collegiate Northwoods League. The ballpark is now known as Turtle Creek Stadium and is a must-see venue for baseball fans who visit northern Michigan.

The park sits about three miles south of Traverse City and has evolved into an entertainment facility that hosts movie nights, concerts, meetings, and more.

The city of Traverse City and the tribe worked together on an eye-catching mural in the Clinch Park tunnel downtown.

“It combines elements of style and calligraphy,” explains Colorado artist Bobby MaGee Lopez, who has Apache ancestry and created the panels that line the walls of the tunnel. “Its imagery features bold colors, draws awareness to the area, and pays homage to Native American culture.”

The work also credits the previous tribal wall art created by artist Lois Beardslee. Time and the environment had degraded her creation over the years. The new mural weaves in themes and images that include plants and animals, tribal symbolism, body markings, and tattoos.

Since 1994, the Grand Traverse Band has awarded more than $41 million in gaming revenue to local units of government to support emergency services, social services, and school projects in the region.

Tribal government continues work on placing lands into trust; negotiating fishing and gaming contracts; and providing for the health, education, safety, and wellbeing of 4,000-plus tribal members.

Vital to those efforts is the tribe’s Grand Traverse Economic Development (GTED) and its two subsidiaries, Grand Traverse Engineering and Construction (GTEC) and Bay Shore Steel Works. The tribe purchased GTEC in 2014 to provide construction management, civil engineering, water resources planning, and transportation engineering services to federal, state, commercial, and tribal entities.

In 2019, the tribe bought Bay Shore Steel Works, a full-service component manufacturer and finisher that supplies the Department of Defense with armor plate components for assault vehicles and tanks.

Tribal officials are aware of the progress their people have made and are dedicated to continuing improvements.

“Every day we are making history,” says Arroyo, who has served on the tribal council since 2004. “We are going to get there. When our children look back, what will they see? Remember, what we do today matters.”

Full Article

The Den

This is how we play

THE DEN, a new 3,000-square-foot entertainment center, combines a classic arcade vibe with high-tech and group activities to deliver family-friendly fun with an up north flair. Featured attractions include virtual reality and arcade games, northern Michigan’s first axe-throwing range, miniature bowling, an escape room, and a bar.

“IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITYto bring more entertainment into the building,” says Matthew Bryant, the Resort’s general manager. He designed The Den in partnership with Illinois-based Family Entertainment Group. “It is something that really just enhanced the amenities that we had.”

WHILE THE INDOOR GAMES COMPLEMENT the Resort’s outdoor activities, The Den’s bar — which serves housemade pizza, fried wonton pickles, cocktails, and more — diversifies the Resort’s dining options.

“What we’re trying to do with the food and beverage here is to have outlets that are distinct so the experiences are different,” Bryant says, contrasting The Den’s upscale pub fare with Aerie’s fine dining, and its high-energy atmosphere with Jack’s laidback vibe. “The Den is that action room; that’s where you get that energy back together.”

AND THERE IS ACTION APLENTY. Two lanes of axe-throwing foster friendly adult competition, while the Egyptian-themed escape room encourages teamwork and problem-solving. The VR experiences, which are open to users 10 and older, include a roller coaster simulation and the Beat Saber rhythm game. The arcade, where players pay with reloadable, reusable swipe cards, features both the latest video games and old favorites.

Even though many of The Den’s attractions are geared toward adults and older kids, families with little ones can still enjoy the games and mini bowling. The Den’s four lanes are shorter than traditional ones, and the pins and bowling balls are smaller. Players wear their own shoes the entire time.

WHEN ALLENDALE LIFESTYLE BLOGGER Kristin Jones visited the Resort last summer with her husband and son, she was impressed by The Den’s activity selection. Even her toddler enjoyed knocking down pins.

“It was really fun,” Jones says. “You can tell they didn’t just throw a few arcade games in there. It was super well-thought-out, and there was always something different. You could spend hours in there.”

That thoughtfulness goes back to Bryant, who combined northern Michigan imagery “lumber, bear, and buffalo plaid” — with his own interests to create a trendy space with retro touches. For example, Flint-style Coney dogs, which he grew up eating in his hometown, are on the menu, while the color scheme pays homage to Star Wars.

THE RESULT IS A HIP, FUN HANGOUT for guests of all ages. “It’s a place where a group of adults can come and have a great time,” says Scott Brown, director of marketing at Family Entertainment Group. “Or a family with kids can come and have a great time, or a business meeting can come and have some team building.”

Full Article

It's Great Outdoors

Resort is surrounded by opportunities to explore.

Most hotel properties only extend as far as the edge of the parking lot.

That’s not the case at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, where guests have near-endless opportunities to explore the great outdoors. The property encompasses 900 beautiful acres that change character effortlessly from one season to the next.

Rolling green summertime fairways transition to displays of northern Michigan fall color, which in turn fade to snowy wintertime expanses suited to escapades on snowshoes or cross-country skis.

At Grand Traverse Resort, you’re never cooped up indoors — no matter the season. Here are a few outdoor adventures to try during your visit.

Golf: With 54 holes of championship golf, Grand Traverse Resort is one of northern Michigan’s largest, most expansive, and most revered destinations for golfers from all around the world. Collectively, the Resort’s three golf courses — Spruce Run (its first, opened in 1979), The Wolverine (designed by Gary Player), and The Bear (designed by Jack Nicklaus) — have earned a slew of awards and accolades from the likes of Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Links Magazine. If you’ve got golf on the brain, just be sure to book your tee time early: Summer 2020 was the busiest season on record for the golf courses at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

Beach Club: Traverse City is one of the most popular summertime destinations in the entire Midwest, known for its gorgeous weather, beautiful beaches, and wealth of festivals and events. A drawback of this popularity? Finding even a few square feet of space to call your own at a local beach isn’t always an easy feat during the warmest months. Luckily, as a guest or member of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, you can enjoy private beach access at our Beach Club, situated right on East Grand Traverse Bay. Relax on the beach and work on your tan, jump into the water for a refreshing swim on a hot day, or take in a splendid sunset on a warm summer evening. Through a contract with Blue Sky Rentals, we’re also able to offer a variety of watersport opportunities at the Beach Club — whether that takes the form of a sunrise paddleboard or a Jet Ski race across the gleaming surface of the bay.

On-property adventures: With 900 acres of property right outside the door, guests find that there are plenty of ways to fit in their customary morning jog or afternoon walk while visiting. These opportunities don’t disappear with seasonal shifts, either. With plenty of trees on the property, guests will find ample spots to snap stunning fall color photos in September and October. As for winter, don’t forget to pack snowshoes or cross-country skis for a trek across Resort property.

Off-property adventures: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is located in proximity to some of the best hiking, biking, running, and cross-country skiing that northern Michigan has to offer. Popular draws like the TART (Traverse Area Recreational Trail), the Vasa Pathway, and the Maple Bay Natural Area are just minutes away. Guests can catch the

TART trail nearby and bike all the way to downtown Traverse city — and beyond to Suttons Bay in Leelanau County if they want to. Guests also regularly plan day trips to other parks throughout the region, including Mission Point Lighthouse on Old Mission Peninsula and the world-famous Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. And opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, boating, and tubing are plentiful. No matter the type of outdoor experience you’re looking for, northern Michigan has something to suit.

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Specials & Packages

Michigan Vacation Packages

Spa Your Way - $250 Spa Credit

TWO-NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF PACKAGE

ONE-NIGHT GOLF PACKAGE

Membership

Spa Deals

Golf Deals

Spa Your Way - $500 Spa Credit

Spa Your Way - $1,000 Spa Credit

Tennis Promotions

SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Package with Rove Estate - May 7-9, 2021

2 Night Stay Your Way Package

SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Weekend with Rove Estate - June 11-13, 2021

Spa Your Way - $250 Spa Credit Book Now

TWO-NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF PACKAGE Book Now

ONE-NIGHT GOLF PACKAGE Book Now

Membership Learn More

Spa Deals

Spring Spa Specials

Spa Grand Traverse Mother's Day Specials

Private Spa Experiences are now available at Spa Grand Traverse!

Shop Spa Grand Traverse

SPA GRAND TRAVERSE DIGITAL GIFT CARDS

Golf Deals Book a Tee Time

Opening Season Golf Specials

Spa Your Way - $500 Spa Credit Book Now

Spa Your Way - $1,000 Spa Credit Book Now

Tennis Promotions

April Junior Verified UTR Match Play

SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Package with Rove Estate - May 7-9, 2021 Book Now

2 Night Stay Your Way Package Book Now

SOLD OUT - VIP Wine & Spa Weekend with Rove Estate - June 11-13, 2021 Book Now

upcoming events

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