Upscale Staycations Up North

From geodesic domes to a Victorian-inspired inn to a downtown hotel, what makes a visit truly luxury?

By Anna Faller | Oct. 12, 2024

When you hear “luxury vacation” what do you think of? Is it a sumptuous bed with satin pillows? A swim-up bar on a pristine beach? Spa services or award-winning golf courses? A certain number of hotel rating stars?

Northern Express caught up with two local accommodations that market themselves in the luxury travel category—Silver Birch Resort (Williamsburg) and the Inn at Bay Harbor (Bay Harbor)—and heard from the developers for a planned hotel in downtown Traverse City for the scoop on top-tier amenities, room rates, and what the bang for your (not insubstantial) buck really looks like.

A Natural Getaway

If you didn’t know Silver Birch Resort (pictured) was there, you’d probably miss it. Built into 75 acres of forest in Williamsburg, complete with a carved wooden moose at the entrance, the property houses 12 geodome rentals—and owners Rob and Gina Evina, also of local furniture manufacturer and retailer Woodland Creek Furniture, have more on the docket.

“So many people over the years had told me that we should do cabins someday,” Rob explains. “But the lightbulb went off when I saw [the geodomes], just because of the feeling you get when you walk in.”

For those who haven’t walked into a geodome (short for geodesic dome) before, they are semi-circular structures fashioned with a thin, translucent covering over load-bearing triangles that support the orb-like shape. Imagine the igloos you find at local restaurants and breweries, then make them about 10 times bigger and way studier to weather the elements.

Opened in July 2023, the resort is surrounded by state-preserved land on three sides, which not only serves as welcome camouflage, but also dampens any sounds of traffic from nearby M-72. Each dome also comes with its own border of foliage (which ranges from 80 to 300 feet, per the website), ensuring both privacy and seclusion.

Rustic tent camping, though, this is not. On each plot is a geodome “home,” which comes in two styles and offers between about 800 and 1,000 square feet of living space. The first six are anchored by a wooden deck and feature separate sleeping and living quarters, while the second group have a concrete foundation and combine facilities under one roof. Per Evina, all 12 have passed the same structural regulations as a commercial building.

Inside, the décor is rustic-chic, courtesy of Gina, with large area rugs offering floor insulation and raw wood furnishings accented by natural tones dominating the living space.

Each dome can accommodate two to six people—five are what Evina calls “couple domes,” as they feature only a king-sized bed, while the others have bunk bed configurations—and feature many of the same amenities you might expect at a structured resort. These include high-end mattresses, a fully-equipped kitchenette with stainless appliances, an en-suite bathroom with stand-up shower, and a host of connective comforts, like Wi-Fi, electricity, and temperature control.

Outside, each dome has its own mini-oasis, comprising a covered wood patio (complete with a dining setup), forest hammock, and a full soaker tub. There’s also a laundry facility onsite, as well as a small pond for guests to enjoy.

“We’ve tried to create paradise in the middle of a pristine forest,” Evina says.

With occupancy on the incline, the domes’ average cost is still in flux. A typical nightly rate (including fees) in July or August is about $500, which drops to $400 through the rest of the season. And stay tuned for three classic cabins, which are scheduled to enter the rental queue next year.

Find Silver Birch Resort at 4575 Moore Rd. in Williamsburg. The resort is open, weather permitting, from April to November. (866) 950-3415. silverbirchmichigan.com

The Classic Luxe Experience

Tucked along Little Traverse Bay, the Inn at Bay Harbor is lakeside luxe at its finest. Opened in 1998, this Victorian-style inn is a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel and a member of the sprawling Boyne Resorts family. It consists of 113 units and 27 standalone cottages, as well as two golf courses, all with meticulously-designed facilities.

For starters, each room comes with a view of either Lake Michigan or the opposing rock quarry (though note that the former does up the price tag). From there, it’s all about the amenities, which the inn strives to ensure are first-class quality. Every guest room features Lady Americana beds—that’s a custom-craft company out of Grand Rapids—as well as a host of cushy extras including down comforters and designer toiletries. Most rooms are also equipped with an outdoor balcony, which can be shared or private.

Size-wise, guest rooms can sleep up to four, but depending on the style you choose, could include extra space and details like fireplaces, kitchenettes, and in-room laundry. The suites, of course, are even bigger, offering space for up to 10 people. In fact, some suites are actually two rooms combined, which can be rented individually, or connected for larger families and groups.

Separate from the hotel are the cottages, which come in two locations and styles: the Lakeside Cottages, which are next to the inn, and the Crooked Tree Cottages along the eponymous golf course. Both have access to inn amenities and range in size from two to three bedrooms.

Other luxury touches throughout the inn include afternoon tea service, served daily from 2-4pm, as well as a full-service spa (complete with a pool and fitness classes), and a range of premium experiences headlined by cruises aboard a Hinckley yacht. There are also a few onsite dining options, notably the Sagamore Room for sit-down breakfast (which is rolled into the room rate), as well as the Vintage Chophouse Wine Bar, which received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024.

As for the price of a nightly stay? It varies by season. Per Ernst, the inn also yields its rates, which means cost is lower when you book in advance. She estimates a high-season starting price of $225 per night for a standard room, while a cabin or penthouse suite could hit upwards of a few thousand dollars. For a fall color getaway, weekend room rates start around $700 per night at the time of this printing.

While you might come for the amenities, it’s the attention to detail you’ll come back for and the personalized service the Inn at Bay Harbor staff implements. “They really get to know our guests,” Ernst adds. “That’s what sets the Inn apart.”

Find the Inn at Bay Harbor at 3600 Village Harbor Dr. in Bay Harbor. (855) 351-4295. innatbayharbor.com.

A Modern Take

Coming soon: Plans are also underway for a boutique luxury hotel in Traverse City’s Warehouse District. The project, helmed by real estate and private equity firm Great Lakes Capital (GLC), is slated for installation at the long-vacant 124 West Front Street lot.

Per GLC Managing Director and Principal Kristen Sawdon, the group envisions an activated hotel and community space with a foodie focus—in fact, she anticipates multiple eateries—as well as a layout tailored to celebrate the region’s natural splendor. In the build, this will translate to dedicated green space along the Boardman, as well as a posterior courtyard suited for groups and events.

“We have a hospitality-driven design and management approach,” she notes. “The goal is to deliver a welcoming, first-class experience for both guests and the community.”

The plan is to install an all-glass façade and entryway along westbound Front Street, which will give way to the aforementioned courtyard and approximately 65 feet (about four stories) of guest accommodations. The most up-to-date room count is 140, up from the original 115, which will include a combination of rooms and suites, headlined by a mix of king and double-queen beds.

Other structural amenities will include an underground parking garage, which Sawdon estimates will be sized to accommodate between 60 and 70 cars, as well as valet parking services and an affiliation with a well-known hospitality chain, though specifics are still in the works.

The true luxury focus here, though, she stresses, will be the drinks and dining scene. Inside the hotel, guests can expect a spacious 7,000- or 8,000-square-foot restaurant as well as a rooftop bar (complete with views of Grand Traverse Bay), a French-themed breakfast and brunch café, a lobby bar, and maybe even a society-style beverage club, alongside retail options.

Though a finalized timeline is still in the works, ground-break has been tentatively scheduled for summer 2025, with a grand opening the following year.

“We’ve heard and seen the desire for a boutique hotel here in Traverse City, and we could not be more excited about bringing this project to the area,” Sawdon says.

The 124 W. Front Street property is still under development. Contact Great Lakes Capital (GLC) at (574) 251-4400. greatlakescapital.com.