Best rooms at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa — ranked and who each suits
Best rooms depend on your priorities: choose Deluxe Room, Bay View for bay and sunset views (and easy access to Aerie on the Tower), Tower Deluxe King Bed or Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds for the Tower experience and higher floors, and Shores One Bedroom Condo or Valleyview One Bedroom Condo if you need a kitchenette and separate living space for families. The Premier Triple Room, Golf View, Tower is the practical pick for golfers who want course-facing rooms in the Tower.
In this guide
Best room for bay views and sunset dinners
If your goal is sweeping water views and quick access to Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, book the Deluxe Room, Bay View. The listing specifically notes 'Bay View' and a 360 sq. ft. room size on the resort room types list.
Aerie sits on the 16th floor of the Tower and offers panoramic views over Grand Traverse Bay, so Bay View rooms put you near the resort’s signature sunset dining option.
- Room named exactly: Deluxe Room, Bay View (360 sq. ft. / Bay View / 4 Guests)
- Good for couples and guests who want sunset views
- Close to Aerie Restaurant & Lounge for reserved sunset dining
| What you get | Who it's best for |
|---|---|
| Bay-facing windows; 360 sq. ft. | Couples and sunset-focused stays |
| Option for 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds | Travelers wanting flexible bedding |
| Near Tower dining (Aerie) | Guests who plan evening meals at the resort |
Best rooms for the Tower experience
For the Tower feel—higher floors and proximity to Aerie and the 16th-floor views—consider Tower Deluxe King Bed or Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds. These room types are listed among the resort’s Tower offerings.
Tower rooms give the shortest walk to Aerie and the Tower public spaces; they’re the natural pick if you want the Tower itself as part of your stay rather than a ground-level villa or condo.
- Room names exactly: Tower Deluxe King Bed; Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds
- Best for guests who value Tower location and quick access to Aerie
- Tower Deluxe King Bed is appropriate for single couples; Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds fits groups needing two beds
| Tower option | When to pick it |
|---|---|
| Tower Deluxe King Bed | Couples wanting a King bed and Tower proximity |
| Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds | Families or friends who need two beds |
Best rooms for families and longer stays
Families or guests who want a kitchenette and separate living space should choose the Shores One Bedroom Condo, Valleyview One Bedroom Condo, or Shores Studio Condo. These units are listed with sofa-bed options and kitchen/dining features in the resort room list.
Condos are on the Beachside or Valleyview categories, which place you either near the beach/Beach Club (Shores) or with golf/grounds views (Valleyview). They provide more living space and sofa-bed sleeping for kids.
- Room names exactly: Room, with Sofa bed, Kitchen, Beachside (Shores One Bedroom Condo); Deluxe Room, with Sofa bed, Golf View (Valleyview One Bedroom Condo); Deluxe Studio, with Sofa bed, Balcony, Beachside (Shores Studio Condo)
- Shores units are Beachside and include a kitchenette; Valleyview units emphasize golf/grounds views
- Best for families who want separate sleeping/living areas and flexibility with meals
| Unit | Sleeping configuration |
|---|---|
| Shores One Bedroom Condo | 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Valleyview One Bedroom Condo | 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Shores Studio Condo | 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
Best room for golfers and course views
Golfers who want to be close to the courses and to resort golf services should consider the Premier Triple Room, Golf View, Tower. The room name and 'Golf View' designation indicate rooms that face or overlook the golf property.
The resort operates three championship courses on property; booking a Golf View Tower room keeps players near the Clubhouse and tee-time services.
- Room named exactly: Premier Triple Room, Golf View, Tower
- Best for guests planning multiple rounds or quick access to golf services
- Works for small groups who want a King bed plus extra sleeping flexibility
| Why it fits golfers | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Course-facing views | Room labeled 'Golf View' in the Tower |
| Close access to Clubhouse and The Grille | Shorter transfer to tee times and golf shop |
| Sleeps with King bed configuration | Good for one or two golfers sharing the room |
Best budget or flexible options
If you want the simplest option or flexible bedding, the Standard Room is the baseline: listed with either 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds. Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds can also be a practical choice when you want Tower access without specialized views.
Standard rooms put you within the main hotel inventory and are often the easiest to book for short stays or when you don’t need a condo or Tower suite.
- Room names exactly: Standard Room (1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds); Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds
- Best when you want straightforward sleeping arrangements and resort amenity access
- Standard Room is a practical pick for short stays and guests not prioritizing views
| Option | Why pick it |
|---|---|
| Standard Room | Baseline, flexible bedding, simpler booking |
| Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds | Tower proximity with two-bed option |
How to pick: quick booking tips
Decide on priorities first: bay sunset views (Deluxe Room, Bay View), Tower proximity (Tower Deluxe King Bed or Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds), family space/kitchenette (Shores/Valleyview condos), or golf access (Premier Triple Room, Golf View, Tower).
Reserve spa treatments, golf tee times, and any shuttle needs in advance; the resort requires reservations for spa services and golf tee times. If you need the airport shuttle, check schedules with the bellstand or front desk.
- Check-in starts at 4:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM (resort times listed in property facts).
- Reservations required for Spa Grand Traverse treatments and for golf tee times.
- Nightly resort fee typically covers Health Club and pool access, Wi‑Fi and shuttle; inclusions can vary by booking channel.
| Common question | What the resort record says |
|---|---|
| Are spa and golf reservations needed? | Yes — the resort requires reservations for spa treatments and golf tee times |
| Does the resort have shuttle service to the airport? | Yes — a complimentary shuttle to/from Cherry Capital Airport operates; check schedules |
| Is the property family-friendly? | Yes — it features an Indoor Water Playground and family-friendly pools |
