Honeymoon stays at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa — what to expect
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is a large, all-ages resort with wedding and honeymoon-friendly spaces, on-site Spa Grand Traverse, multiple dining venues (including Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the Tower’s 16th floor), indoor/outdoor pools, and a private Beach Club on East Grand Traverse Bay. Expect family-friendly facilities across the property but two outdoor hot tubs reserved for adults and plenty of options for a romantic stay if you choose quieter room types like Tower Deluxe King Bed or a Shores One Bedroom Condo for more privacy.
In this guide
Where the resort sits and who it suits
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is at 100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard in Acme, Michigan, on a large 900-acre property northeast of Traverse City. The resort is about a 10–15 minute drive from Cherry Capital Airport (TVC).
This is a family-oriented resort with a mix of facilities for children (indoor water playground, family hot tub, multiple pools) and adult-oriented amenities (Spa Grand Traverse, two outdoor adults-only hot tubs). That means honeymooners should pick room types and activities deliberately if they want quieter spaces.
- Nearest airport: Cherry Capital Airport (about 10 minutes by resort shuttle)
- Property highlights: private Beach Club on East Grand Traverse Bay, 54 holes of championship golf, Spa Grand Traverse
- Who it fits: couples who want resort amenities plus easy access to wineries and lakeside attractions; not an adults-only property
| Nearby places | Approx. travel time |
|---|---|
| Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) | About 10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Traverse City | About 20 minutes |
| Old Mission Peninsula wineries | Short drive (varies by winery) |
Rooms and which ones honeymooners often prefer
Room types range from standard guest rooms to condo-style options. If you prefer a higher-floor view and a more traditional hotel room layout, consider the Tower Deluxe King Bed or Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds. For condo-style privacy and a small kitchen, look at Shores One Bedroom Condo, Valleyview One Bedroom Condo, or Shores Studio Condo.
The property lists a variety of room configurations; when booking, check bed types and whether a sofa bed is included if you want separate sleeping and living areas.
- Tower Deluxe King Bed — single king bed, higher-floor views from the Tower
- Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds — two queen beds, Tower location
- Shores One Bedroom Condo — 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed, kitchenette/living area
- Valleyview One Bedroom Condo — 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed, golf views
- Shores Studio Condo — 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed with balcony option
| Room name | Good for |
|---|---|
| Tower Deluxe King Bed | Couples wanting Tower views and a standard hotel room |
| Shores One Bedroom Condo | Couples who want extra living space and a kitchenette |
| Deluxe Studio, with Sofa bed, Balcony, Beachside (Shores Studio Condo) | Couples wanting a balcony and beachside location |
Dining options for a honeymoon meal
Aerie Restaurant & Lounge is the resort’s signature dining venue on the 16th floor of the Tower and is noted for panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay — reservations are recommended for sunset dinner. NIIJII Restaurant, Jack’s Taproom, The Den, the Grand Lobby Bar and Marketplace provide a range of casual to elevated choices on property.
If a private meal or quieter setting is important, ask the concierge about quieter seating times (weekday evenings, early dinners) or about arranging a special table at Aerie. In-room breakfast add-ons are available through the resort (breakfast is not included with standard room rates).
- Aerie Restaurant & Lounge — contemporary American, dinner and Sunday brunch; recommended for sunset views
- NIIJII Restaurant — Anishinaabe-inspired menu with vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options
- Jack’s Taproom — pub fare and craft beer for a relaxed meal
- Marketplace — coffee and grab-and-go for mornings or light bites
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Aerie Restaurant & Lounge | Dinner; Sunday brunch |
| NIIJII Restaurant | Breakfast & dinner (hours vary) |
| Jack's Taproom | Lunch & dinner; casual pub fare |
Spa, wellness and timing a couples treatment
Spa Grand Traverse is the on-site spa with couples treatment rooms and a menu of facials, massages, and signature offerings. The spa requires reservations for treatments and has age restrictions for services: guests under 16 are not permitted for massage and body care, and a guardian must accompany guests under 17.
Spa hours vary by day (the spa posts hours on the resort site). Consider booking treatments well in advance of your travel dates to secure a couples room and to coordinate with dinner reservations or other plans.
- Spa reservations are required for treatments and recommended far ahead for weekend or peak-season stays
- Spa signature services include facials and multiple massage options (actual menu varies)
- Serenity Day Pass (if available) gives broader access to the dry sauna, pools, hot tubs, and relaxation lounges — check the spa for current inclusions and rules
| Spa hours (typical) | Days |
|---|---|
| 9:00am–4:00pm | Sunday & Monday |
| 9:00am–6:00pm | Tuesday–Thursday & Saturday |
| 9:00am–8:00pm | Friday |
Pools, Beach Club access and adults-only spots
The resort has multiple pools: two indoor pools, two outdoor pools (seasonal), an Indoor Water Playground and a family-friendly indoor hot tub kept at a lower temperature. One outdoor pool (Governors' Pool) overlooks the Spruce Run golf course and has its own Pool Bar.
Although the resort welcomes families, it reserves two outdoor hot tubs just outside the Health Club pool area for adult use only. If you want quieter pool time, plan to use adults-only hot tubs or visit the Beach Club during non-peak hours.
- Indoor Water Playground and family hot tub make daytime pool areas lively with children
- Two outdoor adults-only hot tubs are located near the Health Club pools
- Private Beach Club (seasonal) overlooks East Grand Traverse Bay and includes a pool/deck area and food/beverage options; season dates vary
| Pool type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Indoor pools | Two pools; one offers lap swim hours in the morning before the slide opens |
| Outdoor pools | Two outdoor pools; seasonal opening/closing dates vary |
| Beach Club | Seasonal access; includes sand/beach deck and food/drink service |
Activities, day trips and timing your visit
Use the resort as a base for day trips: Old Mission Peninsula wineries, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, historic Fishtown in Leland, and downtown Traverse City are all driveable from the property. Summer (June–September) brings the warmest lake and beach weather and the National Cherry Festival in early July; late May and September are quieter shoulder months.
On property you can book golf tee times (reservations required), tennis lessons, fitness classes at the Health Club, and boat rentals at the Beach Club when in season. If you want to include outdoor excursions in your honeymoon, leave a day free for a winery drive or a lakeshore scenic drive (M-22).
- Reserve golf tee times and spa treatments in advance
- Best months for warm beach weather: June–September; shoulder months: late May and September
- Popular nearby destinations: Old Mission Peninsula wineries, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Fishtown
| Activity | Booking note |
|---|---|
| Golf (three courses) | Tee times required |
| Spa treatments | Reservations required |
| Beach Club / boat rentals | Seasonal; check Beach Club dates |
Practical tips for honeymooners
Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM; the front desk is open 24 hours. The resort typically charges a nightly resort fee that covers access to the Health Club and pools, and it operates free self-parking with an optional valet service and electric vehicle charging stations.
The resort runs a complimentary shuttle to and from Cherry Capital Airport on the half hour; shuttles to Turtle Creek Casino and the Beach Club run seasonally or by request — ask the bellstand for current schedules. The property has a strict no-pet policy except for ADA-recognized trained service animals.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM. Check-out: 11:00 AM.
- Primary guest must be at least 21 to check in.
- Wi‑Fi is included across the property; parking is free for self-parking.
- Pets are not allowed (service animals accepted); violations can result in fines and possible eviction.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Airport shuttle | Complimentary to/from Cherry Capital Airport (schedule on-site) |
| Resort fee | Typical nightly fee covers pools and Health Club access; inclusions may vary |
