What’s included at the resort and what costs extra
Room rates at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa include your guest room and standard in-room Wi‑Fi; most stays are subject to a nightly resort fee that typically covers fitness-center and pool access, parking and shuttle service. Extras you’ll pay for separately include dining, spa treatments and specialty activities such as golf tee times, lessons, and some fitness classes.
In this guide
- What your room rate covers
- Nightly resort fee: what it usually includes
- Pools, Beach Club and family facilities (what’s included vs. paid extras)
- Spa Grand Traverse and wellness services (mostly extra)
- Dining, bars and breakfast options
- Golf, lessons, activities and event spaces (mostly paid)
- Parking, shuttles and hotel policies
What your room rate covers
Your base room rate covers the guest room itself (examples of room types: Tower Deluxe King Bed, Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, Standard Room, Premier Triple Room, Golf View, Tower, Deluxe Room, Bay View, Room, with Sofa bed, Kitchen, Beachside (Shores One Bedroom Condo), Deluxe Room, with Sofa bed, Golf View (Valleyview One Bedroom Condo), and Deluxe Studio, with Sofa bed, Balcony, Beachside (Shores Studio Condo)).
Complimentary in-room Wi‑Fi is provided across the property and check-in starts at 4:00 PM with check-out by 11:00 AM. The resort is smoke-free and the primary guest checking in must be at least 21 years old.
- Included: guest room, in-room Wi‑Fi, access to pools/health club if covered by resort fee (see next section).
- Included: free self-parking on site (valet is optional and may carry a charge).
- Not included in the nightly room rate: most meals, spa treatments, golf tee times, specialty classes and rentals.
| Common Room Types | Bed(s) |
|---|---|
| Tower Deluxe King Bed | 1 King Bed |
| Tower Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds | 2 Queen Beds |
| Room, with Sofa bed, Kitchen, Beachside (Shores One Bedroom Condo) | 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
Nightly resort fee: what it usually includes
Most bookings include a nightly resort fee. The fee is charged separately from the room rate and covers a package of resort services — the exact inclusions can vary by booking channel and date.
Common items covered by the resort fee are fitness-center and pool access, parking, and airport/casino shuttles; some channels also list phone calls or internet access as included, so confirm your reservation details.
- Typical inclusions: Health Club & Fitness Center access, seasonal outdoor pool and Beach Club access, Wi‑Fi, parking, airport/casino shuttle, preferred golf/tennis pricing.
- Why check: the fee amount and precise inclusions can differ across OTAs and direct bookings — look at your confirmation or ask the front desk for the resort-fee breakdown.
| Service | Commonly Included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Health Club & pools | Yes | Usually covered by the resort fee |
| Airport shuttle (TVC) | Yes | Complimentary shuttle to/from Cherry Capital Airport; schedule may vary |
| Meals and in-room dining | No | Restaurants and in-room dining are charged separately |
Pools, Beach Club and family facilities (what’s included vs. paid extras)
The resort operates two indoor pools, two outdoor pools, an Indoor Water Playground and a family-friendly indoor hot tub; access to pools and the private Beach Club on East Grand Traverse Bay is typically covered under the resort fee or available to registered guests depending on season and program rules.
Some pool areas have age restrictions: two outdoor hot tubs just outside the Health Club pool area are reserved for adult use only, while the indoor hot tub is maintained at a lower temperature for children.
- Included for most guests: indoor pools, Indoor Water Playground, family hot tub, seasonal Beach Club access (seasonal closing dates apply).
- Seasonal notes: Beach Club and some outdoor pools close for the season (Beach Club noted to close in late September; individual pool open/close dates vary).
- Paid or limited extras: some Beach Club programs, boat rentals or specialty pool events may carry additional charges.
| Facility | Included for Guests? |
|---|---|
| Indoor Water Playground | Yes (access normally included) |
| Beach Club / Fin’s Sandbar | Guest access usually included seasonally; some services (boat rentals, food/drink) cost extra |
| Governors' Pool (seasonal) | Open seasonally; pool bar and some services cost extra |
Spa Grand Traverse and wellness services (mostly extra)
Spa Grand Traverse is onsite and offers massages, facials and signature treatments; spa services require advance reservations and are charged separately from the room rate. The spa also offers a Serenity Day Pass that includes use of pools, saunas and relaxation areas.
Age rules apply: guests under 16 are not permitted for massage and body care services, and guests under 17 must be accompanied by a guardian in the spa. Check spa hours before booking treatments.
- Spa treatments: charged per service; reservations required.
- Serenity Day Pass: paid admission that can include dry sauna, pools/hot tubs, cold plunge or relaxation loungers — confirm inclusions when booking.
- Fitness classes such as cycling, yoga, barre-fusion typically carry an additional fee (example: some classes listed around $15).
| Spa Feature | Paid? |
|---|---|
| Massage and body treatments | Yes — by appointment |
| Serenity Day Pass | Yes — access to spa facilities |
| Sauna / steam / cold plunge (with pass) | Yes — often included with Serenity Day Pass |
Dining, bars and breakfast options
On-site restaurants and bars (Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, NIIJII Restaurant, Jack’s Taproom, The Den Bar, Grand Lobby Bar, Marketplace and others) operate as separate outlets and charge per meal. Aerie is located on the 16th floor and reservations are recommended for popular times like sunset and Sunday brunch.
The property is not an all‑inclusive resort: meals, alcoholic drinks and room service are billed separately. An optional breakfast fee has been listed by some booking channels as a paid add-on.
- Not included: regular meals, alcohol and room-service charges.
- Possible extra charges: special menus (e.g., Aerie’s Early Birdie menu is a fixed-price option) and private-event dining.
- Marketplace provides coffee and grab-and-go items for purchase.
| Restaurant / Bar | Typical Hours / Notes |
|---|---|
| Aerie Restaurant & Lounge | Dinner & Sunday Brunch; reservations recommended |
| NIIJII Restaurant | Breakfast and dinner (hours vary) |
| Jack’s Taproom | Pub fare and bar service; family-friendly |
Golf, lessons, activities and event spaces (mostly paid)
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa manages three championship golf courses (54 holes) and a year-round golf academy; golf tee times, greens fees, club rentals and lessons are charged separately and require reservations. Preferred pricing or booking access may be listed as a resort-fee benefit but the play itself is an extra cost.
Other paid activities include tennis/pickleball lessons, bike and boat rentals, horseback riding and some guided excursions. The property hosts large event spaces (Governors' Hall, Michigan Ballroom, Beach Club, Garvey Family Barn) that are available for rent for weddings and conferences.
- Golf: tee times require reservations; fees not included in room rate.
- Lessons and specialty instruction (tennis, pickleball, golf pros): additional charges and advance booking required.
- Event venues: rentable spaces with capacities from small boardrooms to large ballrooms — event rental fees apply.
| Activity / Venue | Included? |
|---|---|
| Golf tee times / club rentals | No — paid separately |
| Tennis or pickleball lessons | No — paid separately |
| Meeting and ballroom rental (Governors' Hall, Michigan Ballroom) | No — event rental fees apply |
Parking, shuttles and hotel policies
The resort offers free self-parking for guests, with optional valet parking available for a fee; electric vehicle charging stations are on site. The resort provides a complimentary shuttle to Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and shuttle service to Turtle Creek Casino and the seasonal Beach Club — check the bellstand for schedules.
Policy notes: the resort maintains a strict no‑pet policy (service animals allowed), operates as a smoke-free property, and enforces a minimum age of 21 for the primary guest checking in.
- Parking: free self-parking is standard; valet is optional (fee may apply).
- Shuttles: airport shuttle (usually every half hour) and casino/beach shuttles commonly included — confirm times at check-in.
- Pets: no pets allowed except ADA-recognized service animals; violations can result in fines.
| Service / Policy | Typical Status |
|---|---|
| Self-parking | Complimentary |
| Airport shuttle (TVC) | Complimentary (schedule varies) |
| Pet policy | No pets (service animals allowed) |
