Is Grand Traverse Resort and Spa worth it? An honest pros and cons list
Yes — Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is worth it for travelers who want a large resort with family-focused pools and activities, an on-site spa and multiple dining options, plus easy access to Traverse City area attractions. It’s less compelling if you want a quiet, adults-only retreat or a small boutique stay — the property is large, busy in summer, and geared toward families and conferences.
In this guide
Location and access
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa sits at 100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard in Acme, Michigan, about a 10-minute drive from Cherry Capital Airport and roughly 20 minutes from downtown Traverse City. The address and shuttle details are set by the resort.
The resort covers a very large 900-acre property, so expect drives or shuttles between the tower, golf courses, Beach Club and outlying event venues during your stay.
- Airport shuttle to Cherry Capital Airport runs on a schedule; off-property transportation otherwise requires taxi, Lyft or Uber.
- Free self-parking is available; valet is optional and EV charging stations are on site.
- The private Beach Club on East Grand Traverse Bay is seasonal and included through the nightly resort fee (seasonal dates vary).
| Nearby spot | Typical drive time |
|---|---|
| Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) | About 10 minutes |
| Downtown Traverse City | About 20 minutes |
| Old Mission Peninsula wineries | Short drive (varies by winery) |
Rooms and who should stay where
The resort offers a mix of tower rooms and condo-style accommodations. If you want a high-floor bay view and formal dining access, look at Tower Deluxe King Bed or Aerie-related dining options; families may prefer the Shores and Valleyview condo-style units with sofa beds and kitchenettes.
The property lists a variety of room types with different bed configurations and views — some sleeps up to four with sofa beds in the one-bedroom condo styles.
- Room names to note (exactly as written): 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); Deluxe Studio, with Sofa bed, Balcony, Beachside (Shores Studio Condo).
- Condo-style units include kitchenettes or full kitchens and sofa beds, useful for families wanting to prepare simple meals.
- Check specific bed configuration and view when booking (tower vs. bay vs. golf view).
| Room type | Beds (as listed) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Pools, family features and activity options
If you travel with kids, the resort is strong on family amenities: it has an Indoor Water Playground, two indoor pools, two outdoor pools and a family-friendly indoor hot tub kept at a lower temperature. The pool complex opens earlier for lap swim and switches to family play later in the morning.
There are adult-only spaces too — two outdoor hot tubs just outside the Health Club pool area are reserved for adults — but most of the pool areas are family-oriented and can be busy in peak season.
- Indoor lap swim hours occur early in the morning; pool slides typically open later in the morning.
- Governors' Pool is a seasonal outdoor pool overlooking the Spruce Run golf course and includes its own Pool Bar.
- Beach Club pool and Fin’s Sandbar are seasonal; closing dates vary by year.
| Pool type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Indoor pools | Two indoor pools + Indoor Water Playground; lap swim early |
| Outdoor pools | Two outdoor pools; seasonal openings/closings |
| Hot tubs | One family-friendly indoor hot tub (lower temp); two adults-only outdoor hot tubs |
Dining, bars and nightlife
Dining options cover a wide range — from the Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the 16th floor with panoramic bay views to more casual spots like Jack’s Taproom, The Den (entertainment hub with ax throwing) and the Marketplace grab-and-go. Hours and menus vary by venue and season.
Aerie offers an Early Birdie three-course menu on certain evenings and is recommended for sunset reservations; many venues are family-friendly with child policies noted for evening hours.
- Aerie Restaurant & Lounge: dinner and Sunday brunch; reservations recommended, children welcome during dinner until 9:00 pm.
- NIIJII Restaurant: breakfast and dinner with Anishinaabe-inspired touches and dietary options.
- Jack’s Taproom and The Den provide pub-style fare and more lively evening entertainment.
| Venue | Typical offering |
|---|---|
| Aerie Restaurant & Lounge | Contemporary American; sunset views; Sunday brunch |
| NIIJII Restaurant | Anishinaabe-inspired American; breakfast and dinner |
| Jack’s Taproom / The Den | Pub fare, drinks, entertainment |
Spa, fitness center and wellness
Spa Grand Traverse is the on-site spa with multiple treatment rooms (including couples rooms) and a menu of facials and massage types; reservations are required for treatments. Spa hours and age policies apply, and some services have age limits for minors.
The Health Club & Fitness Center is large — listed at 100,000 square feet — offering cardio and strength equipment plus classes such as cycling and yoga for an additional fee.
- Spa Grand Traverse hours vary by day; check spa for current times and book treatments in advance.
- Children under 16 are not permitted for massage and body care services; guests under 17 must be accompanied by a guardian in the spa.
- Fitness classes and specialty services often carry an extra fee.
| Wellness feature | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Spa Grand Traverse | 12 treatment rooms; reservations required |
| Health Club & Fitness Center | 100,000 sq. ft.; classes available for a fee |
| Spa age rules | Under-16s not permitted for massage/body care; under-17s need guardian |
Meetings, weddings and group events
The resort is set up for large conferences and weddings, with Governors' Hall (over 20,000 sq. ft.) and the Michigan Ballroom (about 9,000+ sq. ft.) among many event spaces. It can host large groups and features a range of indoor and outdoor venues including a Beach Club and a restored barn.
If you’re booking for a meeting or wedding, the scale and variety of spaces are a strength — but expect event activity to influence crowds and noise in the common areas during peak meeting season.
- Governors' Hall can accommodate up to about 2,250 guests in theatre-style setups.
- The resort lists roughly 86,500 sq. ft. of combined indoor and outdoor function space across many venues.
- Large events may make parts of the hotel busier; book early and confirm space logistics with the events team.
| Event space | Capacity (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Governors' Hall | Up to 2,250 |
| Michigan Ballroom | Several hundred (varies by layout) |
| Beach Club / Garvey Family Barn | Smaller to mid-size wedding/event options |
Pros and cons — honest list
Here’s a focused list to help decide if the resort matches your priorities.
Use these points to weigh family needs, event timing, dining preferences and whether you want a large property rather than a small boutique stay.
- Pros:
- - Extensive family amenities (Indoor Water Playground, pools, kid-friendly hot tub).
- - Wide range of dining options on property, including Aerie with bay views.
- - Large spa and a very large Health Club with classes and courts for tennis/pickleball.
- - On-site golf (three championship courses) and seasonal private Beach Club.
- - Complimentary airport shuttle and free self-parking; resort fee typically covers fitness/pool/beach access.
- Cons:
- - The resort is large and can feel busy or conference-driven, especially in summer and peak event times. - Not an adults-only property; only limited adults-only hot tub areas exist. - Seasonal closures for some outdoor amenities (Beach Club and some pools). - Pet policy: strict no-pet policy (only ADA service animals allowed).
| Consideration | Good fit if... |
|---|---|
| Family vacation | You want pools, water play and kid-friendly activities |
| Romantic adults-only getaway | You prefer a quieter, adult-only property (this resort is family-oriented) |
| Conference or large event | You need large meeting space and on-site catering/venues |
