Our Romantic Getaway to Inn at Bay Harbor, Michigan

For Valentine’s Day last year we decided to get away from it all for some much-needed mom and dad relaxation. We were looking for somewhere we hadn’t stayed before but was close enough to drive to. After much searching and researching we chose the Inn at Bay Harbor. Located in Bay Harbor, Michigan, next to Petosky and Boyne Mountain, it was an absolutely perfect place for a weekend to relax!

A Marriott Autograph collection hotel, the Inn at Bay Harbor is one of those rare destinations you truly feel pampered at from the moment you arrive. Unpacking our luggage, delivering snow shoes to us (more on that in a bit), and even bringing ice to our room: not a finger did we have to lift and not a detail was overlooked.

The hotel is known for it’s spa and it’s sprawling historic feel. Both things have been touted nationally, and for just causes. The feel of the property is one of elegance and attention to detail without the feeling of pretentiousness that can often be found to leave one feeling on edge. Instead we encountered a staff of friendly individuals who remembered our names and were happy to talk with us. If you travel often you know how rare traits these can be.

Without further adieu, let me share our room with you…

Ta-Da! Isn’t this girl gorgeous?

I cannot get over how stunning the interior of the room was and yet it could not beat the breathtaking view of the lake.

I have grown up by Lake Michigan my whole big life. I have a lake house on a small lake. #lakelife girl all the way here. But! I still can never get over the majesty that is encapsulated by Lake Michigan. I feel the need to always interject to those who have never seen Lake Michigan… a small, quaint lake is not what we are talking about here. Can’t see the other side, waves, and so much tranquility is what Lake Michigan is like. Almost ocean like is the might of this lake. It is a fierce and yet calm feeling to see the lake frozen over, the waves stopped in time by the harshness of the cold. An example of frigidity’s power exercised in stopping the very flow of water.

Our room was equipped with wonderful amenities and features such as a fireplace, a balcony to view the lake, a full kitchen, a wonderful closet, and a huge shower. Y’all know I am such a sucker for great light fixtures and bath hardware. Be still my beating heart!

Although this hotel was built in only 1998 (it’s still a baby hotel!) , the inn was created with every detail looked after to ensure that a true historic feel was achieved. It simply is a stunning gem on the edge of the Traverse Bay that opens up to Lake Michigan.

We checked-in to the hotel in the late afternoon. It was a perfect time for a nap in crisp, white sheets. My critical eyes were pleasantly pleased that the room was actually cleaned not just “cleaned”. The fire crackled in the fireplace as we overlooked the frozen vastness of the lake and quickly fell asleep. A couple of hours later we were starving. Although it was hard to leave our cozy room, it was so nice being able to dine downstairs without stepping out into the blustery cold.

Downstairs the in-house restaurant, The Vintage, offered us the perfect definition of an intimate dinner. We were sat next to a large picture window overlooking the shadowy lake, with its ghostly icecaps now glowing in the moonlight. We lingered over appetizers, savored dinner, and laughed over dessert and manhattans. We enjoyed mussels over flaky french bread for an appetizer. Drippy butter on mussels is a particular favorite of mine. For dinner Nick ordered the beef tenderloin and I had the grilled shrimp linguine…we shared our dishes like we always do. I adore that this man gets me. For dessert we shared the flourless chocolate torte with a blackberry coulis that was to die for. It was so rich we took most of it back to our room.

While we were visiting Bay Harbor, we did nothing outside of the hotel. We had breakfast in the hotel’s dining room and dined at their amazing restaurant, The Vintage (aptly named for a couple of lovebirds who own an antique store wouldn’t you say?). The gift shop offered us complimentary Starbucks coffee, and the front desk offered ice skates and snow shoes to borrow.

In the morning after breakfast we donned snowshoes and took to the snow. I had been asking Nick for weeks if we could go snowshoeing but I think he was still surprised by the activity when I wanted to go despite the temperature being -7 degrees. While it was quite cold (who are we kidding, it was freezing!), we didn’t stay out long and had all the more reason to snuggle by the fire when we came back in. We were able to snowshoe around the hotel, past the outdoor hot tub still going strong and even went out onto the lake. It was so fun! I was proud of us for doing it…I love to try new things but sometimes I get a little shy when I think about embarrassing myself. I did fall one time but I was able to laugh it off and we didn’t die…all in all a successful event. :)

Another nap after snowshoeing and snacks from the coffee shop and we were ready to head home to our babies. While our stay at the Inn at Bay Harbor was only 24 hours long, it was truly one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. The view was breathtaking, the amenities top notch, the service second to none, and the beauty of the place was soul-filling.

If you are in the Midwest I highly recommend visiting the inn. It’s away from it all and yet drivable. While they offer lift tickets and ski packages for the nearby slopes, staying in and filling your cup is always a fun thing to do, too. Not to mention, sometimes we just need to get away to reconnect and recharge. Nick and I have so many great memories from this short getaway. It felt almost like a second honeymoon for us to have time alone and savor conversation over good food. And naps. Who doesn’t love a good nap?

Below are some of my favorite photos of our weekend. Comment please if you have ever visited the Inn at Bay Harbor or have any questions for me about our stay!

Loves!