Traverse City has no hotel with an official five-star designation from a rating body such as Forbes Travel Guide, so any list calling its hotels “five-star” is using the term loosely. What the city does have is a strong set of upscale stays: a full-service golf and spa resort, a waterfront hotel steps from Front Street, a design-forward boutique hotel with a rooftop bar, a historic downtown landmark, and a string of beachfront hotels on East Grand Traverse Bay. This guide sorts them by what each is actually good at, so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Quick picks: Grand Traverse Resort for golf and spa weekends, Delamar Traverse City for a waterfront downtown base, Hotel Indigo for walkable boutique style, Park Place for history and city views, and the East Bay beachfront hotels for a private-beach summer stay.
Is There a Five-Star Hotel in Traverse City?
Not in the formal sense. Forbes Travel Guide and AAA’s Diamond program are the two best-known inspection-based ratings, and Traverse City’s top hotels are better described as upscale or four-star in style. Booking sites assign their own star ratings, and those vary from site to site, so treat them as a rough guide only. Michigan’s most decorated hotels, such as the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, are a different tier of historic grandeur. Traverse City’s strengths are setting, food, and the bay itself, and the hotels below make the most of all three.
Traverse City Luxury Hotels at a Glance
| Hotel | Where | Best for | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Traverse Resort and Spa | Acme, East Grand Traverse Bay | Golf, spa, groups | 54 holes of golf and a full-service spa |
| Delamar Traverse City | Downtown, West Grand Traverse Bay | Walkable waterfront stay | Indoor and outdoor pools, bay-view rooms |
| Hotel Indigo Traverse City | Warehouse District, West Bay | Boutique style, nightlife | Seasonal rooftop bar |
| Park Place Hotel | Downtown | History, city views | 1930 tower with its landmark beacon |
| Baywatch, Grand Beach, Sugar Beach | East Bay, along US-31 | Summer beach stays | Beachfront on East Grand Traverse Bay |
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa: Best for Golf and Spa Weekends
The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, a few miles east of downtown, is the region’s full-service resort. It opened in 1980 and is owned by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, which also runs the nearby Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel. The property has roughly 600 guest rooms and condos, a glass tower with views over the bay, and a private beach club on East Grand Traverse Bay for summer guests.
Golf is the draw. The resort has three championship courses totaling 54 holes: The Bear, designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1985; The Wolverine, a Gary Player design that opened in 1999; and Spruce Run, the original course, redesigned in 1979 by William Newcomb. Spa Grand Traverse and the Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, high in the tower, round out a stay.
Keep in mind: it is a large resort rather than an intimate hotel, and it sits a short drive from downtown, so plan on a car if you want to spend evenings on Front Street. Address: 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd, Acme.
Delamar Traverse City: Best Waterfront Base Near Front Street
Delamar Traverse City, at 615 E Front Street, puts you on West Grand Traverse Bay within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. The 173-room hotel has both an indoor and an outdoor pool, a hot tub, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a range of bay-view and pool-view rooms. It is a good fit for couples and families who want to park the car and walk everywhere. The property was formerly a Holiday Inn Resort, so you may still see older names in listings.
Hotel Indigo Traverse City: Best Boutique Hotel for Walkers
Hotel Indigo, at 263 W Grandview Parkway in the Warehouse District, opened in May 2016 as the city’s first new hotel since 2009. Its 107 rooms (100 standard rooms and seven suites) carry a logging-era design theme, with salvaged brick from the former Traverse City State Hospital in the lobby. Two bars and a seasonal rooftop bar overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay make it the most social stay on this list. It is part of IHG’s Hotel Indigo brand.
Park Place Hotel: Best for History and City Views
The Park Place Hotel, at 300 E State Street, traces back to 1873, when Henry Campbell built the Campbell House Hotel. Lumber barons bought it and renamed it the Park Place, and the 1930 tower, once the tallest building in town, still carries a beacon that is part of the downtown skyline. Rooms number around 140, and the Beacon Lounge near the top offers city and bay views. Local press reported in mid-2026 that a group of Traverse City investors had an agreement to buy the hotel, so check for ownership or renovation news before booking.
East Bay Beachfront Hotels: Baywatch, Grand Beach and Sugar Beach
A cluster of beachfront hotels sits along US-31 in East Bay Township, directly on East Grand Traverse Bay (an arm of Lake Michigan, not the open lake itself). The Baywatch Resort, Grand Beach Resort Hotel and Sugar Beach Resort Hotel are the best known. They trade downtown access for sand: expect beach frontage, many rooms with balconies, and breakfast included at several. The Baywatch also offers bubbler spa tubs in some rooms. Rates are usually lower than the downtown hotels, which makes this area the value pick for a beach-focused summer trip.
For something smaller, Alexandra Inn is a seasonal boutique hotel on East Grand Traverse Bay. It closes for the winter, with the 2026 season ending October 25, and reopens in April 2027.
What About Great Wolf Lodge?
Great Wolf Lodge is often grouped with Traverse City’s top hotels because of its large indoor water park, but it is a family resort rather than a luxury property. If you are traveling with kids, it is worth a look. If you want a quiet, adults-focused stay, choose one of the hotels above.
New Downtown Hotels on the Way
Two new boutique hotels are in development downtown, so this list will change. The Syndicate, a 110-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel, is under construction on Grandview Parkway next to Hotel Indigo, with restaurant and rooftop plans. Hotel Avec, a Hilton Tapestry Collection hotel with about 114 rooms, was reported in July 2026 to be weeks from breaking ground on West Front Street. Neither was open at the time of this update, so do not book either until an official opening date is announced.
When to Visit and How to Save
Summer is peak season, and the National Cherry Festival each July is the busiest stretch, so book far ahead for downtown hotels. Fall color season is also popular. Winter and spring are quieter, and hotels often discount midweek stays. A few practical tips:
- Book early for July and weekends in fall, and compare the hotel’s own site against booking sites.
- Choose midweek stays outside peak summer for lower rates.
- Check cancellation terms before you pay, since flexible and non-refundable rates differ widely.
- Ask about resort or parking fees, which can change the real cost of a stay.
Traverse City has thousands of hotel rooms and short-term rentals, so there is usually something available if you plan ahead. Nightly rates change by season and demand, so check current prices directly with each hotel.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
Once you have picked a hotel, see our Traverse City travel guide and the best things to do in Traverse City. If you plan to explore wine country and the lakeshore, our Leelanau Peninsula guide is a good next stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best luxury hotel in Traverse City?
It depends on the trip. Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is the best choice for golf and spa weekends, Delamar Traverse City for a walkable waterfront stay, and Hotel Indigo for boutique style close to bars and restaurants.
Is there a five-star hotel in Traverse City?
No hotel in Traverse City holds an official five-star designation from Forbes Travel Guide or AAA’s Diamond program, as far as we could find. Booking sites use their own star systems, so a “five-star” label there is not the same thing.
Which Traverse City hotels are on the water?
Delamar Traverse City and Hotel Indigo overlook West Grand Traverse Bay downtown. Grand Traverse Resort, Baywatch, Grand Beach and Sugar Beach are on or near East Grand Traverse Bay.
Is there a six-star or seven-star hotel?
There is no official rating above five stars. Labels such as “seven-star” for properties like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai come from media and marketing, not from a rating body.
Hotel details change often. Confirm rates, amenities, and opening dates with each property before you book.