Since Traverse City was our first trip with our dog AND our 5-month-old baby, it was important to find somewhere to stay that gave us plenty of space but also a unique and memorable experience. After searching around for a while in different areas that were driving distance from our Iowa City home, I stumbled upon The Anchor Inn. On first glance, it was cute and very well decorated and it’s location was perfect for exploring the area. After staying at The Anchor Inn and experiencing all it has to offer, it truly is the perfect place for families and couples looking for a fun getaway.
Check out our Instagram Reel of The Anchor Inn for a deeper look at our experience and a tour of our cabin!
Disclaimer: This was a hosted stay, however, all views are solely our own.
Location of The Anchor Inn
The Anchor Inn is located a short, 5-minute drive north of downtown Traverse City in Northwestern Michigan. Its location makes it the perfect base for exploring Traverse City, the Leelanau Peninsula, and the surrounding areas. During our three-night stay, we were able to make trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Suttons Bay, Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, and many local wineries. Everything we wanted to do was within a 40-minute drive of The Anchor Inn.
Want more dreamy stays? Check out our guide!
About The Anchor Inn
The inn was originally built in the 1940s and has 14 cottages that have been thoughtfully renovated. With several different options of cottage style, it is a wonderful place to stay for couples, families, or even groups who want to be close but still have their space. We stayed in the one-bedroom King cottage and it was perfect for our little family. The main living room had a large couch and a gas fireplace which was a nice addition for the chilly evenings. It also had a small kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, sink, and coffee pot. Along with a cozy bed, the bedroom had a dresser and closet which was very convenient for organizing our clothes. The bathroom was small, but still worked fine for our time spent there.
The inn’s owners also run a farm-to-table restaurant in Sutton’s Bay, Michigan called Gilchrist Farm Winery which you must check out when in the area! The food is locally sourced and the wine pairings are perfect. The entire meal was fresh and incredibly delicious!
The Inn’s Amazing Amenities
One of the best parts about The Anchor Inn is the incredible and unique amenities you get when you stay there.
- Private beach with fire pit, dock, and kayaks. Beach towels are provided in each cottage.
- Each cottage has an outdoor grill and picnic table for cookouts.
- Wood-burning sauna is located in the woods for a private wellness experience.
- Playground for the kids to enjoy.
Our Honest Opinion of The Anchor Inn
As frequent travelers, we have stayed in many different hotels and rental properties. We love to stay in luxury places with amenities that we don’t have at home to make our experience more special. With that, The Anchor Inn far exceeded our expectations, especially at their extremely affordable price point. Immediately upon entering our cabin, Josh asked when we were coming back! We both loved how cozy the place was with the gas fireplace and coastal decor. The private beach was a huge plus as we were able to spend an evening sitting around the fire watching the sky change colors as the sun set. We didn’t get a chance to use the sauna, but that just gives us a reason to return.
We would highly recommend a trip to Traverse City and a stay at The Anchor Inn!
Ready to book your stay? Check out their website!
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