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.
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!
Looking for a guide on dreamy hotels around the world? Check out our guide!
![Your guide to an unforgettable 24 hours in Indianapolis👇 [press trip]
[Hi! We’re Marissa and Josh, a couple who loves to travel and help you discover new destinations, hotels, and authentic experiences around the world. Give us a follow for more!]
The Circle City is full of exciting experiences from world class dining and local shops to cultural events and professional sports.
- Start your day at @cafepatachou in the new @thestutzbuilding for brunch. Enjoy your meal with their legendary cinnamon toast and unlimited coffee. Then walk around the area and check out the local shops like our favorite, @groundedplantfloralco
- Head further downtown to check out Monument Circle then Mass Ave, where you can walk the 5 blocks full of local shops and great restaurants. Also in the area is the @bottleworksindy when you’ll find more shops, bowling, a food hall, and a movie theater all in the former historic Coca-Cola Bottling Company.
- Stop for a margs and tacos at @bakersfieldmassave, a cocktail at prohibition-era @bnbindy, or a beer at @rathskellerindy.
- For dinner, head to @commissionrowindy for an expertly prepared steak and seafood dinner.
- Now for the best part! Walk next door to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to cheer on the @pacers!
- Plan to stay the night at @hotelindy to be in the center of it all! Here you’ll be able to walk almost everywhere in Downtown Indy. Not to mention, the rooms and amenities are fantastic and there’s a rooftop bar to enjoy a post-game cocktail.
- Before heading out, grab coffee at the popular and very aesthetic @bovaconticoffee and brunch at one of Eater’s Best Restaurants in America, @milktoothindy
#loveindy #visitindy #visitindiana Indianapolis guide](https://wanderingloveletters.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)