15 of the Most Luxurious Midwest Hotels

Michigan has more than a dozen luxurious hotels, many of which are recognized internationally for their hospitality, world-class fine dining and spas, championship golf courses, luxury shopping, unique art and décor, and more. Some hotels are even ranked amongst the top 500 hotels in the entire world. Read on to find out which of these 15 Stunning Midwest luxury hotels you should visit on your next adventure.

Amway Grand Plaza

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Originally called the Pantlind Hotel, it was first decorated by legendary design company Dorothy Draper & Co. who also decorated Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, The Greenbrier, The Colony Hotel, and many others. After the addition of the large glass tower and a makeover in 1981, the hotel was renamed the Amway Grand Plaza, and is now an artistic blend of modern elegance and classic refinement, with a bold color palette. Everything from the awnings and English Architecture outside to the curtain pulls and wall decor in the rooms are absolutely stunning, and made us feel like we were inside a modern day castle, especially in the older wing of the hotel.

Stafford’s Bay View Inn

Location: Petoskey, MI

This charming lakeside hotel offers guests a beautiful view, a cozy atmosphere, and incredible customer service that only Stafford’s family of hotels can provide. My husband and I stayed here when we were first married, and it was such a lovely place to spend time together on the waters of Lake Michigan.

Boyne Mountain Resort

Location: Boyne City, MI
This is THE place to go for skiing and going outdoors in the winter in Michigan. My family and I (including my in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews, and more) head up here to indulge in winter-activates, and spend time together in the peaceful tranquility that is Northern Michigan in the fall. We love renting the Mountain Villas or Mountain Cabins, because they have plenty of space and are located near the slopes, village, and the on-site indoor waterpark.

Detroit Foundation Hotel

Location:Detroit, MI
Located in downtown Detroit, the Detroit Foundation Hotel is one of the most luxurious properties in Detroit. Home of the Apparatus Room restaurant and bar, a custom nail bar for on-site manicures and pampering, a personal tailor, and Detroit’s “can’t keep us down” attitude is infused into every corner of this beautiful hotel that represents Detroit’s comeback better than perhaps any property in the city.

West Baden Springs Hotel 

Location: French Lick, IN

This is one of the most highly regarded and most awarded hotels in the state of Indiana. They have beautiful hotel grounds, an incredible golf course, multiple spas, roughly a dozen different places to eat on site, and the location makes it a tranquil and beautiful place to visit.

Grand Hotel

Location: Mackinac Island, MI

Located on beautiful Mackinac Island in Michigan, where cars aren’t permitted, and people get about on horses, bicycles, or on foot. Each of the 390 rooms at Grand Hotel is completely unique, and no two are the same. Each room was meticulously designed by master interior designer Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper & Co. Tipping is not permitted within the hotel, meals are included, and the staff treat guests like family. Check out more of this historic luxury hotel in this post!

Grand Traverse Resort

Location: Traverse City, MI

Grand Traverse Resort is one of the largest resorts in Traverse City, and has an on-sight spa, as well as 3 golf-courses, restaurants like award winning Aerie Restaurant, tennis courts, plus ‘The Den’ which features axe throwing, bowling, Virtual Reality gaming, an escape room and so much more. My husband and I agree that a person could spend a week here and not run out of things to do.

Hotel Walloon 

Location: Walloon Lake, MI

Hotel Walloon felt like coming home after a long time away. The moment we stepped through the doors, we were welcomed by smiling staff, and ushered in beside a warm, cackling fire, while the staff quickly and efficiently checked us in. The entire hotel is decorated in a beautiful, nautical and cozy style, reminiscent of Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Every corner of Hotel Walloon is set up so that families can spend time together, whether it’s pouring over travel and photography books or enjoying drinks next to the fire, or playing out on the private beach, the entire hotel is designed to bring people together.

Inn at Bay Harbor 

Location: Bay Harbor, MI

The Inn at Bay Harbor continually wins numerous hospitality and luxury hotel awards from Conde Nast, and it was voted one of the 500 best hotels in the entire world by Travel + Leisure. They have a gorgeous spa, incredible Scottish style golf courses, and award winning restaurants on site like Vintage Chophouse & Wine Bar. Guests can also enjoy a private stretch of beach, lightening fast wi-fi, and guest services that will go above in beyond to make each guest’s stay incredible. On-site valet, swimming pool, whirlpool, cabana bar, and more.

Radisson Blu Aqua 

Location: Chicago, IL

We couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay in Chicago. Everything from our 545 sq ft. Park Suite rooms and the view from our room to the location of the hotel and the helpfulness of the staff were just incredible. I loved our hotel so much that I was excited to get back each night and explore more of the Radisson. The hotel was decorated luxuriously and had a number of interesting art installations, as well as an entire art gallery within the hotel. The Radisson Blu Aqua has won numerous awards for its hospitality and architectural design, and I could see why within the first 10 minutes of our stay.

Townsend Hotel 

Location: Birmingham, MI

The Townsend Hotel is a beautiful, luxury boutique hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, and it was the perfect place for a romantic weekend getaway! From the moment we pulled up to the curb of the hotel we were welcomed with warm smiles and caring staff who did whatever it took to ensure we didn’t have to lift a finger during our stay, and it was the perfect place to focus on one another, and celebrate our wedding anniversary a bit early. We could have spent the entire weekend within the Townsend, because everything we needed was right on site, and as convenient as could be, so if you’re looking for somewhere to reconnect with your loved ones in Metro-Detroit, this is a wonderful place to stay.

Weber’s Boutique Hotel

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor will always hold a special place in my heart, because it’s home to my Alma Mater, the University of Michigan! Whenever friends and family would come to visit me, they would have to stay at a hotel, because the girls-only dorm where I lived, Martha Cook, didn’t allow male overnight guests, and my room was so small it couldn’t accommodate more than one extra person. Due to these limitations, I quickly became familiar with the best hotels in the area, and Weber’s Boutique Hotel was definitely one of the more luxurious options in town, plus they have a beautiful pool area, and poolside rooms with spiral staircases.

Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn 

Location: Traverse City, MI

Located on a hill overlooking Grand Traverse Bay and expansive grape fields, Chateau Chantal is a beautiful, cozy gem in northern Michigan’s wine country, which has views that rival that of the Alsace region, France’s wine country.

The Homestead 

Location: Glen Arbor, MI

Another beautiful spot on Lake Michigan near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, The Homestead offers guests a stunning and expansive playground no matter the season for every activity imaginable, from skiing and snowmobiling in the winter to tennis, golf, swimming, and everything in between.

Shinola Hotel 

Location: Detroit, MI

As a huge fan of Shinola watches, bags, and bikes, I was very excited to see how Shinola, a Detroit company now famous the world over, extended their brand to a hotel. The decor was even more stunning than I’d imagined, and their restaurant, San Morello, was absolutely phenomenal.

Farewell, fellow adventurers!

xAnnie Fairfax
aka @AnnieFairfax