Weekend Getaway at Hotel Walloon

There is nothing quite like summertime in Northern Michigan. And there's no better place to explore all that this region has to offer than the centrally-located Hotel Walloon which sits nestled along the shores Walloon Lake. This privately owned boutique hotel features spacious guest rooms, elegant design, rich history, and world-class service. In addition to the charming Walloon Village, you're also just a short drive away from Petoskey, Boyne City, Harbor Springs, Mackinaw Island, and Traverse City. 

Disclaimer: Our host was sponsored by Hotel Walloon. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Welcome to Walloon

From the moment you arrive at Hotel Walloon, you are greeted with top of the line luxury amenities and friendly staff who are committed to ensuring all your needs are met during your stay. Upon check in we were offered complimentary valet parking and a glass of welcome wine to enjoy while we settled into our room. The lobby of the hotel is a site to behold with several dedicated seating areas including the fireplace in the cozy Heart Room, rocking chairs lining the front porch, and the elegant decor in the library.

Elegant Guest Rooms

Next, we checked into our room - a lakeside suite full of mid-century charm. Just like every other space at Hotel Walloon, the guest rooms were beautifully designed with thoughtful details throughout including luxury bedding with four (yes, four!) different pillows on the bed in varying levels of firmness, plush robes, and a personalized welcome note with all the details you'll need to know during your stay. One of my other favorite parts of the rooms was the key access corridor that separates the main hallway from your guest room adding another level of security and privacy. We never heard people walking in the halls or doors shutting like you do at other hotels. The lakeside rooms have a walk-out patio that leads directly out to the private beach access. The rocking chairs on the porch were a great spot to enjoy breakfast in the morning and watch the sunset at night. The hotel also offers daily housekeeping and nightly turndown service which was so fun to come back to our room at night and be greeted by a sweet treat, soothing music, and the weather forecast for the next day.

Dining 

Hotel Walloon offers four daily food offerings in the lobby including breakfast, appetizers, and dessert. There is also water and lemonade available throughout the day as well as the coolest coffee machine that can whip up a variety of hot and iced drinks in seconds (we used it often!) While you're snacking on apps you can also order drinks from the Hearth Room Bar. 

​There are two restaurants located within walking distance of the hotel. Our first night we dined at Walloon Lake Inn which is a unique upscale restaurant offering indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the lake. I would suggest making a reservation which the front desk can assist you with. Both the food and service here were outstanding with creative cuisine offerings and an exceptional wine and cocktail list. 

If you're looking for more of a laid back vibe, head to Barrel Back Restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the summer you can enjoy open air dining with stunning views of the lake and on cooler evenings you can sit near the crackling fireplace in the middle of the dining room. The restaurant offers an expansive bar that features over 23 beers on tap and is well known for their wood-fired rotisserie smoker, oven and grill serving up smoked chicken, brisket and wood-fired pizzas. 

If you're in search of a sweet treat after dinner, head across the street to the Sweet Tooth for homemade fudge, candies, and Moomer's ice cream. Walloon Lake General Store also offers pizza, ice cream, and deli sandwiches and is the perfect place to grab a quick lunch to enjoy while you're out on the water or relaxing on the beach. 

Activities and Adventure

​As a four season destination, Hotel Walloon offers endless activities and adventures no matter the time of year. Soak up some sunshine along the crystal-clear shores of Walloon Lake with private beach access and water sport rentals from Tommy's Walloon. Start your morning with a peaceful stroll along the walking paths that wind around the lake. Or end your night with a soak in the outdoor spa while you watch the sun set. 

If you're looking to adventure outside of the hotel, you're within only a few miles of some of the best wineries in the Petoskey Wine Region. Mackinaw Trail Winery offers rotating beers on tap, small plates and appetizers, and of course an amazing selection of wines which you can enjoy in a flight or by the glass. They recently expanded their tasting room with a large outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards. Walloon Lake Winery is another quaint stop along the wine trail with its cordwood construction tasting room and outdoor patio space. I loved the sparkling varieties here! If you're in search of some local food, head to The Back Lot in downtown Petoskey which is home to variety of food trucks on site and a bar serving up several local beers, wine, and cocktails. The Jalapeño Poppa from Cheese & Co. was one of my favorite meals from the entire trip. 

We ended our stay with an afternoon horseback ride at Boyne Mountain. The experienced guides were so helpful and led us on a peaceful ride through the wooded trails near the resort. Reservations can be made over the phone and you'll check in at the Boyne Adventure Center before driving or riding the shuttle over to the stables. 

Overall, this was one of the most memorable hotel stays I've ever had. I've never encountered more friendly and polite staff and truly felt like I was escaping the world to enjoy lakeside luxury for the weekend. Click here to learn more about Hotel Walloon and to make a reservation.