City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More

Featured Article

Upnorth Retreat

Summer at Hotel Walloon

Situated steps away from Lake Walloon is a hotel full of charm, grace and good old-fashioned customer service. Although its lovely vintage style makes it appear like something out of the distant past, Hotel Walloon actually opened in 2016 and is chock full of all the modern amenities that guests appreciate.

“We've got Alexa in all of our rooms, SMART-technology heating and cooling systems, and heated floors,” says General Manager, Emily Emmott. “We have 32 rooms of different types, so guests can have anywhere from a single queen bed to two queen beds, or corner suites, which have phenomenal views.”

Most of the rooms have balconies, while others have semi-private porches with rockers that can be used all year round thanks to heaters and plastic coverings. Guests can also relax on the private beach or patio. But, the best amenity of all is provided by nature. “We're right on the lake,” she says. “You can go jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. A lot of our guests rent boats right next door at Tommy’s Walloon.” 

Adds Sales and Marketing Manager, Emily Jensen “We also have our own dock slips, so if guests want to bring their own boats, that’s a great feature.”

The lake, with its unique shape and crystal-clear water, is said to have inspired author Ernest Hemingway, who spent quite a bit of time there and incorporated many of the lakes and rivers into his books.

Guests can also enjoy land activities such as hiking, biking, golfing and horseback riding, and since the hotel is near a ski resort, skiing in the winter. Mackinac Island is close by too and would make a fabulous day trip. 

“The cool thing about being centrally located is that we’re so close to all these different things that you can do to have an adventure,” says Emmott.

The village of Walloon itself has been a tourist destination since the late 1800s, as transportation to northern Michigan improved and families wanted to take advantage of the many resorts that started to pop up in the area. In 1905, Walloon Lake Village sported a boat livery, three stores, a post office, two churches, and a smattering of cottages.  

Today, the picturesque village boasts clothing boutiques, gift shops, spas, and many other quaint treasures. There are also a number of amazing restaurants within close proximity of the hotel, so guests can indulge in gourmet cuisine or opt for casual fare or takeout. 

The hotel hosts weddings and other events either lakeside or in conjunction with other venues in town, and can help plan every detail of a celebration. “We do everything from ceremonies and receptions to cocktail hours and corporate events,” says Jensen. 

The hotel property formerly held condominiums, so when the developer bought the property, the condos were demolished and the hotel was built from the ground up. Every detail was meticulously chosen to delight even the most hard-to-please guest. 

There are very few AAA Four Diamond properties in Michigan, and only two in northern Michigan. Hotel Walloon is one of them. “We really go above and beyond in all aspects,” says Emmott. “We want our guests to have a memorable experience every day of their stay.”

Find out more about the hotel and the village of Walloon at https://hotelwalloon.com/. Then, head “Up North” and go on an adventure!