Arrival/Check-In: Located in Gaylord, Michigan, roughly an hour and a half from Traverse City, Treetops Resort offers a rustic, year-round retreat where activities change with the seasons — golf and outdoor recreation in warm months, skiing and winter sports when snow is on the ground. The property is also expanding its appeal as a meetings destination that can accommodate groups of up to 1,000, so it was no surprise the front desk team was well prepared and unflustered when our group of 12 arrived together for a three-day schedule of meetings and social events. Check-in was efficient and staff greeted our group promptly, which set a relaxed tone for the stay.
Guest Quarters: Treetops Resort does not present itself as a luxury boutique property, and the guestrooms reflect a comfortable, lodge-style aesthetic that suits the wooded setting. Furnishings and decor lean toward earthy tones of brown, beige and green. My first-floor Lodge King room included a king-sized bed, a cozy sitting area and a small kitchen area with a compact refrigerator, microwave and tableware for four. The bathroom featured both a separate shower stall and a jetted tub, which was a welcome touch after long days of meetings and outdoor activities. Storage was minimal — there was no traditional closet, only a metal rack with fixed hangers — but a quick call to the front desk solved that: within minutes a supply of wooden hangers was delivered to the room.
Services and Amenities: Although the resort sits a bit off the beaten path, it proved a convenient choice for our three-night stay. With a packed agenda from morning through evening on each day, it was helpful to have guest rooms, dining options and conference facilities all within walking distance of one another. One consideration: the restaurants are a fair walk from the lodge; in pleasant weather that walk is enjoyable, especially during long summer evenings, but it can be less appealing in heavy rain or colder conditions. Treetops operates a small on-site shuttle, though its availability can be irregular and it does not run on a fixed schedule. During our stay the group took advantage of the on-site spa and salon; short services such as 10-minute chair massages, manicures and pedicures provided a welcome break from meetings and helped everyone recharge between sessions.
The Experience: For organizations seeking an out-of-the-way venue for conferences, retreats or meetings, Treetops Resort is a strong option. The setting is relaxed and conducive to focused work and team-building, and the staff consistently go out of their way to accommodate guests. The resort’s combination of meeting facilities, recreational options and on-site amenities makes it suitable for groups that want a single location for sessions, dining and downtime activities.
GT Checklist
The following summarizes the features observed during the stay:
- Doorman/valet: not observed as a core service for this property
- Check-in time: less than 10 minutes
- Bathroom: separate tub and shower present
- Vanity: large vanity available in room
- Towels: high-quality towels noted
- Hair dryer: powerful, unattached hair dryer supplied
- Bed linens: comfortable quality
- Television: large, flat-screen television in room
- Workspace: large desk with convenient outlets
- In-room safe: large, complimentary laptop safe available
- Connectivity: complimentary in-room WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water: not consistently provided
- Minibar: no fully stocked minibar in the room
- Lighting: ample lighting throughout the room
- Coffee: in-room coffeemaker provided
- Iron/ironing board: available on request
- Dining: on-site restaurant available
- Room service: 24-hour room service not confirmed
- Fitness center: 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center not listed as available
- Turn-down service: not a standard offering for all rooms
Treetops Resort
3962 Wilkinson Road
Gaylord, MI 49735
tel 866 348 5249
treetops.com