The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse — Hotel in Peninsula Township

We have stayed at the Chateau many times in the past decade or two, and it is always a joy to be there on the Old Mission Peninsula. The grounds are lovely, the view of Grand Traverse Bay is spectacular, and the rooms are somewhat dated (limited TV offerings, limited USB connections for charging), but we can overlook that when we compare this place with the more modern offerings elsewhere. New visitors might not realize all the amenities, as check-ins are somewhat casual, and don't necessarily focus on them. But a nice workout facility, lounge area with TV, books and games, and the option to socialize with other guests are homey accents not typically found at modern hotels. Also available at the Inn is a kitchen with a refrigerator well stocked by the executive chef, Perry Harmon. At this last visit we enjoyed the self serve breakfast with Nespresso coffee options, many juices in the fridge, yogurts, fruits and multiple "nuke it yourself" choices such as quiches, burritos, breakfast sandwiches, sausages, etc. When we arrived we were exhausted from a day of travel, so passed on the offered free wine tastings (glasses to keep) and went straight to our room, where we found a complimentary bottle of wine and a fresh, moist, homemade chocolate cookie (recipe please?) At breakfast the next morning we found, in addition to the breakfast offerings, several homemade pies, which we assume were available the night before if we had taken the time to check out, and which several other guests highly recommended as they were having breakfast dessert! The breakfast room and view are lovely, and then there's the beauty of the Old Mission Peninsula, the vineyards, and the drive and view around the Grand Traverse Bay. Who would choose to stay anywhere else? We...

We were expecting more. Granted the room was shady due to trees outside but the room itself was dreary in color; the furnishings and amenities were a bit down market and oddly arranged (including the one floor lamp and the one table lamp.) Different colored lamp light was given off by each source of light; 2 lamps and a pair of wall sconces over the bed. A total of 6 hangers were available including wire hangers (from a laundry) and the rest various plastic hangers. Our request for more hangers was seemingly forgotten. The pleated window shade only went up 75% of the way, was not level & partially obscurred the view. The room had a strong perfumed scent; realized it was the laundry soap used on the towels and bedding. Sliding door to balcony did not lock. Walls were thin so guests next door were clearly audible. Out each door was a plastic blue basket lined in a plastic bag which collected guests' towels for housekeeping to gather if entry into room was not desired. The tv provider had a huge listing but no CNN nor MSNBC was found...seemed a bit odd. Self service breakfast was just ok; kind of ordinary and straight off a supermarket shelf.|Bathroom was clean and towels were of decent quality; shower was of a molded plastic variety; hot water...

Wish it had a better selection of pillows and that all rooms had a king bed. That said, it's a beautiful place to stay and it was a great time. It's central to many wineries. I was a little disappointed that the owners booked 3 busses when it was supposed to be time set aside for the villa guests for their tasting. We were squeezed in between a bridal party and other party goers. We had a set appointment on the day we came to do our tasting with the lines being so crazy, we barely made it to our appointment that we had made because we were waiting in line, when we were told there would be none. However, overall, I was very happy with the room, the views, the breakfasts, and staff. I wish if they were going to book busses that they would have wrist bands or some way to recognize the people staying with them so we wouldn't get pushed out of the way by visitors. I did have trouble with the lines here out of all other vineyards we went to. Visitors seemed pushy, and it didn't appear to be first come, first serve. That was my experience anyway. Again, I don't blame the staff for that. It was a very busy day, and visitors were impatient. I do wish to reiterate that the stay was lovely and the...