Romantic Getaways in Michigan | Remote Islands to Stylish City Escapes

Mackinac Island, which sits on Lake Huron, is unique for its limestone rock formations and coastal bluffs, and also for the fact that motorized vehicles are not allowed. People walk or bike, or sometimes take carriages. This makes it peaceful and like stepping back in time to a simpler era. Grand Hotel Mackinac Island completes the feeling. Originally built in the late 1800s with European-inspired, grand columns and a long wraparound porch (said to be the longest in the world), it retains an aura of old world elegance.

Stash your cell phone and take a carriage ride around the island, followed by a spa treatment and afternoon tea with champagne in the parlor. The hotel has nine dining options and a beautiful terrace room where you can sip cocktails and dance to music from the house orchestra most nights.

Deluxe rooms feature lake views and balconies, as well as romantic touches like floral wallpaper and chandelier lighting. This is the perfect destination for the couple who loves historical fiction and the Victorian era, but also loves modern amenities.

Traverse City is one of the most popular destinations in Michigan because of its historic town center, lake homes and activities, and its abundance of wineries and cherry orchards. Michigan is the country’s leading producer of cherries, and most of them come from around here, so make sure to try a cherry pie, cider, or liqueur while you’re in town.

Get away from the crowds at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, where you can experience the best of Traverse City but retreat to plush robes and a spacious room when you’re ready to relax. The hotel’s spa is a major draw. Try the ‘Just the Two of Us’ massage in a special couple’s room, where you can choose from a relaxation, deep tissue, hot stone, or aromatherapy massage. Post-massage, sip wine by the fireplace before heading back to your room.

There are several restaurants at Grand Traverse, but Aerie Restaurant & Lounge is the best for date night. On the 16th floor and with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, it offers views of Traverse Bay from almost every table. Ingredients are sourced from around Northern Michigan and service is impeccable.

Active couples will love the health club, tennis court, and three championship golf courses. The courses have been named the best in the Midwest by Golf magazine and Golf Digest. Reserve your slot online or with the concierge.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway in a city with dining, nightlife, museums and more, look no further than Detroit. The hotel was built in 1924 as part of an effort to turn Washington Avenue into the “Fifth Avenue of the Midwest.” It’s sleek and stylish, yet historic, and in the heart of the city so you can easily walk to shopping, theatre, or one of the many wonderful restaurants.

The Hotel Westin Book Cadillac is close to three major casinos and lots of Detroit’s best cocktail bars, ideal for the couple who wants to go out on the town. If you bond more over sports, head to Comerica Park or Ford Field, both nearby. Or, ask the concierge about tickets to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra or what’s playing at the Fox Theatre.

Back at the hotel, indulge in a spa treatment. The deep tissue and hot stone massage are both fantastic. You can even get spa treatments in your room, complete with a basket of aromatherapy oils, spa water, and a healthy treat.

There are five dining options at the Westin, but my favorite is Roast, from celebrity chef Michael Symon, where you’ll find premium cuts of meat and inventive cocktails in a cozy, fine-dining setting. That said, in-room dining is always nice, and what’s more romantic than a decadent meal in bed?

Also in Detroit, but with a completely different vibe, the Inn on Ferry Street provides a sweet home in the historic district for the couple into all things cultural. The inn was once a collection of four upper-class houses and features swirling banisters, Victorian period furniture and beautiful artwork.

The hotel is in Midtown, near Third Man Records (owned by Jack White) and Shinola, as well as some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. Visit the nearby Detroit Institute of the Arts, home to one of the largest collections in the United States, and the Detroit Historical Museum for a full picture of the city’s past. There’s a complimentary shuttle to many of Detroit’s main attractions.

The inn provides a quiet, delightful escape from the city. Sit in plush chairs by the fire with your loved one and a glass of wine, or spend some time talking about Detroit’s history with the inn’s owners, who also make a wonderful breakfast each morning. This is an intimate stay, perfect for a weekend visit or a staycation.

Hotel Amway Grand Plaza, the most luxurious hotel in Western Michigan, opened in 1916 with the world’s largest gold leaf ceiling and two sparkling crystal chandeliers. Today, the hotel has been updated with modern furnishings and amenities, but the stunning ceiling remains.

Centrally located in Grand Rapids, you can walk to art museums and galleries, craft breweries (Grand Rapids is often called “Beer City USA”), the Downtown Market with its dozens of food stalls and boutiques, and more.

The Lumber Baron Bar has a marble fireplace and plush leather chairs where you can nurse one of the specialty cocktails before or after a night on the town. I’ve been to many a wedding in the neighboring ballrooms and they’re beautiful–each with detailed walls and molding. If you’re in town to celebrate a wedding then you’re in for a treat, and if not try to sneak a peek if you can.

Pamper yourself with a couples massage in the hotel spa, which uses Aveda products. Back in the room, enjoy plush bedding, views of the city, historic wood furnishings and high-end bath products.

Take your college sweetheart to this college-themed (but much nicer) hotel in Ann Arbor, consistently ranked one of the country’s best college towns. Whether you went to University of Michigan or not, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic walking through campus, which has gorgeous buildings modeled after Oxford University.

The Graduate plays into that nostalgia with Michigan-themed decor in a setting much classier than you ever had in college–think mahogany paneling, crystal chandeliers, and antique framed photos of football games. The lobby has a long wooden table and fireplace great for catching up on the paper or work with coffee in the morning, and the tucked away Allen Rumsey Cocktail Bar with specialty cocktails and small bites in a just dark enough setting is the kind of place that would have felt very adult back when you were 21.

You can walk to everything in Ann Arbor, including historic theatres turned into cinemas and shopping halls, pedestrian-only Nickel’s Arcade and its boutiques and coffee shops, eclectic restaurants serving all types of cuisines, wine bars, and a good smattering of busy, extremely affordable college bars as well. Whether you’re in town for a big game or just for fun, Ann Arbor ignites romance and a sentimental feeling, and is simply a lot of fun.

Along the shoreline of Lake Michigan sits a delightful little town called Ludington, and in that town sits a delightful little inn with a AAA three-diamond rating and some of Michigan’s best hospitality. The 1894 Queen Anne Victoria-style Lamplighter Bed and Breakfast has five rooms with king-size beds, en suite bathrooms with jetted tubs or custom-tiled walk-in showers, a refrigerator with complimentary beverages and flat-screen TVs. Make yourself at home in the house, where you can read a book on the patio or enjoy a glass of wine in the gazebo. In chilly months, cuddle up by the fireplace in the parlor.

The innkeepers are a sweet local couple who goes out of their way to make your trip as stress-free as possible. Plus, they make a fabulous breakfast with local fruits and other produce.

Walk to the white sandy beaches of Lake Michigan or wander some of the nearby art galleries and shops by day, and try the local pubs and restaurants by night. The innkeepers can help you plan a trip through local vineyards and tasting rooms, too. Of course, you can’t forget to check out the lighthouses in the area! For a quiet, comfortable vacation on the lake, the Lamplighter Bed and Breakfast is the ideal couples retreat.

To really get away from it all, head to the Upper Peninsula, where natural beauty and hiking trails outnumber cities. In the summer you can picnic on Lake Superior, while in winter you can ski or snowshoe through the woods. Base yourself in Marquette at the Landmark Inn, a historic property with views over Lake Superior.

The hotel is popular for weddings, but even if you’re not celebrating you’ll find joy in the elegantly furnished rooms and peace and quiet that comes with life in the UP. The lobby feels like stepping back into the 1930s, and there are two excellent bars-–the North Star Lounge for cocktails in an Art-Deco environment, or the Northland Pub for something more casual.

Couples who love movies might recognize Marquette landmarks from “Anatomy of a Murder,” which was filmed here. Stars James Stewart and Lee Remick stayed at the Landmark Inn during filming in the 1950s. Much later, John Stamos stayed at the hotel. Some rooms are named after other famous guests, like Amelia Earhart.

If you’re looking for a European getaway but can’t make it all the way to Europe, try Frankenmuth, a historic German town packed with Bavarian architecture and Michigan’s oldest brewery.

The Bavarian Inn Lodge feels like visiting Europe 100 years ago, if old world Germany had waterparks. The rooms and lobby are cozy and reminiscent of Europe, while outside the room you’ll find four pools, three whirlpools and body slides. You’ll want to wander Frankenmuth’s breweries and boutiques, but make sure to get back to the hotel for dinner. The restaurant offers traditional German-style dinners including schnitzel, sauerbraten, noodles, fried chicken, and fantastic homemade ice cream.

Are you a couple that loves Christmas? Don’t miss out on Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, a massive Christmas shop offering ornaments and thousands of other Christmas-themed items year-round.