A room with a view of East Grand Traverse Bay allows you to immerse yourself in relaxation at this charming property. Surrounded by cherry and apple trees, the Michigan wine trail and quiet gardens create year-round romance inspiration.
Overlooking the grandeur of East Grand Traverse Bay and nestled upon a breathtaking and entirely unique curve of land, The Spring Lighthouse offers a singular and unforgettable experience for those seeking peace and restoration. Surrounded by luminous natural beauty all year round, each room affords unforgettable, peaceful, and dramatic views while offering nourishing amenities and unparalleled charm. It is located just three blocks from the charming restaurants, shops, and festivities of downtown Elk Rapids.
All five guest rooms at The Spring Lighthouse provide a unique combination of tranquility, ample natural light, and panoramic views of the bay and Old Mission Peninsula across those lovely waters. Each offers an en suite bathroom with a luxury shower and heated tile flooring, plush towels, luxury amenities, a Nespresso coffee machine, and a Smart TV.
With private Lake Michigan shores right out your backdoor, you have endless adventure waiting. Walk to town and enjoy the Elk Rapids shops and festivals. Or swim to the cove and look for Petoskey stones.
The beauty of vacationing at The Spring Lighthouse is that our natural beauty is available year-round. Fall offers its beauty in the changing of the leaves. Warm days and cool nights are the perfect time for reflection. When you come to stay during winter, you can ski to town or warm yourself in front of our beautiful wood-burning fireplaces. Spring allows you to see the cherry and apple trees budding and beautiful.
Here, you’re not limited to six short weeks of possible vacation time; you have 365 unique opportunities to enjoy Elk Rapids’ beauty.
Elk Rapids boasts a wide range of shopping and dining options that cater to all tastes and preferences. The walkable downtown area is filled with unique boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries, offering an array of shopping experiences. Dining in Elk Rapids is a treat with its mix of casual and fine dining restaurants. From fresh seafood to farm-to-table options and traditional Michigan dishes, be sure to check out one of the many craft breweries or wine bars for a true Northern Michigan experience. With so many options to explore, shopping and dining in Elk Rapids are integral to the town’s natural charm.
There’s a saying among winemakers that “grapes love beautiful places.” The Traverse Wine Coast bears eloquent witness to its accuracy — when the vineyards of the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas are surrounded by four seasons of nature’s beautiful displays and perched on hillsides with sweeping views of Grand Traverse Bay.
The region’s wineries have gained an international reputation for the clean, elegant taste and bouquet of their wines. Many people love to visit the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula to sample the award-winning wines.
Take your own self-guided tour or visit during one of year-round wine trail events. Let someone else do the driving by engaging one of Traverse City’s wine-savvy tour operators to arrange a tour.
It’s important to check ahead, because some wineries have limited winter hours — but most are well-equipped to serve visitors year-round.
Whether you’ve been a couple for ages and need a break to reconnect or it’s your first weekend away together, The Spring Lighthouse B&B will set the mood with the most breathtaking views anywhere in the beautiful state of Michigan.
Come sit by the fire table and sip local wine, make memories and watch the sun set over the blues of Lake Michigan. We offer 300 feet of private frontage and quiet gardens to wander together.
If you are looking for the PERFECT place to propose to your beloved, we have that spot. Our intimate seating on a large rock overlooking the surf plus tablecloth, candles, wine and cheese are the makings of a moment you will always remember.
“I wanted to tell you that wherever I am, whatever happens, I’ll always think of you, and the time we spent together, as my happiest time. I’d do it all over again, if I had the choice. No regrets.”
— Boundless by Cynthia Hand
Not only do we offer the beauty and grandeur of the Grand Lady — Lake Michigan — but we also have intercoastal waterways.
The Chain of Lakes Water Trail System is found in northwest Michigan in Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties. It is made up of 12 interconnected lakes and four rivers which flow into East Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. The Chain is divided into the Upper Chain and Lower Chain, separated by a dam in the Village of Bellaire. The Upper Chain consists of smaller lakes while the Lower Chain is made up of larger lakes including Torch Lake, the second largest inland lake in Michigan. The area is a mixture of small but vibrant communities, many natural areas as well as cabins/homes. The waterways are diverse so there are beginner, intermediate, and advanced routes found along these water trails.
No matter what kind of water adventure you are wanting, you can find it here in Northern Michigan!
In the fall, Michigan transforms from green forests and blue lakes to a cacophony of other vibrant colors — reds, yellows, oranges, even purples appear in the trees and reflect off the state’s many lakes. And this is especially true in and around Traverse City.
One of the must-do attractions of fall, of course, is to take one or more drives to enjoy the area’s fall foliage. You’ll find some right downtown, but the innkeepers also recommend driving up into the Leelanau Peninsula around tiny towns like Cedar to see some of the best displays.
M-22 offers some spectacular panoramas as does the “Tunnel of Trees,” also known as M-119 north of Harbor Springs and ending near Cross Village not far from Mackinaw City.
Don’t miss the many farmers markets and roadside stands with their bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Beer lovers will assure you that Traverse City’s reputation as a destination for craft brewing is entirely justified. You will undoubtedly find beers that you will want to drink more than once — and in more than one season.
Open year-round, the microbreweries, brewpubs and taprooms host special events and plenty of options for sampling their craft beverages. In the summer and early fall, you can even explore the breweries on a Kayak, Bike and Brew Tour or jump on the TC Cycle Pub for street-side fun (and maybe a few shenanigans). In November, Traverse City Beer Week returns for seven days of beer-themed events, including an IPA Challenge and The Great Beerd Run.
You will undoubtedly find just the right brew for you!
Culture in Traverse City means more things going on than you can count. Book early for festivals, include the National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival, food and wine events such as Rosé Between the Bays on the Old Mission Peninsula or the Leland Wine & Food Festival. There are outdoor art shows like Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair and the Suttons Bay Art Festival, cultural happenings like the Port Oneida Fair and the Peshawbestown Traditional Pow Wow and athletic events like the six-week Great Lakes Equestrian Festival where thousands of the nation’s best horses and riders compete in the International Olympic disciplines of dressage.
Summer is also the time for traditional village celebrations such as Bellaire’s Rubber Ducky Festival and Elk Rapids’ Harbor Days. Other favorites include the Northwestern Michigan Fair (a week of farm exhibits, 4H livestock shows, grandstand shows, great food and a carnival midway) and the Annual Buckley Old Engine Show, featuring antique gas and steam tractors, cars, trucks and a working 1923 steam locomotive.
If you are looking for cultural activities, look no further than the Traverse City area.
Hospitality Policies:
When considering Northern Michigan travel, book your room at The Spring Lighthouse B&B where your stay will be not only luxurious, but memorable as well. Located in the quaint, lakeside town of Elk Rapids The Spring Lighthouse is a wonderful choice whether you are planning a private retreat just for you or a romantic getaway for two. During your stay, you will enjoy discovering all of the Elk Rapids area attractions and activities the town has to offer. The area hosts a wide variety of annual special events and festivals, making The Spring Lighthouse B&B a year-round vacation destination.
We look forward to your visit, but upon reserving, please keep in mind the following policies, and be sure to contact us if you have specific questions or require additional information.
Parking:
We offer one parking space per room and can not accommodate vehicles larger than a normal SUV. Anything larger than an SUV or Truck is not permitted in our parking area, so please make arrangements off property for parking of trailers, boats, RV’s, etc.
We provide off-street parking that must adhere to a local ordinance that states that our guests can at no time park on or in the Cul-de-sac known as Traverse Street.
We appreciate a call 15 minutes before your arrival so that we can meet you in the parking lot and help you find your parking space.
Breakfast:
All of our rooms include a three-course, gourmet breakfast crafted with the best of local and seasonal ingredients. Breakfast is served from 8 am to 9 am. Please check with us if you require an earlier breakfast or need a breakfast to go. We are pleased to prepare for special diets if possible and when requested in advance.
Reservations:
Reservations are taken up to one year in advance. The Spring Lighthouse B&B books up quickly during the summer and on holidays, so we strongly suggest making reservations well in advance to make sure we can accommodate your requests. We do, however, reserve the right to reassign rooms for scheduling purposes. We strive to keep the originally booked room but are not always able to do so.
Room Occupancy:
Room rates are based on single or double occupancy. We can only accommodate children over the age of 16 and under certain circumstances. Please inquire before booking.
Deposit & Payment Terms:
There is a two-night minimum stay on holidays, summer and fall weekends, and during special events. During winter and spring, we do take single-night stays on weekends except during holidays. Single Friday or Saturday nights do become available sometimes. Please call for availability. The Spring Lighthouse B&B accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, as well as cash. At the time of reservation your credit card information will be taken to hold your reservation and a one-night deposit will be billed at the time of reservation. The remaining charges will not be billed until 7 days before your arrival. If reserving the entire inn for a special function such as a wedding, reunion, or conference, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total is required at the time of booking with the remaining balance due 30 before arrival.
Cancellation Policy:
Small inns like ours are significantly affected by untimely cancellations. We understand that unforeseen circumstances arise. With the increase in cancellations of 2023, we are HIGHLY RECOMMENDING Travel Insurance. For a nominal fee, you can be completely covered for trip interruptions and cancellations. Get a free quote here https://www.travelguard.com/
If your travel plans change and you must cancel your reservation, please call us to cancel your reservation at your earliest convenience so we might be able to re-book the reservation for another guest. PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept cancellations by email.
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
We require at least a 7-day notice for cancellation or shortening of your stay. No-shows, early check outs, and late cancellations may be responsible for the entire length of their reservation. Reservations made during special events (such as Cherry Festival, Film Festival, Harbor Days, etc) will require a 30-day notice of cancellation. If you must cancel your regular reservation within 7 days of your reservation date, a minimum of one night’s stay will be charged to your credit card unless we can re-book the room for the whole period of the original reservation. If we are unable to re-book the room, the amount charged to you, at our option, may be applied to a return visit to The Spring Lighthouse B&B within six months of the original reservation date.
We cannot be responsible for travel delays, health issues, inclement weather, or early departures. A reservation made using a prior balance carried over by a previous cancellation will become non-refundable for a future stay regardless of the date canceled.
*A 30-day cancellation notice is required on whole house bookings and for some holidays and special events. When reserving the entire property for a group, wedding, or other function, a non-refundable deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in is anytime between 3 pm and 6 pm. Check-ins after 6 pm can be accommodated with advanced notice and approval of the Innkeepers. Check-ins arriving after 9 30 pm will not be permitted and guests will be charged for the full price of the reservation.
Please call several days before your stay to provide us with the anticipated time of your arrival. Check-out is 11:00 am.
Smoking:
The Spring Lighthouse B&B is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is not permitted within any structure on the grounds including the back deck area. A cleaning fee of a minimum of $250 per day will charged for any violations of our non-smoking policy.
Children & Pets:
We can only accommodate children over the age of 16 and under certain circumstances. Please inquire before booking.
While we cannot accommodate pets at The Spring Lighthouse B&B, there are several pet boarding services nearby.
Damages:
Guests will be charged to repair any damages beyond normal wear and tear they cause to the premises or to room amenities.
Non-Registered Guests:
Guests may not invite friends or family who are not registered guests of the inn to spend time on the premises without the consent of the Innkeeper.
Housekeeping:
Daily Housekeeping in guest rooms is temporarily suspended due to COVID restrictions: however, we can accommodate requests for extra towels, linen changes, etc. Please let us know if you have any special needs and we will make our best efforts to accommodate you.
Wheelchair Accessibility:
As we are an historic building, The Spring Lighthouse is not 100% ADA compliant and we do not have an elevator. Access to the second floor is by stairs. Please call with questions.
Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association
6757 Cascade Road SE, Ste 241
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
