With three distinct villages, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and fitness center, four dining options and over 36,000 sq ft of conference facilities, Shanty Creek has always been a favorite Up North destination.

And now more than ever, after its $10 million renovation, it’s easy to see why Shanty Creek Resorts is Michigan’s Favorite Resort.

REVIEW:
My husband and I discovered Bellaire in 2006 when we visited the Shanty Creek Resort with friends who knew the area. We had been frequent visitors of northern Michigan for years, but had generally spent our time in Traverse City and, to a lesser extent, Mackinac Island and Charlevoix.

Bellaire, which is in northwest lower Michigan, is everything we imagined an up-north town should be. It combines mountainous, densely wooded terrain with gorgeous lakes and rivers, including Torch Lake (rated the third most beautiful lake in the world by National Geographic). The Bellaire area is quiet and peaceful, with a delightful small downtown area that is home to amazingly good restaurants, trendy boutiques and upscale cafes.

There’s always something to do in Bellaire. Winter activities include skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing and sleigh rides at Shanty Creek and Schuss Mountain. Spring brings canoeing, horseback riding and some of the best golf to be found in Michigan. Summer activities are endless, including swimming, boating and festivals. Fall brings more festivals and the ever popular “colors” tours.

Nearby (all under 45 minutes away) are the lovely towns of Elk Rapids and Alden, and the infinite attractions of Traverse City (my husband’s favorite is the Turtle Creek Casino). A little bit further — but still do-able in a day — are the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Charlevoix, Petosky, Mackinaw Island and the amazing Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie.

We were so delighted by Bellaire’s charms that we have purchased two properties there: a wooded lot to build on one day, and in the meantime, a condominium in the Hawk’s Eye golf clubhouse. It’s an easy four-hour drive from our home in Ann Arbor, so we get up there at least every couple of months and more often in the summer.