Seasonal bayside inn in Traverse City offering country-style rooms, homey cottages, free Wi-Fi, parking, and easy access to beaches and local attractions.
Guests appreciate the peaceful location near downtown Traverse City with easy access to wineries and outdoor activities. Many highlight the warmth and charm of the cottages and cabins, complemented by features like the sauna and gas fireplaces.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Located on the serene shores of Bay Shore Drive in Traverse City, Anchor Inn offers a seasonal bayside retreat combining country-style hotel rooms with cozy homey cottages. Guests can choose accommodations featuring kitchens, gas fireplaces, and some unique touches like an outdoor sauna, reflecting a rustic yet comfortable atmosphere ideal for nature lovers and those seeking a quiet getaway.
The property provides free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and free parking, catering to practical needs without the trappings of on-site dining or fitness facilities. The smoke-free inn welcomes families with children and offers bike and boat rentals to explore the nearby natural surroundings. While not pet-friendly, it provides a relaxed and peaceful environment close to sandy beaches, a pier, and a nature preserve.
Situated just minutes from downtown Traverse City, the inn’s location is convenient for exploring local attractions such as the Great Lakes Children's Museum, Mari Vineyards with its bay views and tastings, and the Dennos Museum Center. Visitors frequently highlight the combination of tranquility with proximity to area wineries, outdoor activities, and cultural sites, making it a fitting choice for guests who appreciate both access and seclusion.
Reviewers consistently mention the cabins’ cleanliness, thoughtful design, and well-equipped kitchens as positives, along with the friendly and accommodating staff. The sauna and winter amenities receive particular praise, though some note smaller bathroom spaces as part of the rustic charm rather than a drawback. Overall, the Anchor Inn appeals to couples, families, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a straightforward, comfortable stay near Traverse City’s natural and cultural highlights.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
We had a great stay at Anchor In Cabins! The cabin was cozy, clean, and thoughtfully designed with everything we needed. The location was peaceful yet close to downtown Traverse City, the bay and nearby wineries. It was the ideal balance of nature and convenience. Perfect for a relaxing getaway—highly recommend!
Love this place for the following reasons: 1) cozy cabins with functional kitchens and gas fireplaces, 2) great off season rates, 3) proximity to downtown Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes, 3) friendly and accommodating staff. My partner and I have come up to enjoy the outdoors and good restaurants the last three winters and have stayed at the Anchor Inn each visit. It’s become one of our favorite places. Highly recommend.
We really enjoyed our stay! Charming cottage with pretty wintery scenery right outside our door. We loved the sauna and found everything to be clean, comfortable and thoughtful. Would love to come back in the summer.
My boyfriend and I traveled here for Valentine’s Day for a quick weekend trip. The place was a very quiet, cute, retro, rustic cabin getaway in Traverse City. It seemed like there were a lot of activities and fun things to do in the summer here. The sauna was very relaxing and they had a cute area to ice skate for the winter.
We enjoyed our stay at the Anchor Inn, cabin #8! It was cozy and cute and had everything we needed. Our stay was in early November; the heating situation was great (enjoyed the gas fireplace) and able to seperately control the bedroom and living area. The cabin is just what I think of in an "up north" cabin. The bathroom is very small, but was expected from the reservation. The Inn is in a great location, right on the Bay and minutes from downtown Traverse City. We visited many wineries in the area and had a good time "wining" through the area. This was a great value. Thanks!
We LOVED our stay at Anchor Inn. We were there the last weekend in February so it was cold outside which was perfect for our cozy getaway. We enjoyed the sauna which the guys at the front desk worked hard to keep stocked with wood. They also kept up with the ice on the steps leading to it which was appreciated since ice and snow are unavoidable in Traverse City in February! Our cottage was adorable and cozy, and everything we needed was provided (pans, cutting board, utensils, a grill, shampoo, etc.). The fireplace in our room added to the ambiance and was really efficient at keeping us warm. I also really appreciated the little Anchor Inn Info book! Learning about such a cool property and all the things to do while we were there, in such a fun and organized manner, was a thoughtful touch. We would absolutely recommend staying at the Anchor Inn and can't wait to do it again!
This was a great place to stay, so many cute and thoughtful little touches in the rooms. You can tell a lot of love was put into creating the space. The sauna was GREAT! You will definitely need to watch the tutorial video before you assume you know what you are doing. I would absolutely come back - I would love to see this place in the summer!
In mid-February, my husband and I stayed for the weekend in one of the cottages with a kitchenette, and it was cozy and comfortable. The location was excellent — close to all the activities and downtown — and the cottage had everything we needed for our stay. The outdoor sauna was a wonderful bonus. We traveled with our dog, and it was so nice to find a lovely place that accommodates pets at a reasonable price. I also disagree with some of the negative reviews, because the listing clearly explains what to expect. For example, we didn’t mind the smaller bathroom at all; if anything, it added to the charm. Overall, the place was very clean and perfect for a couples’ getaway.
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