Terrace Bay Hotel

The hotel’s rooms and views are beautiful, and the nights were completely quiet. I’d seen it on a PBS travel segment after Covid and added it to my list of places to visit. Just walking the hallways lifted my spirits. Being in such a lovely space made me feel special, and it was exactly what we needed on our quick trip to the UP. The pool view was exceptional, and the dining room view was breathtaking. The front desk took good care of us throughout the stay, especially Cheyene. The Bigby Coffee crew looked after us with delicious treats. The real treasure is Freshwater Tavern. Hotel restaurants rarely seem worth a visit, but the staff and chefs here go above and beyond.

The room in the newer tower was awesome, and Jewels the bartender was warm and welcoming. We got there too late for supper, which was a bummer, but we did have a couple of quick cocktails. In the morning, the sun came up over the lake and the view was stunning. Incredible room and scenery. We’ll definitely stay again if we get the chance!

We left without eating after seeing the bartender lick sauce off his fingers, then handle glasses by the rims. My wife and I watched him do it twice while he was preparing a large tray of White Russians, some with chocolate around the rims and some with white sauce. It was disgusting, especially with so many illnesses going around, and we didn't want to risk catching anything. If that was happening in front of a packed bar, I don't want to imagine what might go on behind the kitchen doors. I used to like coming here, but I won't be back, and I expect more from a “fancy” diner. We'd gone to Freshwater Tavern on Valentine's Day 2026. The wait for a table was about an hour and a half, which was understandable since Stonehouse and House of Ludington had both burned down that past year. We decided to wait and have a drink at the bar. My wife got the only open seat at first, and I stood behind her until another opened up ten minutes later. We asked for the bar appetizer menu, but the one we were handed had food and crud all over it. Before that, I'd eaten at Freshwater Tavern a few times and the food and service had both been great. It's a classy restaurant in the Terrace Hotel, recently remodeled, and the only “fancy” dining option around since Stonehouse burned down last year. Bummer.

We stayed in the tower, and the rooms were gorgeous. I loved having a balcony, too! It was so cool to step right outside our door and stand on the iced-over lake. We were there overnight on Valentine's Day with my husband and kids, and had a wonderful stay, genuinely one of the best hotels I've stayed at. Can't wait to come back when it's warmer and see what the beach is like without the winter freeze.