Park Place Hotel Traverse City Review – Best Downtown Hotel
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Traverse City, Michigan is a delightful thriving town at the northwestern tip of the lower peninsula. It attracts nature lovers, wine enthusiasts, art aficionados, and foodies. Because of its location downtown, the Park Place Hotel Traverse City was the perfect place to experience all of these things on my recent girls’ trip.
The art deco decor, storied history, and downtown Traverse City location are what drew me to the Park Place Hotel in the first place.
To celebrate our 50th birthdays, my two best friends and I enjoyed our stay at the Park Place Hotel. In fact, over and over again, my friends marveled at how lovely the hotel is, and how convenient it is to all the downtown shopping and dining.
I don’t get to travel very often with just my girlfriends, so having a weekend away with the three of us was important and rejuvenating.
I know it’s hard to find a place that suits different needs, but I do feel the Park Place Hotel met our needs and exceeded them.
Plus, Traverse City is one of my favorite places for a Lake Michigan vacation.
It works for couples, best friend trips, and even families thanks to its indoor pool and kiddie area.
I’ll give you the rundown on why I think the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City is the best downtown hotel.
Let’s get to it.
The Park Place Hotel provided us with free accommodations in exchange for a review. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Location and Accessibility
As I mentioned above, the Park Place Hotel is in the center of the downtown area. It’s at the end of Park Street, and about 2 blocks from Front Street where you’ll find dozens of stores.
For beach lovers, Clinch Park Beach is just minutes away, offering lakeside relaxation and scenic trails. The hotel’s central location makes it ideal for exploring Traverse City’s top sights on foot, while ample parking and easy access to local transit add convenience for further exploration.
The hotel has plenty of parking, with covered handicap spaces.
Traverse City offers public buses around town and from the airport. Uber and Lyft are also plentiful.
Truthfully, if you don’t have your own vehicle, I’d recommend renting a car in Traverse City. It’s the best way to see the sights, wineries, and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly. While we didn’t have pets with us, we did see guests with pets and gratefully never heard a woof out of any pets during our stay.
My favorite moment in the hotel was overlooking the city as the sun was rising. We had the good fortune to visit during the fall and hit peak color season during our stay. Sipping coffee with the windows wide open looking over the city, hitting the brilliant reds and oranges of the trees is a relaxing moment of peace.
History of the Park Place Hotel
The Park Place Hotel in Traverse City, Michigan, has been a central landmark since its original construction in 1873, when it was known as the Campbell House. Originally built to accommodate travelers in a bustling lumber town, the hotel evolved significantly over the decades.
In 1930, after a fire destroyed the original building, the hotel was rebuilt with an Art Deco-style tower that became one of the tallest structures in the region and a defining part of Traverse City’s skyline. This new 10-story structure, completed in 1931, featured the “Top of the Park” lounge, offering visitors stunning panoramic views.
Today, the Park Place Hotel continues to be a historic yet modernized destination. Regular renovations have preserved its charm while adding contemporary amenities, making it a convenient and comfortable spot for guests.
Room Types
We stayed in connecting Tower rooms. Each room with 2 queen beds was spacious, with additional seating, a desk overlooking downtown, a mini fridge, a coffee maker, and plenty of storage with drawers and an armoire.
I particularly loved our views, but also the additional countertop space along the window in the bathroom. When you’re traveling with 2 other women, this is essential!
My friends noticed the architectural details such as the crown molding and long front desk with old-fashioned key cubbies behind. It’s nice touches such as those that bring the historic charm to life.
The Park Place Hotel offers a variety of room types:
Traditional Rooms: These standard rooms come with either one king or two queen beds. They offer comfortable accommodations with classic decor and essential amenities.
Tower Rooms: Located in the hotel’s historic 10-story tower, these rooms offer unique views of downtown Traverse City and the bay. Decorated in a timeless style, they have king or queen-bed options and include extra amenities like plush bedding and workspaces.
Suites: The Park Place suites provide a more spacious layout, ideal for guests who want extra room to relax. Some suites include separate living areas and offer additional features like sofa beds, mini-fridges, and wet bars, making them well-suited for families or extended stays.
Our room was clean and comfortable. It wasn’t over the top in luxury or plushness but exceeded a standard chain hotel.
Dining & Cocktails
The Park Place Hotel Traverse City is also home to a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as a cocktail lounge.
Minerva’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
We enjoyed a lovely dinner, and I’d say the prices are in line with other fine dining establishments, without being over the top.
Our food was delicious, and the presentation flawless. There’s a good variety of options, and the ever-popular prime rib.
You can find the full menu here.
At the top floor of the tower sits the Beacon Lounge with panoramic views of the city. They offer a selection of signature cocktails, local wines, and beers, as well as a full bar to make whatever you crave.
There is seating around the bar, as well as a few tables near the surrounding windows. We enjoyed delicious drinks, all agreeing that Maple Old Fashioned was our favorite.
Ambiance
The Park Place Hotel feels like the “place to be” in Traverse City. While guests were coming in and out, families, couples, other women like us, everyone seemed relaxed and happy to be there.
We also saw guests with pets.
The Park Place Hotel seemed to be a central place to celebrate a visit to Traverse City.
And while the lobby always seemed to have activity, I never heard a peep in our room.
Hotel Amenities
As I mentioned above, the pool is indoors, so you can use it year-round, even while it’s snowing outdoors. Imagine skiing for the day and returning to the hotel hot tub or heated pool. The pool also has a shallow kid’s area for the little ones.
Just outside the pool is a garden space where you can enjoy the weather when it’s lovely, and the peace of seclusion from the outside world.
They also have a fitness center, gift shop, laundry service, and best of all free parking. In a world where every hotel wants to charge for parking, this is a nice perk!
They also offer a free shuttle to and from the Cherry City Airport.
Hotel Staff
Every encounter we had with the staff was the epitome of Midwest Nice. The front desk was excited to see us each and every time and went out of their way to make sure we didn’t have any questions.
Every time we passed the front desk the staff was polite, smiling, and welcomed us back.
Additionally, the waitstaff at Minerva’s and Beacon Lounge were friendly and helpful.
Nearby Attractions & Activities
Here are some of our favorite sights that are within walking distance of the Park Place Hotel.
Clinch Park: Just a short walk from the hotel, this waterfront park has sandy beaches, picnic areas, and beautiful views of Grand Traverse Bay, perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
Front Street: Traverse City’s main street is lined with unique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and breweries. It’s an excellent spot for shopping, dining, and experiencing the local culture. Make sure you check out Cherry Republic as Traverse City is known for growing cherries.
Local Breweries: Traverse City is known for its craft breweries, many within walking distance of the hotel, such as Middle Coast Brewing and Fresh Coast Brew Works. (Both of these names I love by the way, pointing to the Lake Michigan coastline.
These attractions are a short drive away and worth exploring when you’re in TC.
Traverse City State Park: Minutes from downtown, this state park has hiking trails, picnic areas, and a beach on East Grand Traverse Bay for more outdoor fun.
Old Mission Peninsula: Known for its scenic beauty, vineyards, and wineries, this peninsula is perfect for a day of wine tasting or a scenic drive along Lake Michigan.
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons: A short drive away, this historic site features shops, cafes, art galleries, and wine-tasting rooms within a renovated 19th-century asylum complex, ideal for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: About a 30-minute drive from the hotel, Sleeping Bear Dunes offers stunning sand dunes, scenic overlooks, and hiking trails along Lake Michigan, consistently voted one of America’s most beautiful spots.
Leelanau Peninsula: This picturesque area north of Traverse City is filled with vineyards, charming small towns, and beautiful lakeshore views, making it ideal for scenic drives, wine tastings, and exploring nature.
Leland Fishtown: Located on the Leelanau Peninsula, this historic fishing village features original shanties, smokehouses, and docks. Today, it’s a vibrant area with shops, galleries, and fresh fish markets, giving visitors a taste of Michigan’s maritime history.
Dennos Museum Center: Situated at Northwestern Michigan College, this museum showcases art and cultural exhibits, including an impressive Inuit art collection.
Boardman River Walk: A scenic pathway along the Boardman River, ideal for a leisurely stroll and enjoying Traverse City’s natural beauty.
Final Thoughts
We all agreed that the Park Place Hotel was a top choice and a hotel we’d visit again. Its location is unmatched downtown. The hotel is stylish and comfortable. The historic touches do not feel old or outdated.
I’d highly recommend checking out the Park Place Hotel for your choice of Traverse City hotels.
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