If you are in the mood to spoil yourself by going to a resort, you don’t need to leave your dog at home. In fact, they’ll get pampered too. In this post I’m sharing everything there is to know about the 5 Michigan pet friendly resorts to spoil you and your dog!
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Perks of staying at a resort
Pet Friendly resorts are a lot of fun to splurge on because of the amenities that come with them. In some cases, there are packages that give you even more.
When it comes to taking your dog with you to a resort, oftentimes they offer something a little special for your pet as well. This can be a huge benefit if you don’t want to deal with having to find pet friendly places to eat, things to do, etc and just want to soak in whatever the resort offers.
It is also a great way of introducing you and your dog to pet friendly travel because you will be at a dog friendly resort that will tell you exactly where or where not you can take your dog.
Are They Worth The Expense?
One not-so-great perk of pet friendly resorts is they tend to be expensive. Whether you believe it is worth the expense is up to you, but in some cases, a dog friendly pet package can be worth it in hot spot locations like Mackinac Island, where you will be paying a pretty penny for hotels anyway.
Also, unless you are camping (where most welcome dogs for no extra fee), you will be paying a pet fee at a standard hotel, typically a daily rate.
So for example, Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island’s pet fee is 100.00 dollars per stay. If you were to stay there for 4 nights, that would be 25 dollars a day. Just off the island at the Quality Inn, their pet fee is $25 dollars a day, for less comfort and amenities. No offense, Quality Inn, just using you to make my point. See what I mean?
Another way to make staying at a resort less expensive is to go during the off-season or when they offer certain promotional packages. If you don’t want to make a hole in your wallet, then for the love of your dog, do not go to Mackinac Island or Traverse City in June or July.
Now let’s get into the Michigan pet friendly resorts!
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Mission Point Resort – Mackinac Island
I’ve already mentioned this in several posts, but it’s at the top of the list for a reason.
Mission Point Resort is one of the only pet friendly resorts on the island. They not only allow dogs, they welcome them with open arms. They have a resident dog on site, Nick the border collie, who you can follow on instagram @nickatthepoint.
Currently, their pet fee is $100 dollars per stay. They also offer a pet package called Pooch at the Point which includes a two night stay, the pet fee, breakfast, ferry tickets, and a welcome amenity for your dog.
The Round Island Kitchen on site has a dog friendly patio.
The Homestead Resort – Glen Arbor
The Homestead is near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and has a bunch of different types of lodging.
What is really nice about the Homestead is that their pet fee is included in the rate when you book. It is a little tricky to book the pet friendly specific rooms so I would call to reserve.
The pet friendly rooms are located in the Fiddler’s Pond Inn. They have a limited amount so this would be something you need to book well in advance.
When you are a guest at the Homestead you get exclusive benefits like unlimited access to the pool, hot tub, kayak and canoe rentals, golf course discounts, priority reservations for the spa, and more. Check out all amenities here.
The resort itself has a few dining options on site:
Whiskers is an indoor outdoor Argentinian style wood-burning grill that your dog can enjoy with you.
Cavenaugh’s is a hybrid restaurant / general store and also has outdoor seating.
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Crystal Mountain Resort – Thompsonville
Pets are allowed at Crystal Mountain Resort, though there are no special pet packages. They list exactly where on the resort your dog is not allowed to go, which is super helpful.
Dogs are allowed in the Hamlet Hotel Rooms and the Pinehurst Suites.
Fees are not listed on their website so call and confirm their current fee.
Well-behaved dogs are allowed on Kinlochen Plaza, the Mountain Market patio, and the Barr Park patio.
You won’t find much dog friendly dining here, but most rooms/suites have a full kitchen in them.
Crystal Mountain is known for skiing in the winter, two highly rated golf courses, a spa, and various other winter and summer activities.
Boyne Mountain Resort – Boyne Falls
Another popular resort for skiing, Boyne Mountain Resort is located just south of Petoskey. We went without Kirby last year in the Fall and enjoyed the heated pool, and chair lift rides. We also went golfing on the Alpine Course which was a gorgeous course. They also have another course, the Monument which is said to be more challenging.
Like the resorts above, they also have a spa and offer different winter and summer activities and amenities.
In terms of being pet friendly, they are probably the least flexible. They have select pet friendly rooms that can only be booked by phone. Their pet fee is $25 for the first night and $10 per subsequent night, up to a maximum of $150.
Dogs are not really allowed anywhere on / in the resort, so keep that in mind.
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Portage Point Resort – Onekama
Maybe not the most popular on this list, but Portage Point Resort has been around since 1903. It has an interesting history of being part of the 1897 Michigan State legislature Act for building resorts after the exhaustion of the lumber industry.
The resort is made up of different Inns and Cottages along Portage Lake with access to Lake Michigan as well. It is going through a period of renovations and remodels, but is still open for reservations.
Pets are welcome in select accommodations and can only be booked online. A $25 per night pet cleaning fee will be applied to your reservation. Check out their policy here.
Have you stayed at any of these Michigan pet friendly resorts? Let me know in the comments below!