Last weekend, I had the awesome privilege as a blogger to travel to my happy place — Northern Michigan, specifically to stay and review Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge, located in Alanson. While people looked at me like I had three eyes when I said I was heading to the Petoskey area during winter, I brushed it off knowing the awesomeness in store.
As we drove north, I literally got emotional taking in all the beauty of the snow, the beautiful white birch trees and millions of pines we passed along the way. I just felt a sigh of relief to getaway from all of life’s distraction — even for two nights.
After 3.5 hours in the car, we arrived at our destination. My 4-year-old asked if we were at the North Pole. I couldn’t blame her thinking, it felt like it!
Walking into the lodge was everything we envisioned our Northern Michigan getaway to be: friendly faces, a chandelier made of antlers and a blazing fire inside and out, surrounded by welcoming adirondack chairs. I mean, couldn’t you relax and spend some time here?
Lucky for us, a cancellation meant we were upgraded to the River View Suite. Talk about the SUITE life. It was the most amazing place we’ve ever stayed. A full kitchen, a massive shower to fit our entire family, plenty of beds {sleeps 12!} and even a gorgeous balcony overlooking the river. I told my husband I could easily live here.
I love that all the suites include a kitchen. This is crucial with small children!
When it comes to accommodations, you truly can’t get better than this place. The staff didn’t know I was a blogger, but I felt like a VIP. They were SO friendly. My favorite was Janet who literally walked from table to table during breakfast, chatting with guests. You just don’t get this experience in chain hotels. And how about this game room? So fun for adults and older children.
Not only was the service friendly and impeccable, there were also so many extra perks to staying at the lodge for smaller children. My girls loved a mini lodge under the stairs. My 2-year-old just kept saying “My house!”
Other things we loved: Free popcorn in the lobby in the evenings, free snowshoes available for use, the awesome outdoor fire pit, and a beautiful and clean pool, complete with a hot tub and waterfall.
Best of all? Room packages start at $79/night during the off-season, which makes this an affordable destination for Michigan families. {See standard rates here.}
The lodge is conveniently located about 20 minutes from Petoskey and 20 minutes from the Mackinac Bridge. The location was perfect! And you could not beat this view of the Crooked River.
During our stay, we also enjoyed the nearby attraction The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods, date-filled cookies from the local bakery Dutch Oven, walking around downtown Petoskey and enjoying lunch at Julienne Tomatoes and even had great pizza in the Northern Michigan airport nearby in Pellston called Hoppie’s Landing. I only wish we had more time to explore…and eat. So many great places to try!
Downtown Petoskey is full of charm — tons of fabulous shopping and dining
Had it just been the hubby and I, I am sure we would’ve loved skiing or renting snowmobiles and enjoying the eclectic variety of wineries and restaurants in the area. Love that it’s kid AND adult friendly! SO many great things to do during ALL seasons.
Cross in the Woods is a free destination just 10 minutes from the lodge. Stunning!
Overall, it was such a memorable weekend, and I am already looking forward to our next stay at the lodge. If a tropical vacation isn’t in your budget, I highly recommend checking out Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge for a spring break destination!
Book online here: http://www.staffords.com/crooked-river-lodge-259/.
Where are your favorite Pure Michigan destinations?
We LOVE Petoskey! We also love Bay Harbor, that is where we go for our BabyMoon!
We love Traverse City and Petoskey. Also traveled to Happy Lake last year and loved it. 🙂
We love Long Lake.
My favorite spot is Muskegon.
We love traveling in Michigan and showing our children it’s beauty!
We love so many Michigan destinations but our favorite is camping at Ludington.
Ludington!
The RiverWalk and the Marriott downtown.
We have so many favorites- but we love to go to East Tawas for a quick visit.
We love Mackinaw City!
We love visiting Roger’s City on Lake Huron
There are so many great places to visit in Michigan, but we really love Traverse City.
We like Holland or Mackinaw City.
We love traveling throughout MI, especially the little towns along Lake Huron in the thumb region and along the Lake Michigan coast, up near Frankfort, etc.
We LOVE Luddington and try to get up there every year! We’ve never had a bad place to stay when vacationing around this great state!
We love Indian River and Mackinaw Island!!! ❤️
Love grand haven.. Musical fountains. Clear beaches and cute stores to explore.
We like Marquette and St. ignace.
I’ve never been to Michigan with my family. I know, it’s hard to believe since I live in Ohio. So close…
We actually haven’t travelled around the state much with the kiddos–we are looking for a nice little weekend trip!
Mackinaw Island is a beautiful place to visit in the fall.
Lewiston
I absolutely love vacationing in Northern MI. Anywhere North of Lansing. But I’m especially fond of Indian River, East Tawas, & Grayling.
We haven’t been many places yet but we liked traverse city 🙂
South Haven Lake MI
Petoskey is great but I’m a sucker for Mackinaw!
We have two favorite places: Lewiston where our family cabin is just 55 minutes south of Mackinac City. And we love and adore all things Mackinac City and Island. We stayed at the Grand Hotel on our honeymoon as well as the Mission Pointe Resort and Harbor View Inn. We went there a few times after we were married. We are planning an anniversary back. Just can’t get enough of it. =)
I’ve never been to Petoskey and I bet it would be a great weekend trip in May or June! My parents and I went to Mackinac Island/City once and that was great. My FAVORITE favorite place would probably be Grand Haven.
This place looks amazing! It looks like you had a wonderful time and your post and pictures have convinced me that we need to add this to our list of must do’s.
We love going to Sleeping Bear Dunes & Traverse City.
Lot’s of places! I loved Ludington as a kid and Holland is great as well. Spent many summers in Traverse City.
Traverse City area is a family favorite! So many amazing restaurants and they’re getting more family friendly each year.
We love Traverse City and Mackinac and Holland.
Traverse City is my favorite been going there since I was a kid camping at the state park with my parents.
I love Traverse City because there is so much to do!
We enjoy frankenmuth! Have not had a chance to experience traverse city but hear amazing things!
We love being anywhere away from home but Coldwater is always a favorite.
Our favorite place is Presque isle. We’ve been camping there for almost twenty years.
We haven’t gone anywhere in MI as a family. This could be the beginning of something great for the family.
Um, what isn’t my favorite place in MI! Michigan rocks! I am partial to my hometown of Holland, love Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island, and always have a good time in Traverse City!
I LOVE Torch Lake! Up until 1 yr ago, my family had a cottage on the lake. I think it will forever be my “Happy Place”!!!
We love camping in Ludington!
Frakenmuth
Michigan has so many beautiful places it is hard to pick one favorite, anyplace on the water is great! I really love Tawas…great sunrises!
Grand Haven or Mackinac!
There are so many great places to stay, one of my favorites is Higgins Lake
I yet to have a found a place in Michigan that I didn’t love!
Love everything about Michigan! Favorite places are Grand Rapids, Trav City, Detroit, and Lansing. SMITTEN WITH THE MITTEN!!!!
Our favorite MI destination is Frankenmuth! We can’t wait to go every fall!
I love East Tawas. We would go every summer if we could.
Love to go up to Saint Ignace
Alpena is an AWESOME lil city!!
We like Ossineke but would be happy to try Petoskey if we win.
We head to lake huron in the summers and love to spend time on the beach!
We love road trips!!!!! So anywhere in Michigan is our favorite.
We love so many great destinations in our state, but Mackinac Island has to be our #1 loved location.
We love Ludington State Park! The BEST
Our favorite travel destination in Michigan is Pentwater. Perfect for a weekend getaway 🙂 Also our family cabin in Lewiston. Love the fresh air up there!
Traverse City, Paradise, Crisp Point Lighthouse, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen Arbor (favorite!), Frankfort
We love heading to Mackinac or Frankenmuth with the family so would LOVE to explore more of the upper-lower peninsula! 🙂
The homestead resort is amazing!!!
We love to camp at all of the state parks! So wonderful!
Petoskey and Frankenmuth!
we love going to Empire!!
We love love love Petoskey. From the bay to the little park, from watching baseball games to grabbing a coffee at Roast and Toast, it has everything. I would live there if I could!
We love going to Grand Haven!, We love the cities near Lake Michigan.
We spend lots of time in Port Austin at our family cabin!
We love to visit Frankemuth. It really is Fun Town!
We love frankenmuth! Best little town!