The Homestead
by
Terry Sullivan
Summary: Just minutes north of Glen Arbor, Michigan, The Homestead offers different lodging options for the wine traveler. The resort makes the perfect base from which to explore the wineries on Leelanau Peninsula. There is a wide choice of room types available at different price points.
Flags mark the entrance to The Homestead along Michigan Rt 22 north of Glen Arbor. The winding entrance takes travelers to the reception area where one checks in. The reception area offers several seating areas where one can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while using the wireless internet. Checking in is a simple process; you receive a map of the resort that will show the short drive to the area where your room is located. The map may make the resort, with hundreds of properties, look large. However, it only takes minutes to drive from the reception area to other areas of the resort.
The Homestead consists of properties for rent as well as properties that are owned. Some of the properties that are owned are also available for rent at certain times of the year. There is a range of prices similar to other hotels, however the setting of The Homestead makes this secluded spot a gem where spending some time will provide treasured moments.
Accommodations
Two larger facilities with rooms for rent include The Inn and Stony Brook Lodge. The Inn is close to Lake Michigan and some of the rooms will have a lake view. The eighty-year old Inn offers sophisticated-designed rooms with sitting area, fireplace, refrigerator and king size bed. There are also some one and two bedroom suites. Stony Brook Lodge offers one and two bedroom suites with porcelain stove, kitchenette, two person steam shower, king bed and sofa bed. Both of these lodging facilities have high speed Internet access.
In a wooded location near the Village, Fiddler’s Pond and Little Belle offer accommodations. Fiddler’s Pond has rooms reminiscent of cottages with a sitting area with fireplace, a refrigerator, one-person whirlpool and king size bed. There is also a single room with sitting area and a two-room accommodation available. Little Belle has accommodations for couples. The rooms offer a sitting area with chairs, raised fireplace and flat panel television. The king-size bedroom has a larger flat panel television, two person Hydromax AeroFeel tub and sleeping area with king size bed.
We had the opportunity to stay at one of the Little Belle suites for four days. It was well lit and the sitting area was spacious enough for us to spread out and write. The fireplace worked well with a setting on a timer. There was a refrigerator, used sparingly. Off the bedroom there was a walk in closet area and bathroom with shower. Our suite overlooked the village shops and ski lift. We had a short walk to restaurants and the Village Shops.
Restaurants
Near the Fiddler’s Pond and Little Belle units is the Village. The Village has dining facilities and specialty shops. Nonna’s is an upscale Italian restaurant. Beppi’s is a family oriented pub and grill. CQ’s is opened seasonally and offers sandwiches, soups, chili and beverages. Cavanaugh’s Grocery & Deli offers made-to-order sandwiches, soups, chicken and deli items. A wide selection of beverages is available. Café Manitou is located on the shore near The Inn. Café Manitou is opened seasonally and offers casual fare.
We had dinner at Nonna’s one evening. The chef sent out different courses paired with a selected wine. The first course was a crab cake on a bed of sweet red onions. This was paired with a Cutrer Chardonnay from Sonoma. The apple aroma and taste matched the crab cake. The crisp finish was palate cleansing. The second course was a lamb chop paired with a Ninth Island Pinot Noir from Tasmania. The red fruit and peppery aftertaste from the Pinot complemented the spice from the lamb chops. The third course was Tagliatelle with walnuts and mascarpone in a cream sauce. This course was paired with a Bricco Dei Tati Cortese from Italy’s Piemonte region. The apple aroma and taste had lemon nuances that matched well with the cheese and cream sauce on the pasta. The next course was a surf and turf including scallops and filet mignon. The course was paired with a fruity Zenato Valpolicella from Italy’s Veneto region.
History
In 1923 William and Cora Beals from St. Louis, Missouri searched for land along the Great Lakes to build their homestead. They settled on the present site and purchased the property in 1924 where they established a boys’ camp, Camp Leelanua. Soon afterwards they established a camp for girls, Camp Kohana. Their dreams of building a school were dampened by the Depression, however a school building was completed by 1932. During the summer months it was used as a resort. During the decades that followed, owners came and went. However, there has always been an emphasis on the natural environment whether it was in the camps, school or resort.
Now The Homestead borders Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This area offers 35 miles of Lake Michigan shore and plenty of dunes to climb and trails to hike. Visitors to the area can experience the natural environment of both The Homestead and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
When planning a visit to Leelanau Peninsula schedule several days to enjoy what The Homestead offers, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the local Michigan wineries.
The Homestead
1 Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor, Michigan 49636
