Northern Michigan Road Trip ~ Breweries, Wineries, Dining, Casino

January - February 2019, Weekday and weekend visits

Winter in Michigan!
Location: Charlevoix county.

We had a Michigan Brewvine Passport with several unused discounts, which had some bearing on the places we chose to visit this trip.

Four Leaf Brewing Sampler

Clare, Michigan: Four Leaf Brewing

This was our first visit to Four Leaf Brewing, and we only learned about the brewery because of their participation in Michigan Brewvine Passport. We liked all their discounts, and chose to use the coupon for 50% off a flight with our order. My personal favorite was Tiramisu Stout. The service was excellent, and we hope to visit again soon. Pere Marquette Rail Trail runs very close behind this brewery, on the west side of Pine Street.

View behind bar at Dead Bear; photo taken during 2016 visit

Grayling, Michigan: Dead Bear Brewing Co.   

We have previously enjoyed good food and brews at Dead Bear Brewing Co., although our experience was a tad disappointing this time. We split the Rueben appetizer, which we had had before, and really liked. The appetizer had been more like an egg roll last time, and this time it was greasier. You can see a photo of this appetizer in my 2015 Grayling post. Initially, we had planned to just split a pint at Dead Bear with their $2 off coupon, and then dine at Paddle Hard Brewing; however, the morning of our departure, we learned Paddle Hard Brewing would be closed.

Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery

Petoskey, Michigan: Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery, Odawa Casino 

Mackinaw Trail is one of our favorite places to visit in Petoskey! We enjoy visiting their locations in Mackinaw City and Manistique, as well. We love their brews and wines, along with the service and atmosphere. We used their discounted tasting coupon from the Michigan Brewvine Passport, and could not leave without making at least one purchase. My husband and I both liked Hop-toskey IPA and the Imperial Stout best--both delicious! 

Cadillac, Michigan / Hampton Inn

February 2019, Weekend, 1-night, King guestroom 427

Diamond perks and check-in

This hotel was very busy the night of our stay, and there was only one front desk agent working when we arrived. We waited about 5 minutes to check in, and then our check-in process was very quick. The agent recognized my status, and she offered a bottle of water and snack.

Guestroom 427

This guestroom is on the top floor on the north side of the building. If you complete online check in and choose your guestroom, I suggest this side of the building, as the view is scenic; whereas, the southern view looks over the main parking lot and businesses. 

Guestroom 427

Traverse City, Michigan / Hampton Inn

February 2019, 1-night, Weekend, king study guestroom #433

We previously stayed in this same guestroom March 2015, and you can find more details for the room and hotel in that blog post. This is a brief post with a bit of new information, and a reiteration of the fact that the hotel room diagram does not match the guestrooms. This is more clearly shown in my previous blog post.

Diamond perks and check-in

I did not intentionally try to stay in the same guestroom; that is just how it worked out. I had reserved a queen bed guestroom, and when I checked in online, I was able to choose any room type, so I chose a king study. Unfortunately, I had not read my previous blog post thoroughly before checking in, and I initially assigned myself guestroom 435, as that guestroom is closer to the end of the hall, and away from the traffic end of the building. After doing so, I recalled that the four end rooms are smaller guestrooms. I rechecked this information in my previous blog post, and then I called the hotel. The agent confirmed that the end guestrooms are smaller: numbers 434 - 437. She reassigned us to guestroom 433.

Diamond member bag received at check-in

This property has a designated parking spot for Diamond members, which was open when we arrived. Check-in was a breeze, as the front desk agent had everything ready for us, including a goody bag with some snacks.

Petoskey, Michigan / Hampton Inn & Suites

January 2019, Weekday, 1-night, King with whirlpool, microwave, fridge

Diamond perks and check-in

I called this hotel before arrival, because when I tried to check in, I was only able to access one guestroom choice on Floor 1, and I prefer a higher floor. The agent said that was because there are only 2 king spa guestrooms at this hotel, and there was already a guest in the [higher floor] guestroom. If you reserve this type of guestroom, and want a room on a higher floor, choose the room with a balcony. I did not reserve the balcony room because the cost was more (only $10, I think), and I did not think a balcony would matter much in the winter. If I had realized the non-balcony room is a room on the bottom floor, I would have made our reservation for a balcony guestroom. The front desk agent recognized my status during the telephone call, and during check-in. 

View from guestroom 120

Guestroom 120

When I had called while checking in, the agent told me this guestroom has a terrace, and it does not. There is another guestroom described as having a terrace, so I assume she misspoke, and was thinking of a different guestroom. Guestroom 120 is a basic guestroom with a whirlpool tub. Floor 1 is the level below the front desk, as this hotel sits on a hill. There is a partial view of the bay, which is not visible in the photo above because of the extreme winter weather conditions.