THE HOMESTEAD, GLEN ARBOR

from MyNorth Meetings 2020

UNFORGETTABLE TEAM BONDING

» RELAXING RETREAT

» WINERIES

Every business meeting would be better if it felt more like a vacation retreat—something The Homestead has been specializing in since Bob Kuras began to build his Leelanau resort just steps from the Crystal River and Lake Michigan, 45 years ago.

A series of stand-alone lodges make up The Homestead’s meeting venues—throwbacks to gracious old Up North retreats, complete with porches and rocking chairs, stone fireplaces and beamed ceilings, offering an atmosphere that’s nothing like your typical hotel conference center.

The Inn is the historic heart and soul of The Homestead, with combined event space and adjacent lodging, while Camp Firefly has a more rustic feeling and interior-focused meeting spaces. The largest venue is Mountain Flowers Lodge, offering 5,000 square feet of event space wrapped with big patios and an outdoor fireplace. “This spot is great to get outside of your normal settings; there’s wonderful indoor-outdoor flow,” says Tony Farragh, the resort’s senior manager and director of sales. Nearby Stony Brook Lodge has three meeting spaces, a private pool, a patio and a gas fireplace, and its guest rooms have views of Sleeping Bear Bay.

During downtime, attendees love to head out to The Homestead’s par-3 golf course (it transforms into a snowshoeing and Nordic skiing paradise in the winter) or retreat to the resort’s spa perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

There’s plenty of tech and traditional meeting space if you need it, but “people don’t just want to sit in meetings and then head out to the bar; they love to feel like they’re on vacation,” Farragh says. “This is the kind of place where your welcome reception is on the water, with a fire pit on the beach at sunset and a bar.”

NEW IN 2020

The “Celebration Table” at Whiskers restaurant—a curved table that seats 38 and encourages conversations and interaction.

LOCALS LOVE

“Everything outdoors,” Farragh says. High on everyone’s list—direct access from the resort to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail for biking and the Bay View Trail for hiking/snowshoeing.

HOT TIP

“Set the tone with a cocktail hour on top of Bay Mountain,” Farragh advises. “Guests take the chairlift up to a paved patio space where you can see lakes Fisher, Glen and Michigan ... it’s just the best view and makes a memorable statement.” Bonus: The space is usually available Sunday through Thursday.

QUICK FACTS

» Smallest space: cozy eight-person round-table settings » Largest space: Mountain Flowers Lodge has 5,000 square feet and can host up to 170 people » Distinct hotel lodging options: 4 » Getting there: 30 miles west of Traverse City’s Cherry

Capital Airport

Privatelyowned AAA4-Diamond Resortsince2016