Welcome Home to the Country Hermitage Bed and Breakfast

A countryside inn nestled in a cherry orchard overlooking East Grand Traverse Bay

What happens when a local Michigan cherry farmer/preservationist purchases "the Yellow House on the Hill" and has the vision to renovate and exquisitely furnish it with antiques and modern furnishings and hires a local couple, of whom one is a talented chef and the other comes with hospitality experience?........ PURE MAGIC!

About the Country Hermitage Bed and Breakfast

Come and experience the hospitality and comfort of this Queen-Anne Victorian-style B&B situated amongst the rolling hills of Northern Michigan’s largest organic tart cherry orchard. Here you will find seven comfortably decorated guest rooms, all with private baths and upscale amenities. The inn is all about a peaceful and serene country location, complete with a private pond and porch where guests can relax to take in all the extraordinary views!   The popular tourist destinations of Traverse City and Elk Rapids are just a short drive away and include unique shopping, farm-to-table dining, and local breweries and wineries.

  Artfully Prepared Breakfasts

Each morning guests enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast that is locally sourced when possible. Wake up to the aromas of freshly roasted coffee from Higher Grounds, a local all-organic coffee roaster in Traverse City. Chef Eric enjoys preparing French-inspired dishes and loves adding unexpected little twists that are fancy and approachable. Some of his favorite breakfasts that have become guest favorites too include a feta herbed pastry torte seasoned with parsley, mint, tarragon, and topped with an egg. The self-served first course begins with homemade muffins or a seasonal fruit dish, followed by a mouth-watering main entree such as Croissant French Toast, Almond Cherry Pancakes, or Unique Savory Dishes and Fritters made with locally grown fruits and vegetables. And of course, the seasonal part is commonly cherry centric!

Unique Experiences at the Country Hermitage Bed and Breakfast

Romance 

From every corner at the Hermitage,  you will find romantic settings to rekindle those special connections with your loved one-from sitting on the patio with breathtaking sunsets, to walking through the cherry orchard, to sitting by the private lake and beautiful gardens, to relaxing in your private room- the romantic vibes are everywhere at the Country Hermitage Inn. And you will enjoy the peace and solitude that can be found in this unique country setting.

Foodie

The Country Hermitage is a haven for foodies. Chef Eric will delight your palette with his breakfast talents. And when you venture out to Traverse City or Elk Rapids you'll find many restaurants to choose from. Traverse City is northern Michigan’s economic and cultural hub and boasts many fine dining eateries, pop-up restaurants, food trucks, and casual fare to expand your culinary repertoire. Elk Rapids is a smaller lakeside community that includes many nice dining spots as well. When the innkeepers dine out they love to enjoy the Italian fare with a farm-to-table philosophy plus a curated wine list at Trattoria Stella in Traverse City, Pearl's New Orleans Home Kitchen in Elk Rapids, and for that special occasion with advance reservations- the Cook's House in Traverse City which is a petite, chef-owned destination for sustainable fare in an understated space, plus cooking classes.

Adventure

Outdoor adventures surround the area. Here are a few for you to consider

• Paddle through Michigan’s crystal blue waters in a clear bottom kayak, the completely see-through watercraft that doesn’t let you miss a single sight: above or below you! Offering tours and rentals in Traverse City, Elk Rapids, and on Torch Lake, Clear Water Kayaks offers a great water experience.
•  Check out the beautiful views and dunes at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park that hover over 400 feet above the vibrant Lake Michigan baby blues, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a treasure that never fails to awe its visitors
• Walk across the world's longest timber-towered suspension bridge at Boyne Mountain.

Autumn

Northern Michigan is known for its natural beauty in the fall season. Come and experience everything fall while staying at the Country Hermitage where you will be surrounded by beautiful fall colors. 

Craft Beer 

A little quote from the Traverse City chamber- "Mmm. Liquid bread. Maybe it’s the plaid shirts, the gnarly beards, or maybe it’s the killer folky playlist floating over the taps…whatever the je ne sais quoi, breweries somehow all say “you’re welcome here.” Well, you’re about a dozen times welcome in TC. Each brewery and taproom brings its own quirk to the pub table, yet all share a foundation to showcase our land. Whether empire hops, asparagus, whiskey, farm-raised pork, apples, or a whole cherry pie---there’s a pint for that, and we’re raising it. But so is CNN Money, listing us among America’s Best Beer Towns. It's no wonder we have Traverse City Beer Week every November!"

Wine Tasting

Thanks to the wonders of the 45th Parallel (the shared latitude for Italy’s Piedmont region and Bourdeaux in France), the Traverse Wine Coast has over 40 different wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms. Ranging from crisp whites to complex reds, our winemakers have put us on a lot of lists, including Travel Channel’s Top 10 Cities for Wine Snobs.

Waterways

Some landscapes are best explored from the water and exploring the nearby coastline in Traverse City and Elk Rapids creates the perfect balance of beach life and city amenities. The bays are clean and filled with families of ducks swimming around making for a perfect kayaking or canoeing experience.

Events

Festivals, races, and concerts are happening in this area all year round with the Cherry Festival in Traverse City being the most popular. Check out this link for more festival ideas.

Historic Charm

There is nothing more charming than a historic farmhouse surrounded by rows and rows of cherry trees!