Welcome to the Wellington Inn
A step back in time with luxurious lodging in the historic heart of Traverse City
Wellington Inn is the perfect blend of the grandeur of a neo-classic mansion with the elegance and comfort of the 21st century. Built-in 1905, this estate has been restored to its former glory, with each handcrafted room a celebration of the life and times of the lumber baron William Cary Hull and his family. Hull’s father created the Oval Wood Dish Company in nearby Mancelona, Northern Michigan’s largest employer, and made thin basket-type wooden containers used as disposable meat trays.
Ideally located on a quiet tree-lined street just a few blocks from the charming and historic district of downtown Traverse City, the inn is within easy walking distance of Lighthouse Park, lake beaches, shopping, fine dining, galleries, museums, wine bars, and brew pubs.
The inn is renowned for its warm hospitality, sometimes including a piano serenade by the innkeeper Hank. Each morning the guests are treated to a memorable full breakfast in the elegant turn-of-the-century dining room. Refreshments and snacks are always available in the guest kitchen off the 3rd-floor ballroom.
Guests may choose from 8 guest rooms in the mansion and two two-bedroom carriage house apartments. You’ll find period furnishings and private baths. (Carriage house guests may partake of breakfast for an additional fee.)
Wellington Inn has an elegant ballroom for weddings, business retreats, and special events.
Unique experiences at Wellington Inn
Cool City
Settle into this 1905 Neoclassical mansion located in one of the hottest cities in Michigan and within walking distance of everything happening in Traverse City. Park and walk to everything. Just a block or two from bike and kayak rentals, wine festivals, the National Cherry Festival, the Air & Water Show, the TC Microbrew & Music Festival, the magnificently restored State Theatre and nationally-renowned TC Film Festival, award-winning restaurants and cozy bistros, galleries and shops in a bustling downtown with not a single storefront empty.
And there’s more. Find the Old Town Playhouse, Dennos Museum, Grand Traverse Commons Historical Tours, the Traverse City Symphony, the National Writers Series, and the City Opera House year-round programming. To be sure you don’t miss anything, the Interlochen National Music Camp/Academy/Summer Concert Series and the Music House Museum concerts are a few miles away.
Or visit the Old Mission Lighthouse at the end of the Peninsula, and stop for a tasting at several Old Mission Peninsula wineries along the way.
Explore it all, then sink into a luxurious room and awake each morning to a sumptuous breakfast in the elegant dining room.
Waterways
Hop on a Tall Ship for a tour of Grand Traverse Bay; rent a kayak at nearby Clinch Park to paddle the Boardman River. Or walk down the block and under the tunnel at Front Street to be at a sugar-sand beach in seconds. Rent a bike, too, and ride on shorefront trails as far as Suttons Bay if you wish. Options for charter fishing are plentiful as well.
The next day it’s off to the Sleeping Bear Dunes a few miles away for a day on Lake Michigan’s towering sand dunes, deep woods trails, a picnic at the spectacular Overlook, and a bracing run up the Dune Climb. Water, water everywhere. It’s what we do in Traverse City.
Foodie
Traverse City has been called “the coolest lakeside food scene in America” in Bon Appetit magazine. Can you beat that? And, with a few exceptions, the coolest restaurants are within blocks.
There’s the exceptional Cook’s House down the block, plus Amical, Red Ginger, Poppycock’s, Firefly, Towne Plaza, Sparks BBQ, and Sorellina on or near Front Street.
Around the corner are two lots with the most innovative food trucks.
And at the intriguing Grand Traverse Commons – the renovated Victorian buildings of the old hospital high on the hill that were repurposed into an exceptional array of specialty shops, food entrepreneurs, and restaurants with a Grand Lawn for concerts – you’ll find the James Beard-nominated Trattoria Stella.
Around the bend toward Suttons Bay is the waterfront West End Tavern.
No space to list the rest, but trust us, there are more. The competition is fierce. You’ll have to make choices unless you plan to stay for a week. You might even happen on celebrity chef Mario Batali, who hangs around many of these spots in the summer. For longer stays, check out the comfortable and chic two bed-room carriage house apartments at the Wellington.
