Make your hotel reservations EARLY! Northern Michigan is a popular summer travel destination, and Traverse City is tops on the list. Rooms fill fast, wedding blocks are rare, and rates can be higher during peak season. Also, the high demand for rooms makes it difficult for all wedding guests to stay at one location and can make rates a bit pricey.

Check out the hotels below, which includes non-traditional lodging such as a campground with cabins, and short-term rentals. Also, visit the Beach District's Lodging link for additional hotels convenient to the church and reception venue. The nearby Traverse City Horse Show, an A-rated horse competition, also has a useful lodging link page.

Here are some great AirBnB options:

Conveniently located on the east side of TC - easy to get to places and to bike to places, this is recently completed construction.

Here's another in the same area that is new construction.

Here's a downtown option.

Great location of the bike trail.

And VRBO options:

Convenient to east side - has kitchenette and two bedrooms - more like a hotel - super great lake view

Great value and not a bad drive

In the heart of Traverse City! Above shops downtown. Walk to so much!

If you have further questions or are having any issues, please reach out to concierge@gmail.com or the bride or groom.

The Most Reasonable Hotels Around

Howard Johnson by Wyndham

Days Inn & Suites

Super 8

Baymont

Seasons Inn

Econolodge

The Siera Motel

Travelodge

The Vic

The Blossom Hotel

The Cherry Tree Inn is located right on the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. A local favorite, it has beautiful views and is located minutes from the church and reception venue. You will not be disappointed with this selection. use the link to reserve your stay: https://reservations.cherrytreeinn.com/promo?offerCode=WED&hotel=TVCCTI

The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is a family-focused destination with something for everyone...pools, golf, dining, shopping. It is a stone's throw from the church and reception venue. Visit grandtraverseresort.com.

Residence Inn is a new hotel and conveniently located near the area attractions, and the church and reception location. Visit the link for a 10% wedding discount rate.

The Holiday Inn Express is located adjacent to the Sleep Inn and both are near the church and reception venue.

Tru TC is a Hilton group hotel and is located south/southwest of Traverse City. While it is a little further from the church and reception venue at about 10 miles away and 20+ minutes with summer traffic, it is still a reasonable distance and offers a better price during the high-demand summer season. It is not located along the bay, but is extremely convenient to places of everyday shopping like Target, Kohls, Meijer, and a multiple of chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Applebees, and Chick-fil-A. Use the reservation link by April 15 at https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=TVCMIRU&groupCode=91Y&arrivaldate=2026-07-30&departuredate=2026-08-03&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Home2 is an all-suites Hilton hotel located south/southwest of Traverse City. While it is a little further from the church and reception venue at about 10 miles away and 20+ minutes with summer traffic, it is still a reasonable distance and offers a better price during the high-demand summer season, particularly for an all-suite stay. It is not located along the bay, but is extremely convenient to places of everyday shopping like Target, Kohls, Meijer, and a multiple of chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Applebees, and Chick-fil-A. Use the reservation link by June 25 at Friend-Dowker Wedding

Timber Ridge is a fun and unconventional stay that will make you want to think outside the box more often! From cabins to cottages to bunkhouses to yurts...you'll enjoy the fun, family atmosphere at Timber Ridge and you might even get in a swim or enjoy their Moomer's ice cream! (Voted #1 by Good Morning America).

The Traverse City area has a plethera of AirBnB's, VRBO's, and short-term rentals. There are many sites with listings, like Visit Up North, the Mitten Group, VRBO, Traverse City Tourism, True North Property Management, and AirBnB. Elevatedstays.com specializes in area short-term rentals in the area, and particularly has mulitiple units where many can stay with group common areas like an "up north" campfire experience near the heart of TC.

The wedding is on the east side of Traverse City, so if you see areas named Acme, Williamsburg, East Bay Township, Old Mission Peninsula, you are in close proximity to the church and reception venue.

Still confused about lodging? Feel free to reach out to conciergefrienddowker@gmail.com.