"The Anchor Inn has perfect rusticator cabins for those that want to be close to the water and Traverse City Downtown without being right in the thick of it."
Kaity from United States
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"The private beach with kayaks was an unexpected bonus to a stay that matched our expectations."
Rebecca from United States
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"Cozy, cute, lovely rustic cabins."
Thomas from United States
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Anchor Inn: Private Beach Cabins on West Bay - Traverse City
Private Beach & Water Sports
Anchor Inn offers a private beach area across M-22 on West Bay, complete with Adirondack chairs and a dedicated fire pit. Guests have free access to kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards directly from the beach. Water sport facilities on site also include badminton equipment and a beach volleyball net.
Family-Friendly Amenities
The property includes a playground with a playscape for children and a large yard for yard games like cornhole. A second fire pit near the cabins provides picnic tables, grills with charcoal, and an outdoor fireplace with supplied firewood. A sauna tucked in the woods offers a seasonal amenity for families staying on-site.
Rooms & Accommodations
Cabins range from queen rooms to king suites with separate bedrooms and kitchenettes equipped with cooktops and dishware. Each unit has a private bathroom with shower, gas fireplace, and dining area with table and chairs. Many units also offer a sofa bed and private entrance with a picnic table outside the front door.
Location & Nearby Attractions
The inn sits 5 km from Clinch Park in downtown Traverse City and 8 km from Dennos Museum Center. Cherry Capital Airport is 9 km south, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is within a 45-minute drive via M-22. Free on-site private parking is available for all guests.
Seasonal & Pet-Friendly Policies
Anchor Inn is pet-friendly and offers dog-friendly cottages with easy access to outdoor potty areas. Off-season rates are available from October through April, with guests noting free use of the sauna and fire pits during winter stays. An ice-skating rink with complimentary skates operates on-site during colder months.
Highlights
Private beach: Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards & beach chairs included
Rooms: 11 cabins with kitchenettes, gas fireplaces, and private entrances
Family: Playground, yard games, and two fire pits with supplied wood
Spa Amenities: On-site sauna and seasonal ice-skating rink
Location: 5 min from downtown TC, 10 min from Sleeping Bear Dunes
“The private beach, complete with kayaks, is an unexpected delight, and the care invested in creating a welcoming environment is evident throughout the property; a definite high point was the reported comfort of the memory foam mattresses. I noted that breakfast isn't always included, something to be aware of when booking. It seems a good choice for families, in particular.”
Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels
Choose from a variety of room types
Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included
Queen Room
2 persons
130 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
Shower
room details
Deluxe King Studio
2 persons
325 sq. feet
1 King-size bed, 1 Sofa bed and 1 Sofa bed
Air conditioning
Fireplace
room details
One-Bedroom Apartment
2 persons
195 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed, 1 Sofa bed and 1 Sofa bed
Air conditioning
Fireplace
room details
Show all rooms
Availability and pricing for your selected dates
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Facilities
Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones
Facilities: Great
8.5/10Review score
General
Non-smoking rooms
Parking
No pets allowed
Private beach
Fireplace
Sports & Fitness
Canoeing
Badminton
Dining
Picnic area/ Tables
Spa & Leisure
Beach access
BBQ facilities
Room features
Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table
Media
Flat-screen TV
Show more
Anchor Inn Location
12068 S W Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684,
Map view
City landmarks
Museum
Great Lakes Children's Museum
1.2 mi
Landmark
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
3900 ft
Landmark
New Moon Yoga
3300 ft
Landmark
West Bay Covenant Church
3800 ft
Mall
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
3.3 mi
Landmark
Third Coast Yacht Charters - Day Tours
4400 ft
Landmark
Great Lakes Sailing Company
4700 ft
Landmark
Traverse City Sail Charters
4800 ft
Landmark
Two Brothers Sailing Adventures
4800 ft
Landmark
Front Street
2.8 mi
Landmark
Traverse City Bass Guide Service
1.0 mi
Landmark
Tall Ship Manitou - Day Tours
1.2 mi
Landmark
Sailing Yacht Scout - Day Tours
1.2 mi
Landmark
Knights of Columbus
1.4 mi
Park
Clinch Park
2.7 mi
Landmark
Traverse Bay United Methodist Church
2.0 mi
Explore Traverse City
Explore the Area
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
15 minutes' walk
Wine enthusiasts can enjoy multiple wineries offering tastings and beautiful vineyard views along this scenic trail.
Great Lakes Children's Museum
25 minutes' walk
Family-friendly museum with hands-on exhibits focusing on the Great Lakes. Perfect for kids eager to learn in a fun environment.
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
15 minutes' drive
Unique shopping and dining destination housed in a historic grounds, offering local crafts, eateries, and beautiful architecture.
Clinch Park
10 minutes' drive
City park with beach access, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Ideal for family outings or a relaxing day by the water.
Kayaking on Grand Traverse Bay
15 minutes' drive
Kayaking rentals available nearby. A great way to experience the beauty of the bay while enjoying some exercise.
Wine Tasting Tours
15 minutes' drive
Join a guided tour of local wineries for tastings. A relaxing way to sample award-winning wines in the Leelanau Peninsula.
Hiking at Hickory Hills Ski Area
10 minutes' drive
Thrilling outdoor hiking trails with stunning views and nature. Features year-round activities for adventure seekers.
Spa Day at A Touch of Heaven
10 minutes' drive
Rejuvenating spa treatments are offered at this nearby spa, perfect for a day of pampering and relaxation.
The Boathouse Restaurant
10 minutes' drive
Charming lakeside dining featuring fresh seafood and local dishes. Offers stunning views, reservations recommended.
Brewery Terra Firma
5 minutes' drive
Casual atmosphere with a diverse menu of craft brews and delicious pub fare. Vegetarian options available.
Patisserie Amie
15 minutes' walk
Delightful bakery known for its fresh pastries and coffee. Perfect stop for breakfast or a sweet treat.
Red Ginger
10 minutes' drive
Asian fusion restaurant offering an array of sushi and inventive dishes in a contemporary setting. Reservations recommended.
State Theatre
10 minutes' drive
Historic theater featuring independent films and special events. A cozy spot to catch a movie after a day of exploration.
Mammoth Distilling
10 minutes' drive
Local distillery offering tastings and tours. A great spot to unwind and learn about the distillation process.
Traverse City Beach
10 minutes' drive
Family-friendly beach offers swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. Great for a fun-filled day outdoors.
The Little Fleet
15 minutes' drive
Food truck park with an eclectic vibe, offering live music and local food. A great place for a casual evening out.
Tips on navigating the city
City Centre
Traverse City 8 min · 2.9 mi
Airports
Cherry Capital (TVC) 20 min · 8.2 mi
Manistee County-Blacker (MBL) 146 min · 60.4 mi
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Book now and enjoy exclusive rates on your family vacation!
Check Rates
Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-19:00
Check-out
until 10 am
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
11
Family-focused reviews and ratings
Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.
Cleanliness
9.1/10
Comfort
9.0/10
Facilities
8.5/10
Free Wi-Fi
10.0/10
Location
9.7/10
Staff
9.0/10
Value for money
8.6/10
Pros
Private beach
Friendly staff
Comfortable mattress
Cons
Awful parking
Guest reviews
based on 33 reviews
9.0/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.
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