Copyright M Live Michigan
BELLAIRE, MI - If you are pedaling on the Bellaire bike path or walking near downtown and don’t realize that you’re passing by the new Spillway Lodges, it wouldn’t be the first time that happened. The area’s newest hotel was designed to look like a modern neighborhood. The contactless check-in makes the suites feel like an upscale Airbnb. But the manicured property with perks tucked in everywhere you look makes it feel like a mini resort. And as the Spillway Lodges’ team is celebrating their first full year of being open, they’re riding high atop a growing stack of 5-star reviews. “We are getting really good feedback,” said Brooke Ruble, who handles Spillway’s marketing and operations. “June, July and August were hot months for us.” Spillway includes six tall “lodge” buildings fanning out across the development, which sits just a couple blocks from Bellaire’s downtown. Each lodge looks like a big double townhouse and has its own theme. They offer a mix of two-bedroom suites on the lower levels and big single suites on the top floors. The perks are eye-catching: Rooftop outdoor gathering spots strung with lights. Outdoor hot tubs between the lodges. A Nordic-style sauna and cold plunge area. A fleet of bikes at the ready. Kayaks that can launch right from the property in the warmer months. A putting green and yard games - even outdoor grills. To make each evening last longer, there’s a communal bonfire area. “That’s a really popular place for everyone to converge,” Ruble said. A recent night saw some guests relaxing together on the rooftop patios, while others were in the hot tubs, or just strolling “the neighborhood” after coming back from downtown. Tiny Bellaire is a big tourist draw. It’s the closest town to Shanty Creek Resort and the popular Glacial Hills mountain biking and hiking trail system. And Bellaire’s downtown is home to Short’s Brewing - a huge craft beer destination - as well as Mammoth Distilling and the decadent Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery & Coffeehouse. But until Spillway, there were not many modern places to stay downtown. Some of the lodges opened for the first guests in 2024, but the property didn’t fully open until earlier this year. The lodges are owned by Artemis Companies, and are built on land purchased from Joe Short, the founder of his namesake brewery. The Spillway branding refers to the waterway it sits next to, the actual “spillway” that connects Intermediate Lake and Lake Bellaire. The area is an adventure base for water lovers. It’s home to the Chain of Lakes, a dozen interconnected lakes, rivers and waterways that make up a 100+-mile water trail. It’s a big draw for boaters and kayakers. Nearby Torch Lake is considered the chain’s gem. “It’s a huge attraction,” Ruble said of the inland water chain. “The waterways in general are amazing.” And Bellaire is a four-season spot for outdoor lovers, too. Glacial Hills’ highly-rated trail network attracts winter sports fans, as does the nearby Grass River Natural Area, which draws cross-country skiers, snowshoers and winter birders. “It’s just a really good central location to plan adventures.” Lovable Michigan Tip: Find your bliss on the 7 miles of trails at the Grass River Natural area nearby.Boardwalk floats over wetlands, mossy fens at this Up North nature preserve
