Leelanau County saw an influx of visitors and increased occupancy rates at area inns and lodges this year, with innkeepers reporting strong bookings, even during the shoulder seasons. Many think the trend will continue into the winter.

George and Alyssa Brittain, first-year owners of Anchor Inn on West Bay, are betting on it. The 14-room mom-and-pop inn with cabin units and a private beach is being renovated to recapture the historic charm of the property. George Brittain says they plan to close in November to finish the project and reopen in December. This will be the first time since its opening in the 1940s that the inn welcomes guests during the winter.

“It was a good summer of testing things out, learning what people like about the property,” Brittain notes, adding, “The Leelanau Peninsula has so much going for it, no matter what, people are going to want to be here and experience life up here.”

Brian Glynn, Leland Lodge’s director of lodging agrees: “I can tell you the whole year for us has been a very strong year, one of the better years we’ve had in a long time.” Glynn joined the Leland Lodge last spring and says people are staying longer and willing to pay higher rates. “I’m selling as many rooms in September and October as July and August,” he says. “They may fill a little bit slower, but in the end, it’s going to be sold out almost every night.”

The Leland Lodge has served Leland year-round since 1927; its onsite Bogey’s Restaurant also stays open in the winter.

In Suttons Bay, the Inn at Black Star Farms saw a 23 percent increase in occupancy over last year — up after still faring well during summer 2020, says David Avis, inn manager. “We did a very brisk event season, sometimes with two weddings a weekend and we also had a few mid-week weddings.” Avis also saw an uptick in visitors who felt comfortable and safe inn’s smaller, secluded setting and booked longer stays. He notes, “Because of the nature of our location, there’s a lot to do on property." The 10-room inn nestled in the heart of wine country on 160 acres is more of an experience, Avis explains, with many guests likely to stay onsite during their stay and walk the trails, and visit the tasting room and horse stables.

While occupancy rates are at an all-time high across the peninsula, the hospitality industry as a whole has struggled due to a lack of workers. The Inn at Black Star Farms didn’t open its café this year due to culinary shortages. The team made do with a loyal group of full-time and seasonal employees, many of whom are college students who start as interns and return as seasonal employees or hire on full time. Avis says, “The pinch has really been felt everywhere. We’re lucky to have a loyal staff that comes back year after year.”

The Homestead in Glen Arbor, Leelanau County’s largest resort, had a busier-than-usual summer tourist season. “They (occupancy rates) definitely were up compared to the previous two years,” shares Logan Sanders, The Homestead’s vice president. “We saw that pent up demand for people to come up and travel. We even saw it more on the shoulder seasons.”

Business stays at a brisk clip year-round with the ski hill and other winter sports, and Sanders predicts a strong winter ahead. The biggest challenge has been recruiting employees, even with the perk of housing. Sanders estimates the resort is operating at 60 percent of its usual staff. They adjusted by reducing hours of operation for certain facilities and at the front desk. 

Leland Lodge avoided staffing issues and reduced restaurant hours because it has a year-round core of managers and employees. The lodge hires college students and local teachers part-time in the summer to help at the front desk and in housekeeping. 

“We really are trying to high pay the highest wages we can do,” Glynn says. “It lends to a better employee experience, less turnover, more pride and sustainability.”

The Anchor Inn also operates with a small team, and the Brittains recruited two interns from Alma College and Central Michigan University to live onsite and work in the summer. “Both of their professors visited, and it was just a great experience,” Brittain says. One decided to stay on as the assistant manager.

Heading into winter at Leland Lodge, Glynn is trying to create a boutique hotel experience and encourage longer stays. He instituted a two-night minimum policy on weekends to cut down on traffic, turnover and housekeeping.

“It’s a historic lodge and we’re trying to sell it that way,” he says. “When you’re here longer, it’s a different experience than just coming and sleeping.”

Glynn’s other plans include themed weekends to attract more guests during the off-season. In March, the lodge will host a Murder Mystery dinner and host murder mystery writers who write about the region. “We are constantly coming up with reasons to attract people to Leelanau County,” he says.

Pictured: Leland Lodge