The Homestead, Glen Arbor

Beware when placing a reservation online for the condos they do not have AC. Staff at the Homestead is not responsive or customer service oriented. Would not recomend or return.

We chose the Homestead Resort to have our wedding at. We choose your resort because we wanted to get married on the beach, and the views on the your website were beautiful. We live just north of Detroit, so it is almost a 5 hour drive. All of our guests also live near us, thus having just about the same drive we did. Once we arrived we checked in, and were given keys to our room. We arranged to stay at a Little Bell Suite. Instead we were given a room at Fiddlers Pond #27, which was a plain and basic room. ]The room had 1 small bathroom, and 1 bed. Defiantly not the suite we were looking for. We had to go back to the front desk where they told us all the other rooms were booked. I had to go out to my vehicle, gather my laptop computer, and pull up the emails our wedding cordinator (Barb Ellis) to show the receptionist what we were promised. After waiting 1 hour, we were finally given another room. Once we arrived in the room, we were overwhelmed with fruit flies. How was it relayed to us that the Homestead Resort had a fruit fly problem? A hand written note along with a fruit fly trap which was next to our stove. Some of our guests arrived the morning of the wedding (9-26). Barb Ellis told us that early check in would not be a problem, as the wedding began at 2pm, and normal check in is at 5pm. This was clarified a second time. At approximately 12pm, my mother arrived and tried to check into her room. She was told that she was not able to check in early. The Homestead suggested that she get ready for the wedding in their locker room. My mother and her finance’ both got dressed in their vehicles. My grandmother also got denied early check in. How did she get dressed for my wedding? In the backseat of her car. Two of my friends called my cell phone at 1:20pm. They stated that they were denied early check in, and had nowhere to get ready at. This was exactly 40 minutes before I was scheduled to get married. Now I have to help my guests out, since they have nowhere to get ready. My brother-in-law and his wife had to get ready in my Mother-in-laws room as they were denied early check in. Shortly before 2pm we began getting ready for the wedding. The view looked great on the website. What the website failed to show was the collapsed wood that was in the cove creating an eye sore, or the bridge with several holes in it. Not exactly safe for woman wearing high heels is it? Our wedding party arrived and several people had to stand as there were not enough chairs. Their was no extra cost that was done to have additional guests there, if anything it took up more rooms for the weekend as they chose to lodge there. The toilet in our main bathroom had to be plunged every time you flushed it. The morning we left (9-27) we had brunch at The Homestead (Nonna‘s). We arrived at 11:00am. The waffles were cold and the eggs were runny. We asked the staff, and they said they couldn’t make anymore as they stopped serving at 11:30am. We ate several pieces of bacon, and some cantaloupe. For this, we paid 35.00. Once we arrived home I thought our nightmare with the Homestead was over, but I was wrong. The wedding was paid for before we even stepped foot the resort. The last payment of 864.00 was debited on 9-21-09 (per The Homesteads accounting department). Yet on 9-29-09 I am debited two transactions from the Homestead in the amounts of $374.53 and $864.00. I contacted John who could not explain the $374.53, yet reversed the charge. The credit for the $374.53 was credited to my account on 10-1-09. Yet on 10-2-09, The Homestead AGAIN charged me the $374.53!!! The $864.00 is still unexplained. These two transactions from The Homestead created a negative balance on our checking account. Why should we be forced to suffer because of The Homesteads mistakes?

Worst service ever. Talked with guest service mgr. prior to my visit about other guest who had service issues, he assured me I would have a worry free visit, I did not, I called Mr. Sutton as he directed me to do if I had any problems, I did so twice, he did not return my call. I highly reccommend going somewhere else, This is a beautiful resort, cheapened by bad service and unfreindly people. To me they are operating as a business in finanial problems,

My wife and I stayed on a weeknight when almost no one else was on the property. Incredibly peaceful. Very nice room and the scenery is second to none. Unfortunately the service left more than a little to be desired. When we went to the main desk to ask about dining possibilities, there was no there...for more than ten minutes. Not a big deal, but surprising. When we got back to the room and attempted to use the jacuzzi, there was no hot water...and shortly thereafter noticed was no toilet paper. Attempted to call the front desk, and no one answered. Attempted multiple times. When we checked out the next morning, we were refunded some of the price for our troubles. Because of that, I would be willing to try them one more time.

We had 19 people stay in 3 houses the Homestead owned 3 miles away from the resort in the woods,. The house we stayed in had cobwebs the windows were so dirty we could not open them. Service is terrible they must work on teenagers who run the place and put in real management for the high prices they charge. When I called the desk the person did not know any answers to easy questions. The spa could not accomadate three people at one time.

Place was amazing. The resort was top notch and will always try to come back. Great place to stay for family or a getaway. The homstead is the best. Nothing beats it!

We stayed at the Beal House. Like no other. The Chrystal River & Lake Michigan are right at your door step. Beautifully appointed. Great Service. We will be back.

We mostly enjoyed our visit, but in the end, we felt that the service offered by the Homestead came up short to the standards we expect for the money paid ($300+ per night) 1. We were abruptly told at check in that since there was no snow, we had lift tickets at Cristal (a 40 minute drive). It required a manager's intervention to have the package changed. Better training for the front desk staff on how to treat customers would help. 2. The breakfast wasn't very good, the food was bland, scrambled eggs were flat. We went to the front desk and again had our package changed to not have to suffer through another breakfast at Nonni's 3. The cleaning service in the room was subpar. We were staying in Little Belle #4 and never had our linens changed, never recieved a new soap bar and had old towels left on the floor in the bathroom by the maid. 4. The room had problems. The fireplace did not work, the T.V in the den did not work (grainy picture) and the toilette paper was very cheap. Also, would have expected an in-room safe. 5. We were not told that there would be construction outside our suite prior to arriving. This was not trivial, there was an entire hillside torn-up steps from our door. 6. The coffee served in the deli is weak. There were positives: 1. Neal who works in the Rocky's was extremely helpful. 2. The property is beautiful. 3. The room was very nicely appointed. I sent this review to the Homestead immediately following our trip with no response from them.

The Homestead is a unique and wonderful place that we look forward to return to as soon as each visit ends. The setting is one of the most beautiful anywhere and the accomodations are great. The beach is huge, the hiking the best in the midwest, the dining in and around the Homestead suits virtually every taste and budget (at the lofty and wonderful end be certain to try Windows and La Becase). The surrounding Sleeping Bear National Park and National Lakeshore will take your breath away. The town of Glen Arbor has developed into a lovely village, with plenty of shopes, restaurants, and other diversions (be certain to go to Art's Tavern, a local haunt for writers in the off season). The Leelanau penninsula, on which this gem is located, is a combination of Sonoma and Cape Cod, surrounded by water on both sides.

This place has it all: natural beauty in abundance, incredible sand dunes, Lake Michigan, access to wonderful art and restaurants. It's paradise!