a building with cars parked next to the water

ALL ABOUT THE TERRACE BAY HOTEL

A STAY WITH HISTORY

Set within easy driving distance of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, Terrace Bay has welcomed travelers for generations. What began as a lakeside gathering place has evolved into a waterfront hotel shaped by reinvention, resilience, and a deep connection to place.

A TIMELINE OF TRANSFORMATION

What began in 1922 as Terrace Gardens has endured fire, change, and reinvention. Since 2016, new ownership has led its thoughtful restoration, reimagining the property through ongoing renovations. Today, it stands as a modern waterfront destination where a long-standing tradition of gathering continues to evolve.

a living room with a couch and a table
WE HAVE QUITE A HISTORY

1918 - 1933

The shoreline first became a place of gathering in 1918, hosting community celebrations before evolving into Terrace Gardens in 1922. This lakeside dance hall quickly became a regional destination for dining, music, and social life, earning the name “Michigan’s Wonder Ballroom.”

a room with a large ceiling
WE HAVE QUITE A HISTORY

1940s - 1960s

After wartime use as Coast Guard barracks and a devastating 1947 fire, the Pouliot family rebuilt and reopened the venue in 1949. Expanded dining, entertainment, bowling lanes, and the first guest rooms marked the property’s transition toward hospitality.

a bowling alley with chairs and a table
WE HAVE QUITE A HISTORY

1970s - 1980s

A major expansion in 1972 introduced additional guest rooms, a pool, and resort-style amenities, rebranding the property as the Terrace Motor Inn. By the mid-1980s, it merged with nearby golf facilities, becoming a full-service waterfront resort.

a room with two beds
WE HAVE QUITE A HISTORY

1990s - 2020s

Under continued family ownership, the hotel saw steady upgrades, including an enclosed pool and waterfront decks. In 2016, new owners Jen and Jarred Drown ushered in a new era of reinvestment, restoration, and expansion.

a bed with a phone and a window
THOUGHTFULLY RENEWED
a room with tables and chairs

RENOVATIONS

Over the past decade, we have undergone extensive renewal, including full guest room updates, refreshed hallways, a reimagined ballroom with coffered ceilings and new lighting, a redesigned lounge and bar, the addition of BIGGBY Coffee, and the launch of Freshwater Tavern.

a indoor pool with a wooden ceiling

UPCOMING PROJECTS

Looking ahead, future improvements focus on longevity and guest comfort, including a pool remodel, hydronic heating installation, upgraded wireless internet, shoreline stabilization, and expanded culinary infrastructure, ensuring the property continues to evolve.

A LEGACY,
FRAMED

a balcony with chairs and a railing overlooking a body of water
a room with tables and chairs
a room with a bed and a table
a couch and a table in a room
a conference room with a table and chairs
a building with a body of water and a row of yellow canoes