TRAVERSE CITY MI

WHERE TO STAY AND WHERE TO EAT   My last night in town we went to Red Ginger Restaurant where Chef Dan Marsh prepared some great sushi and Asian inspired dishes.  Since I'm not much of a sushi lover I did try the Caterpillar, looks like one and is made with avocado.  I ordered Calamari to share with my friends and it literally melted in my mouth.   Part of the group I was traveling with stayed at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.  Although I stayed elsewhere I did tour the facilities and spa.  After a day of learning to cross country ski and falling down four times and then snow tubing for two hours I was ready for a relaxing spa treatment. My massage therapist, Kenny, found all those sore and tender muscles as I was wrapped up in hot towels infused with cinnamon and vanilla.  The 900-acre resort includes 600 rooms, suites and condos.  In season there are 54 holes of championship golf, 85,000 sq ft of meeting space, indoor and outdoor tennis courts (with lessons), Kids enjoy the 15,000 sq ft Indoor Water Playground. The resort is a perfect venue for weddings.  www.grandtraverseresort.com       I stayed at Shanty Creek Resorts www.shantycreek.com featuring golf, conference center, spa and skiing.  Shanty Creek is made up of Summit, Schuss and Cedar River Villages.  Summit Village where I stayed has had a $10 million renovation with a complete redesign inspired by the nearby water and woods.  With four championship golf courses, dining overlooking Lake Bellaire and 16,000 sq ft of meeting space. My room faced the lake where I could watch the sun rise from my balcony.  My room had a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator, a jacuzzi, fireplace, flat screen TV, a soft pillow-top king bed and a work desk with free Internet.   Schuss Village looks like you're in a swiss village.  There are miles of hiking and biking trails, an Arnold Palmer designed "Legend" golf course, Families can enjoy the downhill ski packages of Schuss Mountain and the cross country Nordic trails.   Cedar River Village offer snowtubing where I spent two hours of total fun acting like a kid again.  They have a tow to take you back to to the top.  We had lunch at Weiskopf's Grill and enjoyed a hot chocolate after tubing.