Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Bear Lake Homes in Kalkaska County, MI

If you own a cottage or home on Bear Lake, Phillips Lifestyles can help you enjoy it more. The company provides hot tubs, saunas, swim spas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves to Bear Lake, Michigan and the surrounding Kalkaska County area, and it installs and services what it sells. Phillips Lifestyles has served Northern Michigan since 1980 from two showrooms near Traverse City. Bear Lake is roughly 30 miles east of Traverse City.

Bear Lake at a Glance

This Bear Lake is the lake community in Bear Lake Township, in eastern Kalkaska County. It should not be confused with the village of Bear Lake in Manistee County. The lake is known for clear water and a sandy bottom, and homes line most of its shore.

The community lies east of Kalkaska near M-72, surrounded by state forest. The headwaters of the Manistee River are not far away, and snowmobile and off-road trails run through the area.

Winter is long this close to the big lake, and lake-effect snow is part of the bargain. The reward is quiet: frozen shoreline, clear night skies and a house that feels like a retreat when it is warm inside.

Most properties are cottages, many of them used on weekends and holidays all year. Owners often arrive on a Friday night in January and want heat and hot water waiting.

Hot Tubs for Bear Lake Homes

Evenings by the water cool down fast, and a hot tub turns the hour after sunset into the best part of the day. Phillips Lifestyles carries Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis, which you can browse on the hot tubs page. The range runs from compact models such as the Hot Spring Jetsetter LX to the seven-person Hot Spring Grandee.

Choosing is easier with two free services. Book a test soak at a showroom, bring a suit and a towel, and compare seats and jets in the water. Then schedule a free in-home consultation. A team member measures your space, confirms the cover and lifter have room to open, reviews the delivery route and helps match cabinet and shell colors to your home. Wiring is handled by approved electrical contractors, and startup and fill are included.

For swimmers, swim spas from Endless Pools provide an adjustable current for exercise in a fraction of the space a pool needs.

Keeping Everything Running

Seasonal homes need attention even when nobody is there. The Phillips Lifestyles service team handles installation, maintenance and repair, as described on the services page.

With the Spa Maintenance Program, a technician visits on the schedule you choose, from weekly to every four weeks, to balance the water chemistry, clean the spa and its cover, clear out debris and rotate the filters. Technicians also offer advice on best practices. For anything else, use the service request form.

Saunas, a Northern Michigan Tradition

Sauna culture runs deep in Michigan. Phillips Lifestyles offers saunas from Finnleo and Tylo in traditional and infrared styles, plus outdoor units such as the Finnleo Patio Series. For a one-of-a-kind space, the Traverse City Sauna Company, part of the Phillips Lifestyles team, builds custom saunas. Craftsmen Don Ruff and Chris Champt can design around a basement, a bathroom addition or a spot in the yard.

Fireplaces and Stoves

Many lake homes were built for summer, and a modern heating appliance is what makes them comfortable the rest of the year. At Phillips Lifestyles you will find gas, wood, pellet and electric fireplaces and inserts from Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, Enviro and Mendota.

If you already have a masonry fireplace, an insert is usually the most effective upgrade. Options include the Quadra-Fire Expedition II wood insert and the Castile pellet insert, which is rated at 30,600 BTUs. If you do not have a fireplace, a freestanding gas, wood or pellet stove can be vented through a wall or roof.

The Phillips Lifestyles fireplace installation team, led by Rob Horton with Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee, handles the work from start to finish. The blog post on preparing for a fireplace consultation lists what to measure beforehand.

Planning Your Project

A little planning makes everything go smoothly. Begin by deciding what you want from the space: relaxation, heat, exercise or entertaining. Phillips Lifestyles staff then help narrow the choices. For spas, that means a test soak and a free in-home consultation, with online requests answered within 24 hours. The company manages delivery, uses approved electrical contractors for wiring, and includes startup and fill. For fireplaces and stoves, an installer checks venting and clearances at your home before the work is scheduled.

For a waterfront property, think about wind direction, the view from the seats and how sand and leaves will be kept out of the water. Ask about a cover lifter, which makes a spa far easier to use alone, and about scheduled care if the home is closed for part of the year.

Beyond Spas and Fireplaces

Phillips Lifestyles rounds out its range with billiard and game tables from Brunswick and Olhausen, premium grills and massage chairs. Spa owners will also find filters, covers and water care under hot tub accessories.

The People Behind Phillips Lifestyles

A company that has been in business since 1980 has seen a lot of Northern Michigan winters. Phillips Lifestyles is owned by Dennis and Debbie Riedel, who moved to the Traverse City area with their family to lead it, with Ryan Gubbins as general manager.

The staff of roughly 30 includes sales consultants Tony Fifarek, Tyler Hanna, Kenny Smith and Wesley Bonesteel, a warehouse and delivery team, a dedicated fireplace installation crew and a service department managed by Jim Eddy. That depth is why the company can install and service what it sells. Read more on the About Us page.

Frequently Asked Questions from Bear Lake (Kalkaska County) Homeowners

Does Phillips Lifestyles serve Bear Lake in Kalkaska County?

Phillips Lifestyles serves Northern Michigan from two showrooms near Traverse City, and its dealer listings include Kalkaska. Contact the store to confirm delivery and service scheduling for Bear Lake Township.

Can I use a hot tub all winter in Northern Michigan?

Yes. Modern hot tubs are insulated for year-round use, and many owners use them most in winter. A fitted cover, a cover lifter and a clear path through the snow make cold-weather soaking easy.

Where are the Phillips Lifestyles showrooms?

Phillips Lifestyles has two showrooms: Chums Corner at 5161 US-31, Grawn, MI 49637, and Cherryland at 1151 W South Airport Road, Traverse City, MI 49686. Both are open Monday to Saturday, with Sunday visits by appointment.

Does Phillips Lifestyles build custom saunas?

Yes. Through the Traverse City Sauna Company, Phillips Lifestyles craftsmen design and build custom saunas. The company also sells ready-made Finnleo and Tylo saunas for indoor and outdoor use.

Get in Touch

Phillips Lifestyles is ready to help you get more from your home in Bear Lake. Reach the Chums Corner showroom at (231) 888-0721 and the Cherryland showroom at (231) 412-1884, or use the online contact form. Questions about a particular model can go through the product inquiry page.