Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Elberta, MI Homes

Homeowners in Elberta, Michigan turn to Phillips Lifestyles for hot tubs, saunas, swim spas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves, along with the installation and service that go with them. Phillips Lifestyles has been in business in Northern Michigan since 1980 and operates two showrooms near Traverse City. Elberta is roughly 38 miles west of Traverse City. If you own a home on the hill above Betsie Lake, this guide explains what the company offers and how its staff can help.

A Short History of Elberta

Elberta faces Frankfort across Betsie Lake and looks out over Lake Michigan from the Elberta Bluffs. It was first settled in 1855, incorporated as South Frankfort in 1894, and renamed in 1911 after the Elberta peach grown nearby. For decades the Ann Arbor Railroad ran car ferries from its docks to Wisconsin.

M-22 runs through the village along the shore. Elberta has kept the feel of a working harbor town, with older houses climbing the hillside and newer ones built for the view.

Living here means living with real seasons. Summer evenings stretch late, autumn is brief and brilliant, and winter brings months of snow. The best homes are ready for every one of them.

Hillside lots and older homes each bring their own questions. Decks need to carry a filled spa, original fireplaces often need an insert to heat well, and the steady wind off the lake rewards a sheltered spot.

Hot Tubs for Elberta Homes

A hot tub gives a home in town its own private retreat, a few steps from the back door. 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.

Heating a Elberta Home with Fire

Older village homes often have a fireplace that is more decoration than heat, and that is easy to fix. Phillips Lifestyles offers fireplaces and fireplace inserts from Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, Enviro and Mendota in gas, wood, pellet and electric versions.

Each fuel has its place. Gas gives instant heat from a remote. Wood suits owners with a supply on hand, and the Quadra-Fire Discovery II wood stove is a proven choice. Pellet stoves such as the Quadra-Fire Santa Fe feed themselves from a hopper and hold a set temperature.

Installation is done in-house by a crew led by Rob Horton, with Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee. Not sure what size you need? The blog explains how many BTUs a room requires.

Saunas Built for Elberta Winters

Heat, then cold air, then heat again: it is a ritual that suits a Elberta winter. Phillips Lifestyles offers Finnleo and Tylo saunas in traditional and infrared versions. Outdoor models like the Finnleo Patio Series arrive ready to set in place. The company is also home to the Traverse City Sauna Company, whose craftsmen, Don Ruff and Chris Champt, design and build custom saunas.

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.

On an in-town lot, measure gates and side yards before you shop, because delivery access often decides which models are possible. Check local setback and electrical permit requirements, and consider privacy screening from neighboring windows.

For Entertaining

When family and friends visit Elberta, it helps to have something for everyone. Phillips Lifestyles sells billiard and game tables by Brunswick and Olhausen, along with shuffleboard and foosball, plus grills and massage chairs.

Northern Michigan Roots

Phillips Lifestyles describes itself as Northern Michigan's premier spa and fireplace dealer since 1980, and it remains a family-owned business rooted in the community. Dennis and Debbie Riedel are the owners, and Ryan Gubbins is the general manager.

For customers, the benefit of a long-established local dealer is continuity. Tony Fifarek, the lead sales associate and head mechanical consultant, and store manager Tyler Hanna help you choose. Jim Eddy and his service team are there afterward, with technicians, schedulers and customer service staff based in the Traverse City area. The About Us page lists the full team.

After the Sale

Good products last longer with regular care. Phillips Lifestyles stands behind its products with its own service department. An overview is on the services page.

For spa owners, the Spa Maintenance Program covers water testing and balancing, cleaning the shell and cover, debris removal and filter changes on a weekly, two-week or four-week schedule. Repairs begin with an online service request. Filters, covers and water care products are available under hot tub accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions from Elberta Homeowners

Can my Elberta deck support a hot tub?

A filled hot tub with people in it can weigh several thousand pounds, so a deck should be checked by a qualified builder or engineer first. During the free in-home consultation, Phillips Lifestyles can discuss placement options, including a ground-level pad.

What is the difference between a fireplace insert and a pellet stove?

A fireplace insert fits inside an existing masonry fireplace and can burn gas, wood or pellets. A pellet stove is a freestanding heater that burns compressed wood pellets. Both give efficient, controllable heat.

Can I try a hot tub before I buy one?

Yes. Phillips Lifestyles offers a free test soak by appointment at its Traverse City and Grawn showrooms. Bring a bathing suit and a towel, and staff will answer questions while you try the spa.

What does the free in-home consultation include?

A Phillips Lifestyles team member visits your home to choose a location, measure for the right spa size, confirm clearance for the cover and lifter, review delivery options and discuss steps, surrounds and colors. There is no charge.

Visit or Call Phillips Lifestyles

To get started, visit the Chums Corner showroom at 5161 US-31 in Grawn, (231) 888-0721, or the Cherryland showroom at 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City, (231) 412-1884. You can also contact the team online or send a product inquiry. Phillips Lifestyles looks forward to helping you enjoy your Elberta home.