Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Elk Rapids, MI Homes

Phillips Lifestyles is a Northern Michigan dealer for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves, and it serves Elk Rapids and the rest of Antrim County. The company was established in 1980, is family-owned, and has showrooms in Traverse City and Grawn. Elk Rapids is about 13 miles northeast of Traverse City on US-31. For a home between Elk Lake and Grand Traverse Bay, Phillips Lifestyles offers products, installation and long-term service from one local team.

What Makes Elk Rapids Different

Elk Rapids was platted in 1852 by Abram S. Wadsworth, who first called it Stevens. He renamed it in 1858 after finding elk antlers near the mouth of the river. The village was incorporated in 1900.

Few towns have water on so many sides. The East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay is to the west, Elk Lake is to the east, and the Elk River runs through the middle of the village. US-31 passes through on its way from Traverse City toward Charlevoix, and the harbor and River Street downtown are busy all summer.

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.

Elk Rapids has a walkable village core, bayfront homes, and cottages around Elk Lake and nearby Torch Lake. A good number of residents are retirees who live here all year and want a comfortable house in every season.

Hot Tubs and Swim Spas

A hot tub gives a home in town its own private retreat, a few steps from the back door. Phillips Lifestyles is a dealer for Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis spas. The hot tubs page shows the selection, from the Hot Spring Aria to the family-size Hot Spring Grandee. Endless Pools swim spas are available for those who want to swim against a current at home.

Getting the location right is half the job. During a free in-home consultation, a team member measures the site, makes sure there is space for the cover and lifter, looks at how the spa will be delivered, and helps you choose colors that suit the house or deck. Approved electrical contractors do the wiring, and Phillips handles startup and fill.

Want to feel the difference between brands first? Reserve a free test soak at the Traverse City or Grawn showroom.

The Right Fireplace for Your Home

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

The right choice depends on how you use the home. For short visits, a gas insert gives heat at the press of a button. For everyday heating, a pellet insert like the Quadra-Fire Castile, which heats 700 to 1,800 square feet, or a wood stove like the Discovery II keeps running costs in check. Electric fireplaces suit rooms where venting is not practical.

Installation is handled by the company's own crew: lead installer Rob Horton and installers Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee. See the guide to choosing a fireplace insert on the blog.

Add a Sauna

More homeowners are adding a sauna alongside, or instead of, a hot tub. Phillips Lifestyles sells Finnleo and Tylo saunas for indoor and outdoor use, with both traditional and infrared heat. The Finnleo Patio Series can be placed on a deck or pad. Custom work is available through the Traverse City Sauna Company, where craftsmen Don Ruff and Chris Champt build saunas to order.

What to Expect When You Buy

Buying from Phillips Lifestyles is a guided process. It starts with a conversation about how you use your home. For hot tubs, the next steps are a test soak and a free in-home consultation, and online requests receive a reply within 24 hours. After you select a product, the company schedules delivery, coordinates approved electrical contractors and handles startup and fill. For a fireplace, insert or stove, an installer reviews the existing chimney or wall, confirms clearances and then completes the installation.

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.

Billiards, Grills and Massage Chairs

Comfort is not only about heat and water. Phillips Lifestyles stocks Brunswick and Olhausen billiard tables and game tables, grills for outdoor cooking and massage chairs. They are a good reason to visit a showroom even if a spa or stove is what brought you in.

Why Homeowners Choose Phillips Lifestyles

Three things set Phillips Lifestyles apart: history, people and service. The company has operated in Northern Michigan since 1980. It is family-owned, led by Dennis and Debbie Riedel with general manager Ryan Gubbins.

It also employs the people who do the work. Sales consultants such as Tony Fifarek, Tyler Hanna, Kenny Smith and Wesley Bonesteel guide the purchase. The company's own delivery staff, fireplace installers and service technicians, managed by Jim Eddy, take it from there. You can meet them on the About Us page.

Installation, Maintenance and Repair

Good products last longer with regular care. Phillips Lifestyles provides all three with its own staff. See the services page for details.

Spa owners can enroll in the Spa Maintenance Program for scheduled visits every week, two weeks or four weeks. Technicians balance the water, clean the spa and cover, remove debris and change filters. When a spa or fireplace needs attention between visits, an online service request reaches the service team directly.

Frequently Asked Questions from Elk Rapids Homeowners

How far is Elk Rapids from a Phillips Lifestyles showroom?

Elk Rapids is about 13 miles northeast of Traverse City. The Cherryland showroom at 1151 W South Airport Road is roughly a 30-minute drive, and the team regularly delivers and services products in the Elk Rapids area.

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.

What hot tub brands does Phillips Lifestyles carry?

Phillips Lifestyles carries Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis hot tubs, along with Endless Pools swim spas. Models can be seen at the Traverse City and Grawn showrooms.

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.

Plan Your Showroom Visit

Seeing products in person is the quickest way to decide. The Chums Corner showroom is at 5161 US-31 in Grawn and the Cherryland showroom is at 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City. Both are open Monday to Saturday. Call ahead, contact the team or submit a product inquiry so staff can prepare for your visit to help with your Elk Rapids project.