Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Ellsworth, MI Homes
Phillips Lifestyles sells, installs and services hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves for homeowners in Ellsworth, Michigan. The family-owned company has served Northern Michigan since 1980 from two showrooms in the Traverse City area. Ellsworth is about 40 miles northeast of Traverse City. For a home in the lake and farm country of northern Antrim County, the team can recommend the right products, install them properly and look after them for years.
About Ellsworth
Ellsworth was founded in 1881 and named for Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth, the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. It was incorporated in 1938 after absorbing the neighboring settlements of Needmore and Ox Bow.
The village is the seat of Banks Township and lies at the upper end of the Chain of Lakes. Gravel, farming and forestry are the main local industries, and many residents commute to nearby towns. The annual Pig Roast brings a parade and horse pulls.
Out here the calendar is set by weather. There is snow to move, wood to stack and long dark evenings from November through March. A home that is warm and has somewhere to unwind makes those months something to look forward to.
Homes here are farmhouses, village houses and lake cottages on the small lakes that begin the chain. It is a place where people know their neighbors.
The Right Fireplace for Your Home
In the country, how you heat is a serious question, and a good stove pays for itself in comfort. 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.
Choosing a Hot Tub in Ellsworth
After a day of work outside, few things are as welcome as a soak under a dark country sky. At Phillips Lifestyles you can compare several leading brands side by side, including Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis. See them on the hot tubs page. The Caldera Palatino and the Hot Spring Aria are two mid-size models worth a look.
The best way to decide is to get in one. A free test soak at either showroom lets you try a spa before you buy. After that, the free in-home consultation brings a Phillips Lifestyles consultant to your property to measure, plan the delivery path, check clearance for the cover lifter and talk through steps and surrounds. The company uses approved electrical contractors and includes startup and fill.
If fitness is the goal, ask about Endless Pools swim spas, which let you swim in place year-round.
Saunas Built for Ellsworth Winters
Heat, then cold air, then heat again: it is a ritual that suits a Ellsworth 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 a country property, plan for how you will reach the spa or sauna in deep snow and where firewood or pellets will be stored under cover. If you are adding a stove, have the chimney inspected first so the installer knows what liner or venting is needed.
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.
Installation, Maintenance and Repair
When you live outside town, it matters that your dealer will come to you. 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.
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 Ellsworth Homeowners
Does Phillips Lifestyles serve Ellsworth?
Phillips Lifestyles serves Northern Michigan from two showrooms near Traverse City, about 40 miles from Ellsworth. Contact the store to confirm delivery, installation and service scheduling.
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.
Start with a Conversation
Call (231) 888-0721 for the Chums Corner showroom or (231) 412-1884 for Cherryland, or send a message. If you have a model in mind, the product inquiry form is the fastest way to get details. From Ellsworth, both showrooms are an easy trip when you are next in Traverse City.