Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Fife Lake, MI Homes
Since 1980, Phillips Lifestyles has helped Northern Michigan families make their homes more comfortable with hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves. That includes homeowners in Fife Lake, roughly 22 miles southeast of Traverse City. The family-owned company runs two showrooms in the Traverse City area and has its own delivery, installation and service staff, so a home on the shore of Fife Lake is in good hands from the first visit onward.
Living in Fife Lake
Fife Lake was platted in 1872 as two neighboring settlements along the new Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. One was labeled "Fyfe Lake," a misspelling that did not last. The village was incorporated in 1889 and wraps around the northern and western shores of the lake.
US 131 passes just west of the business district, and M-186 heads west toward Kingsley. Every January the village holds an Ice Fishing Derby, a good sign of how much winter is part of life here.
The seasons are sharply drawn here. July is for the water, October for color, and from December to March the snow piles up. A home that is set up for all four gets used far more than one that only works in summer.
Cottages ring the lake and year-round homes fill the village and the surrounding township. People here fish, snowmobile and spend as much time outdoors in February as in July.
Hot Tubs and Swim Spas
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 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.
Service and Spa Care
Seasonal homes need attention even when nobody is there. Phillips Lifestyles installs and maintains hot tubs, swim spas, fireplaces and game tables; the services page has the full list.
The Spa Maintenance Program sends a technician weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks. Each visit includes testing and balancing the water, wiping down the spa, cleaning the cover inside and out, removing debris and swapping in a clean set of filters. If something needs repair, submit a service request online and the service team will follow up.
Saunas Built for Fife Lake Winters
Heat, then cold air, then heat again: it is a ritual that suits a Fife Lake 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.
Fireplaces, Inserts and Pellet Stoves
Many lake homes were built for summer, and a modern heating appliance is what makes them comfortable the rest of the year. Phillips Lifestyles sells and installs gas, wood, pellet and electric models from Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, Enviro and Mendota. The fireplaces and inserts page shows the range, including gas fireplaces such as the Novus nXt.
A fireplace insert slides into an existing masonry fireplace and turns it into an efficient heater. The Quadra-Fire Castile pellet insert is rated at 30,600 BTUs and heats 700 to 1,800 square feet. Freestanding pellet stoves give the same steady, thermostat-controlled heat without an existing fireplace.
Phillips Lifestyles has its own installers. Rob Horton leads the fireplace crew, working with Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee. For background, read the blog guide on how to choose a fireplace insert.
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.
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.
For Entertaining
When family and friends visit Fife Lake, 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.
Who You Will Work With
Phillips Lifestyles is family-owned and has been part of Northern Michigan since 1980. Dennis and Debbie Riedel own the company, having relocated with their children to carry it forward, and general manager Ryan Gubbins runs daily operations.
The sales team includes Tony Fifarek, who is also the head mechanical consultant, Cherryland store manager Tyler Hanna, Kenny Smith and Wesley Bonesteel. Warehouse manager Glen Wirth and the delivery crew get products to your door, and service manager Jim Eddy oversees the technicians who maintain them. Meet everyone on the About Us page.
Frequently Asked Questions from Fife Lake Homeowners
Is a sauna worth having at a Fife Lake cottage?
For owners who ice fish, snowmobile or swim, a sauna gets heavy use. Phillips Lifestyles offers Finnleo indoor and outdoor saunas and custom builds through the Traverse City Sauna Company.
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 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.
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.
Next Steps for Fife Lake Homeowners
Pick the step that suits you: stop by a showroom, book a test soak, request a free in-home consultation or contact Phillips Lifestyles with a question. For pricing on a specific product, use the product inquiry form. Showrooms are at 5161 US-31 in Grawn and 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City.